Five Inexpensive Ways to Help Your Children Invest in Holiday Memories

Christmas memories are never dependent on the amount of money spent or the popularity of the toy. Memories are made up of amount of heart invested and given. This year, let your children invest their time and hearts in making Christmas memories for your family.

1. Buy white or red place mats and let your children create their own artwork with fabric crayons. A placemat can be made for each guest at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Your children will feel an important part of the festivities.

2. Make paper angels and have your children write short messages to each family member stating the things about that person for which they are thankful. Your children will have an opportunity to think beyond the commercialism of the day to appreciate the blessings they already have.

3. Start a cookie exchange among the neighborhood children. Your children can make a dozen cookies for each family in the neighborhood and deliver them wrapped in a colored tin. They can then sit back and weight to see the kind of cookie surprises come to their door!

4. Allow your children to make this year's Christmas cards. Simply buy blank cards at your favorite office supply store and let your children loose with magic markers. They can even compose a poem and message for each recipient.

5. Have your children come up with small tasks they can easily do - like taking out the trash. They can then write those tasks on plain paper angels they make themselves. Have them deliver the angels to elderly neighbors as a gift of sharing for the holiday season. Learning to give the gift of themselves can be the most valuable memory of the season!

Let your children become a vital part of the planning of the holiday season and not simply receivers of gifts. It will help them understand that giving can be as much fun (and more rewarding!) as receiving. And their memories of this holiday season may set a lifelong pattern ? which may be the best holiday present of all!

About The Author

Pamela Cole Harris is an editor and writer with 35 years experience. Visit her website, http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com, for her unique view of home decorating and remodeling (and a free monthly newsletter!). Or for original content unique to your website, written especially for your keywords and your audience, visit http://www.pamelacoleharris.com.

---

Kid Birthday Party Game Ideas - 7 Proven Winners

Here are 7 classic kid birthday party game ideas that... Read More

The Fathers Day Celebration

Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult... Read More

St. Patricks Day Quotations

"It's not that the Irish are cynical. It's rather that... Read More

Event Planning 101

One of the tools I use as a professional organizer... Read More

Choosing A Great Gift For A Polar Bear Lover

Do you know someone who is absolutely crazy about polar... Read More

Ideas For Toddler Halloween Costumes

Depending on the age of your little ones, you may... Read More

Gifts: What Do You Give A Couch Potato?

So you know someone who likes to "veg out" in... Read More

Some Valuable Steps On Applying Clown Makeup! Seriously, Were Not Clowning Around Here

Who doesn't love being a clown? It's a great costume... Read More

Legends of the Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling... Read More

Create Warm Memories with Holiday Traditions

I remember just a handful of the Christmas presents I... Read More

Celebrate Your Freedom: 6 Important Freedoms to Celebrate Everyday

At the end of the movie "Braveheart," William Wallace is... Read More

Losing Weight During The Holiday Season--Can It Be Done?

Thirteen years ago I became quite intrigued with the idea... Read More

Three Steps to Reduce Holiday Stress for Your Kitty

The annual holidays can be a very stressful time for... Read More

Holiday Candy Canes Are Festive and Fun

Candy canes are everyone's favorite holiday treat. Just think about... Read More

Strategies for Surviving Holiday Dinners, Family Events and Other War Zones

No matter how well we may have weathered our basic... Read More

Where Have All The Wise Men Gone? Jesus Is Not Acceptable For Christmas!

It's CHRISTmas!Where are the wise men?WOW - The wise men... Read More

5 Most Popular Styles of Christmas Ornaments

Traditionally Christmas ornaments were bulbs of all the same color... Read More

Gift Shopping Tips for Tight Budgets

Have you seen the prices of greeting cards lately? It... Read More

A Resolution Worth Keeping

New Years Resolutions: Making them is a tradition -keeping of... Read More

Easy Gift Ideas For Dad On Fathers Day

Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More

Consider the Egg

The glorious egg, with its deep links to Creation mythology,... Read More

Spooky Halloween Party Ideas

Are you looking for special Halloween party ideas that will... Read More

Holiday Survival Guide

The Holiday season has officially begun and Christmas is almost... Read More

Preparing For the Holidays: Ho Ho Ho... or Bah Humbug!

Some of my clients dread the holiday season because it... Read More

Its Party Time - Lets Decorate!

Holidays are here and so is the spirit of partying.... Read More

Country Christmas Idea: Milkweek Pod Poinsettia Ornaments

Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed... Read More

Corporate Holiday Gift Ideas Start With a Possibilities List

Plan ahead this year for your corporate clients and associates... Read More

Find Your Favorite Swashbuckling Pirate Costume!

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" If... Read More

Creative And Inexpensive Gift Ideas

I have a friend who works at a loan company.... Read More

No More Ties! Homemade Fathers Day Gift Ideas

If you are like me, you never know what to... Read More

Is Labor Day Passe

In a word, yes !Labor Day, which started in 1882... Read More

Find New And Exciting Halloween Masks For Your Next Costume Party!

For most people that don't enjoy wearing messy makeup, Halloween... Read More

Creative Kid Birthday Cake Ideas

A Creative Dream Come TrueA hush falls over the room... Read More