Families everywhere are planning for the holiday season.
If you own a lake home, it can be a beautiful Christmas getaway for you, your friends and your loved ones.
Whether your family celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah or any other holiday, here are some tips to help you get ready for a fun, relaxing holiday at your lake home.
Getting started
Invite guests well in advance. A group email or online invitation can help with this.
Keep track of who will be spending the night, and when they will arrive.
For overnight guests, plan sleeping arrangements ahead of time. For example, older family members might not appreciate climbing the stairs to an upstairs bedroom, while children can often share rooms.
A warm, inviting fireplace can get anyone in the holiday spirit. Clean out any wood-burning fireplaces, and remember to open the damper before lighting.
Be sure to send directions ahead of time to any first-time guests. Many lake properties are situated in secluded, rural areas with limited cell phone or GPS service.
It’s cold outside! People often underestimate the chill of a lake in the fall. Packing a few extra blankets, jackets and sweatshirts can help everyone stay cozy.
Planning the menu
This is one of the biggest expenses of a family gathering.
Whether you go potluck or bring everything yourself, be sure to plan ahead! Coordinating with your family members can save you hours of work.
If you don’t live at your lake home, make sure you can either transport the food safely, or have a reliable grocery store nearby.
Remember that many stores close, or close early, on Christmas Eve, and don’t open again until the Dec. 26! Raw meat, such as a Christmas turkey, should always be kept in a cooler if it’s being transported more than 30 minutes.
The big dinner is important, but remember to plan for all the other meals, too!
Breakfast foods, coffee, snacks and other essentials are also necessary. Tupperware or other storage containers are a great idea, too, especially if you have a large family.
If you don’t love the idea of cooking a huge meal, consider ordering a turkey or ham from a nearby market or grocery store.
Ordered in advance, these can usually be picked up on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
You Shouldn’t Have… Planning for Unexpected Gifts
If you plan to exchange Christmas gifts, be sure to let everyone know ahead of time!
Remember, many younger families, especially those with children, cannot afford to buy gifts for everyone at a large gathering. Today, many families choose not to exchange gifts, or limit their gift-giving to the children or grandchildren.
Others minimize things with the time-honored “Secret Santa” method. That way, everyone can concentrate on what’s important – spending time with those they care about.
If you do exchange gifts, make sure there is a place to store all the presents! Even if you don’t have a Christmas tree, a spot near the fireplace, well away from the flames, can work just as well. Or you can make a mountain of gifts on the dining room table!
Having some wrapping paper and tape on hand can be a real life saver. After the kids have gone to bed, wrapping gifts over a bottle of wine is a great way to close out Christmas Eve.
What to do, what to do…
So the big day has come, dinner is finished, and all the gifts are unwrapped. What comes next, other than digesting?
If you’re looking for things to do, chances are there are plenty of activities near your lake home!
Even though it’s too cold to go swimming, you can still enjoy the local community attractions. Check the community calendar in the weeks beforehand for Christmas parades, plays and other family-friendly events.
If it’s not too cold, a walk around the lake is a great way to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Or maybe a game of touch football?
Board games, looking through family albums and watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” are time-honored traditions, too. And there’s nothing quite like watching a winter sunset over the lake from behind a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
Whether you’re planning a huge family gathering or a romantic getaway for two, we wish you a happy holiday season and a happy new year.
Be sure to check out our Hosting for the Holidays article for more tips this celebration season.