This year, many of us are looking to simplify our holiday gift giving and turn our focus to making the most of each moment we spend with the people we love.
The Savour Ontario team will be filling stockings and raising cheer with locally-sourced and Ontario-made gifts and deliciousness of course, but we thought we’d also look at some new ways to freshen old traditions and make them last.
12 Gifts for the Holidays
A new way to celebrate old traditions.
12 Gifts is a fun holiday activity to prolong the holiday season as many of us explore new ways to celebrate small, focus on the things that matter most and spend more quality time together. Think of it as an in-house Secret Santa game to be played for the 12 days leading up to January 5th.
Step 1
Each housemate selects and decorates a can or jar. This will be their personal container for the duration of the game (and, if you craft it well enough, for years to come). You can use a large juice, bean, sauce or coffee can and personalize it any way you like! Try scrap fabrics, wrapping paper, ribbon and trim or make a collage out of images from old books and magazines.
Step 2
Write the name of each player within the household on a slip of paper. Fold in half and place in a hat or mug.
Step 3
Pass the hat or mug around to each player, who will then draw a single piece of paper. Read the name on the paper privately to make sure no one knows who you drew. This person will be the object of your affection or mischief for the 12-day game period
Step 4
The game begins at midnight on December 24th and concludes on January 5th. During the time, each player must fill and hide the can or jar belonging to the person whose name they drew once each day, surprising them with notes, small treats and challenges.
Step 5
To start the game, line up all of the containers on a mantle, side table or similar place within the home. Part of the game will be ‘stealing’ and hiding your recipient’s container without getting caught! Once found, containers should be returned to the same original spot to be re-hidden for the next day’s round.
Step 6
Remember, each player will also be the object of another player’s attention, so you get back what you put into it. Be clever and creative with your small gifts to help prolong the holiday spirit!