Roast turkey and cranberry sauce, singing songs, ice cubes and Christmas trees … these are natural pairs come holiday time. The first two fit the Norman Rockwell image, but I bet I surprised you with my Christmas trees on ice. They’re a normal combination at our house. In fact, they are a family tradition. Years ago, my mother wanted help keeping the tree watered, but without the potential mess caused by little ones hauling buckets of water into the living room. Ice cubes were also easily picked up when spilled and would melt in the tree stand, thus keeping the water supply regular. Mom could have tackled it herself, but she found a creative way to include us kids in the festivities of the holidays.
The winter holiday season’s a great opportunity to renew tried and true customs that might already exist in your family as well as to establish new traditions. They don’t need to be elaborate, but something special to your family. Most importantly, they need to include the kids. Whether it’s helping Dad cook Saturday morning pancakes or decorating cookies for Christmas, my boys enjoy our family’s traditions, recall them later and request repeat performances. The bulk of the fun is sharing the experience together. The following are suggestions for creating your own holiday customs. Creating holiday memories is what makes this time of year so wonderful time and time again.
Go Light Looking
Kids and parents alike enjoy the sparkle of colored lights against the winter night sky. Make an evening of taking in the sites. Do some research ahead of time and find the best locations your town has to offer and know where you’re going. Some neighborhoods are known for their holiday light displays. One night last year, we surprised the boys after they were all ready for bed. I prepared individual paper sacks of popcorn, grabbed a throw blanket for each, threw my husband the keys to the minivan and loaded up the troops. They didn’t know what we were doing, so the suspense was part of the adventure. They loved it! After a few hours driving around, we ended our evening with a trip to Dairy Queen. It was a memory in the making and one we’ll repeat in years to come. Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods is a great family tradition!
Treasure Special Decorations
It’s amazing how children remember the different décor that only sees the light of day once a year. Often what makes them so special are the stories that explain the origin of each item. Your decorations do not have to be complicated, family heirlooms. Take things that are special or that represent a unique experience and incorporate them into your holiday décor. We’ve made tree trimmings from vacation souvenirs, such as the extra key from our rental car in France back in our pre-kid days. Each year it hangs from the tree on a plaid ribbon. Baby shoes, small framed pictures and small toys make great ornaments that recall memories. This holiday season may you and your family enjoy testing and creating new family practices to treasure and to pass on to future generations. You can create wonderful memories, have a few laughs at the trial and error nature of it all, and simply enjoy one another. And, if you have toddlers in the house, you may just want to give the ice cube trick a try.
Decide on a Baking Day
Your children will adore being in on your baking and participating in the decorating year after year. Favorite kid cookies include butter cookie cut-outs, peanut butter balls with a chocolate kiss and lots of others. Let the kids sift, measure, spread, decorate, eat!
Kringle Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix until just combined. Add flour and baking powder in intervals. Divide dough into four equal parts, shape into four disks, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate one hour or until firm. Preheat oven to 375; lightly grease baking sheet. Roll out dough between two sheets of waxed paper, about 1/4 inch thick for crispier cookies and 1/3 inch thick for softer cookies. Cut out shapes with your favorite holiday cookie cutters and place on baking sheet. Bake seven to eight minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool for one minute, then place on wire wrack. Decorate with your favorite icing. Makes approximately two dozen goodies.
Make Homemade Crafts & Presents
Christmas is about giving and not about how expensive a gift is. Make extra treats to put in a holiday tin and deliver them to a special family. Or get creative and show off your special talents by making jewelry, candles, soap, etc. The internet is loaded with ideas for homemade gifts. Here’s a fun idea:
Peppermint Candy Wreath
1 or 2 large bags of peppermint
Candies (circle kind)
1 round foam wreath
Hot glue
Red ribbon
With your foam wreath, take a peppermint candy and glue it right to the edge of the outer part. Parents will need to help do this so that kids don’t get burned by the glue. Continue gluing peppermints around in a circle and then do the same for another ring of peppermints going inward. You can make as many rings of peppermints as you like. Take red ribbon and make a pretty bow to glue at the top in the center of the mints. Set aside to dry completely.
Attend a Christmas Eve Service
Eat dinner before or after, get dressed up in your Christmas Eve wear and head to church with your community. When you get home, have everyone sit around the Christmas tree, relishing in the glow of the night.
Enjoy Our City With the Family
This is the month to plan on special outings with your kids. Check out all that our area has to offer at the BEST FAMILY CALENDAR in town. And be sure to check it out on your smartphone!
Jessica Fisher is a wife, mother, and freelance writer making her home near Kansas City. She and her husband share the joys of raising four young boys and a baby girl.