The festivities of summer have come to an end, and the holidays are just around the corner! Why not steal a few of these precious in-between moments, and make something special out of them?

Weekends. We celebrate them every 5 days. A time to rest, regroup, reconnect. A break from our work-a-day lives. Sometimes though, those wonderful “bonus days” can zoom by our heads at warp speed, with nary a moment to savor. But let me encourage you to carve out a free weekend every now and then on your calenders. No commitments. No running around. No company. And just celebrate your time of restful togetherness! With just a little planning ahead, you can make these days stand out from the ordinary — and life is just too short not to take every opportunity to celebrate!

Here are a few simple tips for making your weekend extra special:

1. Set the tone.

Before your family arrives home on Friday, go outside and cut some flowers/greenery/herbs for a small bouquet to place on each bedside table. Bonus points for adding a short handwritten note! Let each member of the family know that they are special, and that you can’t wait to spend the weekend with them!

2. Make a “treat” for breakfast!

This can be as simple as pancakes or eggs (the goal is just to make something you don’t typically make every other day of the week), but if you want breakfast to be even more of a special event, cook something fun and desert-like. This apple crisp is a great example of getting some fruit and healthful oatmeal into your morning, but still feeling like you’re splurging! Add some plain Greek yogurt with maple syrup drizzled over top, and you’ve got breakfast fit for a king.

3. Encourage pampering.

Whether you take time to paint your nails, offer to give your hubby a back rub, or draw a bubble bath complete with candles (kids and teens love this too – of course, for younger children just either supervise the bath, or make sure candles are safely out of reach), these simple pampering activities will help you unwind, de-stress, and breathe a little more deeply.

4. Serve appetizers and snacks.

Usually just reserved for company, why not kick your weekend snacking up a notch with a bit more than the usual bag of Cheetos. Often just reserved for guests, simple appetizers take just minutes to whip up, and yet will make your family feel fussed over for sure! Whether it’s hummus and pitas, guacamole and chips, or a simple cracker/cheese/nut plate as pictured above – start your meal, or refuel after activities with this tasty touch.

5. Disconnect to Reconnect.

Designate certain hours of your weekend as “unplugged” hours, where everyone turns off their computers, ipods, phones, tablets, etc. and just enjoys each others company. Take a hike, rake the yard, play board games. It doesn’t matter what you do, it just matters that you do it together — with no technological distractions.

I hope this post has inspired you to make an ordinary weekend into one full of simple little touches that can help foster an atmosphere where memories are created, weary bodies and minds are truly refreshed, and families take time to reconnect with one another.