Posts tagged 'Christmas'

The holidays are a special time for so many families. This time of year is precious not because of the gifts we receive, it's precious because of the time we share together.

Whether it's hiding a pickle in your Christmas tree or reading a festive book each night, every family has a tradition that makes the season bright!

I love a lot of things about the holidays — the decorations, the music, the celebrations. Our family's Christmas is casual and relaxing, the perfect end to a busy year. I'm a laid back mama and most of our family traditions were inspired on a whim — something that seemed like a good idea and stuck. I have four teenagers now and these are four of our favorite holiday traditions!

Written by author Sandra Magsamen.

When I was a little girl on Christmas mornings, whichever sister woke up first would wake up the other four sisters. We then lined up at our parents' bedside to wake them up so we could all see if Santa had come. My father would rub his eyes, pull his legs out of bed, and put his feet on the cold floor to begin his journey downstairs to check. My mother wrapped her robe around herself asking, "I wonder if Santa came?" My sisters and I were firm believers in Santa. When my father finally hollered from the living room, "OK, you can come down now," we all ran down the stairs, thrilled to see the lights twinkling on the tree and the mounds of brightly colored packages. We would each pause for a second to take in the magic of the moment.

Most of us have said the words, "Remember, Santa's watching" to encourage our kids to behave. But how can we help our children form the habits of being kind and polite that will last beyond this holiday season? We've got some ideas...

This holiday season is the perfect time to remind your child that reading is fundamental (and also really fun). If you're looking for ways to show your little one that reading can be remarkable, use these 5 simple gifting tips to introduce your child to their new favorite book.