The holidays are a great time for family bonding. Whether you host elaborate, multi-family holiday gatherings, or enjoy more modest times with your immediate family, there are plenty of ways for your kids to contribute.

In addition to helping you out, they are learning valuable skillslike planning, socializing and creative problem-solving. These skills build confidence and can can benefit them when they’re faced with difficult situations, like choosing whether or not to engage in underage drinking.

Try a few of these at your next family gathering:

1.    Meal planning, purchasing and preparation

The heart of most family gatherings is dinner. Asking for side dish suggestions involves kids right from the start. In the kitchen, younger children can collect ingredients and help mix together recipes. Young teens may feel comfortable cooking simple dishes or baking pies on their own. And don’t forget older teens. Even a quick shopping trip to the store for last-minute items can help them feel like they are contributing, too.

2.    Hosting from door to table

Greeting guests is an underrated skill. Encourage children to offer to take coats at the door and to seat guests at the table when dinner is ready. This gives younger children visible tasks they can call their own. It also gives older kids and teens a chance to practice their social skills with peers, as well as adults.

3.    Decorating the table

If arts and crafts are a part of your family tradition, encourage your kids to design and create fun centerpieces for the table. Even if art isn’t your thing, you can still have fun as a family creating festive placecards and placemats for each setting.

When you work together, each member contributing in their own way, everyone enjoys the shared satisfaction of a job well done.