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Book a Day Until Christmas
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Time Capsule Tree Ornament
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Child's Ornament Box
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Matching PJs
Passing on the holiday traditions you grew up with is great fun for parents. In my family that included celebrating Saint Nicholas' Eve on December 5 (we put our shoes by the front door and woke to find a few small toys inside).
Even more fun is coming up with some new ones for your family. Here are 5 cute ideas for you to consider:
1. The 24 Days of Books. Wrap 24 holiday-themed books and place under your tree (or on the fireplace mantle). Each evening, gather the kids together before bedtime, unwrap a book and spend a little time reading aloud. The books don't have to be new, just new to your family. What a sweet way to remind family members of what the holiday season really means.
http://www.simplysara.ca/2011/11/traditions.html
2. Christmas Jar of Activities. Print out 24 small and easy to accomplish holiday activities and place them in a large glass jar. Each morning, let your kids choose one activity for the day. The site below has some suggestions to get you started.
http://www.momadvice.com/parenting/christmas_jar.aspx
3. Make a Time Capsule Christmas Ornament for Each Child. Buy large glass ornaments from the crafts store (be sure the top pulls off). For the "stuffing" consider small strips of paper with the best memories of the year, the child's school picture, a newspaper clipping, tickets from a movie or play--anything small enough to be rolled up and slid through the top. You can finish off your ornament by writing the child's name, age and year on the outside of the glass with permanent marker–or have the child do it if he/she is old enough.
http://www.mommysavers.com/c/t/212380/homemade-ornament-time-capsule-christmas-ornament
4. Ornament Box. Buy your child a special ornament each year. Then, write your child a letter detailing the special events of the year, how they've grown, and other memories. Attach the letter to the ornament and put it away in a special box. When your child leaves your house for their own home, give them the box for their first Christmas.
http://inkablinka.com/2011/12/ornament-boxes.html
5. Matching Christmas Pajamas. I know several families who buy new pajamas for each family member for Christmas Eve (including mine!) but why not go a step further and get matching pajamas?
You can buy simple solid-colored pajamas in similar styles for each family member and then personalize with an iron on design, embroidery or other embellishments.
There are also several sites where you can buy a matching set of pajamas for your family including Pajamagram.com.