Merry & Bright is a festive, Christmas-themed game that helps children focus on ways to show love and affection, connect with loved ones, and encourages the building of special memories. The game uses general terms about the holidays to make it applicable to a wide audience. General terms are also used concerning family to allow use with different family constellations.
There are eight categories of cards, each with different prompts for storytelling, identifying strengths and connections, and helping children articulate their needs and wants. The topics include different ways to show love, how to communicate needs and desires in relationships, how to be intentional about building happy memories, and identifying strengths in relationships.
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Game Card Topics:
Building Relationships: These cards help children identify ways to nurture and build relationships, offering a chance to brainstorm new ideas for connection and growth.
Little Things: Sometimes less is more. Little things can make a huge impact on others. These cards help highlight the meaningfulness of little gifts or gestures to show affection, appreciation, or interest in others.
Kindness: Kids will be prompted to consider creative ways to show kindness to others and to become more aware how meaningful and impactful small acts of kindness can be on others.
Cherished Gifts: Some things and experiences are deeply meaningful. Players will consider the things they hold dear and identify what makes these things special.
Warm Feelings: Being intentional about connection with others helps to foster a strong, secure attachment. These cards focus on identifying meaningful ways to connect and interact with others to foster healthy relationships.
Sweet Moments: Players will be challenged to consider successful moments from the past as well as identify ways to make new memories in the future.
Unexpected Guest: Children will be prompted to consider who they desire to spend time with, identify meaningful relationships they have with others, and to process feelings of loss related to people who are absent. This could be especially helpful for those grieving the loss of a family member or if they have an estranged family member.
Exciting Times: Players will be able to define specific activities they find thrilling and adventurous. They will also be able to identify significant figures in their lives they want to share these experiences with.
Merry & Bright lends itself nicely to a broad audience and could be used in individual, group, or family sessions. Children often enjoy sharing their holiday experiences with peers, making it an engaging game for groups. I personally prefer it in a family setting, as it is rich with warm memories, their favorite experiences, and allows family members to express their desired ways of connecting with one another. This game is available as a hard copy, digital PDF download, and for telehealth. It is best for children ages 5-14.
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