Keeping the family together during the holidays

In many Ugandan homes, the holidays are a rare opportunity for family members to be under one roof. Children are home from boarding school. University students have returned from their hostels. Even working sons and daughters, if they are fortunate, may take a couple of days off or spend the weekend at home. But the big question is: how do we use this time to re-engage families without spending money we don’t have?

With the high cost of living, rising fuel prices, school fees looming on the horizon, and other financial pressures, many families feel they cannot afford outings or fancy activities. However, the truth is that you don’t need a big budget to create meaningful moments together. What matters most is being intentional about connecting with love, laughter, and shared time.

Start with shared meals

There is something sacred about eating together. Whether it’s posho and beans or matooke and g-nut sauce, what brings families closer is not the menu, but the moment. Try to plan at least one meal a day where everyone eats together, without phones or distractions. Avoid letting children eat from where they wish as if you are not a family. Let the younger children help with peeling or serving. Let the university student prepare a new dish they’ve learned. Let dad or mum share a childhood story at the table. Over time, these simple mealtimes can become powerful moments of bonding.

Work together, then play together

Family bonding doesn’t always come from rest, it can grow from shared responsibility. In many homes, the holidays are the time to slash the compound, dig in the garden, clean out the store, or do minor home repairs. Instead of assigning tasks as punishment, make them team efforts. Put on some music, work in pairs, and reward yourselves with a cold soda or a shared laugh afterwards. After working together, play together. This could be a game of Ludo, charades, or cards. Take a short evening walk as a group. Organise a simple quiz night or storytelling evening. You’ll be surprised how much joy hides in these low-cost moments. Let children take the lead in organizing such small but impact events in your home.

Create family traditions

Traditions help create identity and a sense of belonging. You don’t need to wait for Christmas to start one. Choose a day of the week to watch a movie together at home. Set up a Saturday pancake morning. Have a mini talent show every two weeks where family members sing, dance, or tell jokes. These rituals, however small, give children and youth something to look forward to. And when older children come back home, they plug right back into that culture. That’s how memories are made.

Include the older children

In homes with adult children, it can be easy to forget they, too, need bonding moments. Ask them for help in organising activities for the younger ones. Let them teach a skill, lead a devotion, or share tips from campus or work. When parents honour their older children with trust and responsibility, it draws them closer. You can also include them in family decision-making. For example, planning the end-of-year budget together or discussing family goals can make them feel valued. They are not just ‘grown-ups’; they are still your children, and still part of the home.

Embrace faith and reflection

For many families, faith is central. Use the holidays to pray together, attend church as a family, or read a Bible passage in the evening. If your family is Muslim or follows another tradition, observe it together. Spiritual connection often becomes the glue that holds relationships strong, even when other things fail. Also, have honest talks about life. Ask your children about their goals, their fears, and their ideas. Listen with curiosity, not judgment. These conversations cost nothing but are rich in emotional value.

Go out, without spending much

Yes, outings are possible even on a tight budget. A family walk to the trading centre, a visit to grandma’s village, or a picnic at a local church compound or field can be fun. Carry your own snacks, a mat, and just enjoy nature. Some towns like Jinja, Fort Portal, or Entebbe offer affordable public parks or lakeside spots. For those in Kampala, even a group trip to the market can turn into an adventure if approached with humour and togetherness.

Therefore, every holiday season is a gift. You don’t have to travel far or spend much to bond as a family. All you need is time, attention, and a willingness to be present. In a world where people are often too busy for each other, these moments of connection, big or small, are what our children will remember most.

Don’t wait for December 25th to start being a family. Start today, now is the real time.

The writer is the executive director of Hope Regeneration Africa, a parenting coach, marriage counselor, and the founder of the Men of Purpose mentorship program.