Holidays should not be an excuse to drop healthy habits. Here are a few tips on how to make your get togethers healthy, include activity and create new traditions. You can still eat the treat, just pick one or two favorites that have nostalgia - like grandmas cookies, or Aunt Soandso’s chocolate balls. If you grew up with family of origin issues and unhealthy traditions, break the cycle and make the holidays your own. Be the mentor you didn’t have for your kids. Be the example to other family members and support them in their attempts to overcome family history.

Keep the traditions that celebrate the joys of the holidays and modify them to be healthier versions if food was the focal point. Make food the fuel and focus on fun activities like building snowmen, a snow fort or a candle lit winter hike in a local state forest or county park. If the weather is a challenge, do fun family games like twister, create a fun circuit or do a silly video like Pamela Pupkins holiday workout.

10 Tips: Make Celebrations Fun, Healthy, and Active

Eating healthy and being physically active can be a fun part of parties and events. Great gatherings are easy to do when tasty, healthy foods from all the food groups are offered in a fun, active environment. Above all, focus on enjoying friends and family.

1. Make healthy habits part of your celebrations 
   Food and beverages are a part of an event, but they do not have to be the center of the occasion. Focus on activities to get people moving and enjoy being together.

2. Make foods look festive 
   Add a few eye-catching fruits to a favorite dish or a new recipe. For older children, add a sprinkle of almonds or green onions to make the dish pop. Decorate foods with nuts or seeds or use new shapes for vegetables.

3. Offer thirst quenches that please 

   Make fun ice cubes from 100% juice or add slices of fruit to make water more exciting. Create a “float” by adding a scoop of low-fat sorbet to seltzer water. Infuse water with cut up fruit that matches the colors of the holiday. Christmas red and greens - strawberries and limes, New Years lemon or orange slices.

4. Savor the flavor 
   Take time to pay attention to the taste of each bite of food. Make small changes in your old recipes or try dishes from another culture to liven things up.

5. Use ChooseMyPlate.gov to include foods from the food groups for your party 
   Offer whole-grain crackers, serve a spicy bean dip and a veggie tray, make fruit kabobs, layer yogurt and fruit to create a sweet parfait. Use whole grains and veggies to make a savory, healthy salad.

6. Make moving part of every event 

   Being physically active makes everyone feel good. Dancing, moving, playing active games, wiggling, and giggling add fun to any gathering.

7. Try out some healthier recipes 
   Find ways to cut back on added sugars, salt, and saturated fat as you prepare your favorite recipes. Try out some of the recipes from the MyPlate Kitchen.

8. Keep it simple 
   Have others participate by contributing a healthy prepared dish, helping with the clean-up, or keeping the kids active and moving.

9. Shop smart to eat smart 
   Save money by offering foods that fit your budget. Buy in-season produce when it costs less and tastes better. Plan in advance and buy foods on sale.

10. Be a cheerleader for healthy habits 
    It’s never too early for adults to set an example. Keep in mind that children follow what the adults around them do — even at parties. This can also support, set an example for and help family members and friends who desire to make healthy choices.

 Make the rest of your life the best of your life - this includes your holidays!