Entries in the Category 'Holiday traditions'

Christmas traditions

December 22nd, 2009 / 4 Comments

Before I leave off for the year 2009 to enjoy Christmas vacation with my family, I want to leave you with a quick recommendation that I believe will benefit your family.
Each year I read this book to my children at Christmas time.

The Tale of the Three Trees is a moving story with a message that [...]

Reclaiming Christmas in the home

December 14th, 2009 / 2 Comments

I happened to come across the Shrek Christmas show on TV last week. I am not a fan of Shrek movies. I think some of the humor and themes are not appropriate for kids while making itself out to be a children’s movie.
Anyway, back to the point, this Christmas show had Shrek trying to create [...]

What to do when your kids are bored

June 18th, 2009 / 2 Comments

A reader asks, “What do I do with my kids when they complain that they’re bored?”
Does it irk you when kids say, “I’m bored!”?
While substituting a 4th grade class, a girl came up to me during recess and said, “I’m bored!” I looked at her and said, “And your point is…?” My sarcasm was lost [...]

Make Gingerbread Friends for Christmas

December 11th, 2008 / 3 Comments

I am so excited! Tomorrow my daughter will be coming home from college for 3 weeks of Christmas vacation!
Christmas holidays gives many natural opportunities to spend time together with our children. My younger daughter and I went Christmas shopping for her friends today. We wrapped Christmas presents together with Christmas music in the background. Decorating [...]

Teaching your children to budget for gifts

December 8th, 2008 / 1 Comment

How do you help your children budget for Christmas gifts for their friends?
What do you do when your children want to buy an expensive gift for a friend they don’t know that well?
Is it ok to say, “You can’t spend that much on someone you don’t know that well.”? Does it sound like I’m teaching [...]

The economy and Christmas expectations

December 4th, 2008 / 4 Comments

“The economy is tough this year, please don’t worry about spending much; I am telling my kids not to expect much from people, it is the thought that counts.”
That email from my sister-in-law reminded me to have that talk with my own kids this year.
How about you? Have you prepared your children yet?
Here is [...]

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24th, 2008 / No Comments

I’m going out to buy the turkey today…and getting ready to feed 20+ people at my house on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite  holidays. It’s not a huge ado with presents and all that, but it’s enough of an excuse to bake pecan pies and pumpkin bread, get the house cleaned up, and pass [...]

The holiday [not]rush

November 20th, 2008 / 4 Comments

Can you imagine not being busy for the holidays? It’s almost sacrilegious.
But this year, I am determined to take it easy.
1. Easy gifts. I am giving everyone Kiva gift cards. It’s good for me and good for the world.
2. Easy decorations. Hang up strands of of lights, everywhere, indoor and out. Lights always give [...]

Campfire without camping

November 19th, 2008 / No Comments

In Southern California, we are really feeling “winter” fast approaching…with high of 83 degrees today.
For the rest of those in the Northern Hemisphere, here is an inexpensive cool item to get for the holidays.

Set up and clean up is easy.
This makes a great family night for the holidays. Make a crockpot of chili, [...]

Thanksgiving is giving thanks to God

November 13th, 2008 / No Comments

It’s not just turkey and pumpkin pie.
Celebrating the holidays provides a natural avenue to pass on our beliefs to our children.

I highly recommend reading this book together as a family – Thanksgiving – A Time To Remember by Barbara Rainey
This book tells not only the historical story of the Pilgrims, but it recognizes God’s [...]

Beginning of the holiday season

November 10th, 2008 / 3 Comments

Beginning of November marks for me the beginning of the holiday season!
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Thanksgiving and Christmas?
Food? Shopping? Stress?
Celebrating the holidays is not merely for the food and fun even though we certainly look forward to those. Holidays are also an effective way to [...]