Five Traditions Every Kid Should Experience During the Holidays

There are some things no kid should miss out on during the holidays. It's an excellent time to learn the holiday traditions of other countries. Don't forget family traditions, either. We all have them. Whether it's a family outing to a favorite sledding hill, ice skating or just sitting quietly around the fire, make sure kids experience plenty of holiday magic this year, including these five items.

1. Harvesting their own tree. There is nothing more fun than tramping through the woods with your folks to pick your very own Christmas tree. As a kid, I got to do this nearly every year. We had Christmas trees planted on our back lot. Most kids aren't that lucky. Still, you can head out of town to find a place that lets you cut your own tree. Warning: When kids choose the tree you may end up with an interesting one. Still, it's something no kid should miss out on.

2. Spending time with extended family. Forget about spending Christmas alone with just you and the kids. You can do that on Christmas morning. Kids who hang out with extended family learn to socialize at an early age. Yes, Uncle Bob might ask them to pull his finger several hundred times. Think of it as a learning experience. Enrich kids life by exposing them to all their relatives. Even the crazy ones.

3. Buying gifts for others with their own money. There's nothing like the first time you Christmas shop with your own hard earned savings. My parents got Christmas club accounts for us when we were small. We saved all year, then withdrew the money to spend on Christmas. I still remember some of the gifts I bought the first year I had my own money.

4. Donating time or making items for charity. Christmas isn't just about gifts, of course. It's about the spirit of giving back to the community as well. Every kid benefits from donating their time to the less fortunate. Why not volunteer as a family or make some gifts for those less fortunate? You can do this no matter how little you have yourself.

5. Singing holiday songs. When I was a kid, the holidays meant making music. My dad and uncles played guitar. As my brothers got older, they joined in. My sister played the piano. My mom played the accordion. The rest of us all sang at the top of our lungs, regardless of talent. Every kid should experience a home filled with holiday music, even if it's just coming from an I pod dock. Celebrating with music is the only way in my book.

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