1. Camp out under the Christmas tree overnight.
2. Give each child a small amount of money and go shopping for the food shelf. Let them choose what they buy, reminding them to look for stuff they’d want to eat but also that they can get a lot more by buying inexpensive items. Go together to the food shelf or drop off spot.
3. Go for a drive to see holiday lights. Better yet, park and walk.
4. See if your church or neighborhood groups are going Christmas caroling, or put together your own group and visit a few neighbors.
5. Make gingerbread people or gingerbread houses (for an easy way, use white frosting to glue graham crackers to form the house, and even use a milk carton as a base).
6. Take in a concert at a nearby school or community center.
7. Dress up in holiday colors and/or fancy clothes for everyday stuff. Add curling ribbon to the kids’ hair (and yours!), wear necklaces made from small ornaments, and generally dress to the nines.
8. Make time each day to turn off all the noise, gather with the kids and read poetry or scripture that moves you, say prayers, or otherwise concentrate on your spirituality in a meaningful way.
9. Have a red and green meal.
10. Forget about all the "gottas" and live the season through children’s eyes again. Drink egg nog, sing along badly to carols, sit in the dark and watch the tree, get something flashy for the yard or the door, wear one red and one green sock, tell absolutely everybody "Happy holidays" when you’re out, smile extra, buy yourself a present, make crafts with the kids, play in the snow (or in the sprinkler), light candles, give donations, look at the stars, dance in the kitchen, be goofy with the kids, wink at Santa, say thank you, watch Rudolph, slow down, and enjoy the beauty and the holiness of this amazing world.
I love love love your blog! Thanks for all the great ideas…you’ve certainly helped to create some magic in our house. I linked to you on my blog…you have fantastic stuff here and I always look forward to what you’re going to post!!
Amy (MamaTea)
wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com