This poignant moment in the calendar is a time to offer special blessings for a sweet new year. As well as bringing some thoughtful Rosh HaShanah gifts along for your hosts you may well bring along an offering of apples and honey, and maybe a pomegranate, all of which are symbolic to these special celebrations.

Rosh HaShanah is a cherished moment and it is a time to enjoy some quality time with family and friends so that you can create a truly memorable celebration and a delicious holiday meal.

Here’s some great family activity suggestions to help make Rosh HaShanah an occasion where you feel truly blessed.

Make a tradition even more memorable

One of the most practiced and best-known traditions associated with Rosh HaShanah is dipping apples in honey, which is symbolic of hopes for a sweet new year ahead. 

You can make this tradition even more fun by turning it into an apple and honey tasting competition. Gather together some different varieties of apples and a selection of unique and distinctive honeys to be used for dipping.

You can then take it in turns to try the different combinations and vote for your favorite pairing. While you are having this fun-filled competition you can also take turns to talk about your hopes and aspirations for the year ahead, before all enjoying the winning combination.

Take a walk to connect with nature

Rosh HaShanah is designed to be a time where you celebrate how blessed you are for what you have and the family and friends you are fortunate enough to have in your life. A great way of spending some quality time together and reflecting on these blessings would be to organize a nature walk that you all go on.

A walk in the local park or a woodland area always helps stimulate your senses and instills a sense of calm when you are surrounded by nature. While you are walking and taking in these wonderful sights and sounds you can also share with each other your thoughts on the year that has passed, and the year ahead.

A great craft activity to try

If the weather is not kind enough to allow a wonderful nature stroll you could always try a great indoor activity that everyone can do. Gather everyone together and work on creating a “Sweet New Year” wishes tree.

This simple but fun activity is suitable for all ages. You simply use some paper to cut out the shape of leaves or apples and decorate or color them. Then, create a homemade paper tree to hang the apples and leaves on. Finally, get everyone to individually write their hopes and dreams for the year that lies ahead.

Take it in turns to hang them on the tree. Once it is finished, it can be a great topic of conversation as you read what others have written and talk about what their “Sweet New Year” wishes are.

When you plan your gathering for Rosh HaShanah, look for an appreciative gift to bring along, and try these activity ideas that are both fun and help bring you all closer together at the same time.