Christmas carols are playing on the radio, delicious scents waft out of the kitchen, and everywhere you look, you see evergreen, red, and gold.  It’s that time of year again.  And every year brings the desire to make this the best holiday season ever.  Every family has a set of traditions they religiously follow, but it can be a lot of fun to shake things up a bit.  There are a huge variety of Christmas activities that can make your holidays brighter.

One good way to find new and exciting Christmas activities is to check your local newspaper.  Most communities plan special Christmas events.  Your city’s chamber of commerce or community website can provide a calendar of events as well.  You are likely to find things like choir performances, live nativity scenes, and maybe Christmas themed socials.  Taking part in events like this help to put the participants in a holiday mood, break up the monotony of shopping, and make some wonderful memories.  Another option to get in the spirit of things is to attend a holiday show.  Many community organizations, such as the ballet or symphony, have productions of holiday shows, like The Nutcracker or a selection of holiday music.  Attending a show and enjoying an elegant dinner after is an excellent way to start a new tradition with your friends or spouse.

Staying in can inspire some fun and creative Christmas activities too.  Many people enjoy making the same holiday goodies from year to year.  These treats could be used as gifts or added to the menu at a Christmas party.  An added bonus is the warm scent of cinnamon and nutmeg that is sure to infuse your kitchen.  Cooking and baking can be a great way to unwind alone or have a more rambunctious event with family or friends.  Decorating the tree and house are other ways people get in the Christmas mood.  Warm up some apple cider, set out a plate of cookies, and go to work creating a magical holiday look in your home.  It’s a lot of fun to reminisce about holidays past while preparing for the new.  After all, that’s what Christmas activities are all about.

Whether done alone or with a group of loved ones, Christmas activities enrich the holiday season and make beautiful memories for years to come.  The important thing is to do what you enjoy in your preparation and celebration of Christmas.  Each family is unique and observes the holiday in their own way.  Just remember to include Christmas activities in the holiday festivities.

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There are very few people who get as excited about Christmas as children.  They have a sense of wonder about the whole season adults seem to lack.  It makes sense that kids enjoy almost everything about the holiday season.  Every preparation and event all adds together to make it hard for them to wait for the special day.  Nothing makes the time go faster than planning different Christmas activities for kids. 

Everyone remembers the Christmas specials on TV from when they were children.  A fun way to share those memories with your children would be to plan a party around watching these classics.  It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.  Plan to have some friends over or just keep it within your family if that works out better.  Pop some popcorn, have hot chocolate and maybe some spiced cider to sip on.  Of course, a plate of Christmas goodies like cookies, candy, and fudge are a must.  Many of the classic Christmas specials are now available on DVD.  Pick out your favorites, snuggle up with the little ones on the couch, and watch until your heart is content.  Christmas activities for kids don’t have to be expensive or hard to do to become traditions. 
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You might say that I have lost my mind if I said that I have a stress free Christmas. Well, my sanity is still intact and we have had several Christmases that were stress-free in the past. I would like to tell you about the things I've learned to help reduce the stress during the Yuletide season. AFTER WAKING IN THE MORNING, READ GOD?S WORD EVERY I start by reading God's Word every day. Hearing from God & speaking to Him each day is a great boost for me and it strengthens and preps me to be the mom He wants me to be. During breakfast, we start our family devotions and begin our children's day on the right track as well. Each of my children understand that they are to read their Bible after waking. There are times that some of the kids need a little more reminding. DON?T DO EVERY ACTIVITY THAT POPS UP This seems quite evident, but it took me a decade to apply this. Actually, my marvelous husband helped me learn how to minimize the activity in our lives during the Christmas season. In the past, I wanted our kids to experience everything available during this season. What was actually happening was I began to harbor stress that would usually explode around Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. (I?m sure none of you have ever experienced this. WHICH ACTIVITIES DO I CHOOSE What works for our family is to choose 1 or 2 Christmas activities to attend outside our home. Anything else we do is done in our home. One of the best ways this reduces stress is that I am not ?persuading? my husband to attend one more Christmas activity each week. He still spends all day working to provide for our family. Consequently, he is much happier going to a few activities and enjoying our family & friends at home. Having other people in our home gives us a lot of satisfaction, so we capitalize on this. With cooking and cleaning done by the children, our work is lessened and I am not feeling stressed when our visitors arrive. ENJOY YOUR HOME I always more activities for our family than we ever have time for. In our Thanksgiving weekend I decided which activities can be postponed until next Christmas season. REMEMBER: YOU CAN?T DO EVERY THING, EVERY YEAR. I try to select activities that inspire my children to do something for others, instead of only thinking of themselves during the holiday season. One of the things we used to do is charity work by raising money for a missionary family. The kids would take orders for pumpkin bread loaves and chocolate chip cookies. After making and delivering them to their customers, they would pay me back for the ingredients and supplies used. The remaining money was their profit, which was used to buy useful gifts for a missionary family. This season we will have other kids over to bake cookies so their moms can do some Christmas shopping, uninterrupted. A Christmas card stamping party for younger kids would be a great idea for an activity. I?m still thinking it over how that will work. I have some other ideas that are included in Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Celebration Ideas. MAKE CHRISTMAS YOUR SCHOOL For those of you who homeschool, lessen some of the formal academics and enjoy these times. As we bake, shop and prepare for Christ?s birthday, we are also doing math and writing and reading with these activities. At our house, we still read aloud each morning and then work on a Christmas project. This may include handwork type crafts or other quiet projects. DO YOU FEEL STRESSED DURING THE HOLIDAYS? Take a moment right now and prioritize all the activities available to your family. Choose only 1 or 2 activities that the entire family can enjoy and pass on the rest. Being at home with your family is enjoyable. Invite another family over to roast marshmallows and mingle with them. At the center of this Christmas activity, keep your hearts tuned to Jesus Christ. Without His love for us, we would not be celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

When most parents face the holiday season, they imagine themselves busily shopping, cooking, cleaning for guest visits, and of course, doing whatever is necessary to make their childrens' Christmas special. Adults are so used to being busy and stressed, during the holidays, that they forget that their kids may want to be a part of all the preparations, too. But even as they plan their strategy for surviving the busiest time of year, most parents forget to actively include their children in the preparations that make the holiday events what they are. Kids want to be contributing family members, and help out, in whatever ways they can. Parents need to remember to include their children in all aspects of their holiday activities. Christmas shopping is one activity parents often try to avoid with children, especially young children. Too much frenzy, too much traffic, too many people. But kids can learn valuable lessons by Christmas shopping with their parents. Like, the fact that we often help Santa Claus, by giving gifts to other family members. Kids can learn, during Christmas shopping trips, the relationship between giving and loving, especially among family members. By observing Mom or Dad, as they shop for the family, children can discover the joy of finding gifts with real meaning, gifts that will make a statement about love. Then, having learned that lesson, when a child has spent time and effort considering and choosing the perfect gifts for Mom and Dad, there's even more to look forward to on Christmas morning, than what Santa left under the tree. Kids can be a great help, during the holidays, when it's time to decorate the family home. They love the sights and the smells and the dazzling displays that all the decorations can provide. And children love to place their own stamp on the decorations and make some of the decorating decisions, whether it's choosing where to hang a strand of lights, or making paper snowflakes to hang from the ceiling. Children need to feel the sense of family closeness and belonging that's part of the magic of Christmas. Participating, with the family, in the activities of the holiday season, even the preparation for those activities, enhances every child's enjoyment of this special time of year.

Christmas is the most special time of the year for most families. Children can't wait for Santa Claus to slide down the chimney and leave a great bundle of goodies under the tree, on Christmas Eve. As they dive into their presents, their parents get caught up in their joy and forget about the stress of the past few weeks, and the trouble it took to get here. For parents with younger children, though, the magic of Christmas may seem like a million years in the future After a holiday season full of activities that are supposed to be joyful, parents with infants can only remember packing and unpacking strollers in crowded parking lots and changing diapers in strange rest-rooms. It's really difficult, nowadays, to find a sitter who's both trustworthy, and who can be hired without taking out a second mortgage. Simply because they have toddlers or infants to deal with, parents shouldn't have to dread the holiday season. They shouldn't have to sacrifice all of the parties and pageants, because they can't figure out child care. Especially since there are millions of parents everywhere in the same boat. One way for parents to attain some free time for holiday activities and Christmas shopping, while ensuring trutworthy baby-sitting at the same time, is too form a holiday baby-sitting pool. Whether through church or daycare or pre-school, most parents of very young kids are acquainted with other parents in the same boat. Four or five sets of parents, helping each other, can make all of their holiday seasons pass more smoothly. After Thanksgiving, a group of like-minded parents can share their holiday schedules, with an emphasis on their free days. Then, a schedule for all can be determined, and distributed among the group. When a couple has a free day, they may then be asked to care for all of the children in the group, so that those parents can go shopping, or to a holiday party to which children aren't invited. As parents drop their kids at the host's house, they can also leave food and drink, to help with the cost of the afternoon. Couples who help each other with child care will find themselves, on Christmas morning, much less stressed than many of their peers, who've tried to survive the holidays without the help of their friends. By forming a club of sorts for the purpose of caring for each others' children, couples can enjoy those activities that make the holiday season so special, while being sure that their children are safe and well-attended.

With all the choices available for multimedia Christmas cards, why choose a paper Christmas card? In today’s worship of technology one might think that doing a digital Christmas card is the better way to go. However, there are a number of compelling reasons why a traditional paper Christmas card might still be the way to go.

Some of the reasons you might want to choose a paper Christmas card this year are: More on Why we still use paper Christmas cards

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It says something about modern society that Christmas has evolved from a time of family and peace to a time of rushing around shopping and meeting social obligations. Throw in the current lack of service offered by airlines, and December shapes up to be a tough month. Christmas can be stressful and people tend to take things to seriously during the holiday season. To lighten your mood, you might consider some of the odd and humorous quotes by the following famous people. I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph. - Shirley Temple Christmas is the season when you buy this year's gifts with next year's money. The worst gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other. - Johnny Carson There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child. - Erma Bombeck The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin. - Jay Leno Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority. - W.J. Cameron Christmas is a race to see which gives out first - your money or your feet. Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. - Mary Ellen Chase Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself. - Francis C. Farley Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve. Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age. - Carrie Latet As the year comes to a close, take the time to look around you and be happy about what you have. Yes, there are people better off then you, but there are also people worse off. Have a good laugh and appreciate what you have.

It's the holiday season and its been decided that you're going to have your office friends over for a Christmas party. Try these best company Christmas party ideas to liven up everyone in your party. Have the fireplace lit up; play your favorite Christmas tune; nail a mistletoe on every doorway, and the party can begin. Depending on the number of people you've invited, you will either pick a buffet or a conventional sit-down meal. Most popular is the buffet. If you have a buffet, write out invitations saying: "Bring a Dish to Share". What's Nice To Serve On The Buffet? A 12 foot hero or sub is a safe enough choice. Served either hot or cold, it's enough to feed everyone. Alternatively, you can make your own creation and tell everyone beforehand to bring something they make. Popular side dishes are: stuffed mushrooms; chicken or turkey rolls, or bite-sized appetizers which come in a wide assortment of flavors. Have a wide variety of wines, colas, water, and don't forget eggnog. How Will You Serve the Buffet? Place a large table in your dining area or any large area in your house. Try arranging the food nicely on the table. Add plates, napkins, and silverware that has Christmas themes on it at one side of the table. If done this way, your guests can take a plate, napkin and tableware and then proceed to the food. An advantage of this: Cleanup is easier, too. Decorate your dining room table. Here are some suggestions: Choose a solid color tablecloth; red, green or white. Add Christmas placemats at each setting. As a centerpiece, fill a crystal bowl with Christmas balls. Next to the centerpiece, place two Christmas candles. To make your tablecloth stand out, pin garland around the bottom of the tablecloth. What Fun Games Can be Played? After everyone's had their fill, it's time for fun games. Adults may enjoy charades or a Christmas sing-a-long. How about playing musical chairs with a twist. The guys get down on one knee, while the girls circle around them to the tunes of Christmas medleys. When the music stops, each girl has to immediately sit on a guy's knee. It's so fun, that your guests laugh till tears fall out. And lastly, there is no Christmas without a Santa Claus. Have someone wear a Santa villian costume. Make him wear white hair and mustache that reaches his nose. He can give away small gift packs or anything nice. All this will surely make your Christmas party a well remembered one.

It has become a common practice to send friends and family an electronic card for their birthday or a holiday, including Christmas. And it is easy to see that there are numerous good reasons for doing so. The price of Christmas greeting cards and stamps have risen to a level that makes sending Christmas cards an expensive hobby. These days everybody has access to a computer, so anyone can receive a card for Christmas. The Christmas e-cards have become very sophisticated, with great animation. Something that is not possible at that level with a Christmas post card. Another advantage of the email christmas card is the fact that you do not have to worry about the timely arrival of your card at its destination. Even friends and family that live far away can receive your card practically instantaneous.

Why is it, than, that there is still a large population, that will not send email Christmas cards, even if they have no problem sending email cards during the rest of the year? It seems that tradition plays an important role here. Christmas cards, by tradition, are displayed during the holiday season and make for a very festive picture. Furthermore, if the receiver looks at your card, chances are that it will bring back memories and it will make them think of you. And this is something we all appreciate at the end of the year. It makes for the special Christmas atmosphere.

What do you think? Do you prefer a Christmas post card, or is an Christmas e-card just as good for you. Share your opinions. Fill out the comment form and let others know what you think.

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To parents, the holiday season may mean parties, music and pageantry, as well as a whirlwind of Christmas-themed activities, from Thanksgiving until Christmas Day. To their youngest children, the holiday season means planning for one thing-Santa Claus's Christmas Eve flight and visit. And every child understands that Santa Claus knows exactly where to leave the toys and goodies he's bringing, because he knows where every child lives. Lots of children are fairly meticulous about preparing for Santa Claus. Many of them write to Santa, carefully listing the toys and gifts they want to receive. Many children work hard to improve their behavior, as the holiday season begins, heeding carefully the advice in the song that says, "He knows when you've been bad or good, so be good, for goodness' sake!" Santa Claus is important enough to young children, that, for all of its ceremony and celebration, its lights and its sounds, Christmas can be serious business. Yet, every now and then, parents can come carelessly close to ruining Christmas, as though they didn't understand anything at all about the holiday. Like when parents decide that, after spending every Christmas of a child's life at home, this year the family's going to Grandma's house, or to the beach, or anywhere that's not home. It's the perfect way to panic a child. After all, how is Santa supposed to know where a family's going to be, if they aren't at home? Parents who make such ill-conceived plans for Christmas had better have a plan for convincing their children that Santa Claus can, indeed, find them, on the big night. Sure, Santa could leave the presents at the family's home, but then the children wouldn't have much of a Christmas morning, would they? The best thing is for parents to provide some kind of proof that Santa Claus is aware of the family's plans. The Santa at the shopping center could assure a child that he knows where the family will be. Or a letter from the Big Guy might make a child breathe easier. There are many ways a parent can find to prove that Santa won't miss them, but it's a sure bet that, if this is the family's first Christmas away from home, their child will be on pins and needles, worried about what Christmas morning will bring. Of course, no child will totally believe that Santa can find the family, until Christmas morning dawns and the child finds the treasures Santa has left. But once that's happened, and Santa's come through, the Christmas trip is something that can become a family's tradition.