How to Celebrate Christmas with Your Kids
Fun Holiday Treats and Activities to do with Children
Nov 19, 2008
It’s easy to get caught up in the entire ruckus the Christmas season tends to bring. Putting aside some quality time with your kids to truly enjoy the spirit of Christmas is not just important for the sake of your bond, but for the sake of tradition and how your kid’s will perceive this holiday several years down the road. Following are just a few Christmas ideas to inspire the joy this season brings and to help you embrace the thrill of Christmas as if you were a child again. Having Christmas Craft time with your child is just as fun!
Christmas Activities for Kids
Traditional Decorating of the Christmas Tree
It seems common sense to let your child participate in the decorating of your Christmas tree, but with the hustle and bustle of the season, sometimes the true sincerity of being a family and trimming the tree together gets lost. This year let your kids decide which part of the tree they will be responsible for. Set aside a time that works for everyone, with no distractions, that you can be together as a family. Have some holiday music playing in the background, provide festive snacks like caramel popcorn, cookies, milk, cocoa and apple cider, and start or rekindle a new tradition with your family.
Count Down to Christmas
Ease your kid’s anticipation of the holiday by sitting down together and figuring out the best way to count down the days before Santa’s arrival. For younger children you can do the traditional paper links using green and red construction paper strips linked together for however many days you have until Christmas. Hang it in either the child's room or by the Christmas tree, letting him take a link off each day. For older kids, you can let them make their own calendar using gift wrap or old Christmas cards cut in squares to cover the days left until Christmas. Each day, your child can peel off the cover to reveal the day. But also remember to encourage your kids to come up with their own ideas. They may come up with something even more creative and fun, starting a tradition for the Christmas’ to follow.
Write a Letter to Santa
Sit down with your child and get online for some Santa writing fun! Email Santa is a great website that not only gives your child a response letter in just a handful of seconds, but also has a great many more fun things to see. You can check the naughty and nice list, print Christmas coloring pages, and more. Did you know Santa has a blog? And a webcam? So does Rudolph! This is a great way to get you and your kid’s involved in the Christmas spirit while learning the ways (and rules) of the Internet.
Kids' Christmas Treats
Candy Cane Bark Gifts
Honor the season’s tradition of giving by letting children either assist or create by themselves this yummy holiday treat to give to friends and family.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag of white chocolate chips or white bark
- Several candy canes
- Box of baggies
- Wax paper
- Ribbon
Putting the candy canes in the baggy, seal tight and let your child go to town pounding them into small pieces. If you have younger children, let them pour the chocolate in a bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir, and continue to heat in 10-second intervals, stirring after each until smooth and melted. For older children, let them put the chocolate in a pan over medium-low heat and stir until melted.
Pour the melted chocolate onto wax paper and let your child sprinkle the candy cane pieces. When cooled, peel the chocolate and break into different sized pieces. Your child can then stuff baggies with several pieces. Assist in tying a ribbon around to seal (curl ribbon if desired) and your child now has a delicious treat to give to her friend or relative, learning the importance of giving.
This Christmas, begin some new traditions you and your children will cherish for years to come. There's nothing like seeing your grown child celebrate the traditions with her family that you embraced with your own.
For more Christmas idea's, visit The Story of Christmas article.
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