Gift Ideas

Many years ago when my daughter was little, I started a family tradition inspired by Martha Stewart (!) - a children's bookie making party!Spend a day making gingerbread cookies - invite some friends over - make sure everyone is wearing an apron, set up the kitchen table with the dought & the cookie cutters (if the children are small, make the dough the night before) - for older children, or creative adults make a big gingerbread house. Play some nice Holiday music while you work - make large batches of cookies, then let the children decorate them whichever way they want (if you have small children, you may want to make some extra ones yourself) - Have some hhot, mulled cider while you work & listen to the music.Try to be relaxed about the process and the results, the point is for the family (& friends) to do a pleasurable project together - not to make the worlds' prettiest cookies;-)Enjoy (and whistle while you clean up;-)
-- Liv

Early in the Christmas season, we set aside time as a family to fill boxes with toys and clothes to give to needy people. We employ a simple rule of thumb - if it hasn't been used once in the last one or two months, it's probably going to be better used elsewhere. The exception would be seasonal things or collectible dolls and toys. It's a great way to start off the season by seeing other's needs first.
-- Donna

It's amazing how my children's "wants" are magnified and expanded by television commercials! We have limited tv time anyway, but during the holiday season I try to focus on doing fun things together as a family or, if we want to watch something, popping in a holiday video instead of letting the kids watch all of the things on commercial tv.
-- Ginny

Loren, my oldest son, says he is going to run away if he doesn't get exactly what he wants! I don't want him to become an isolated lonely teenager from all the video games (we went through that with the first unfortunate Nintendo game we bought and sighed great relief when it wore out and they went through withdrawal!) Of course EVERYONE else has the faster newer TV video games) I do not think a gifted child benefits from videoland. We live on a farm with dogs, horses, cattle and hogs. But.... there's nothing to do according to the kids! How do you escape the "Home is boring" mode? We encourage school extras such as music and sports but they still feel deprived at home!A frustrated working mother of four school-aged children- Robyn in Iowa
-- Robyn

Reply to Robyn,

I just got some brainstorming ideas as I read you message. Kids have become super computer and internet savvy..if you can invest in a computer where he can research upon the animals on your farm and maybe link up with kids who live in other countries on farm to exchange ideas or tips. Have him work parttime at the local vet...or giving some community service for people with animals. Even if his biggest interests may not be animals, he has a gift that many city kids donīt have and would like to enjoy.
He can be creative and arrange field trips for young school children to come out on a day trip, or weekend stay to learn about farm animals close up.
He can teach them about milking cows, girls love horses..he can do so many things with them. After a while, heīll probably influence his friends to join in and soon it could be a business venture. Many city schools need new ideas for field trips outside of the usual zoo and museums.

Using the computer, he can send emáil to the kids and update them on the animals, he can market his ideas.

Kids always learn more when they can teach young ones what they know, and the best thing is, they donīt realize thatat for themselves! SMILE!

Well thatīs just popped into my head while sitting here. Iīm sure that you all can come up with some great ideas. As a teacher, I know I always want new things to do with my students, and as a mom, with my own as well.

Good luck and Happy Christmas.

Althea
fr. Jamaica-USA-Sweden.


-- Althea

i make holiday more then ever i make cake andgive
them presents.
-- amanda

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