| That time of year is coming soon. Christmas that | | | | an invaluable gift that they will display with pride |
| is. I love Christmas. My favorite part of Christmas | | | | every single year.A great resource for crafting |
| is the excitement that the kids have. Children | | | | ideas and plans is a book that I found on the |
| view Christmas as a very magical time. When I | | | | Internet called "The Ultimate Christmas Craft |
| look at the excitement on a child's face, I know | | | | Collection". It has over 80 great craft plans.Making |
| that it takes magic to put it there. In fact, I love | | | | Christmas dinner can be a family activity as well. |
| a child's excitement so much that I try to do | | | | For many families, Christmas is the most |
| everything that I possible can to get more of it. I | | | | celebrated meal of the year. Including everyone in |
| will come up with every family activity that I | | | | the preparations will be a great learning |
| possibly can to get my family to the peak of | | | | experience as well as a bonding experience. Each |
| excitement. So, here are some of my ideas.In a | | | | person can select some of his/her favorite |
| previous article, I discussed the benefits of baking | | | | recipes to include on the festive table. A good |
| cookies at Christmas time. This has been a long | | | | place to find recipes for traditional, non-traditional, |
| tradition in my family. In this article, I would like to | | | | and child-friendly dishes is a book called, "The |
| present some other Christmas activities for the | | | | Ultimate Christmas Recipe Collection." Some of |
| family. Some of these may seem obvious. | | | | the recipes include the traditional: baked ham, egg |
| However, new parents may not realize how quick | | | | nog and fruitcake. Non-traditional recipes like |
| and easy some of these activities can be.One of | | | | baked oysters and basil-stuffed lamb roast. |
| the most popular Christmas activities is crafting. | | | | Child-friendly recipes such as macaroni and |
| Crafting covers a large area. The key here is to | | | | cheese, Christmas pudding, fudge and cookies are |
| break down the crafts by age group and | | | | included as well.Lastly, I love to read the children |
| occasion. For instance, I have a toddler. For her, I | | | | Christmas stories. Classic Christmas stories warm |
| would look for Christmas crafts that would include | | | | the heart. You can read them to a room full of |
| coloring and using a glue stick. You can find a | | | | guests or to a child while you snuggle under a |
| number of activities for her on the Internet or at | | | | warm blanket together. What a wonderful feeling. |
| a crafting store. I have gotten some great ideas | | | | A great place to get stories is the "Traditional |
| from an online book called "Christmas Fun Activity | | | | Christmas Story Collection". |
| Book for Kids". It has pages to color, mazes, | | | | I hope that your Christmas season is full of |
| connect the dots, easier crafts and favorite | | | | blessings.This article was written by Sandy. I am a |
| Christmas songs.The older children in the family, | | | | parent who is concerned with giving my children |
| ages 7-10, like to create the crafts and then give | | | | the best start in life. Since my first child didn't |
| them as gifts. Some of the items that they have | | | | come with a manual, I have found other parents' |
| made include candy holders, ornaments, gift | | | | advice invaluable. I would like to pass on what I |
| baskets, cookie jars and other decorations. | | | | have learned and hope that other parents would |
| Crafting is a great opportunity for family bonding. | | | | like to do the same. I have recently been |
| When finished, the children are very proud of | | | | reminded of how important my family is and that |
| themselves. Creating these items really helps to | | | | my family should always come first. Please visit |
| build self confidence in a child.Then if/when your | | | | my blog at The Family Comes First. Hope to see |
| child gives an item as a gift, the person getting | | | | you there. |
| the gift (i.e. Mom, Dad, Grandma & Grandpa) has | | | | |