Added: 11/28/2005 |
On Creating a Memorable Children's ChristmasOne of the recurring Christmas puzzles focuses on the question of what aspects of the holiday season hold greatest importance for children. What elements of the holiday season contribute most to the creation of a memorable children's Christmas? Is it the toys or the candy canes? Perhaps it is some special Christmas program held in the child's community. Most people agree that Christmas is a holiday for children. Many different factors combine to fashion a holiday experience that a child will not forget.
The Christmas tree frequently plays an important part in a children's Christmas. Many homes for children recruit volunteers to help with the decoration of a tree. The decorations do not need to be expensive. A popcorn string hung on the tree with some handmade ornaments creates a pleasant memory. It help's to insure the creation of a memorable children's Christmas.
Giving remains an important part of Christmas. When children have much to share with others, the element of giving ought to be included in a children's Christmas. Children can participate in the purchase and giving of a toy at a toy drive. They can help with the trimming of a tree at a church or a senior center. They can help an elderly neighbor to prepare for the arrival of guests by hanging lights, shoveling the sidewalk or chopping firewood.
When children help others at Christmastime, then their reward might be a different element of a children's Christmas. For example, the child who has performed a special service might enjoy a trip to a showing of the Ice Capades. Or perhaps a sports team has scheduled a Christmas game. That too could serve as a fitting reward.
Baking has become an important part of Christmas. A pleasant memory of a children's Christmas could be created by having one or more child help with the baking of cookies. If children have a chance to bake bread as well, then their children's Christmas becomes a learning experience as well as a pleasant memory.
Music has always been an important part of Christmas. A children's Christmas seems incomplete if it fails to include either the viewing of or participation in some type of musical performance. Such a performance might involve caroling, dancing or the playing of an instrument. Allowing a child to add a few notes during any such activity would help to instill the feeling of a lasting children's Christmas.
No one can guarantee that every child's Christmas will be nothing but happy memories. Sometimes a child becomes sick during the holidays. Sometimes a tragedy strikes the family just before Christmas. Then the adults need to offer assurances that the love of Christmas remains. The assurance of a family's love constitutes an important part of a children's Christmas. Children who do not have the blessing of living with a family need to feel that they have the love of others in the society.
If Christmas activities can manage to teach a child that the greatest gift is the gift of love, then that Christmas has the potential to become a memorable children's Christmas.
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