Catoctin Kids

by Anita DiGregory Memory-Making Moments Last month, when we visited together, we talked about fostering an attitude of gratitude in our little ones.  This transitions beautifully into the mystical season of Christmas. But if your home is anything like mine, this season can get more than just a bit stressful. As lovely and magical as this time of the year is, it is always a challenge to get everything done in time: the cleaning, the baking, the purchasing, the decorating, the mailing, the visiting…just thinking about it all makes me think about hibernating for the winter. But before I go all “Bah…humbug,” I am trying something different this year, a new twist on an old family tradition. This year, we will be filling our Advent Calendar with opportunities for memory-making moments rather than candy and little trinkets. It is my hope that by focusing on Faith and family, we will slow down and center on the true reason for the season. Here are a few ideas for fun family time, along with a couple of memorable quotes from some of my family’s favorite Christmas characters. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” —Buddy, Elf. Invite friends over and go Christmas Caroling. Visit the local hospital or nursing home and go caroling there. Have a Christmas carols karaoke night. “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives.” —Clarence, It’s A Wonderful Life.  Make Christmas cards for family members and friends. Mail cards to Veterans. Hand-deliver thank you cards to community helpers, coaches, and teachers. Host a Christmas Movie Night and invite some friends over for hot cocoa and snacks. “But what would happen if we all tried to be like Santa and learned to give as only he can give: of ourselves, our talents, our love and our hearts? Maybe we could all learn Santa’s beautiful lesson and maybe there would finally be peace on Earth and good will toward men.” —Narrator, Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Donate gently used toys to a shelter or church thrift shop. As a family, buy some gifts to donate to families in need. Dress up like elves and deliver handmade cards or gifts to children at your local hospital. “Eat, Papa, eat!” —Mrs. Claus, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Spread out all the cookbooks and pick favorite cookie recipes. Bake Christmas cookies together. Deliver some home-baked cookies to elderly neighbors. Build a gingerbread house. Make ice-cream sundaes. “Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.” —Kris Kringle, Miracle on 34th Street. Cut out snowflakes and decorate a room with them. String popcorn and cranberry garland. Make paper chain garland. Make some handmade ornaments. Visit a miniature train display. Attend a holiday play or event. “At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I’ve grown old the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”  —Hero Boy, The Polar Express. Visit a local tree farm and cut down your own Christmas tree.  Decorate the tree while listening to Christmas carols. Decorate the outside of your home together.  Help the kids decorate their rooms.  Drive around together looking at the lights and decorations. Attend a Christmas Light display. “You see, children hold the spirit of Christmas within their hearts.” —Bernard, The Santa Clause. Hold a Christmas movie night with hot cocoa, popcorn, and yummy snacks. Have a Christmas picnic by the tree. Make a bonfire and enjoy s’mores. Have a Christmas sleepover by the tree. “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” —Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Attend a live nativity. Put up the nativity set but wait until Christmas to add baby Jesus. Read The Christmas Story and act it out.  Hold a birthday party for baby Jesus and bake a cake. Make an Advent wreath and light the candles each night at dinner. “And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!” —Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol.