7 Tips for Christmas and Family Bonding Instead of Scrolling

Christmas and family are a natural pairing, but it’s clear from our 2024 Christmas survey to over one hundred US parents, that smart devices are ruining family Christmases.

73% of parents surveyed felt that the primary purpose of the holiday season was spending QUALITY TIME with their family.

But things are not going according to plan, with 9 out of 10 parents stating that they would prefer MORE BONDING time and LESS SCROLLING this Christmas.

The lure of screens has had such a negative impact on families that a remarkable 59% of parents said they would gladly step back in time to old-fashioned Christmases, free of modern technologies.

Join us as we explore the magical ingredients for a memorable Christmas season, filled with festive fun and most importantly, spending quality time as a family. 

Jump to section:

• What Exactly is ‘Quality Family Time’ During the Christmas Holiday?
• Why Do 9 out of 10 Parents Want Less Screen Time at Christmas?
• A New Christmas Tradition – Blending Old Traditions with New
• 7 Parenting Tips for Your Favourite Christmas Ever
• Parting Thoughts about Christmas and Family Bonding

What Exactly is ‘Quality Family Time’ During the Christmas Holiday?

If families want to make the most of this annual gathering, it’s not enough to just spend time in the same place. 

Being physically together is rare for many families. They want to feel the opportunity hasn’t been wasted on activities that could have been done at other times. 

‘Quality family time’ suggests having meaningful interactions that strengthen relationships and create lasting memories. Moments of laughter and joy, partaking in Christmas traditions, supporting one another practically and emotionally, and connecting with others through stories and shared experiences.

It’s hard to imagine any of that’s possible if you’re not fully present in the moment, free of distractions and stressful situations…

Why Do 9 out of 10 Parents Want Less Screen Time at Christmas?

The picture says it all really. If you are scrolling, you are not:

• Connecting with others through stories and shared experiences.
• Engaging in Christmas Day traditions.
• Supporting one another practically and emotionally.

And frustratingly, it’s an activity you can do any day of the year!

So what is a good way to celebrate Christmas as a family, that includes everyone from children to their aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents?

A New Christmas Tradition – Blending Old Traditions with New

Let’s not forget that over half of the parents interviewed said they would gladly revert to old-fashioned Christmases free of digital distractions. But wouldn’t the best Christmas combine the best bits of traditional and modern Christmases? Enjoying timeless games like Charades, but watching the occasional Christmas movie too.

What’s stopping us parents from limiting the screen time that ruins the family atmosphere?

Truth be told, every year I’m guilty of letting our kids have their screens. And every year I regret it. Why does it happen, even when we know it’s wrong? I believe it’s just bad habits, and I hope you will join me in establishing better habits this year.

In preparation for this Christmas, we’ve collected 7 top tips for the best-ever holiday season with your loved ones.

7 Parenting Tips for Your Favourite Christmas Ever 

Tip 1 – Be inspired by old Christmas traditions and activities 

Here are 9 ideas from traditional Christmases that your family might enjoy.

1. Baking holiday treats

Spend time in the kitchen baking cookies and traditional cakes or decorating gingerbread houses. Involve everyone, from grandkids to grandma. Here are 50 gingerbread house ideas that are sure to inspire your family.

2. Storytime by the fireplace

Read classic Christmas stories like The Night Before Christmas or A Christmas Carol. They are a great way to get the family into the Christmas spirit on Christmas Eve. Read short Christmas stories online here for free.

3. Playing board games or cards

Unplug for a few hours and play family favourites like Monopoly, Scrabble, or a festive card game. Here are 25 board festive games that are recommended in 2024 or use a standard pack cards with these 10 children friendly card games.

4. Spending time together outside

If there’s snow, layer up and head outside for traditional sledging, snowball fights and snow angels. If not, a simple family walk to enjoy holiday lights and decorated houses can be just as magical.

5. Telling family stories

Sit together and share favourite Christmas memories or stories from past generations, especially involving grandparentsand elders. Here are 57 questions that you’ll want to explore with your parents. Christmas is a great time to be nostalgic and take the time to talk about topics that you’re unlikely to explore in messenger apps or video calls.

6. Attending a local Christmas market or event

Visit a nearby market, tree-lighting ceremony, or nativity play to immerse yourselves in the holiday spirit and support local traditions.

7. Review photos from this year, or get nostalgic with old family albums

Look through old holiday photos together and reminisce about cherished memories from past Christmases. It’s a great option post-meals that involves the whole family.

8. Organizing a family talent show

If some of your family are into playing music, singing, dancing and such like, encourage them to perform as part of the Christmas celebration.

9. Challenging family to a Christmas scavenger hunt

Hide small holiday-themed items or clues around the house for kids (and adults!) to find and enjoy as part of a scavenger hunt. We start by identifying interesting objects around the house and/or garden and come up with some crafty clue that’s age-appropriate. You can even make them Christmas-themed clues if you feel creative:

Santa is known for being portly, and he likely has to squeeze into that red suit.

Maybe he should eat healthier, so look where you keep the veggies and ____.

10. Sharing ideas about family meet-ups and activities for the coming year

With the new year around the corner, now is a good time to discuss ideas for the coming year. When you say goodbye after the celebrations, you’ll be pleased to know when you’ll be meeting up next.

Tip 2 – Involve children with selecting activity ideas prior to Christmas

No one likes being told what they’ve got to do, so have a planning session with your children so they can help shape your family’s Christmas. To get the conversation started, make a list of ideas to get the ball rolling.

Children are less likely to turn to their screens if they’ve picked something special to do ahead of time.

Tip 3 – Get prepared for Christmas and family activities

One of my favourite ways to connect with family is playing board games, but each December I’m reminded how complicated they can be! Before I’ve figured out the rules, the kids have run off… This year I’m reading my rules ahead of time, so I can transition our family seamlessly from Christmas lunch to playing games together. 

And plenty of other things are best prepared in advance:

1. Researcing local events
2. Preparing photos for a show
3. Organising a scavenger hunt
4. Buying ingredients & decorations

Tip 4 – Plan for a flexible schedule (or none at all!)

Instead of making details plans for each day, focus on options and let the day unfold in its own good time.

Christmas morning and exchanging gifts always takes far longer than planned at our house. And that’s OK, as the priority is spending quality time together and nothing more.

Tip 5 – Use Christmas hygge for a conversation-inducing environment 

It’s a tradition in our family, and your’s too I suspect, to fill the house with Christmas ornaments, decorations and lights that bring seasonal cheer and remind us of past Christmases. From advent calendars and candles to Christmas pyjamas and Santa jumpers, they never fail to unite all generations in celebration.  

Keep family focused on the occasion by turning off distractions like a TV playing in the background. 

When it comes to quality conversations, here are a few pointers:

1. Consider one-on-one time with people, as when everyone’s present, it can make it harder to connect.
2. Conversations often flow naturally when you’re in semi-distracted environments. So even if you’re not cooking or don’t fancy that afternoon walk, consider joining others – that’s when the best conversations take place. 
3. Asking questions is so underused these days!  They are a priceless way to connect with people over really engaging topics. So think about questions you can ask people this Christmas, and when the time is right, pop the question.

Tip 6 – Start new Christmas traditions to make next year easier

Save yourself some effort next year by establishing a new tradition that everyone loves and wants to repeat annually.

For us, there’s the obvious gift-giving and Christmas lunch, but also a visit to the local pantomime, playing Charades, Facetiming extended family members, and watching the Snowman movie.

Tip 7 – Start a shared venture that nourishes family relationships until next Christmas!

Quality family time is often something that gets overlooked during the course of the year. There is a better way to feel connected all year round…

As a family spread out over several continents, we know how hard it can be to feel connected when you can’t get together regularly. 

We love getting to spend time together, and countdown to our summer and Christmas holidays together.

Why not enlist your family in this shared venture this Christmas and enjoy quality interactions with them all year?

Messaging apps and Facetime calls have been a crucial way for us to remain connected, but something was always missing. So much in our lives never got shared and those weekly catchup calls became a race to exchange the latest news before getting back to our to-do lists…

We wanted quality family time online, where time zone differences and busy schedules wouldn’t cause problems. Our existing communication channels were not up to it, so we built Simirity to help. 

Simirity App is a private storytelling app that unites your extended family in stories, 365 days a year, not just at Christmas.

Over time, your entire family can build an archive of digital stories, filled with memorable photos, videos and audio, that share your experiences with young generations. 

Create an account for free to create a test story and add family members while you are all together. Then its time to discover new things about your family and connect more deeply with them in the process.

Keep your family abroad in the loop and make them feel part of your life.

– The Frenchie Mummy

Parting Thoughts about Christmas and Family Bonding

Are you ready to limit screen time this December? If so, plan ahead so you can get the most from your time together.

In all honestly, our family won’t be banning screen time entirely this Christmas… 

During the busy times in the day when the adults are busy preparing food and such like, I expect the kids will be on their devices. But to make the most of their cousins being here, we’ll encourage them to play games together online, rather than scrolling independently through videos. Who knows, I might even join them for a bit and rope my parents into it too – digital gaming can be a great way to unite all generations in a fun way!