Today we’re getting our hands messy as part of the 9 Fun Ways to Create a Happy Home series and taking the time out to make something together. A big part of feeling happier is taking the time to not only spend time with your favourite people but it’s also in making memories. A great way to do that is to make something together! The key to this is that what you make doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s more about the action than it is the result, so try not to get stressed if things don’t turn out the way you intended. Mistakes make the best funny memories anyway.
What you’ll need:
- An Activity to do – Like baking something or getting your craft on
- Materials or ingredients – what you’ll use to make your masterpiece
- Good tunes – because good music always helps your mood (and allows for silly dance-offs)
- Good company – because making is much more fun with family or friends
- A lighthearted mood – because making stuff when you’re in a rush or cranky doesn’t help the happiness factor
Pick an activity that you’re willing to try and either grab some friends or some family to be a part of it. It should be something that you either enjoy doing or something that you’ve been looking to try. Think about making a playlist for the day, with a little something for everyone. Bonus points for having a dance-off whilst you’re taking a break from all your fantastic making. If you’re anything like me, you might want to try the most ambitious thing first, and then feel disappointed when it doesn’t really work out. Try to think of something that is just slightly less challenging but will still be fun to try – because you don’t want to be left feeling like it didn’t work out.
If you’re stuck for ideas on what you can make together here are some suggestions:
- Bake a Cake
- Make some easy decorations for your home
- Make and decorate your own paper crowns
- Bake some cookies and have an indoor picnic
- Try finger painting with the little ones
- Decorate some blank cards for the gift wrapping kit
- Attempt some origami
- Make pompoms for a rug
- Colour in colouring pages and pop them on the fridge
- Put together a Puzzle
It really depends on the age and skill level of the people you’re making with as to what activity you choose. It’s really more about setting aside that time to just be in the moment and enjoying the people around you. These are the memories that you want to capture and the laughter that you’ll remember on the days where happiness doesn’t come so easily. Have a camera with you and capture a shot or two of the fun you’re having, but remember to also be in the fun and not just taking all the photos.
Remember to have fun, it seems almost silly to say it, but it’s so easy for us to get caught in things being perfect and tidy that we forget the fun that comes with letting a little mess into our lives and being willing to clear it up later. And remember if you’re baking a cake or cookies to not eat all the batter before it goes into the oven! (party-pooper alert!) ;)
Do you make time to make things with friends or family? What’s your favourite activity? I’d love to hear. Tell me in the comments!
If you do try this, I’d love to see a photo or hear about how it went! Tweet me your pics at: @danniellecresp or instagram me at: @dannielle with the hashtag: #9funwaystocreateahappyhome