Christmas Classics and Traditions
What are the Christmas classics in your family - the Christmas traditions that you and your kids enjoy year after year? Here are some of the Christmas traditions that some of the Parenting & Family Guides enjoy and recommend for kids.
Classic Christmas Stories
A wide variety of Christmas books for children are available, some that celebrate the sacred aspects of Christmas, others that celebrate Santa Claus and the importance of caring for one another. Five classic Christmas stories that the whole family will enjoy are on my
Classic Christmas Stories list, which includes
A Christmas Carol,
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, several versions of
The Night Before Christmas and
The Gift of the Magi.
For many families, sharing the Bible story of the birth of Jesus is an important family tradition. There are a number of children's Christmas books about the Nativity. Some of them use the words of the Bible while others are retellings of the story of the birth of Jesus. For some of my recommendations, see The Best Christmas Books for Kids About Jesus' Birth.
Traditional Christmas Recipes
For many families, cookie baking is one of their Christmas traditions. Susan Adcox, Guide to Grandparents, provides
Favorite Cookie Recipes to Bake With Grandchildren and suggests, "Mix a little history into your next cooking session with your grandchildren. Here are stories and favorite cookie recipes to share...Some of these recipes are bound to be a part of your family history."
If you love to use Christmas cookie cutters, but your kids get frustrated when the dough seems to fall apart when they try to cut it, Carol Bainbridge, Guide to Gifted Children, has the solution. Carol says her Cutout Cookie Recipe "is for cutout cookies that are very easy to work with and are a bit heavier than most sugar cookie cutouts. They make great cookies for kids to decorate because they are less fragile than other cutouts."
In many families, it's become a family tradition to prepare a certain Christmas dish or meal. In my family, it is usually a turkey dinner, but it always includes green bean casserole as one of the side dishes and pumpkin pie for dessert.
For Beverly Hernandez, Guide to Homeschooling, it is Pork Green Chili Tamales. According to Beverly, "This recipe has been passed down from my mother-in-law. We've been making these with the family for 35 years, first with the in-laws, now with my own children and grandchildren."
Classic Christmas Parties and Activities for Kids
Megan Cooley, Guide to Kids' Parties & Celebrations, reminds us to “Slow down! And remember what makes Christmas so magical: togetherness and tradition. A kids' Christmas party will bring everyone together for a fun event and create lasting memories for the little ones.†Megan's
Tips for Throwing Festive Kids Christmas Parties includes lots of Christmas party themes for kids, including caroling, gingerbread house making, cookie exchanges and more.
Make a gingerbread house with your own kids or have a gingerbread house making party. Either way, if you have younger kids, be sure to read Megan's How to Make Easy Gingerbread Houses Using Graham Crackers and Frosting.
If you decide on a craft party, why not include a reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, followed by a related craft, like the Grinch in the Chimney ornament from Sherri Osborn, Family Crafts Guide.
Classic Christmas Movies for Kids
Not only is the book
A Christmas Carol a classic, but there are also a number of movie versions of the story for kids. Carey Bryson, Kids' Movies & TV Guide provides information about
Children's Versions of A Christmas Carol. Her favorite is "Mickey's Christmas Carol." Carey says, "The film is the perfect length for families, without leaving out any of the important elements of the story. I can't let a Christmas go by that our family doesn't watch this one several times." Our family's favorite, which is also on Carey's list, is
The Muppet Christmas Carol. It's longer and quite funny but also emphasizes the important elements of Dickens' story.
For more Christmas fun, see Carey's Top 10 Christmas Movies for Kids. It includes old favorites like Miracle on 34th Street and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, as well as several versions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Classic Christmas Music for Kids
In many families, ours included, Christmas music fills the house for weeks before Christmas. If you are looking for music your kids will particularly enjoy, Warren Truitt, Children's Music Guide, has a great selection of
Christmas Music for Kids for you. According to Warren, "There are literally hundreds of Christmas-related CDs and albums out there, so I've narrowed the list to holiday collections that feature 'back-to-basics' renditions of wintry fireside classics, plus a couple of 'essential listening' soundtracks." These include the soundtracks of
A Charlie Brown Christmas and
How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Start A New Christmas Tradition
As Heather Corley, Guide to Baby Products, says, “Choosing an ornament or personalized stocking to commemorate the first Christmas is a family tradition for many people.†For some great ideas, see Heather’s
Top 10 Commemorative Gifts for Baby's First Christmas.
Jane Cys, Mom Recommends Guide, suggests, "Start a new family holiday tradition this year with the Elf on the Shelf - a confidante of Santa Claus who comes to visit your house each evening between Thanksgiving and Christmas."
Lower your holiday stress level and get lots more ideas from the About Parenting & Family Family Holidays Survival Guide.
Whatever your holiday traditions, enjoy the season and have a happy holiday!
No comments:
Post a Comment