We spent years wishing there was a way to break up the drudgery that winter can bring. February – surely it can’t be the shortest month of the year, we’d say. Surely it must be the longest, we’d think.
But no longer do we need feel this way, as we finally have a bright light in the winter grey to lift our spirits. Family Day, a day meant for nothing more than just taking a day to enjoy one another, to relax, to forget any winter woes and just have a day to spend together.
How will you be spending Family Day? There are many options, but definitely make a plan of some sort. Don’t let the day disappear into just a few more hours spent cleaning up around the house, aimlessly glued to a screen or working. If you can manage to clear a few hours, do so. If you can clear a whole day, that’s even better. Just do something. And do it together.
Our top choice for Family Day is to create a day filled with each and every family member’s favourite foods. We say make a plan on the weekend, get some groceries and come Family Day, make it Family Favourites day.
What do we mean by family favourites? It means no matter how random the combinations, no matter how nutty the pairings, you do what you can to fit in everyone’s prized foods. Do you have one kid who loves lasagna for dinner, and another who fancies hamburgers? Serve both. Maybe you like green smoothies for breakfast, and your youngest likes waffles? Rack ‘em up. And lunch – won’t you savour that homemade mac ‘n cheese with your sushi? Absolutely!
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(Editor’s Note: We hate to barge in on Jen’s Family Day post, but after all of these family favourites there’s going to be some significant clean up. Our 24″ Electrolux Dishwasher with WAVE-TOUCH® controls has the largest usable capacity in its class, so even your party dishware—not to mention the pure volume—will fit.)
Might it prove a bit unhealthy when you compare it to Canada’s Food Guide? Maybe. But for one day, really, who cares? And the potential for giggles and family fun is high indeed as you boldly go where you’ve never gone before in your kitchen. Are you brave? Maybe your spinach ends up in your husband’s favourite cheese muffins. Maybe the apple pie after supper is served with the choices of whipped cream, a la mode, or with chocolate crackle sundae topping? What could be the harm?
And we’re not just talking ordering in from a couple of places and serving toast and cereal on the same breakfast table. Nope, we say, be brave, let your whole family come up with a list of favourites and then get creative putting them together. And yes, let the little ones in on the plotting too. You never know who might come up with, or truly appreciate those cranberry and brie muffins. And we think that peanut butter, honey and ham sandwiches sound just marvellous.
The point is not just to gross everyone out and act silly (though this is at least half of the appeal). The other benefits are things like spending time together, brainstorming together, getting to know each other better and then, finally, putting it all into action.
What, you thought you could just order in, pick up a few premade foods and be done? You could, certainly, but you’ll have ten times the fun if you also just plan to make whatever you can, from scratch. Grab a couple of stools for any kids too short to see the counter, pull out your aprons or borrow a few frilly or silly ones from someone you know. Make it even more fun by making everyone choose their apron sight unseen, so that perhaps your teenage son ends up in the pink eyelet one. What? We didn’t say teenagers got a free pass – the more the merrier, and better that the whole family get involved.
Roll up your sleeves and make the meals together. Get the kids setting the table, stirring, counting out chocolate chips for the strawberry milkshakes – okay, wait – yes, okay, throw them in! Let the older kids pitch in as their capabilities dictate, while the adults man the stove and recipes with tricky timing or technique.
When you sit down with your whole family to a dinner of hot wings, steamed broccoli, minestrone and fruit salad, after spending the whole day giggling together and dodging dishtowel attacks in the kitchen, you’ll have us to thank. Or, you know, blame. (Editor’s Note: We’re confident they’ll be thanking you. These are great ideas. Hot wings and broccoli… what’s not to like? Seriously, we love both!)
Have fun! We’d love to hear of wacky food pairings that your family members already enjoy. If you have some to share, drop us a comment!
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Be sure to come back next week when we share some solutions for your laundry room and routine. It can be an endless, thankless task, to be sure, but we can make it easier, we promise!
