Having an active holiday season is what I remember most from my childhood. Rolling-up huge boulders out on the snow-covered lawn in an effort to build an abominable snowman or digging out forts to prepare for a snowball fight are some of my favorite pastimes.

[An oldie but a goodie, this funny comic gets me every winter:)]

But as we grow older and accumulate different responsibilities, maintaining our physical and mental well-being can be difficult through the winter holidays. Throw in shorter daylight hours and we can often find ourselves huddled in our house – or at a shopping mall – stressed out from the holiday pressures of buying presents, attending parties and eating too many of those rich and creamy holiday deserts! Chocolate panatone, I think I love you… Bah humbug we say.

Not so fast! The Christmas season doesn’t have to be an unhealthy time of year. Instead, here are 8 ways to keep you active and healthy during the winter holidays:

1. Active Gifts

We all love the classics like socks and ties (not really) but this Christmas take the stress out of shopping and think “active gifts”.

Some things to look out for include toboggans (GT Snow racers for my generation), skates, snowshoes, recreation center or fitness club passes, Wii Fit games, ski lift passes, Yoga mats, sporting store gift certificates, and so much more. Really, I could bang off another 5 suggestions easy because there is something for everyone.

[Hold on son and look out for the trees... gotta get back on one of these this winter!]

2. Get Physical with Friends and Family

Getting together with friends and family doesn’t have to start and end at the dinner table. Include some form of physical activity like a brisk walk in the neighborhood or even an afternoon hike at a local park. If weather is an issue, stay inside and get a game of Twister going. NOTE: If you really want a challenge give the video game Dance Dance Revolution a whirl – guarantee laughs!

[Twister... where sticking your bum in someone's face is part of the game!]

3. Public Skating

Find out when public skating is open for the season at your local arenas and outdoor rinks. If you’re in New York – concreate jungle where dreams are made of – then make it a movie moment and hit the rink outside the Rockefeller Center. Alternatively, build a backyard skating rink. If you build it, they will come…

[The famous Rockefeller Center outdoor rink - fun for the whole family!]

4. Play in the Snow

Go tobogganing, build a snow fort or make a snow angel! If you’re really looking for a challenge then be like the Green Bay Packers and organize a game of football in the snow with your friends. Who doesn’t like being tackled in the snow?

[Reminds me of my highschool days - except after 20 minutes everyone forgets the score and starts throwing snowballs at each other...]

5. Just Dance

Get in the festive mood by dancing to music in the comfort of your home during your holiday parties. This works especially well if your Uncle Domenic can play the squeeze box (slang alert: small accordion) because that gets everybody grooving and moving to the beats;)

[In case you didn't know, you can elfyourself and perform dance moves you never thought possible!]

6. Grab a Shovel

Shoveling snow is an effective total body workout provided you protect your back and don’t forget to use your legs. If you’re fortunate to be using wood burning stoves then you already know the type of workout you can get by chopping wood. Just be sure to stay warm and don’t overdo it if you have not been active regularly.

[I used to hate moving the white stuff but now I attack it for a great total body workout!]

7. Use That Body Weight

Getting to the gym during the winter months can be down-right treacherous so that’s why body weight exercises are a great alternative. No equipment, no gym, no problem. Check out the Turbulence Training program for a whole whack of body weight exercise workouts like the one below.

[Damn that Craig guy is good. For more of his videos click here]

8. Be Easy on Yourself

Food and drink will be plenty during the holiday season so forget the guilt if you happen to overindulge one day. Be easy on yourself and start over the next day. Eat a healthy diet and get some light physical activity. Most importantly, enjoy the spirit of the season – being among your family and friends is what this time of year is all about!