Bake up some Christmas treats and make goody plates to deliver to friends and neighbors. This activity is one of my favorites – I enjoy baking and I especially like making pretty desserts. Delivering your freshly baked treats saves you from eating them and spreads holiday cheer. Here are some recipes for some delicious, beautiful, … Read more
Make paper snowflakes and hang them from the ceiling in your children’s bedrooms or put them on the windows. Paper snowflakes are especially nice if it doesn’t snow where you live. Click below to get snowflake templates. Familyfun.com Snowflake Diagrams MarthaStewart.com Snowflake Diagram [photo from marthastewart.com ]
Advent (from the Latin word advenio, meaning “to come”, “the coming of Christ our saviour”) is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, also known outside the Church as the season of Christmas.” [From wikipedia.com] Advent begins on the fourth … Read more
Start the Christmas season out right by having a special family activity to talk about the elements of the Nativity. The first Sunday in December is the perfect day to do this. Religious Elements of the Nativity The “Nativity” is the story of Christ’s birth. Mary and Jesus are always present in nativity representations. Joseph, … Read more
If you haven’t already, today would be a good day to put up the Christmas tree! Once the tree is up, the Christmas spirit spreads like crazy. Let the festivities begin! Oh, and don’t forget the Christmas music! [photo from marthastewart.com] Put up Christmas lights on the outside of your house. String them around windows, … Read more
For the month of December, I want to give you some ways to celebrate the Christmas season. Too many years Christmas comes and goes and I don’t feel like I’ve even had time to enjoy and celebrate it. Filling December with fun festive holiday traditions will make Christmastime a season to remember for your family. … Read more
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” –William Arthur Ward Each night for the last several months my husband and I have taken a few minutes before bed to write down something that we’re grateful for or something that happened that day to let us know that … Read more
Many families participate in a sports event on Thanksgiving. If you have an active and athletic family, a thanksgiving football or basketball game is fun. For bad weather or something a little less physical, hold a family ping pong, pool, or bowling tournament. Do a puzzle together. Play card and board games. The most important … Read more
This is a section of George Washington’s First Thanksgiving Proclamation, given in New York City on October 3, 1789. “Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficient … Read more
Put 5 kernels of corn next to each plate at the dinner table. Remind family members that on the first Thanksgiving, each person only had 5 kernels of corn to eat. Express gratitude for the abundance and prosperity of this great nation. Be thankful for how much food you have to eat. [photo from flickr.com]