Great Christmas Traditions for Kids

With Christmas becoming more commercialized every year, how do you keep the true meaning of Christmas alive for your children? Spend some time creating traditions for your children that they can keep close to their hearts and share with their own children someday.

ORNAMENTS AND DECORATING: Every year choose one special ornament for each of your children that reflects an interest they have had during the previous year. Your daughter might get an ornament featuring a ballerina or a sport she's played. An ornament for your son might depict a baseball player or even a character like Spiderman that he has been "into" that year. Have the ornaments personalized and dated. When your children establish their own homes they will each have a box of ornaments for their own trees.

Turn decorating the tree into a special tradition. One day while the children are in school get the tree all set up, make sure the lights are working and put on any garland or ribbon. Once your children are home from school have cookies and hot chocolate waiting and decorate the tree together with everyone hanging their own, personal ornaments on the tree.

CHRISTMAS STORIES: Gather up twenty-five books about Christmas and maybe even one or two on Hanukkah and place them in a large basket that is set out on December 1st. Beginning that evening have your children take turns selecting a book from the basket and read one story every evening. On Christmas Eve read the story of Jesus' birth and discuss the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate. You can change out the books each year to ensure they are age appropriate for your children.

GIFT WRAPPING AND A MOVIE: Set aside one afternoon and have a holiday movie and gift-wrapping marathon. Select some family favorite holiday movies, pop some popcorn, gather up your gifts and wrapping supplies and make a fun memory for your children by enjoying the movie while you wrap. Older children can wrap gifts too, while younger children can help with simple tasks like taping or handing you supplies. This is a perfect opportunity to teach your kids about the joy of gift giving.

BE AN ANGEL: Go with your children to choose a child from an "Angel" tree. The Salvation Army sponsors these in many communities, as do many local churches, and other social service agencies. Take the time to go over the wish list of the child you have selected with your own children and make a list of what the child wants and budget how much many you are able to spend, then let your children do the shopping with your guidance. You are not only teaching them the value of being charitable, but also about money management.

HANDMADE AND HEARTFELT: In a world where gift giving is often defined by the size or the price of the gift given, you can teach your children that a gift they made themselves can be much more valuable than something that was bought. Schedule one Saturday specifically for crafting and baking. Make sure you have all your supplies bought and accessible that morning. Get the children started on creating handmade Christmas cards while you are baking. Prepare a batch of cookies that the little ones can decorate and make a quick batch of jelly from fruit juice. The children can decorate labels for the jars and tie ribbons around them. Put together a gift bag with cookies, candy and a jar of jelly and attach the cards. Take your children to visit friends and neighbors and deliver these special gifts. They will learn about the rewards of a job well done and see the joy that a handmade gift can bring.

CANDLELIGHT SERVICES: As a family, attend a candlelight church service on Christmas Eve. The beauty of a darkened church lit only by candles is breathtaking and you are starting and awe-inspiring tradition you children will look forward to every year.

By starting traditions such as these you are ensuring that your children will learn that the meaning of Christmas is not "how much stuff can I get?" Show them how to pass the love along throughout the holiday season by participating in traditions with family and friends and sharing their own good fortune with others.