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"Mom! I have to have this new battery-operated-computer-controlled-high-tech-super-duper-toy!" Children across the country loudly proclaim their desires for the newest (and most expensive) toys. With a strong economy and media-savvy children, it's easy to fall into the trap of frantically searching for all the toys your child requests. There are ways, however, to place an emphasis on creating positive holiday memories memories that last long after the battery powered toys wind down to a standstill.
The following are five suggestions to create positive, low-key memories for your family this holiday season.
1) Limit television viewing.
It makes sense that the fewer flamboyant commercials children see, the less likely they are to demand every item shown. Use the holiday season to turn off the television and spend that time making homemade wrapping paper or reading stories by candlelight. Children remember the cozy feeling of snuggling with an adult, far longer than playing yet another video game.
2) Make bedtime special.
It's easy for children to get wound up as the holiday season progresses. Who wants to go to bed when there are twinkling lights, mysterious presents and treats galore? As your child brushes her teeth, slip an item under her pillow. It doesn't have to be a gift, just something around the house as a "discussion starter". Any item will do, ranging from an ornament to a dollar bill, to a picture from last year's snowman. As your child is settled in bed, let her pull the item out from under her pillow. What can she do to help others with the dollar? Can she remember what happened to the snowman when it rained last year? The item provides a soothing transition point from a day of high paced fun.
3) Stage a Treasure Hunt.
Children of all ages love the process of hunting for "treasure". The end result doesn't have to be an extravagant gift, since the fun comes from racing through the house, looking for clues. Simply hide an item such as a new book or a few packages of hot chocolate. Then write clues, leading from one location to the next. If you are really clever, make the clues rhyme, such as,
"It's usually messy, and covered with a blanket of red... look for the next clue under Steven's _____"
The kids run to Steven's bed, where they find another clue stating,
"We all love Jenny's big stuffed beareven when he sits in Dad's favorite _______"
Another mad dash to Dad's chair for the next clue until the treasure is found. With younger children, simply cut out pictures from magazines of a refrigerator, crib, toy box and leave picture clues from location to location. One family has a treasure hunt each night the week before Christmas. The treasure at the end? All the children's pajamas!
4) View the lights with a special slant.
Bundle up the family and walk through the neighborhood looking at the lights. When you find a display that you especially enjoy, jot down the address. Arriving home, have the kids make a card, thanking the family for putting out the time and effort to create a display of lights. You teach your children the gift of appreciation and some unsuspecting family will be pleasantly surprised to get a thank-you card in the mail.
5) Set up a home-style restaurant.
Instead of going out to eat at a crowded restaurant, create your own dining facility. Print out a menu with meal options and prices. Give everyone play money so they can order from the menu and pay for their meal. Serve the food in the family room or other unique location to add to the restaurant atmosphere. Older children might like to handle the decorations and serve the meal themselves. One family set up the restaurant in the basement with a drive-up window. The children rode bikes and scooters to the drive-up window and placed their order for spaghetti or chili. Low cost, hassle free and guaranteed to create a long lasting holiday memory.
6) Create your own gift-making workshop.
As the holidays approach, adults always proclaim how much they love homemade gifts from the youngsters in their life. Yet often, craft projects are too complicated for children to do on their own. Try some of these suggestions for holiday gifts and decorations that children can do with minimal help.
Secret Storage Boxes:
Ask family and friends to save cancelled stamps from old letters and bills. Trim around the edge of stamps and glue onto a small box. It's fine to overlap the stamps in a random design. Cover the entire box with a coat of glue to give some shine to the box. You can do the same thing by gluing candy wrappers on a box and giving it as a gift to someone who loves to snack.
Instant Puzzle frames:
Here's a great way to use a puzzle that has pieces missing. Spread glue on a cardboard picture frame. Glue on an assortment of small puzzle pieces. While the frame dries, color or paint a picture to go inside the frame. It will be hung in a place of honor!
Animal Cracker Jewelry:
Get plain animal crackers or "goldfish crackers". Using fine tipped permanent markers, decorate the animals. Paint the stripes, eyes etc. Cover with decoupage or clear nail polish and let dry. Glue crackers onto hair clips or headbands. What mother wouldn't love wearing a pin made from an animal cracker?
Ornament Making for the Artistically Challenged: (or for very young children)
Simply put glitter in a plastic Ziploc bag. Spread glue on a small Styrofoam ball. Drop ball in bag of glitter. Close bag and shake! Remove ball and let dry. Attach hook and hang on tree. These actually turn out looking very pretty and kids love shaking the bags of glitter.
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