I remember the excitement of waiting for Christmas as a child. There was the family tromp through the woods to cut down the perfect tree with Dad's red saw, followed by cocoa to defrost everyone. Once the tree was set up we decorated it while listening to John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas. Decorating cookies was a family event with Mom's Super Shooter pressing out dozens of confections and the kids in charge of sprinkles and the cut up maraschino cherries for the wreath bows. Christmas Eve meant going to Grandma and Grandpa's house to be with all of the cousins for open house.
As a child it seemed so simple and carefree, a magical time of year. I can hear my Dad and Aunt Janet singing carols around the piano. It's hard to believe that my parents didn't feel any stress carting us to family parties, baking cookies, wrapping presents, hanging lights, stuffing stockings, and keeping us fidget-free during mass. If they did, I don't remember them mentioning all the work that goes into the season. I'm glad that I have all the wonderful memories of the Christmas season with my family.
One way that kids can count down to Christmas is with an advent calendar. Instead of using one of the packaged ones with a little treat inside, I decided to add a new holiday tradition to my family. Each day we try to catch someone doing something nice for others. When we do we write it on a post-it note and put it on the calendar. I am calling it a "Kindness Calendar."
Both children have their own calendars and are enjoying finding ways to fill them up. My little one fed the dog and asked, "Is that a kindness?" I certainly agreed the dog would find it kind to be fed. I opted for the post-it notes instead of stickers, since my oldest can read and I thought it would be fun for him to see all the helpful things he does in writing, rather than a sticker each day. There will still be gifts under the tree and stockings stuffed with treats in my house. With the "Kindness Calendar" my hope is to remind my children to think of others during this special time of waiting for Christmas to arrive.
As a child it seemed so simple and carefree, a magical time of year. I can hear my Dad and Aunt Janet singing carols around the piano. It's hard to believe that my parents didn't feel any stress carting us to family parties, baking cookies, wrapping presents, hanging lights, stuffing stockings, and keeping us fidget-free during mass. If they did, I don't remember them mentioning all the work that goes into the season. I'm glad that I have all the wonderful memories of the Christmas season with my family.
One way that kids can count down to Christmas is with an advent calendar. Instead of using one of the packaged ones with a little treat inside, I decided to add a new holiday tradition to my family. Each day we try to catch someone doing something nice for others. When we do we write it on a post-it note and put it on the calendar. I am calling it a "Kindness Calendar."
Both children have their own calendars and are enjoying finding ways to fill them up. My little one fed the dog and asked, "Is that a kindness?" I certainly agreed the dog would find it kind to be fed. I opted for the post-it notes instead of stickers, since my oldest can read and I thought it would be fun for him to see all the helpful things he does in writing, rather than a sticker each day. There will still be gifts under the tree and stockings stuffed with treats in my house. With the "Kindness Calendar" my hope is to remind my children to think of others during this special time of waiting for Christmas to arrive.
Great idea Micky! I might just try something like that too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steph. It has helped me focus on the good things they do each day.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really nice idea! I'm sure the kids will feel great when they see all of their kind acts posted for the month!
ReplyDeleteThanks Barb. My son last night asked if he could give a book away since, "Christmas isn't just about you." Yeah!
ReplyDelete