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