’Tis the season for fixing holiday feasts. since the kids are on break from school, what better time to involve them in meal prep—creating family traditions as you do—suggests Gina Neely, chef and co-host of Food Network’s Down Home with the Neelys.

Dole out the courses. Appoint your child sous-chef and charge him with a dish of his choosing. The week before the holiday meal, pore over time-honored family recipes or dog-eared cookbooks together and let him pick a recipe to oversee—dessert, anyone? Shop for ingredients. Plan a supermarket excursion with his dish in mind and let him find and purchase the essentials. When kids are integrally involved in a process, they’re bound to take pride in their contribution. Add a dollop of cheer. Play holiday tunes as your child performs age-appropriate tasks like measuring dry ingredients, stirring batter and licking the mixing spoon—the messier the prep, the merrier!