Christmas is a magical time when you stroll outside, the air is cold and crisp and often the sky looks a little grey but you still feel happy and walk with an added bounce in your step.  It makes you smile seeing the great job Jack Frost did on your windowpanes and you do not mind scraping the car windows before you can drive to go Christmas shopping.  You travel slowly down the street looking at all the fabulous light shows displayed on the houses and lawns of friends, neighbors and even strangers.  Fighting the crowds while shopping for the perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones, friends and co-workers, just adds to the excitement of Christmas.  This is all part of the joy of Christmas. 

If you have children, you hide their gifts because you know that just like you when you were a child, they will be hunting for them.  Sometimes you keep them at a friend’s house so the children do not find their Christmas gifts and you get a chance to visit while you wrap them.  If you have younger children, there are often bikes and doll carriages to be constructed or toys that need batteries put in them.  Do not forget to mail the children’s letters to Santa at the North Pole.  No matter how old your children are, even ones living away from home, they love Christmas stockings so stocking stuffers are necessary.  A great family tradition is to take your children to buy a few Christmas gifts and food items to donate to those less fortunate.  Christmas is a time for giving and enjoying the company of all people, not just those that you already know.         

Christmas morning finally arrives, gifts are opened and the turkey is stuffed and in the oven.  The Christmas tree glows and sparkles with tiny lights and beautiful Christmas ornaments.  Opened gifts sit under the tree; the children are playing while the adults sit and talk.  After all the hard work of preparing for Christmas, it has been worth every second.  Other family members and friends stop by to wish you Merry Christmas and to celebrate this wonderful holiday.  Everyone sits down to a lovely Christmas dinner of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy.  Desert is often plum pudding or Christmas cookies, if you have any room left.  After tidying up and tucking the children into bed, you finally get to sit down and put your feet up.

At Christmas, many people celebrate Christ’s birth while others celebrate life and pray for peace and harmony.  We remember loved ones we have lost and reminisce about years gone by.  No matter how old we are, what race, heritage or upbringing, Christmas is a time to love, rejoice and live. 

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The holiday season always seems like a whirlwind of shopping, parties, pageants, and family gatherings, a month or two of furious, but joyful, activity, leading up to Christmas and the New Year celebration. By the time it's all over, most of us need a breather, a bit of time to relax and reflect and renew. No matter how wonderful the holidays have been, by January many families experience a kind of celebration withdrawal. Most of us naturally miss the lights and the music and the fellowship of the holiday season, and the gray winter days of the next few months just seem to emphasize the fact that the wonderful feelings of Christmas are over, for nearly another year. But the feelings generated by the season leading to Christmas need not vanish completely, for the calendar, beyond December. Though Santa Claus's visit is the high point of the holiday season for families with children, there are many other aspects of these days that can be kept fresh and alive, throughout the year. Those donations of clothes and toys and food we worked so hard to make during the holiday season can, and should, be repeated throughout the rest of the year. Most charities, which take in the bulk of their donations just before Christmas, find themselves scrambling to meet their goals during the rest of the winter. Many families find that the new toys of Christmas have replaced old favorites, in their childrens' hearts, and are able to gather last year's toys and drop them at their local donation centers. Kids grow out of their clothing so fast that most families have boxes full of gently-worn clothes, which are perfect for donation. The preparation and delivery of donated goods can be an all-day family project, capped by a movie or a trip to the pizza parlor, to celebrate making someone else's days a bit more special. Besides donation, volunteering together can be a rewarding way for a family to liven up the winter, after Christmas. Families who find themselves longing for the feelings that permeate their lives during the holidays can rekindle that spirit, year-round. Working together to make others' lives a little better isn't just a generous exercise, it's also a wonderful way for a family to keep Christmas alive. The calendar shouldn't be the only way to measure the spirit of Christmas.

Every year, we wonder how we can possibly make it through the Christmas holiday season with our sanity intact. There's just always too much to do, and the calendar seems to get filled in completely, from October through December. In most households, today, two careers are required to make ends meet, so finding the time to do everything the season demands is harder than ever before. Every year, parents are forced to figure out how to manage careers and the events that make the holidays so special. Some activites just can't be enjoyed. This hectic modern life has meant the end of some of the most time-honored customs that families once observed during the holidays. Pulling out the old family recipe book, for instance, and spending days at the oven, doing all the Christmas baking, is something we only read about in history books or historical novels. Stringing popcorn, as hanging decorations, is an activity most kids today have never imagined. So many of the customs that used to be integral parts of our Christmas celebrations have been lost to the bustle of modern life. But it needn't be that way. Parents who'd like to keep those traditions from dying out, completely, can join in groups, to help each other maintain some of that vanishing charm of Christmas. When we were young and early December rolled around, for instance, we used to gather pencils and papers, and we carefully crafted the perfect letters to Santa Claus, asking for those goodies we wanted to find under our trees on Christmas morning. It took time, and Mom and Dad always helped us with the letters, mailing them when we were done. One way that parents can help each other is to share the oversight of such activities. Parents of schoolmates, or parents of kids in the same neighborhood can switch off, from year-to-year, the duties of hosting get-togethers for their kids, to tackle tasks like writing to Santa Claus. One family can have all the kids over on a Saturday afternoon, and one or two parents can help the kids all write their letters at the same time. The non-hosting parents can help out with food and writing supplies, and then can be free to spend the afternoon taking care of their own Christmas business, or everyday chores which will free them up for more Christmas activities. Those great old Christmas customs we used to love can be preserved, this way, while allowing time for mom and dad to handle the other business of the season. And ultimately, sharing these duties with the other parents in their peer group will create more time for their own families, which is what Christmas is all about.

Once again, the holiday season calendar is filling fast. There are all kinds of Christmas-related activities that families are involved with, each year. There are private parties for friends, civic gatherings for whole towns, office parties for businesses, and of course, large family gatherings. Most families try to schedule at least one large party for the extended family members, every Christmastime. Parents of small children often face these large family parties with a mixture of anticipation and doubt. They know that there will likely be family members at these parties that they haven't seen in many years, maybe since their own childhoods. And now, as adults and parents themselves, this is their first opportunity to introduce their own children to the rest of the family. Many parents are extremely self-conscious, when it comes to bringing their children to family parties, worried that the family will judge their children more stringently than friends, or even than strangers would. Some parents may feel that a large gathering of people, many of whom really are strangers to their kids, isn't the best light in which to meet young family members. It's also not the best situation in which to expect the best behavior from children. It's a fear that's exaggerated by most parents. They want their kids to be seen as the best kids, ever, but they forget that sometimes kids really just act like kids. Even so, it's the goal of most children to behave correctly and to please their parents. A bit of natural rambunctiousness or noisy behavior shouldn't ruin a parents night, no matter what Uncle Joe thinks about it. On the other hand, it can be helpful for parents to prepare their children a bit for large family Christmas gatherings. Discussing, ahead of time, the kind of behavior that's expected can provide a child with a blueprint for the party. Also, making sure that children are well-rested and well-fed, beforehand, can make a big difference in a child's mood at the party. Parents should prepare themselves, as well. Most of the adults who will be at any gathering have had experience of some sort with small children. They understand that even the best kid has moments of noisy or disruptive or even destructive behavior. Parents need to understand that, though it's nice when relatives compliment them on their kids, what others really think about their children isn't important, ultimately. It's the unconditional love between parents and their children that matters the most, at Christmas and throughout the year.

One thing most parents would agree on, as December makes its way onto the calendar, is that Christmas is a time when children are the focus of most families' lives. We may plan many activities throughout the holiday season, but Christmas itself must be a joyous holiday for our kids. By early in the season, most parents have a pretty good idea what their kids want Santa to bring them, when he makes his Christmas Eve stop at their homes. Children are bombarded with TV commercials and advertising, convincing them, by early autumn, what they must find under the Christmas tree, in order to have a joyful holiday. And, of course, parents want to provide that magic which they know will light up their kids' eyes, as the gift-wrap disappears from those packages under the tree, and those treasures are exposed. To accomplish this, most parents fret for weeks and months about their ability to find every gift on their childrens' lists. But a lot of parents also feel pressure from other parents to help Santa provide a great pile of gifts for their kids on Christmas morning. As parents and kids talk, they share their Christmas stories, recounting their holidays. Parents, whether they admit it or not, want their efforts at Christmas to be envied by others, so many may overspend on their children as a way of showing off for their peers. Many family psychologists feel that most parents place too much emphasis on the wrong aspects of Christmas-the toys and goodies their children receive-than on the feelings those parents are really attempting engender with their gift-giving. Most families are so busy, today, that parental guilt over being absent so much is epidemic. So, lots of moms and dads find themselves substituting material things for contact. Perhaps if, instead of rushing off to the store for that extra doll or video-game, parents took that time and spent it reading or playing with their children, they'd find it much more valuable and effective, in making their children happy. When January rolls around, a lot of the new toys have been abandoned, to be forgotten. But a few moments with Mom and Dad could provide a permanent, happy memory that can never be replaced.

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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It's that time of year, again, and Christmas is fast approaching. For most families, the holiday season is the busiest time of the year. It's the time of year for parties and celebrations, family gatherings and school pageants, and of course, shopping and wrapping. But despite all the activity, all the running around, and all the nights with too-little sleep, it's the time of year in which many families, especially those with small children, find the most joy. By adding a little bit of safety planning to the holiday calendar, families can also make sure that Christmastime is a safe time for all. For instance, just about everyone knows by now, or should, about the precautions which must be followed, when a Christmas tree is present in the home. Artificial trees these days look totally real, and modern Christmas lights are generally cool and safe. But fire isn't the only danger to little ones, when it comes to the Christmas tree. Most children are fascinated by and drawn to the colors and shapes of the ornaments, hanging from the tree. Parents need to teach their children that ornaments are not to be grabbed and pulled, or they could pull the tree right over on top of them. Ideally, ornaments should be hung high enough to be out of childrens' reach. Some families with young children even set trees on platforms or sturdy tables, high enough to be beyond the grasp of little hands. The use of strands of light to decorate is a common holiday practice in most homes. Parents should take care to keep power strips and extra electrical cords up, off of the floor. Light strands should be turned off, except when parents can be in the same room with children, to monitor their activity. Many families love to decorate their homes with live holiday plants, during the Christmas season. But, did you know that many of the most familiar holiday plants contain substances that are poisonous, when swallowed? When little children are present, it's best to use realistic-looking artificial plants as decorations. It's never rude to ask, before attending a holiday party or family gathering, away from home, if the hosts have a house in which it's safe for children to roam, freely. If not, then parents have the choice between keeping a very short leash on their little ones, which may not be pleasant for anyone, or letting their children spend the time at a friend's house or with a babysitter, instead. In order to keep the Christmas holidays special and joyful, a little safety planning and observation can go a long way.

Christmas preparations commence right after Thanksgiving. Christmas decorations in all shapes and sizes adorn store shelves. Dads and MOms brave the snowstorms or the freezing weather just to line up outside toy stores to be the first to buy the newest item on sale. The next Christmas morning the adults don't even want to get out of bed because of all that waiting. This year why don't you focus on faith not on money. Let's prepare our hearts to welcome the Christmas season with our family members in a spiritual way. Family Worship The Advent season (which means coming or arrival) starts on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving and continues to four Sundays. The coming of the child Jesus into the world is celebrated during Advent and values the importance of this event in the lives of every Christian. The Advent wreath, the centerpiece of worship, consists of a small wreath (real or artificial), evergreen sprigs, five candleholders, and five candles. Three of the candles can be purple or deep blue, one is traditionally pink or rose-colored, and the fifth candle is white. The candles are arranged in a circular fashion inside the wreath with the white candle, usually called the Christ candle, in the center of the other four. The time for worship is performed each Sunday before church or in the evening before going to sleep. Each member of the family can light the candles and read the prayer or devotional. After the prayer, a moment can be set aside for any inquiries the young ones may want to ask about the activity. Family Fun Holidays are a time for people to get out and celebrate with family and friends. As a family, host a "Christmas for Christ" party. Involve the whole family in the planning. The central theme, of course, is the celebration of the birth of Christ. Have the children create their own special invitations. Invite Christian and non-Christian friends alike. Do the shopping for game prizes at this time too. If a lot of activities are planned, start early enough to fit everything into the evening. To lessen the costs, have the people you've invited bring a dish to serve buffet-style. Since different ornaments will already be hung for Christmas, no added display is needed. Also a costume party is fun. Have your guests dress as a character from the nativity scene. There will be prizes for the best costume. The games that are chosen should fit the Christmas spirit theme. Have trivia games, charades, and puzzles at parties; everybody loves them. Kids will be the ones to take charge of the games while parents take care of the food. Don't forget to end the night as well as you started. No Christmas gathering is complete without dessert, singing of carols, and the telling of the Christmas story. Sharing your faith with your family should be special and fun. You will create Christmas traditions that will be enjoyed for years to come.

As much as we love the onset of the holiday season every year, most of us know that one of the pitfalls of Christmas is the extra weight we put on, from eating all that wonderful food. There are so many parties and gatherings, with so many gorgeous and sugar-filled treats, most of us tend to sigh and accept the fact that we'll gain a few extra pounds. This is the one time of year when we should be able to overindulge a little, and enjoy the delicious and traditional foods that we find at all of the Christmas season's events. Still, we can make the season a little less destructive to our belts and waistlines, if we spend a little time considering how we eat. For instance, most gatherings and parties at Christmastime are about family and friends, about love and fellowship. We should remind ourselves, as we arrive at these gatherings, that we're here to enjoy our families and friends, and not just to taste every single dessert on the table. When seeing a spread of holiday food on a buffet table for the first time, we instantly want to taste everything. But that's just not practical. Look at the food, carefully, and decide what you really want to have, then help yourself. Just don't take large portions of everything offered-you can't possible enjoy it all, equally. If you know you'll be attending a party with good food, don't starve yourself all day, so that you can eat more. Arriving hungry is a perfect way to guarantee that you'll eat too much. Remember, the food is the party's enhancement, not its purpose. Try to get plenty of sleep during the Christmas season. It's difficult, with all of the shopping and parties, but sleep can help your body resist cravings. A lack of sleep makes you want more sugar and starch. Your children are especially vulnerable to the temptation of over-indulging this holiday season. Most of the food we associate with Christmas is filled with sugar and fat, and is presented in a beautiful, appetizing manner. Chances are, your kids will eat too much of the wrong stuff this year. Try and make sure they get plenty of exercise to burn off some of those extra calories. When faced with all of the glorious food you'll see, this Christmas season, don't punish yourself-enjoy it. But remember that the food will vanish. The extra pounds may not, unless you understand, ahead of time, that January will be a time for a few extra visits to the gym.

Kids love Christmas crafts. Santa craft ideas for kids are an easy and fun way to spend time with your kids during the holidays. Choose from one of our Christmas craft-decorating, free ideas. SANTA PICTURE: If you're looking for holiday craft ideas for preschoolers,, this is a great place to start. So, let's begin with Santa pictures. There are a variety of Santa coloring books available during the holidays. Choose a picture from the book. Cut out the picture of Santa, and place the picture in the center of a sheet of white construction paper. Use a glue stick to secure the picture. Color the picture with colored pencils. Once coloring is done, use wisps of cotton to serve as Santa's beard and use a small ball of cotton at the tip of his red hat. You can use small, black buttons to serve as Santa's eyes, and a red button for his nose. Fill the rest of the area of the white construction paper by drawing presents or candy canes. When the picture is finished, your children can sign their names right under Santa's image. Take a piece of heavy cardboard and secure the picture to it. Put the picture in a frame to protect it. Place this frame in a memorable area of your house for all to look and admire. SANTA CHRISTMAS CARDS: Santa Christmas cards is another art activity your children will be able to do. With a piece of white construction paper, measure the paper to a size of 5×7 inches. Cut the paper to that particular measurement. You can either fold it vertically or horizontally. Tell your kids to personalize their version of Santa on the front page. Let them use crayons or colored markers to help stimulate their imagination. After the picture is finished, your kids can write Christmas messages on the inside of the card. Homemade Christmas cards are wonderful to display in your home or send to relatives and friends. You can even add this to your Christmas craft-a-day calendar; it's a great craft to do with your kids or students. MAKE A SANTA PLATE ORNAMENT FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE: Things that will be used are crayons and markers, cotton balls, a large paper plate, and color sparkles. Trace or draw Santa, without his red hat, on the plate using the drawing materials. Use the cotton balls to serve as his beard. You can even stick the cotton balls together into a V-shape so that Santa's beard hangs off the plate. The cotton balls can serve as Santa's hair, also. Use a blue marker to color in Santa's eyes, and a black marker to draw Santa's glasses. Use red food color on a cotton ball to make Santa's nose. You can color the rim of the plate with red or green and add color sparkles to it. Finally, place the Santa plate on the tree by inserting an ornament hook at the top of the plate. Well that's it! There are many different ways to share with your kids on how to make Santa Christmas ornaments, pictures, and cards.