Mormon Life - 12 Days of Christmas tag

Day 12: Kid-Friendly Nativity Script

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: It's the last day of our 12 days! If you've missed any, make sure to check them out here.

Today, round out the 12 days with our script for the story of Christmas itself - the Nativity.

What better way to bring in the true spirit of Christmas than reminding the family the reason for our celebration?

Unfortunately, children sometimes lose interest faster than we would like. The key is to keep it simple. Here are some other tips.

Use as many fun props as possible. Baby doll as Jesus, Dad as donkey, faux gold and trinkets for the wise men to hold and present, a pet dog or stuffed animals as sheep for the shepherds, wings and glitter for the angel, etc., will all add interest and excitement for the children involved. Dress ups can be easily made with bathrobes and towels.

Allow the children to exhibit their talents. If you have one that can play a Christmas song on a musical instrument, work it into the program. If one of them likes to read, help them to be the narrator.

Have one of the adults be the “director.” Make sure one of the adults can whisper or remind children of their lines and give direction to them. (This can be the narrator.)

We’ve given you a couple options. You can follow the part-scripture, part-paraphrase scripts (for younger children) that have more songs from the Children’s Songbook. Or, read the script that outlines as the scriptures tell it (for a closer reading), which has a mixture of children’s songs and traditional Christmas songs; this script would work best with children mostly 9 and up. The songs suggested may be cut if you think they will be too difficult. Consider using songs you know your children have been learning in Primary or other places.

Close the nativity reenactment with testimony from parents and anyone else who would like to share.

Nativity Script #1

Part scripture, part paraphrase:

[Direction: Mary should be in place, with the angel nearby and ready to appear.]

Narrator:

Gabriel the angel was sent to Mary, who was engaged to marry Joseph, to tell her she would be the mother of Jesus, the son of God. She was afraid, but he said:

Gabriel (Luke 1: 30-31):

Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

Mary (v. 38):

Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

[Direction: Mary gets ready to come in on donkey with Joseph leading them.]

*To print the remainder of Nativity Script #1, click here.

Nativity Script #2

All scripture:

Scene 1: Narrator, Angel, and Mary

Narrator (Luke 1:26-28):

Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

[Direction: Angel Gabriel comes; Mary should show fear at first seeing him]

Angel (v. 28, 30-32):

Blessed art thou among women. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be called the Son of the Highest.

Mary (v. 34):

How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

*To print the remainder of Nativity Script #2, click here.

Discussion:

Does your family perform a Nativity? Tell us about it in a comment below.

Day 11: Holiday Drinks for Everyone

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Oh, here we come a wassailing (and hot chocolate-ing)!
(For all other days, click here.)

Spice up your holiday mixer with one of these festive drinks!

The BEST Hot Chocolate Recipes

Aztec hot chocolate, brown sugar hot cocoa, cold chocolate eggnog--drooling yet? Warm up with one of these 10 yummy recipes.

Let's Go A-Wassailing

Wassail is a warm drink made during the holiday season that was made popular in England. The word “wassail” is derived from the Old Norse word “vesheill,” which means “be in good health.” So when a person toasts a friend with a cup of wassail, they are actually toasting their health.

In England, groups of Christmas carolers would go a-wassailing, meaning they would travel from house to house caroling their hosts in return for a cup of wassail.

Lion House Wassail

2 ½ cups sugar
4 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
8 allspice berries
10 cloves
1 piece ginger
4 cups orange juice
2 cups lemon juice
2 quarts apple cider or juice

Combine sugar and water. Boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, cloves, and ginger. Cover and let stand in warm place for 1 hour. Strain. Just before serving, add juices and cider and bring quickly to boil. Remove from heat and serve. Makes 36 half-cup servings.

Recipe from Lion House Christmas.

Eggnog 101

What’s in a name?
There are differing opinions as to the origin of the name for this famous drink. One version attributes the name to Colonial America where colonists referred to thick drinks as “grog” and eggnog as “egg-and-grog”. However, the thought of drinking egg does not sound very appealing to most, and that is why eggnog sometimes gets a bad rap.

A toast to one’s health!
The eggnog tradition began in 17th century Europe. It was used as a toast to one’s health and was consumed by the well-to-do of society—milk and eggs were scarce commodities in Europe. Eggnog was used as a remedy for minor illnesses associated with winter months.

A concoction of sorts
There many variations of ingredients included in eggnog. These variations are often influenced by geographical region. For instance, immigrants traveling across the Atlantic to the English colonies during the 18th century brought their own appreciation of eggnog with them. And Americans began to adapt the recipe to local tastes. So, homemade eggnog in the South is much different than eggnog made in the Midwest.

Eggnog recipe

4 eggs, separated
1/3 c. sugar
3 c. milk
1 c. whipping cream
2 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. rum extract
Dash of salt
Ground nutmeg

1. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Gradually beat in sugar. Stir in milk, cream, vanilla and rum.

2. Add salt to egg whites and beat until they stand in peaks. Fold into egg yolk mixture.

3. Serve in punch cups. Sprinkle each serving with nutmeg.

For more info about this recipe, click here.

Visiting Teaching + Hot Chocolate = Success!

For this month’s visiting/home teaching, share a message of Christ and a mug full of delicious hot chocolate. Here’s a great quote from President Hinckley:

"Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful." ("A Season for Gratitude," Ensign, Dec. 1997, 2)

Chocolate-Bar Hot Chocolate

1 eight-ounce Hershey’s chocolate bar, finely chopped
1 quart milk
4 candy canes for swizzle sticks

Combine the chocolate and milk in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, whisking often until chocolate has melted, about 5 minutes. Whisk the mixture to combine well. Serve hot with one candy cane in each mug.

Recipe from Christmas with Martha Stewart Living: Parties and Projects for the Holidays.

Discussion

What’s your favorite holiday drink?

Day 10: Plan A Christmas Outing

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Family activities to make your season merry and bright.

(For all other days, click here.) Get out of the house and enjoy one of these fun, holiday family activities.

Ride the Polar Express

“The Polar Express” is one of the most famous and beloved children’s books around on the Christmas theme. There are lots of train rides that provide caroling, hot chocolate, treats and, of course, a meeting with Santa. Here are the five best polar expresses of the west:

Heber Valley Railroad (UT). According to their website, “Passengers enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while caroling and hearing a traditional, holiday story. Santa joins the audience to meet each child and present them with a special gift.”

Grand Canyon Railway (AZ). In addition to their polar express rides through November and December, they also provide a special Christmas Eve ride.

Royal Gorge Route (CO). This Santa express is a place where “children are encouraged to wear cozy pajamas and relax with family and friends while they sip homemade cocoa and listen to classic holiday stories read by Santa’s elves.”

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (CO). All the fixings: reading “The Polar Express,” caroling, eating treats and drinking hot chocolate, and receiving gifts from Santa.

Mount Hood Railroad (OR). All children receive their own bell and a picture with Santa. According to their site, “This is a magical trip for the whole family and one you will want to ‘BELIEVE’ in.”

Don’t live close to any of these? Find your state here to see if there are any other polar express rides available. Or make your own, by bringing cookies and a thermos along on the trains or subway or other sorts of public transportation available, and read the story together as a family.

See the Nutcracker ballet

Tchaikovsky’s famous classical suite comes to life across the country and the world in ballet theaters everywhere. If you live in Utah, Ballet West is showing a traditional version of the Nutcracker ballet as well as a fun “Nutty” Nutcracker version. You can see one or both by purchasing tickets here.

Visit your local zoo

Many zoos provide special Christmas activities during December, and some of them do so for free. The Oakland, CA, zoo is famous for their ZooLights show where visitors can see the light show, “enjoy a fantasyland of giant toy soldiers with over-sized candy canes, lollipops, and gingerbread cookies in the rides area,” and “mingle among hundreds of thousands of energy-efficient LED lights” while listening to Christmas music. Zoo Boise provides a day of free admission with a visit from Santa and special animal enrichment activities. Call your zoo or look them up online to find out if they have any seasonal events scheduled.

Provide service

    1.    Go caroling through your neighborhood, especially visiting those that are elderly or ill.
    2.    Visit your local hospital or nursing center (but make sure to arrange the visit ahead of time) and just visit with the patients or put on a musical recital or Christmas family home evening for them.
    3.    Work at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. You can find homeless shelters in your area here, or by looking them up in your phone book.

Tour Christmas lights

Take a drive as a family to view all the Christmas lights and decorations in your neighborhood. Many cities have areas and neighborhoods famous for their decorations, and if you’re lucky maybe you’ll even get to see a house synced to music, like this one in Lindon, Utah.

One of the most famous light displays in Mormondom is the Temple Square Christmas lights display. Even if you can't make it, share some beautiful photos with your family. (Click here to see some.)

Discussion: What is your favorite family outing during the holidays?

Day 9: Read a Christmas Message

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:05:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Read or watch a Christmas story with your family.

(For all other days, click here.) On a more spiritual note, here are some great resources for Christmas stories, devotionals, and even a little family history.

Missionary Christmas Stories

Missionaries, like the wisemen of old, travel afar bearing gifts. And they find that when they’re miles away from friends and family at Christmas, they grow closer to Heavenly Father and catch a glimpse of their celestial home.

The Church magazines asked readers to share with them their own experiences with Christmas in the mission field, and responses came in from all over the world. Christmas traditions, situations, and climates were different, but the overwhelming spirit of the Savior’s love was the same.

To read the missionaries’ Christmas stories, click here.

Christmas Devotional

Watch the 2010 First Presidency Christmas Devotional

To watch President Henry B. Eyring’s talk, click here.

To watch President Dieter F. Uchtdor’s talk, click here.

Or, read the talks from this year's devotional:

President Monson, "A Bright, Shining Star"
President Eyring, "The Gift of a Savior"
President Uchtdorf, "Seeing Christmas through New Eyes"

Or, read other Christmas messages from members of the First Presidency in recent years past. Here are some we like:

President Thomas S. Monson, "Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings"
Presdent Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas"
President Gordon B. Hinckley, "To Do Good Always"
President Henry B. Eyring, "Home for Christmas"
President James E. Faust, "A Christmas with No Presents"

A Christmas Carol 101

Put together your own reading of A Christmas Carol. You can print out a radio play version of A Christmas Carol and read it with your friends and family here.

Make a traditional feast as seen in A Christmas Carol!

Non-alcoholic plum pudding recipe
Roast Goose recipe
Wassail recipe

Write Your Own Christmas Stories

Have an activity where you write down some of your family's favorite Christmas stories--you can even submit them to magazines for publication or save them for competitions, like the Deseret News annual "Christmas I Remember Best" competition. Or just type them up, print them out, bind them at your local copy shop, and give copies to your family for Christmas.

Discussion: What is your favorite Christmas story?

Day 8: Pamper Yourself

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Relieve a little holiday stress with these pampering ideas. (For all other days, click here.) "The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." ~Attributed to both Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris

Relieve Your Holiday Stress

Christmas is known as a time of peace…and shopping lists, extended family, and kids home from school. Ever feel like you need a vacation from all the Christmas vacation? Here are some tips to help relieve a little holiday stress.

Click here to read the story.

Pampering with Peppermint

Make your home a place of peace and serenity this Christmas season by setting aside a day during to make a home day spa for yourself. Check out these recipes for homemade face masks and scrub using festive peppermint.

Peppermint Lip Scrub

Ingredients:
One pot for storage
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon caster sugar
Peppermint oil (about 1/4 tsp)
Almond oil/Vitamin E oil (about 1/4 tsp)
Glass bowl (for mixing)

Instructions:
Mix the sugar and oils.
Dab a small amount onto lips and rub together to gently exfoliate.
You can then lick off the scrub or wipe off with a cloth. This product can be stored at room temperature.

For more info about this recipe, click here.

Peppermint Foot Scrub

Ingredients:
1 cup of Epsom salt
1/2 cup of cold water
2 drops of peppermint essential oil

Instructions:
Combine Epsom salt and peppermint oil.
Add water gradually. The mass should resemble a paste. It shouldn't be too soft or too hard.
Rub feet and soles in circular motion.
Rinse off with warm water.

For more info about this recipe, click here.

Peppermint Face Tea Toner

Ingredients:
1 cup water
Peppermint tea bag

Instructions:
Boil water and steep peppermint tea bag for 10 minutes.
Remove tea bag and let cool.
Apply liquid to face and neck with cotton ball or pad.

Make a Holiday Gratitude Journal

The stress associated with making the holidays perfect may sometimes cause us to forget what the holidays are truly about—a time to be grateful for our blessing. At the end of each day during the holiday season take a moment to write in your holiday gratitude journal.

Discussion:

What’s your favorite “me time” activity?

Day 7: Perform A Small Act of Service

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: The true spirit of Christmas is about giving. Take a few moments to perform an act of service this season.

(For all other days, click here.) "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." Alma 37:6

Simple Acts

Simpleact.lds.org is a church-sponsored website that provides access to volunteer service opportunities for the LDS Church. Volunteer opportunities include providing translations for Church publications that are distributed online and around the world. Or maybe you want to transcribe historical records to make them available online in a searchable format.

To learn more about Simple Acts, visit simpleacts.lds.org.

"The Best Christmas Ever"

This talk given by President Thomas S. Monson is a beautiful Christmas story of one family's act of service:

In the early 1930s, Margaret Kisilevich and her sister Nellie gave a Christmas gift to their neighbors, the Kozicki family, which was remembered by them all their lives and which has become an inspiration to their families.

Home to Margaret back then was Two Hills, Alberta, Canada—a farming community populated largely by Ukrainian and Polish immigrants who generally had large families and were very poor. It was the time of the Great Depression.

Margaret’s family consisted of her mother and father and their 15 children. Margaret’s mother was industrious and her father was enterprising—and with all those children, they had a built-in labor force. Consequently, their home was always warm, and despite their humble circumstances, they were never hungry. In the summer they grew an enormous garden, made sauerkraut, cottage cheese, sour cream, and dill pickles for barter. They also raised chickens, pigs, and beef cattle. They had very little cash, but these goods could be exchanged for other commodities they could not produce themselves.

To read the full story, click here.

12 Days of Christmas Service

This “Twelve Days of Christmas” project is designed for a very special family in your neighborhood or area that you’ve discovered has fallen on hard times this season. It may take a little more time and creativity, but it’s sure to be one both families will eagerly await throughout each of the twelve days.

For a list of twelve themed ideas you can give your chosen family to accompany the familiar Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” click here.

Video: Have I Done Any Good In the World Today?

Watch this Mormon Messages video on Service.

What is the most memorable act of service you have ever received? Leave a comment below.

Day 6: All About Christmas Food

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:08:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: On the sixth day of Christmas, we've got a treat for you (literally). Christmas food! What would Christmas be without the traditional foods that bring the family together? (For all other days, click here.) There are some foods that are only served during the holidays, and if you’re like me, you dream all year of the December day when you get to eat honey-glazed ham, candy canes, and chocolate oranges. A lot of Christmas traditions revolve around food, and why not? It’s delicious!

Fun with Fruitcake

This paragon of Christmas confectionary gift giving has been around since the Middle Ages, although the tradition of making cakes that included dried fruits, honey, and nuts started in ancient times. Its longevity may be attributed to the fact that the food famously seems to never get eaten but never go bad, so it is impossible to get rid of. In 18th century Europe, fruitcakes were made using nuts from that year’s harvest, then saved for good luck until they were eaten at the next harvest. Russell Baker’s New York Times article “Fruitcake is Forever” shows just how long the confection can cling to life:

"Thirty-four years ago, I inherited the family fruitcake. Fruitcake is the only food durable enough to become a family heirloom. It had been in my grandmother's possession since 1880, and she passed it to a niece in 1933. Surprisingly, the niece, who had always seemed to detest me, left it to me in her will....I would have renounced my inheritance except for the sentiment of the thing, for the family fruitcake was the symbol of our family's roots. When my grandmother inherited it, it was already 86 years old, having been baked by her great-grandfather in 1794 as a Christmas gift for President George Washington. Washington, with his high-flown view of ethical standards for Government workers, sent it back with thanks, explaining that he thought it unseemly for Presidents to accept gifts weighing more than 80 pounds, even though they were only eight inches in diameter...There is no doubt...about the fruitcake's great age. Sawing into it six Christmasses ago, I came across a fragment of a 1794 newspaper with an account of the lynching of a real-estate speculator in New York City."

By the Book

Christmas stories show us that food can be full of meaning and bring warmth to our hearts as well as comfort to our stomachs. Cozy up with these books for a great read:

Christmas Oranges, written by Linda Bethers and illustrated by Ben Sowards, available in book and DVD format

The Legend of the Candy Cane, written by Lori Walburg and illustrated by James Bernardin.

Gingerbread to Perfection

For instructions to the grandest gingerbread house you will ever make, click here.

Foods from the First Christmas

Ever wonder what the foods were eaten at the time of Christ’s birth? Malvina C. Kinard and Janet Crisler, in their book Loaves and Fishes: Foods from Bible Times, suggest these menus might have been similar to what Jesus’s first admirers ate.

Bethlehem Shepherds
Eggs in sour cream
Shepherd's pie (with old world vegetables instead of potato)
Fresh green salad
Gingered prunes
Pine nut wafers

Wise Men of the East
Spiced cider
Chaldean prunes
Lemon chicken
Chickpea salad
Persian cream ring
Ginger cakes

Give the Gift of Food

Tired of giving and receiving the same old fudge for Christmas each year? Click here to see a list of 20 delicious food gift ideas, complete with recipes and mouth-watering photos, to take your Christmas to a whole new level.

Discussion:

What's your all-time, can’t-have-Christmas-without-it, favorite recipe?

Day 5: Discover New Holiday Music

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: On the fifth day of Christmas, LDS Living gave to me...new holiday music all for free!(For all other days, click here.) “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.” ~ E.Y. Harburg

Create a Christmas Playlist

Discover a new favorite Christmas song/rendition. Go to Pandora.com and Genius will generate a customized playlist full of Christmas classics and new releases. And the best part, it's free!

Handel's Messiah

Even though it was first written for Easter in April 1742, Handel's Messiah has become essential to the Christmas season. To listen to the full two-hour masterpiece performed by the "Fabulous Philadelphians" — one of the world's great orchestras -- and the nationally-renowned Philadelphia Singers Chorale, click here.

Christmas Carol Fun Facts

Red Nose, Warm Heart, Big Bucks
There are more than 140 million recordings of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” by 500 different performers. Gene Autry’s version has sold 12 million copies, making “Rudolph” the second biggest selling Christmas song. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” is #1.

Too Cool to Be Hot
“A Christmas Song” was written in 1944 by Mel Torme and Robert Wells on a sweltering summer day by the pool. Similarly, Leroy Anderson wrote “Sleigh Ride” during a heat wave in August of 1948.

Downer, Dude!
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was made famous by Judy Garland in 1944. The original version began grimly with, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last." She hated those five words, so the lyrics were changed to, "let your heart be light." The Garland version also contains the line “but ‘till then we’ll have to muddle through some how,” which in all later versions of the song was changed to “Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.”

For more Christmas carol facts, please visit caroloke.com.

Free Christmas Download

Three lovely ladies met while singing in a fireside and have since become the musical trio Mercy River. Click here to enjoy a free download of one of their Christmas songs.

After all this talk of new Christmas music,
What is your all-time favorite Christmas song, and by which artist? Leave a comment below.

Day 4: Simple Gift Ideas

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:05:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Here's a cheat sheet for your Christmas gift shopping. (For all other days, click here.) Need a last minute gift for that co-worker you forgot about, or maybe you're struggling to find the "perfect" gift? Fear no more! Here are some ideas for those hard-to-buy-for people, gifts ideas for neighbors, and a little holiday gift humor.

Gifts that focus on the Savior

The guiding rule for choosing gifts is that they must focus on the Savior. They can be directly linked to Christmas and the birth of Christ, or they can simply be Christ-centered. For a list of gift ideas, click here.

10 Gifts Under $10

Shopping for people who already have everything doesn't have to be a challenge. For some unique gift ideas, click here.

Easy Gift How-to's

“Christmas” doesn't have to mean spending $15 on each of your friends, or even spending hours on lavish and original homemade gifts. Instead, try these simple solutions, which can each be easily expanded to account for multiple receivers. To read the full story, click here.

Food gift ideas

Tired of giving and getting the same fudge every year for Christmas? Here are some great ideas from the lovely Kate and Sara of Our Best Bites:

1.    Peppermint bark popcorn
2.    Peppermint candy cane brownies
3.    Hot fudge sauce
4.    Easy pretzel turtles
5.    Homemade marshmallows
6.    Buttermilk syrup
7.    Iced sugar cookies
8.    Gingerbread cookies
9.    Fruity candied popcorn
10.    Sugar scrub
11.    Dipped pretzel rods
12.    Multigrain bread in a jar
13.    Peanut brittle
14.    Chocolate toffee sugar cookies
15.    Almond poppy seed bread
16.    Pie in a jar
17.    Ginger spice cookies
18.    Cinnamon bun popcorn
19.    Double chocolate waffle mix
20. Peppermint Fudge Cupcake Jar

Discussion

What is the craziest Christmas gift you have ever received or given?

Day 3: Send a Holiday Greeting, For Free!

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:05:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Welcome to the third day of our 12 days of Christmas. (For all other days, click here.) Today, check out these FREE Christmas cards, e-cards, gift tags, and more! Make sure to read our poll and tell us how you handle the Christmas card tradition. Here's one less thing you'll have to spend money on this holiday season--your annual, family Christmas card. Try one of these fresh, modern, or vintage Christmas cards for free!

E-Cards

The famous "Elf Yourself": click here.
Funny E-cards featuring you (like Elf Yourself): click here.
Vintage Christmas postcards: click here.
General holiday E-cards: click here.

Printable Christmas Cards and Invitations

Hand-drawn Christmas card: click here.
Modern Christmas invitations: click here.
Modern and festive card set (card, envelope, labels): click here.
A quirky Christmas card set: click here.
General Christmas cards: click here.

Card Display

There’s never enough room for all the holiday cards on your fridge, and arranging them on the mantel is, well, boring. Be a little different this year and show off those beautiful holiday cards in a whole new way! click here.

Christmas Card 101

Here's a humorous article on Christmas card etiquette, the do's and dont's, and everything you could possible know about this dreaded Christmas "chore." click here.

Day 2: Start a New Tradition

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:06:00 -0700

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Welcome to the second day of our 12 days of Christmas! (For all other days, click here.) Today, start a new tradition and spice up your holidays. Christmas traditions sometimes feel like an obligation to the past rather than the fun, family activity they were intended to be when started. (I've been getting pajamas every Christmas since I can remember and I'm pretty sure if I try to stuff one more pair of p.j.'s in my drawer it will burst. You only need one or two pairs, right?)

So this season be done with your old, unwanted traditions and try a new one!

Try a traditional recipe from around the world

When most of us think of Christmastime, visions of hams, rolls, cakes, pies, and other goodies dance in our heads. And while many Christmas traditions take place outside the dining room, the festivities almost always revolve around food. We’ve found this to be the case no matter where you live, so take a moment to share in holiday traditions and favorite recipes from Church members around the world.

To read "Christmas Recipes from Around the World," click here for Part I, and here for Part II.

Emulate One of the Nativity Characters

In the new book A Christ-Centered Christmas, Emily Freeman discusses seven characters from the nativity and gives ideas related to each of them that can help us draw closer to the Savior. One of these "characters" is the joint persona of the three wise men. Here is what she says about one tradition her family has enjoyed over the years:

"Inspired by the knowledge that the Christ child received just three gifts, one brilliant mother decided to simplify her Christmas giving. She began by researching the meaning behind the three gifts. Gold was a gift for a king, celebrating the baby's royalty. Myrrh, a common incense used for cleaning and for burial, was given in remembrance of His humanity and foreshadowed the importance of His death. Frankincense, and incense used in the temple, represented His divinity. After studying at great length, this mother decided her gift giving would follow this same pattern.

"Already on my quest to fill Christmas with Christ, here was a way to simplify and bring meaning to our gift giving. It is a tradition that continues in our home today. On Christmas morning each of my children receives a gift from Santa, and then three other gifts inspired from the gifts of the Magi--one that is joyful, one that is needful, and one that is meaningful. This gift-giving idea has simplified our Christmas mornings and allowed us to really focus on what we are giving, and why."

Freeman gives several ideas of other ways your family can, like the Wise Men following the star, be led closer to Christ. They include:

Visiting a live nativity
Attending a Christmas concert
Participating in a Messiah sing-in
Visitng a light display

To read more about this idea and about Freeman's other six traditions, check out A Christ-Centered Christmas, available at Deseret Book.

Traditions with a twist

If you’re tired of the same old trip to the mall to see Santa, try some of these traditions that other LDS Living readers have incorporated into their Christmas celebrations. Whether it’s putting a new twist on an old tradition or creating a brand-new family holiday, you’re sure to find some inspiration from these great ideas.

To read the full article, click here.

Learn how to say "Santa Claus" in another language

Santa Claus is known by many names--like St. Nicholas and Father Christmas--but some seem a bit stranger. Kris Kringle? Where did that one come from? Kris Kringle was the lead character in Miracle on 34th Street, but the name probably originates from Christkindl, or Christkind, the Austrian and Bavarian Christmas gift-bringer modeled after the baby Jesus. Here are some other pseudonyms Santa uses across the world:

USA/Canada--Santa Claus
Brazil--Papai Noel
China--Shengdan Laoren (Old Man Christmas)
Chile--Viejo Pascuero
Dutch--Sinter Klaas
England--Father Christmas
Europe--Saint Nicholas
France--Pere Noel
Germany--Saint Nikolaus
Hawaii--Kanakaloka
Hungary--Tel-apo/Mikulas/Winter grandfather
Italy--Babbo Natale
Japan--Hoteiosho
Morocco--Black Peter
Netherlands--Kerstman
Norway--Julenissen
Peru--Papa Noel
Russia--Ded Moroz
Spain--El Nino Jesus

Wacky and Wonderful Christmas traditions

Think your family is nuts? Readers share their wackiest family holiday traditions, like dancing the funky chicken, a midnight meal at Denny's, and decorating a pineapple as a Christmas tree.

To read the full article from Parenting.com, click here.

Discussion:

What unique Christmas tradition does your family celebrate? Do you have a tradition you wish you could do away with but your family just won’t let go?

Leave a comment below.

Day 1: Get Organized

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:05:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Welcome to the first day of our 12 days of Christmas! Over the next several days, we'll give you some fun ideas for getting into the Christmas spirit. And don't forget to participate in our daily discussions! Today, use these holiday organizing tips to help you stay ahead of the curve this season. Christmas. The season of giving. The season of love, charity, and peace. But frantic, last-minute preparation can make for a less-than-divine experience. Here’s how you can have less stress and more serenity during the most wonderful time of the year.

Create a Christmas Binder

Create a Christmas binder, preferably one that will fit into your purse (or briefcase--thanks, writerbob) so you can carry it with you at all times, to store all your gift ideas, coupons, travel itineraries, lists of presents you have bought, presents you still need to buy, and presents that have been ordered. (If you have curious children at home, you may also want to consider keeping a list of where you have hidden gifts throughout the house, and how many of which type of batteries you will need for those gifts.) Include an envelope in your binder where you can store your receipts.

This is also the place to keep recipes for the food you want to make and the instructions for holiday craft projects so you always know exactly what you need. Include a calendar where you can keep track of parties, concerts, service projects, and other festivities. (Be sure to block out time for things like shopping and party preparation, as well as some time for a little rest and relaxation. And keep in mind that the more notice you give, the more likely people will be able to attend your party.)

Set Goals

What are your goals this holiday season? A few cozy gatherings to connect with friends and family? Meaningful service opportunities? With so many great holiday ideas floating around, it’s easy to get distracted, so decide what you want most, and stay focused. Ask your family what they remember about last Christmas—what traditions they most want to keep, what you did in past years they most enjoyed, and what you should not try again! Were there any holiday disasters last year? Make note of them and take steps to avoid them.

Set Deadlines

Deadlines are an important part of accomplishing any goal, and holiday tasks are no exception. Simply determine which tasks need to be accomplished the soonest, and set your deadlines accordingly. For example, will you need a babysitter in the near future? Book her well ahead of time so another neighbor doesn’t snap her up for the same night. And plan to mail packages as quickly as possible. That way, gifts to far-away friends and family will arrive on time, and they won’t be cluttering up your house.

Budget

The stress and guilt of overspending can dampen holiday spirits in a hurry. Decide how much you can spend this season, and allot sufficient amounts to the appropriate categories, such as:

Gifts and gift wrap
Travel (gas, hotel, airplane tickets, and meals)
Decorations and tree
Family activities  
Parties  
Christmas meals
Holiday baking
Postage for Christmas cards
Shipping costs for gifts

After making your best estimates, add another 20 percent to what you’ve planned for. If you’re over budget, decide what is most important to you and start cutting everywhere else. To help stick to the budget, use cash for everything. For tips on staying out of debt during the holidays, click here.

More on page 2 >>

Take Inventory

Do you have enough wrapping paper? Ribbons? Gift tags? Christmas cards and stamps? Do you need to replace any decorations? Do you have enough serving platters for the big Christmas party you’re hosting?

What about all the food you’ll be cooking in the next few weeks? Create a list of the things you usually make, or things you would like to make, and then take an inventory of your pantry, fridge, and freezer.

Cook It Forward

Do you have things for quick dinners on the go? If you’re up to it, go ahead and freeze some doubles when you have time. You know they’ll come in handy on busy December nights.
You may also want to consider preparing that special Christmas dinner ahead of time and freezing it. For LDS Living’s delicious make-ahead menu, complete with turkey, side dishes, rolls, and desserts to serve 12 people, click here.

Set up a Wrapping Station

Find a nook or cranny with a little bit of privacy and storage space—it might be a walk-in closet, a corner of the basement, or even the laundry room. Gather all of your wrapping materials there: paper, bows, tape, scissors, bags, and ribbon. Try to wrap gifts the same day you purchase them, or set aside time for weekly wrapping sessions. That way, you won’t be feverishly wrapping presents until 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

Prep for Guests

Schedule a few hours for a cleaning session the day before guests arrive. Organize linens (sheets, towels, washcloths). Make sure you have supplies to accommodate any special needs, such as a gluten-free diet. By checking with guests ahead of time, you’re less likely to be taken by surprise. (“Oh, I thought you knew we were bringing our two dogs.”)

Involve Others

It’s easy to try to do everything yourself so it is done just the way you’d like. But involving family members and delegating responsibilities can make holiday planning a fun family activity that teaches kids how to organize and how to be a good host or hostess. Let them help decorate for a party, help with the cooking, or help deliver neighbor gifts. Assign your husband to make a trip to the post office.

Think Outside the Box

Look at your planning carefully and consider what could be moved. What would happen if you sent a Happy New Year letter instead of a Christmas card? Is the week before Christmas really the best time to have a party? What if you had an “after Christmas” party instead? That way you wouldn’t be competing with everyone else’s festivities. You could even hold a potluck dinner where everyone brings holiday leftovers.

Organize for Next Year

After the holidays are over and you begin taking down the decorations, look at everything with a discerning eye. Don’t let unwanted or broken ornaments find their way back into the storage bins. If you hate it, give it away. If it’s broken, throw it away. And carefully label boxes so you aren’t digging around for things next year.

Discussion

What's your biggest holiday headache, and what do you do to handle it?

Creating Christmas Traditions

Fri, 27 Dec 2002 08:12:00 -0700

by Jeanette Bennett
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Traditions—and especially Christmas traditions—are as wide and varied as there are children who remember them. My family celebrated the holidays with anonymous and heartfelt gifts. Here are some other reminders of traditions you may not realize you already have. I could almost smell the turkey roasting when Mom set out the laminated pilgrim scene in the early days of November. The pumpkins, Indians, pilgrims and corn stalks were carefully arranged along the top of the black piano. We eagerly awaited Thanksgiving—and the Christmas season that followed.

The day after our family feast, four boxes with torn lids and bulging bottoms would be carried up from the basement. The decorations they held would soon spread down the banister and along the exterior roofline of the house. Others would adorn the fresh tree cut during our annual snowmobiling quest to find the roundest, tallest, most fragrant pine tree in the forest near Island Park, Idaho.

Decorating the house for Christmas was almost as much fun as Christmas morning itself. Un-boxing familiar ornaments, holiday candles and stuffed Santas rekindled our love for the magic season. And, of course, the day after Thanksgiving was the day Christmas music began playing constantly all over the house.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas tape and our Ricky Tanner record were favorites, while Mom added her own version of “O Holy Night.”

Once the tree was decorated and colored lights blinked throughout the house, we basked in the Christmas spirit. Each year Mom made a booklet with pages for each of us to write down our Christmas wishes. Some years our lists were very long, as we hoped good behavior would result in a magical Christmas morning.

One year my family of nine was facing financial hardship. A school teacher’s salary and a new baby in the home made money very tight. This was the year our family was in charge of delivering Sub for Santa gifts in the ward, where dad was bishop. Each auxiliary had been diligent in gathering funds and toys to give needy families within the ward’s boundaries.

Two days before Christmas, we finished rapping the gifts and loaded them into the station wagon. Part of me secretly hoped our family would be the beneficiaries of this generous collection of goodies. As our station wagon pulled past the stop sign on Taylorview Lane, my hopes sank. We really were going to give all these gifts away.

As a new non-Santa-believer, I understood that the gifts I’d receive this Christmas morning would be directly related to my parent’s budget. Even if I was better behaved than my friend Lindsey across he street, my Christmas morning would likely pale in comparison to hers.

Our wheels crunched along the frozen streets until we reached a government housing development. To my surprise, I was beginning to feel excited. I could tell my sisters were, too, because we were all singing Christmas tunes faster than Sister Richardson could have ever led them. She always gave the elderly organist a workout by hurrying the tempo for every Sunday hymn.

Pulling into a parking stall, Dad whispered that we were very lucky to be elves tonight. As he got out of the car and opened the trunk, we weren’t sure what our role would be. The sub-zero air made me hope my job would be to stay and keep the seat warm, but Dad motioned all of us out and loaded our arms with gifts. I grabbed two Barbies—easily identified by the jingle bell paper I’d wrapped them in—along with some lighter packages.

Dad started toward the dimly lit porch and we followed. As we stacked red and green packages outside the door, I said good-bye to any hopes that these gifts were for me. Then I began thinking about how this young family would react. After quietly stacking the last few boxes, we all hid behind a snowdrift. My older sister rang the doorbell, and then rushed to join us.

When the door opened, we all leaned forward to hear the response—first, a mother’s gasp. Small feet pattered to the door and we heard exciting squealing. “He came, he came!”

“Mom, you were wrong,” we heard a child say. “Santa didn’t forget about us this year!” A warm teardrop crawled down my wind-chapped check.

This was the true Christmas spirit. For the first time, I felt the joy that couldn’t be contained within me. I wanted to leap, sing, cry, and rejoice.

As we drove home that night, we weren’t singing aloud. But because of that experience many years ago, a Christmas song begins in my heart as soon as I begin helping with the Thanksgiving dishes.

Since that memorable Christmas, our family traditions have included anonymous gifts to those who may need a little help. While we enjoy wrapping the treasures, our biggest joy comes in sneaking up to the doorstep, then rushing off before we’re caught. We’ve probably given more gifts this way than we’ve given to each other. We’ll always need a way to continue capturing the true Christmas spirit in our hearts and in our homes.

Tips for Creating Family Traditions

Don’t put undue pressure on yourself. You probably already have traditions, but don’t realize it because it’s “just the way you do it.” Ask your children what you family traditions are. You may be surprised at what they think holiday time is all about.

Pick a tradition that doesn’t depend on a big budget. Traditions are more likely to be handed down through generations if their success isn’t dictated by your pocketbook.

Be consistent with fragrances, foods, songs, and decorations. Seeing a 12-inch stuffed Santa with my name embroidered on it or smelling cinnamon sticks always evokes my sense of tradition.

Read your ancestors’ journals and biographies to see if they had family traditions worth rekindling.

Don’t forget Christmas is a 24-hour day. Maybe your tradition could be something after the morning madness ends. Play basketball at the church after lunch. Go caroling at noon. Hold a family recital or art festival in the afternoon. Consider a family gift like a game or puzzle that can be enjoyed Christmas evening.

Consider a Christmas with no presents. Donate the money you would have spent to a worthy cause. Consider taking a family trip instead of exchanging gifts. Time together can be more memorable than opening last-minute gifts.

Avoid stress. Traditions don’t have to be perfect. Don’t make your family uncomfortable if things don’t go as planned.

Use the special talents of your family members. If your teenage son can carve wood, ask him to care your stocking hangers each year. If your family has musical talents, encourage members to write lyrics or compose a family theme song for the holidays.

Have a “Secret Santa” drawing with specific rules. Perhaps you can’t spend any money, but must do one good thing each day. Reveal the Secret Santas on Christmas Eve.

Do the “12 Days of Christmas” for someone in your neighborhood. They may not need a partridge in a pear tree, but being remember for a dozen consecutive days would surely brighten anyone’s holiday.

After your children go to bed Christmas Eve, create sleigh tracks and reindeer prints outside your house. When the children wake up, have them look for signs that Santa came.

Perhaps the most common—and most important—family tradition is reading or acting out the Christmas story from the Bible. Always bring the true spirit of Christmas to your home by remembering the birth of the Savior.