What did you do Family Day? Get to the true heart of the matter.

Family Day (only in Canada!) brings us another stat holiday, but also pressure to do something memorable together…and shouldn’t we be showing our love to each other everyday??? Not that I don’t give my kids all of the love and attention they need daily (ok, as a working mother of 3, I’m the first to admit that I live with guilt every minute about not giving them enough), but it’s fun to designate many days throughout the year as Family Days…or Family Part-Days…or maybe just a Family Activity time?! And, try and make them as eco-ish as you can.

Take a few extra moments to consider what we do together as families and what we buy as households, and, add an extra touch of love…it will mean the world…to the world!

Try some of the following ideas:

Greetings of Love. Make cards from what you have in your home…old magazines, scrap paper, how about that artwork brought home from school that you are not keeping? (seriously, if you have school aged-children, you will know that I’m not an evil mother…there is only so much space we have and so many things that we can classify as precious!). Or, of course, send your love via email.

Coco Loco. You can never go wrong with chocolate treats. Well, actually, you sort of can. Make sure to look for organic and fair-trade labels. When labeled “organic� you can be assured that your chocolate hasn’t been sprayed with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. When labeled “Fair trade�, it means that farmers were given a fair price for their cocoa.

Buy the whole bush! Instead of flowers that will be gone within days, go out with your family and buy a plant, a sprouting kit, or an indoor herb garden (organic, of course). Plant what you buy together and enjoy – it will also serve as a reminder of your love and your special day. (interesting perspective given on fresh cut flowers in this article http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200107/hidden.asp)

Experience it all. Experience something new or old together. Take a cooking class (www.fullynourished.ca). Go to the museum or other attraction. Go mini-golfing or bowling. Get tickets to a concert or play. http://www.kidsaroundcanada.com/events is a good place to start looking. If you combine your outing with a meal, choose a restaurant with a local and sustainable menu. You cannot believe how many exist, are affordable and offer favourites like pizza or burgers if your kids are picky eaters…however, make it an opportunity to find a new food to love…something colourful perhaps?!

Dress up or dress down. Dress up your table and yourselves and prepare a 100 mile dinner (www.100milediet.org) together. I know, this is a stretch for some to imagine, but shopping together can be fun too…try a farmer’s market. Or, dress down and get down on the floor. Spread out a blanket and have an indoor picnic!

Pop it up. Pop local organic popcorn (our family favourite http://www.naturesorganics.ca/ ), and cuddle up under blankets together. If you are curious why you should only be eating organic popcorn, watch www.kingcorn.net (boring for young kids), otherwise, choose something you’ll all love together…think old family footage too…good laughs and great memories.

Be playful. Play a game together, build a fort, make a snowman (if your climate allows). There are great eco-minded games out there now too… www.beyondlearning.com  or our current family favourite, http://uktrade.greenboardgames.com/products/cocoa-a-gogo (purchased at Grassroots in Toronto).

Take another shot. Take tons of digital pictures throughout the day (use as many cameras as your family has – no, not an encouragement to go out and buy more), and make a collage, an online album, a screensaver from it. There is nothing like my family’s smiling faces to brighten a moment.

Even when caught up in the hustle, bustle, routines and chaos on every other day, may your days together be full of fun, laughter, kindness and love…for your family and our world.

Lisa Borden is an eco-advocate and mother of three, whose business is a direct reflection of her commitment to better, more responsible living. She is a dedicated workaholic, admitting that it takes a lot of time and effort to change the world, especially in her non-preachy, fun, engaging and inspiring ways. Lisa consults, writes, engages the media, runs private workshops, and enjoys speaking to large and small groups. Her full-service marketing firm, Borden Communications + Design Inc. is based in Toronto and takes great pride in being an ethical business providing exceptional ideas. You can sign up for Lisa’s rants and raves at www.bordencom.com or reach her directly at lisa@bordencom.com.

© Lisa Borden 2009

Tags: events for children, family day, family fun activities, Green Living, ideas, Lisa Borden