| During the holiday season time can be elusive but it is | | | | Christmas Scrap Booking |
| one of the best Christmas gifts of all. Quality time that | | | | Capture Christmas memories and keepsakes by |
| is meaningful and enjoyable to both the parent and | | | | taking lots of pictures for scrap booking. Scrap booking |
| child is priceless. | | | | is another activity that can bring the family together in |
| Christmas Blogging | | | | a memorable way. Your child can choose the theme, |
| Create a new family tradition of blogging. It provides | | | | for example, What I Enjoy Most About Christmas or |
| the opportunity to keep in touch with family that is far | | | | Christmas Is____. In addition to photos, include journal |
| away and spend time connecting with children. Write | | | | entries, luggage tags, quotes and jokes, invitations, |
| about family events/activities, family news, humor, and | | | | letters and cards. |
| recipes or create a story. Family bonding will flourish by | | | | Your child may enjoy creating the scrapbook |
| having an interactive family communication center | | | | throughout the holiday season, or collecting everything |
| where everyone can see and comment on others | | | | first and assembling later. Scrap booking is a wonderful |
| remarks. Photos can be organized easily and seen | | | | way to help you connect with your child over shared |
| without downloading, printed or saved. A Blog takes | | | | experiences. |
| almost no time to set up and is one of the traditions | | | | While Christmas Traditions require you to do things |
| that can continue throughout the year. | | | | together, other ideas just let you be together. During |
| Christmas Baking | | | | the hustle and bustle of the holiday make the most of |
| Everyone can help make a festive gingerbread house, | | | | waiting time and daily routines. For example, if your |
| chocolate chip cookies or homemade chocolate | | | | child enjoys singing, sing songs in the car when you are |
| candy. Visit the neighbors and bring them some of the | | | | running errands. Instead of being frustrated by traffic, |
| cookies you made as a family. Enjoy baking but just | | | | this is also the perfect opportunity to start a |
| don't have the time? Use frozen cookie dough rather | | | | conversation with your child. While waiting at the car |
| than baking your own from scratch. | | | | repair shop, read a book together. Take advantage of |
| The Simple Gaming Tradition | | | | waiting time and routine activities by interacting with |
| Be a kid again and enjoy playing games with your | | | | your child in fun and creative ways. |
| children. Games and puzzles are great ways to bond | | | | Celebrating family traditions helps build and strengthen |
| with your child. Uninterrupted time with your children, | | | | the bond with your child. Christmas traditions are a |
| without any outside noise such as a TV is very | | | | great way to solidify family bonds and encourage the |
| valuable. Playing together is a good way to get to | | | | true spirit or meaning of the holidays. Whether it is |
| know your child. Emphasize playing just for the fun of | | | | once-a-year events or simple, more frequent simple |
| it, and be a good sport because children model what | | | | events like an evening walk a shared tradition is a |
| they see. | | | | special family time. |