Christmas is around the corner. It is a time when most people are excited to spend quality time with their families and take a break from the 9-5 schedules and messy traffic-laden mornings.

Family time is very crucial for every individual given that family gives one comfort, peace and belonging. However, it is even more fun celebrating with more people because as they say ‘the more the merrier’.

Celebrating this wonderful time of the year with other families could be the best decision you have ever made.

If you are the kind that likes to keep in your space, try stepping out of your comfort zone this year or at least do it for the children who usually love to run around with as many friends as they can have over. Here are some benefits you might consider;

1. Creating new experiences and memories

Celebrating with other families will usher you into new experiences of different routines, food recipes, food, culture and memories. Different families celebrate in several distinct ways. Coming together means learning, experiencing and celebrating uniquely. The children will experience diversity and have lots of people to play with and beautiful photos to add to the family album. This also helps create new memories as the best memories are created when people come together. This is a good time to forgive the annoying neighbour and to enjoy the uniqueness of everyone.

• Rebuild and improve family relationships

When you celebrate with other families, you have a chance to see things from a different perspective, and approach family issues with love and forgiveness. Other families will help you reflect on the relationship between your husband, children and parents. Children often open up when there are new people of their age which is a good way for them to build their social skills. Create fun games and activities for everyone to participate to strengthen the bond and ease the tension.

• It helps you appreciate your family

It can be hard to notice how good your spouse and children are. Different aspects of life can cause friction between parents and their children. A time like this will help you appreciate your family, sometimes this can only happen when you meet other families.

• The joy of shared experiences

Christmas is joyful time, exciting, comforting and relaxing. Sharing this time with different lovely families will give you a chance to experience things differently. This is definitely the best way to spend Christmas, creating memories and cementing great relationships.

• Shared costs and shared joy

Sharing conversations, new friends, shared experiences, old friends and shared supplies for all of this is just too exciting and relieving at the same time. All the families will agree to each bring something, taking the burden off the host. This makes Christmas even more fun and fulfilling.

Alternatively, you can plan ahead and do a families’ day out and here are some places with family-curated activities;

• Aqua Park in Naalya, especially for the children.
• Bulooba Forest resort perfect for a family holiday.
• Oguzulu has various activities that families can participate in.
• Kazi camping site- Camping is a great activity for family but they also have various games like the forest hunt.
• Imperial Resort Beach Entebbe
• Garuga Resort Beach Hotel has a wonderful water view

Overall, strive to make the best memories of this year’s Christmas by practising gratitude, forgiveness and love. If you can’t afford to take the family out, invite other families to celebrate with you.