Parent's Corner

Phone: 512-966-1500

E-mail: kathy.keller@wc4c.org

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Williamson County Community Coordinated Child Care

Parent’s Corner

Creating Holiday Traditions

No matter which holidays you celebrate, the winter

holiday season is a great opportunity for strengthening family bonds and establishing traditions that will last a lifetime. Here are some ways to bring your family

together during this holiday season:

Gather around the fire for a family read-aloud. Find your favorite holiday storybook and take turns reading aloud to each other.

Have a card-signing party. Gather the family around the table so that each member can sign greeting cards and help stuff them into envelopes. Put out some snacks and drinks and use the time to talk about favorite holiday memories or even just to catch up with each other.

Let children participate in making tasty holiday treats. They'll love decorating cookies and cupcakes!

Make hand-made gifts. Wrap the tasty treats you made in pretty packages, or create gift 'coupons' that describe a heartfelt promise to the recipient, such as promising to call grandma once a week or vowing to pick up toys without fussing.

Go 'hunting' for decorations. Bundle up and head outside where you'll find all the wonderful holiday decorations that nature has to offer -for free! Gather pine cones, holly, mistletoe, branches, and anything else you might be able to use. Once you're all back inside, spend the rest of the day making wreaths and ornaments by adding ribbons and sparkles. If it's just too cold to go outside, try making a garland out of popcorn and string or create one-of-a-kind snowflakes with construction paper and scissors.

Make a paper chain to count down the days. Children get so excited for the holidays that they can hardly wait! Help them make a chain out of construction paper strips and tape or glue. Have them remove a link for each day that passes. This is a great opportu-nity to practice counting.

Watch holiday TV specials together. Gather the family to watch a holiday special everyone will enjoy. Cozy up together on the couch with popcorn, cookies, and hot cocoa to set the festive holiday mood.

Play games or do puzzles together. If a long winter break or a snow day keeps the kids home after the holidays die down, use the time to relax and wind down together. Work together to solve a jigsaw puzzle or find a couple of games that the whole family can enjoy.

Source: Ten ways to create meaningful (and frugal) holiday traditions, Andrew Housser, WTOC 11 TV - Savannah, GA

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