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Baking Christmas Memories: Rolled Gingerbread Cookies
Some of my fondest childhood memories of Christmas are those of my brother, sister and me baking Christmas cookies with our mother. We'd all end up covered in flour and frosting, the kitchen would be a mess and the cookies never came close to...
Christmas Shopping: Bargains For You!
This Christmas season promises to be one filled with exceptional sales and across the board bargains for eager shoppers. With fuel prices running high, interest rates climbing, and consumer sentiment mixed, merchants know that they must slash...
Dreaming of a Corporate Christmas?
What does Christmas mean for your company? For most it means
sending out a whole load of Christmas cards to their clients,
wishing them a 'Merry Christmas' and a 'Happy New Year'. How
nice! However, unless Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer is...
How to Reduce Your Stress this Christmas
In theory Christmas is a time that is filled with joy and celebration. A joyous holiday when you get together with loved ones and catch up, exchange gifts and generally have a good time. Unfortunately in practice it can be a time of great stress...
Year-End Fundraising Letter Appeals: 10 Tips to Give Them a Boost at Christmas.
Year-End Fundraising Letter Appeals: 10 Tips to Give Them a Boost.
If your non-profit organization is like many
others, you receive half or more or your contributed income at the end of the
year as part of what used to be called the "Christmas...
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Christmas Countdown
The holidays bring back such wonderful memories for me. But it's not
the gifts I received that I remember so much, as the feelings of
anticipation and excitement I felt waiting for the glorious
day to arrive. Back then, I thought the presents under the
tree is what made Christmas so magical. Now I know otherwise.
As I think about this, I want to teach my children to understand and
recognize the true spirit of Christmas. I know they feel just as I
did as a child and I want to make sure they realize that if those feelings
of anticipation and wonderment are wrapped with love and service, they
will have a magical Christmas every year.
This year I've decided to make a Christmas Countdown calendar. Any
calendar will do: one that you are already using or a printed or hand-
made December calendar. Anything that you can hang on your wall or
even set on your Christmas tree will work.
I'm going to write fun ideas or scripture verses on each slip of paper
and stick it to the calendar. Each night after dinner,
I will have one of them choose the slip of paper for the day and
read what is on it. Then we as a family will do the suggested activity.
Here are a few ideas:
*Write a kind note for someone in your family and hide it for him or her
to find it.
*Show your love for a brother, sister or friend by helping him or her
in some way.
*Show your parents you love them by helping without being asked.
*Sing Christmas songs with your family.
*Write in your
journal about how you feel about your family.
*Work with your family to do something nice for a neighbor.
*Ask your parents or grandparents to tell you about Christmases when
they were young.
*Write a note or draw a picture to thank someone who has helped you.
*Make a list of blessings that make you happy and hang it in your
bedroom.
*Make Christmas cookies and goodies.
*Deliver the goodies you made to friends, neighbors and elderly. If
you want to make it really fun, deliver them anonymously as a "secret
Santa."
*Go caroling with your family.
These are just a few ideas that can be used. You will probably come up
with more. Think of as many as you
can and start your Christmas countdown according to the number of
ideas you have (if you have ten ideas, start eleven days before
Christmas). Try to save a special activity for Christmas Eve if you
don't already have a traditional Christmas Eve activity planned.
Remember, the idea is to spend time as a family and teach your children the
true spirit of Christmas.
About the Author
Shannon Jarvies is a WAHM with four beautiful kids and a great husband. She is also "webmom" to a site that brings moms together to learn, laugh and enjoy! Visit now at http://www.amomsjoy.com. PLUS she has finally discovered the secret to supplementing her husband's income while staying at home with her kids. Find out how you can too at http://www.talkfreeamericainc.com/forprofit and contact her at kjarvies@amigo.net
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