Add some FUN!

In the olden days, the focus of every holy day, every day for celebration, was feasting. When most people barely got enough food to live on, it was always a big deal (and probably biologically important) to gather cooperatively periodically and feed each other.

In the U.S. in the 21st century, it is time to find a different model for celebrating. When our daily caloric intake meets or exceeds what our great-grandparents ingested at a feast, food-based parties are redundant and even harmful. I know it's too late for 2008--you and I both have our plans. I know that sometimes we just don't control every scenario (so you really DO have to face down Aunt Elna's deep-fried chicken on Sunday afternoon).

But why not begin planning for next year? What can you do on birthdays, anniversaries, holidays that does NOT make food the central feature? Can you do the Turkey Day walk in Newport next Thanksgiving? Can you visit the zoo/aquarium/museum center for the bulk of a Sunday afternoon and make gathering at the table an afterthought? Look ahead through your calendar. Why not have your spouse take you out for tango lessons on your birthday instead of just chowing down at the Argentine Bean? It's not about cutting family time out of your life. It's about adding excitement and FUN to your family time.