Christmas, I remember as a kid, always used to be something really magical.

I remember the eager anticipation of Father Christmas to leave presents in my stockings on Christmas Eve. While we had all the family gifts under the tree, each of us also had a stocking hanging from the fireplace lintel. And somehow by the morning those we always full of small treats that simply must have come from Father Christmas himself!

Along with all the other traditions that we kept, it was a time of excitement and wonder.

And there was a tradition that if you had been bad through the year, instead of presents, you might just receive a lump of coal, or a bag of salt.

All of us kids would be secretly wondering and hoping for the best.

That bit of uncertainty added yet more magic and mystique to the whole event. It was not just a “given” that there would be heaps of presents on Christmas day - Santa really did check his list twice!

Isn’t that what Christmas should be about for children? Isn’t that why, in the famous response to Virginia’s letter, Francis Church said “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,”? He knew that the magic of Christmas was what mattered, and certainly didn’t want to spoil that.

So what happened to the Christmas spirit?

Now, instead of Christmas carols sung by lamplight at our door by volunteers collecting for charity, we have tinny xmas jingles (yes, Christ has even been removed from Christmas and replaced by X, an unknown quantity).

Instead the commercials just scream buy, buy, buy, as though spending more and getting more will make the season special. But all that produces is stress and debt.

Sure, there is a frantic unwrapping of presents, followed by… Nothing. No magic. No wonder. No Warm Fuzzies. Just a heap of wrapping paper, and a collection of toys, some of which met with approval, and many of which did not.

So, how about, this year, bringing some of that magic back for your children? You don’t have to spend a heap of money to make Christmas magical. All it takes is a bit of planning, and a bit of time. Here are some suggestions:

Look in your local paper and see if there is a Christmas show or other event you could all attend.

Go to a carols by candlelight service.

Or what about driving around our neighborhood and taking a vote on the house with the best Christmas decorations and illuminations?

Then set aside a whole afternoon to bake gingerbread cookies - or even a full gingerbread house. They will remember that for years to come - certainly longer than the latest battery operated toy.

If you live near snow - take some time off together and have a snowball fight, or go sledding, cross-country skiing, or even try and build an igloo. Above all remember just to have some simple FUN!

Turn off the TV and play a game together - maybe a board game or, if you really want a laugh, do something like charades, Pictionary or Cranium.

A great family tradition is, of course, the classic movies such as Miracle on 34th street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and even the modern Santa Clause series. Get out the popcorn, load up the drinks, and settle down for a fun evening.

Then, when it is time to open the presents, take your time. Do them one by one, so everyone can share in the joy of giving and receiving as each gets to see what everyone else gave and got. Then, after Christmas Dinner, take a walk together, or visit friends or relatives.

And, if you really must use your computer - well, why not have Santa Claus send your children a free, colorful email greeting from the North Pole? You can set that up at:

http://good-child-guide.com/email_from_santa/ (And you will get some free gifts for yourself too).

Bottom line? Take time to enjoy the season. Make an effort to do things that will lay down memories, and that will be magical for your kids. May you have a very merry Christmas.

Provided by ArticleGOLD: Articles Directory - Article Directory

One of the great benefits of the Christmas season is the wide variety of Christmas DVDs released to celebrate the season. There are new feature film DVDs released to provide family fun and entertainment and there are other DVDs released to help families get more out of the holiday season. One of this year’s best new Christmas DVDs is “Family Time with Santa.”

This multiple award winning countdown to Christmas DVD features twelve separate episodes for the entire family to watch. In addition to giving great learning lessons to children, the best part of this DVD is that it provides both entertainment and family fun time for the Christmas season. Each of the twelve episodes gives a six to nine minute nighttime activity for families to participate in together.

Each episode entertains with a depiction of fun activities presented by Santa, including: Firehouse, Taffy Factory, and a Boat Tale. While entertainment value is high, the major benefit of this collection is that it provides twelve nights of family fun and bonding. Children will enjoy the learning fun and Christmas cheer from Santa and his helpers, and parents will love the chance to expand Christmas into twelve nights of family time.

This great DVD collection has 15 different awards for Children’s Entertainment, Concept, Design Creativity and Originality, from various organizations. It is an extremely innovative way to countdown the days to Christmas.

The final days to Christmas are often an exciting and anxious time for young children. With the “Family Time with Santa” DVD, parents can give their children twelve nights of family fun and help ease some of the anxiety for Christmas morning, while at the same time building up the hopes and dreams of the little ones.

Another great benefit to parents with this DVD is that each episode begins by helping children go through their regular night time routines. Santa will help ease some of the pressure on parents during the busy Christmas season by ensuring that your children have completed their chores, brushed their teeth, and are ready for bed before he begins discussing that night’s hobby.

With all of the traditional Christmas options available to parents, very few offer the same great value gained from the “Family Time with Santa” DVD. Families will enjoy twelve exciting nights of Christmas fun with Santa and children will be blessed with lifetime memories with each night’s activities.

By: C A Mc Craw

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

CA McCraw writes for the www.MySantaSuit.com Network which has been servicing internet customers for 7 years now and taking pride in insuring the Customers Satisfaction. Grab the Hottest DVD Countdown to Christmas this year from the Ultimate Christmas Countdown!

Christmas dinner in fancy dress costume is an ideal way to spice up the day. What clothes you wear on Christmas day is just as important to make your Christmas a special festive event - not only to be remembered for sentiment but for fun too. If you’re the family that in the past years has always dressed up for this occasion then how about dressing down. Every year nearly every one will cater for another person’s wants and needs before that of their own, hey listen up guys this is your Christmas too.

Christmas with a difference, have each family member dress up in fancy dress costume, by doing this you are adding fun to the day and most definitely giving reason for chat around the dining table, meaning, i.e. evading the dreaded silence that occurs from time to time. All those sat round the dinner table will love talking about how they came to select their particular costume and to why. Have a Christmas outfit party game where each person has to guess the reason why their brother or sister is dressed as Winnie the Pooh or Spiderman, no doubt the reasons given will have you all in the stitches.

If your decision is to make this Xmas different then you can implement a festive theme where family come dressed as Christmas characters. If you are the traditional sit down serious sort of person and feel change is not for you, fine, but did you ever consider another’s thoughts on the matter who may like to laugh and be jolly. If you decide against Christmas dinner in fancy dress costume, then at least have party hats and Christmas crackers filled with funny jokes for those looking to get into the festive spirit.

If dressing up is not how you wish to celebrate Christmas day then make changes to the feast table instead. Throw out the red table cloth you have repeatedly used over the years and replace with another colour. Lay the table different; add homemade edible party pieces i.e. biscuits/cakes decorated with funny faces in piped cream, label these yummies with each diners name. Just by changing habitual efforts will certainly have you pleased with yourself and more so that of others who craved for difference, but somehow felt uncomfortable to say.

Okay fair enough Christmas dinner in fancy dress costume may not be seen as entertainment in some folks eyes, however this should not deter you from splashing out on yourself, remember as stated earlier this is your Christmas too. This is more directed towards all mums who slave over a hot cooker to please and fill the bellies of all. Mum has to somehow juggle her work load to create a perfect Christmas dinner while under threat from gravy splashes on her outfit so therefore most of her day is spent enveloped in an apron to protect the clothes she wears; this is most uncomfortable especially when trying to avoid grease drips while basting the turkey. To remedy this is to dress later, have your outfit prepared and hanging in the wardrobe, a shift dress is ideal, so there is no time lost when slipping it on over your head. Your hair can be tied back for cooking and let loose for eating. If your hair is short - style with a bow or slide. Keep to wearing low comfortable shoes because pudding has to be served and dishes put away.

As the pots full of seasonable vegetables simmer away nip upstairs and coat the lips with a little lipstick, not much makeup is needed because you will always be beautiful in the yes of those sitting round the Christmas table waiting patiently to be fed.
It makes sense for fewer cosmetics at this time because of steaming veg and smoke from burnt turkey,” heaven forbid”. Plan ahead, take things slow and by doing this you can have the perfect Christmas day, however if in your household burnt offerings is always on the menu then you can consider eating out.
When it comes down to making changes it is true that old habits die hard, but if change involves filling the air with fun and laughter then ignore tradition.

By: kacycarr

Christmas would have the same meaning with holiday and celebration. People, including you would like to have a certain plan to celebrate the special event with spouse or family, whether just having a family gathering, or vacation somewhere in the country or going abroad.

But somehow, you don’t have enough budgets to do what you want, or don’t have the idea about where to go, what to do, etc. Actually it is not a problem, as the event itself should be taken as a chance to build your relationship closer, no matter where you go, what you do, as long as you enjoy and being together with your love ones, I think it’s what its count.

However, here’s some idea for you to celebrate your Christmas holiday:

1.Stay at home, renting nice VCD and DVD, then enjoy the films together with your love ones.

2. Exploring places of interest on your neighborhood, either it’s a lake, garden, forest garden maybe you could have a picnic there.

3. Going abroad to a new place you never went before. You could browse the internet to make the whole plan, as it very easy now to book everything (tickets, hotel, tours, and other accommodations) from the internet. And sometimes you would get special internet rate or a special early booking discount.

4. How about visiting your parents or grandparents that you hardly to visit on working days? I believe they would more than happy to have you there with them. Elderly people sometimes feel lonely and useless, make them feel precious, pamper them on this Christmas, be a blessing one another. They will be happy to see you and your family.

5. Have a traveling by car together with your best friends and their family, Friend is a jewel, you should take a good care of them. Sometimes when you need help on your hard days, do you remember who stands by you? Have a good time with them. You don’t get best friends everyday, you should appreciate what you have.

6. How about making your Christmas holiday productive? Actually you can re-arrange your home interior if you want. Or you can do some changes on your garden. It would be fun to have a new environment for the whole family. It will like have a new house without moving anywhere.

7. Want to earn money on Christmas? Why not? You can sell Christmas cake, help your neighbors taking care of their pet when they are on their trip, sell items for busy people that have no time to shop for their Christmas gifts. It’s plenty of things you can figure out.

8. How about make a difference on this Christmas? You could join the nearest church or other organization to be one of their volunteers. You will feel good if you could be part of the humanity, part of the neighborhood. Maybe you only doing a small action, but it mean a lot for they who need it. Maybe they will take you to nursing home and have a Christmas celebration there, but could you imagine how happy those elder people having all of you together on Christmas? You could make a difference on somebody else life if you want.

I believe besides all of that idea, there are still lots of things you can do on this Christmas. Let this Christmas be different, not only for you but also for your surrounding. Don’t only let your Christmas be a hip celebration, make it to be a meaningful and unforgettable Christmas for everybody, especially your loves ones.

Christmas songs have become a symbol of holidays for people living across the globe. Christmas being the time of fun and frolic, has made funny Christmas songs quite popular among kids as well as adults. The actual sentiment behind singing song is to commemorate the birth Of Lord Jesus Christ, who later in his life became the savior of mankind. For such a stupendous cause,the origin of funny Christmas songs in the ancient times is out of context. But, humor is the spice of life. Since contemporary generations added that fun element to it, ancient songs have got a new dimension to it.

The characteristic trait of funny Christmas songs is it’s joyous music and easy to remember lyrics. The song called Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer was never so popular since it’s funny version was released. Many parodies of religious carols can be seen on television and theater shows. Some of the timeless classic funny Christmas songs are here just for you.

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

The funny Christmas song has been written by Donald Gardner in 1944 and since then many singers released songs with musical variations in it.

Hang Up Your Stockin’

The CD of the kid’s favorite funny Christmas song was released by Capitol Records in 1963.

Jolly Old Nicholas

St. Nicholas is the official name of everyone darling Santa Clause. A beautiful jolly song dedicated to Santa uncle is on the lips of every child during this season.

Up On The House Top

A song by Alvin and Chipmunks is one of the most popular Christmas songs of all times.

Christmas quickly approaches and vacation time for children as well. We therefore wonder how we are going to entertain our children during the Christmas holidays.

Christmas holidays are the best moment to share activities between adults and children.

The first of these Christmas activities is to get back into the mood for the magic and the festive spirit of Christmas by visiting shopping malls organizing beautiful Christmas windows; which are an eternally renewed delight for the children and their parents.

Some shopping malls are also organizing Christmas stores consisting of a path to the lighting, Christmas decorations, displayed scenes from Christmas movies, train sets and toys simulating real situations; static or interactive decorations as a fire truck and fire fighters helping the victims of a fire or the express of the King’s Cross railway station platform 9-3/4 bringing Harry Potter and his friends at Hogwarts.

A little further on, after seeing Rudolph surrounded by elves and goblins relaxing on a fairy forest, we enter in the fantastic house of Barbie; which contains 35 rooms decorated for Christmas. Do not disturb her, she is hosting a Christmas party.

Another three steps and we will enter in the victorian area of this Christmas dream: hundreds of beautiful teddy bears are playing in a green grass area. Ten meters after them, we are approaching a bedroom where luxurious old fashioned porcelain dolls are sleeping in their cradle.

At the end of this path, we meet Santa Claus, sitting on a golden seat and waiting for our children to communicate their Christmas wish list to him.

A picture of Santa Claus holding our child on his laps closes this magical Christmas journey that reminds us the taste and the atmosphere of our own childhood. This fairy journey will also become our first Christmas memory of the year.

The second activity will be the Christmas decoration of our house and the Christmas tree. Is there a better Christmas activity than this one; which our children will remember when they will grow up and become parents? It will certainly give them the desire to perpetuate these traditions.

I remember the first time I decorated the Christmas tree with my mother and she told me to not to touch the flocking which simulated the snow because she thought that it would cut my fingers. I did not believe her… When my son helped me to decorate the Christmas tree for the first time, I told him not to touch the flocking and within one second, the taste and the atmosphere of my own childhood Christmas holidays came back to my memory.

When the tree and the house are decorated, we will install the crib that represents the Nativity scene. Children have not lost their primary instincts and the scene will usually be more secure than beautiful, as if they wanted to protect the baby Jesus twenty centuries after his birth. Let them install the Christmas crib while we supervise their work.

The scene of the nativity is also the opportunity to educate children about the birth of Jesus and the meaning of Christmas; and it is a fun way to learn history.

Another Christmas activity to share with our family is to walk on the streets to discover the gardens decorated with Santa Claus on his sleigh or climbing along the front of the houses, the lights on the municipal Christmas tree as well as participate in Christmas Events organized by the municipality.

After a long and tiring day, we will enjoy a warm evening by watching a Christmas movie with our children, drink hot chocolate and eat waffles or cookies.

These are some basic activities that will create, for us and our children, Christmas memories that will last for a lifetime.

Prosperity66 is an European History, Holidays and Tarot cards passionate. For more Christmas Gift Ideas feel free to visit Christmas Time Guide. For more Christmas Kids Activities, visit Christmas Coloring and Craft Printables.

The beauty of an heirloom is that its price is irrelevant. Its worth comes from the love between the people who give and receive it, and the special events that are occurring in their lives at the time. That’s what makes it priceless - and timeless.

Many of us have treasured heirlooms that have been passed down for generations. These are the lockets and knick-knacks that we’d grab (after the kids and the pets) if we had to leave the house in a hurry. A ceramic angel, priceless because our beloved grandmother gave it to us; a snow globe from an airport, priceless because our mother gave it to us after her first visit to our new home; our first wrist watch, which was worn by a parent for many years.

Creating The Gift that Will Become an Heirloom

But how do you create a gift that will be treasured by your children and handed down to your grandchildren as a family heirloom?

1. Wait for a unique and special occasion, and give the gift at that time. A graduation, a wedding, any anniversary, the birth of a child, the opening of a new business, a 21st birthday, the return of a family member from a long trip - there are countless opportunities for the moment to be perfect.

2. Personalize your gift. If you give a music box, choose one with a song that’s meaningful to you both. Or choose a music box with decorative figurines on top that match the occasion - like a sweet 16 party, a concert, or a graduation. If you give jewelry, have it inscribed with a line from your recipient’s favorite poem.

Give a Gift that Will Stand Up to Time

Present the gift with enough fanfare that your recipient understands the love behind it. You can even suggest that they keep it for their children.

Make sure the quality and workmanship of the item are impeccable. If you’re giving, say, your son and daughter-in-law a store-bought pendulum clock to start an heirloom, make sure it’s made well. Do some research and know what the most reliable brands are. An heirloom, expensive or inexpensive, must stay in one piece reliably; it must be fairly durable; and it must be from a reputable company. After all, it can’t be an heirloom if it breaks in a year or starts looking raggedy after a short time. To start you off with some ideas, feel free to browse around a gift shop like Treasure Rocket and see if anything speaks to you.

An heirloom grows in value because it has meaning in your family. A new piano that you purchase, given to your child when she or he grows up, has meaning. To your grown child and his children, this is the piano mom (or grandma) played. That gives it value.

Heirlooms are the physical manifestations of love and thoughtfulness. Every time your child or friend sees this music box - or whatever the gift is - you will be in her heart. And what makes an heirloom different from an ordinary gift is that you will also be in the hearts of generations to come.

What is meal time like around your house? Does everyone get their plate and head to their own room? Or does popping a dinner in the old microwave, sitting down in front of the TV, computer or video game and no one gets the opportunity to speak to one another sound more familiar? Given the hectic schedules many families have today, family dinner time has become a lost art.

Years ago, it was unheard of for a family to not have dinner together. Even during biblical times, the fathers of the household would rule the entire family from the dinner table.

They understood dinner time was more than just a time to eat, but it was a time influence the family. They realized this had a profound impact on their family. Many studies have shown the positive force eating as a family can have on a child.

Children who do not eat dinner with their families are sixty percent more likely to use alcohol, tobacco and/or illegal drugs. On the other end of that spectrum, children who eat dinner with their families are twenty percent more likely to drink, smoke or use illegal drugs.

Teens that eat frequent family dinners are less likely than other teens to have sex, get into fights, as well as have a lower risk of suicidal thoughts.

There is a whole list of positive things that can happen when a family carves out time to eat dinner as a family. This is a great time to be involved in your child’s life. Eating together encourages communication!

Allow each member of the family to discuss any problems and/or achievements they may have encountered during the day. This is also a great time to plan family trips, church activities and upcoming events. Engage the children in conversations that lead them to discuss school work, sports and other things that get them to open up and share the details of their life. The most important thing is to keep an open line of communication for each member to share ideas, stories, etc.

Sitting down for a family meal can provide real quality family time and be just plain fun! Pull up the chairs, serve the casserole and have a laugh with everyone. Make dinner time fun and everyone will be looking forward to eating with the family.

Mix it up, have a picnic in the family room on the floor. When the weather is nice outside, have a family dinner on the patio. Neither you nor your family will regret the memories or the positive impact your family will enjoy around your dinner table…wherever it may be. Bon appetite!

No matter how you spin it, telling your close friends and family that you are pregnant is going to be a memorable and happy occasion. Of course you can just come out and tell them but since this may be a once in a lifetime experience why not make a little effort to make it even more fun and memorable? Below are a list of creative ways to announce to your family and friends that you are pregnant.

‘I’m Pregnant!’
This is a fantastic way to immortalize the moment you announce to your loved ones that you are going to have a baby. During your family or friends gathering, have everyone come together for a group picture. Before you take the photo, instead of yelling, “Everyone say ‘Cheese’,” yell out, “Everyone say ‘Anna’s (insert your name) Pregnant’!” Take the snapshot at that moment to capture everyone excited expression.

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words
Give your loved ones something to keep on their dresser by giving them an engraved photo frame. Buy a frame and have it personalized with your due date month and year on it and put either a poem, picture of your positive pregnancy test, or your ultrasound picture inside. When your baby is born, you can send them a baby picture to replace the placeholder. What a perfect way to announce your pregnancy at a gift giving occasion.

Potluck Surprise
Are you in charge of bringing a dish for the next potluck? Sign up for dessert and bring cupcakes, cookies or donuts that are frosted with pink and blue icing. Watch to see who picks up on the subtle hint.

A New Family Tree
A fantastic way to announce to your family that there will be a new baby in the family is to give them an updated version of your family tree. There are many great resources where you can buy or download a family tree. Just leave a blank space under yours and your husbands name and write in pencil your due date. This would make a perfect gift if you had it framed or for those who have scrap booking loved ones, a scrap book page would be perfect!

Pass the Peas
At your next dinner party, announce your pregnancy by slipping in a subtle, “Can you please pass the peas? I’m eating for two these days!”

Site Update
A great way to keep friends and relatives updated on your pregnancy is to create an online pregnancy journal, so why not use this as a way to announce your pregnancy also? Do a search for “free online pregnancy journal” and get started building your site today.

Game Night
If you routinely play games during family or friend get-togethers, try switching out one of the game pieces to announce your pregnancy. For example, tape a new note over on the Community Chest cards in Monopoly to read, “Anna’s having a baby, give $10 to each player,” or pull out the right letters from your Scrabble Crossword Game game before your guest arrive and hide them in your pocket so you can lay down, “Pregnant” on the board while you play. Or instead break out Candy Land and Hungry Hungry Hippos Game and tell your guests that you have to practice now because soon there’s going to be a new player on game night.

However you decide to break the news that you are pregnant to your loved ones, have fun, be creative and enjoy the moment.

By:

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Kendra Spencer is the editor of Shopping for Two, a website devoted to bringing new and expecting moms the best advice and cutest baby products available.

“Once upon a time a headless horseman rode up and down the dark country road yelling, “Who’s got my head? Who’s got my head?” Only my Dad knew he was telling us kids a classic story. When we asked for a story he told us to get ready. We ran to the darkest bedroom sat down and got ready. We sat on the floor because at the story end he yelled BOO! We ALL jumped, every time! That’s part of my history. Another lady found out why her husband and daughter liked Oriental fashions, decor, and food. Turns out her husbands’ Grandmother forth removed was Chinese! See you can write your family history.

Make a list of the names of your oldest family member down to the youngest member who makes sense! You want the truth. It may be sad or shocking whatever you hear is as they remember and is the truth to them. You’ll need: 1. A large spiral notebook. 2. Five ballpoint pens, 3. Tape recorder and Kleenex.

Start with questions such as: 1. What is your full name? 2. Where were you born? 3. Describe your wedding dress. 4. Did you work outside the home? 5. Where did you live as a child? 6. Did you have a craft? Ask questions then listen. Give them time to answer. Touch them lightly when their thoughts wonder away from the subject and ask another question. This keeps both of you focused. Be careful about talking or making noise when you are recording. Interview in a quiet place. Nod your head as they talk this will encourage them to keep talking. When you finish thank them go home and write up your story. Schedule the next relative and go on from there. You may choose to publish or not. Your goal is a record of your family’s history. Your are preserving memories.