For many, the holidays are times spent with family and friends, to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the new year. However, many people spent the holidays with only their immediate families due to COVID-19; this left free time to make new “traditions” or to just do something fun.

The Owen County Cooperative Extension Service, including Extension Agents from 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture & Natural Resources, decided to create a dual Family & Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development Grab-n-Go program that crossed each Extension program area, leading to the Christmas Door Hanger Project. The project kits included a wooden cut-out of family choice (Christmas Tree, Ornament, Snowman, Snow globe), paint, and brushes, the cost was $20.00 per person to cover cost of supplies. This activity gave 4-H youth members, and their family members the opportunity to be creative, and allowed them to try a new activity as a family.

Overall, there were 14 families, and 22 individuals who participated in the Grab-n-Go program, some participants said:

“This was a great way for our family to bond and do something new.” 

“I can’t wait to do a different shape next year!

Some even made it into a family contest and had people vote on social media.