7 Last minute Christmas Traditions You can Still Do THIS Year!

(anorak.co.uk)

Since we have 5 kids, we need simple traditions.  Here are the simple things we've done to make Christmas seem special that don't take a lot of time or money.

1. Secret Santa-  We always find a needy family and give them a special gift, left on their doorstep anonymously.  The kids LOVE to do this.  The gift doesn't have to be expensive, it's the thought that counts.  One year the kids each gave up one of their own presents.  This was our most special year ever.

2.  Nativity Play-  We do a nativity play every year.  Costumes are just bathrobes and towels.  You can read it out of the bible, or if you have a children's book that works just as well.

3.  Santa Letters-  The kid write Santa letters and put them in their stockings on Christmas Eve.  Then that night, Santa writes them a letter back.  They love to read what Santa wrote.

4.  Extra Present-  We give an extra present to the child who has been the most helpful throughout the WHOLE year.  They know this and always work for it.  It is usually a coupon for a lunch out with mom.

5.  Reindeer Food-  We mix oats with glitter (if we have it...sometimes we just use oats) and spread it on the lawn for the reindeer before we go to bed.

6. Bethlehem Dinner-  On Christmas Eve we eat cheese and crackers and olives and things they may have eaten in Bethlehem.  We do this by candlelight to make it special.

7. Read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson.  We read this out loud every year for laughs and tears.

What are your Christmas Traditions?

Teaching Children to have "Giving Hearts"

(meetup.com)

This topic always occurs to me at this time of year, and mostly I scramble around trying to make up for forgetting to teach this principle more often during the year.  But luckily, even just teaching it at Christmas time seems to be working well.

The main way I teach this "giving' and "serving others" value to my children is through stories and example.  During our family nights in December I try to find lots of stories about "giving."  I tell the stories and ask the children what we learn from them.  Then after the stories we do some sort of project that will help others.

I think the most important part of these nights is to ask them the question, "How did this make you feel inside?"  after the family service project.  Then I explain to them that giving to others makes us happy.  Our best Christmas was one year when each child decided to give up their best gift to someone who we knew was going through the hard time of losing their father.  The kids still talk about it, and that night feels very special in our memories.

Throughout the year I also try to do many things for others and to let my children see it and participate if it is approriate.  I used to make the mistake of "giving" to others while my children were at school.  But then it occured to me that I needed to let them see me doing things for others.

This year we are going to use this idea from premeditatedleftovers.com.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

(premeditatedleftovers.com)

Here's an article by Michael Hyatt on growing generosity in your children.  And here is a link to some stories about "giving" to read to your children.

Holiday Kid Activities!

(kid activities)

THANK YOU!  Sportsmomsurvivalguide.com for these ideas!  I'm totally going to use these activities this year.  So easy and fun!  Click the caption to go to the ideas!

Thankful

(Simplykierste)

Is this not so stinkin' easy and cute?  I'm totally doing this with my kids this year!

Should you Start a weekly Family Night?

(www.edgewood-nm.gov)

We have a family fun night each week and it allows our family to stay connected in ways that are important.  Here are the things we do that make it fun.

1. With younger children it helps to start with a song.  It really brings their attention to focus and it feels like a celebration is starting.  (We actually still sing even though our children are older, but I think you have to start that tradition while they are young or it won't work).

2.  We have a lesson on family or religious values.  This has been huge.  It has really allowed us to have a regular time to talk about these things that are important to our family.  It is really great to have this forum for discussion, and I can see the great effect it has on our children.

3. We have a fun game or activity-  Sometimes we have talent shows, olympics, walks, helping our neighbors, or just a board game.  We've even gone swimming or roasted marshmallows in our backyard.

4. We make a treat- Everyone looks forward to this.  We make it that night together sometimes, but many times I assign a child to make it ahead of time.  They LOVE this.  It also helps them learn how to cook.

That's it!  Super simple and super fun!  Don't expect your kids to sit still while you lecture.  Make it a discussion, and be patient with wiggly little ones.  Hope your family has fun with this idea!

How to Travel more Cheaply with Children

(www.familyvacationcritic.com/)

We love to make memories by traveling with our kids, but it can get expensive!  Here are some things we've done in the past to make traveling more cost friendly:

1. The most effective thing we do is avoid eating out.  We always bring our own sandwich fixings and things, or stop at a grocery store to feed the family more cheaply on the road.  This will bring down your bill a LOT!

2. Stay with family and friends.  Over the years we've met a lot of people and they've moved on to different places in the world.  We usually plan our vacations to visit them.  And we love it when they come and visit us in return!

3. Go camping!  So fun!  And the kids love to play in the lakes and streams all day, so they're very easy to entertain!

4. Visit all the free sites! Do your research!  There are always parks and museums and national parks that are really low cost or free.  We always visit these first.

5. Bring treats to the sites so you're not tempted to buy them there, and also bring your own lunch.

6.  If you must stay at a hotel, stay in one with free breakfast and a microwave/fridge, so you can cook meals there.  Or some even have kitchenettes.  It will save you more money in the long run.

7. Take the public transportation rather than a cab.

8. Use hotwire.com to get lower rates on hotels/travel/cars.

9. Travel off season to get better rates on hotels/condos etc...


Here are some more articles on traveling cheaply with a family:

Cheapfamilytraveltips.com

10 ways to find cheap flights

Rick Steve's thrifty tips