There is something so sweet about poetry that fills me with sunshine. I don’t know what it is, but when I read a simple poem with a clear message I feel a sense of hope and happiness. It’s that feeling that makes me want to change the world. I think that feeling is another name … Read more
Many cities put on a live Nativity event. Check to see if that happens in your city and attend. Bring hot chocolate and wear warm clothes! If you don’t have a live Nativity in your city, act it out with your family. You’ll need Mary Joseph Baby Jesus (a doll) A shepherd (take a look … Read more
Take your family (or just your spouse) to see the Nutcracker Ballet, a Christmas choir or bell choir concert. Or visit a local museum to see the holiday exhibition.
This is one of my favorite, favorite, favorite things to do at Christmastime. I remember going to the Festival of Lights in my hometown with my family. We drove through the park and saw all of the beautiful light displays. We would also drive around local neighborhoods to see the lights. Take your family on … Read more
Even Christmas trees without lights are fascinating to babies. This mobile is a breeze to make with patterned papers. Suspended over a changing table or crib, it’s a decoration that also serves an important purpose: keeping your little one calm and entertained (be sure to hang it out of reach). Mobile How-To 1. Using a … Read more
Start doing a puzzle tonight and work on it until Christmas. Set it up in the family room where you can all be together while doing it and also where people can work on it and still be involved with other things that are going on. Buy a new Christmas puzzle each year the day … Read more
Sometime during the day hide some candy or a small gift in each of your children’s shoes. At some point in the day, perhaps after dinner or right before bed, give one person a little package to open that will have a note inside saying something like: “For a bit of Christmas news, hurry and … Read more
Get lots of different kinds of candy in different colors and shapes, graham crackers, and frosting to make gingerbread houses. Let each member of the family make his or her own house and put them all together at the end to make a village. Here’s the recipe for the frosting: 2 egg whites 1 t. … Read more
Think of all your neighbors and acquaintances and invite someone to dinner. Try to think of someone who lives alone and who may not have family around during the holidays. Open up your home to this person and invite them to have dinner and share part of this Christmas season with your family. After dinner … Read more
If it has snowed recently where you live, build a snowman or go sledding. Sliding down a snowy hill on rubber inner-tubes is a fun activity we used to do in my family when I was a kid…just be careful because it can be dangerous! My sister broke her arm doing this (although we weren’t … Read more