| Making homemade christmas cards and christmas | | | | kids organizational skills. |
| crafts is a great way to spend quality family time | | | | Bring out those old unused christmas cards, |
| together. The creative use of colors, drawing | | | | clothes and anything else that can be cut up to |
| pictures for painting, listening to the christmas | | | | make a craft. Do you have any of those broken |
| music, all contribute to making christmas a special | | | | colorful floppy disks lying around? Bet you could |
| time. | | | | do a whole lot with those and a bit of glue? |
| Encourage your children to participate in the | | | | Recycle as much as you can. Do not throw your |
| making of different crafts to place around the | | | | old wig out yet? That is fair game too! Have you |
| home for the holidays. It places special meaning | | | | tried looking on the internet for craft ideas? That |
| and emphasis on the holidays. Lock the television | | | | is the best place to look. |
| in a back room. | | | | Halloween is long gone but were are those |
| Only bring it out for special time that is set aside | | | | costumes and decorations? Use them now! |
| during the holiday period. The family can use it for | | | | With all of this activity the kids are sure to get |
| a designated movie night. | | | | hungry. Have a special meal or light snacks for |
| Be sure to rent special movies on the night. | | | | them. A nice dessert treat is always welcomed. |
| Watch teachable family movies with meaningful | | | | Let the girls help out with baking Christmas |
| story lines. | | | | cookies. Use your famous cookie cut outs. |
| Bring out the board games. Although it is | | | | When the fun time is over let all the kids help to |
| christmas Monopoly is always a great choice. | | | | clean up. This will be an important task. The living |
| They may even sell a christmas edition. | | | | room will be transformed into the family theater |
| Have christmas music playing throughout the | | | | for later on in the evening. |
| house at all times. The children will be humming | | | | Children should also be encouraged to pursue |
| and singing their favorite tunes. | | | | calmer mental activities. They can write poems |
| Encourage inside activities such as ping pong, | | | | and stories. |
| musical chairs and Simon Says (a great game). | | | | A parent can start a story and the children can |
| They keep the kids active and in a fun mood. | | | | each finish the story in their own words. They |
| These games also teach valuable lessons along | | | | can then take turns and read their story to the |
| with the fun that comes with playing them. | | | | others. |
| They teach children to accept defeat graciously | | | | Encourage the children to think of games they |
| (depending on the child). They teach how to | | | | can play the next day. You may be pleasantly |
| accept victory without rubbing it into the losers. | | | | surprised what they come up with. Use the |
| Obviously parents have to be there to nurture, | | | | christmas holidays wisely. |
| coach and guide. | | | | Tell your children constantly about the things that |
| How about decorating the Christmas tree with | | | | make christmas time a special time. Lets make |
| homemade ornaments? That is a great idea. Bring | | | | this a family filled christmas. You are building |
| out a few craft books to help with brainstorming | | | | memories, men and women. |
| ideas. Have a quick planning session. It teaches the | | | | |