Pictured is my daughter Chelsea, my
sister Christi, my son Scott and my niece Kaitlyn... baking
cookies last Christmas!
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 looking
forward to the glorious day to arrive. Back then I thought
it was the presents under the tree that 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 for the kids to see will
work.
I'm going to write fun ideas or scripture versus on each
slip of paper and stick it to the calendar. Each night
after dinner, I'm going to 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. 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.
Shannon Jarvies is a
WAHM with five beautiful children and a wonderful husband.
She is also "webmom" to a website that
offers personalized keepsake prints including The Day You
Were Born, Anniversary Prints, Name Meaning prints and
Poetry prints. Give someone GooseBumps at http://www.goosebumpgifts.com
