Day 7: Buy a Christmas CD
Go with your family to pick out a new Christmas CD. An old favorite of mine is called “A Jazzy Christmas in Dixie,” and a new favorite is “Noel” by Josh Groban.
Day 6: Read a Christmas Book
Read Dickens’ A Christmas Carol together as a family. There are only 143 pages in the book so if you read about 7.5 pages a day, you’ll finish on Christmas Eve! OR read a children’s book together. Be sure to let everyone see all the pictures! One of my favorites is Jingle Bells by Iza … Read more
Day 5: Goody Plates
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
Day 4: Make Paper Snowflakes
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 ]
Day 3: Learn About Advent/Make Advent Calendar
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
Day 2: Talk about the Nativity
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
Day 1: The Christmas Tree
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
25 Days of Christmas
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
Family Game: Don’t Eat Pete!!!
This is a great game that my family sometimes played on Sunday nights, our designated family night. Here’s how you play. What you need: Bag of bite sized candy (M&Ms, Skittles, Reese’s Pieces, etc) Paper grid with 25 squares (5×5) (Click for Printer Friendly Version) How to play: 1. Put one piece of candy in … Read more
Independent Children
My husband read a parenting book written for fathers and the best thing he learned from that book was how to help your children grow up to be secure and independent people. Contrary to intuition, the more attention and love you give your child during their infancy, the more independent they will be as children, … Read more