These little beauties are designed to hang or stand somewhere in your home where you'll see them every day, to provide you with ideas for capturing the stories of THIS holiday, and also to connect to your stories of holidays past.
Think of a way to display your beautiful prompt cards through the month of December in a place that you'll pass several times through the day. That might be as you walk out the front door, or it might be near your computer, or in a family area.
- A clipboard hung on a nail
- Use a cookie sheet and a magnetic clip
- Magnetic clip hung on the fridge
- A small easel
- A giant clothespin nailed or glued to a board
Day 1: Refocus on Holiday ValuesWhat are your holiday values, those things we treasure most, and the hopes we have for ourselves and our families during the holiday season? Think of some phrases or sentences that describe YOUR family's holiday values. Now make those values specific and measurable goals.
I would like to focus on Christ and the story of his birth. That includes having a grandkid Nativity play with costumes, reading the Christmas story in the scriptures, playing carols with the bells, watching specials on TV, going to the ward Christmas party, attending Church.
Reflect on the Prophet Joseph and his contributions by reviewing the manual lessons.
Enjoy being together as a family and honor traditions we have established, including gingerbread houses, playing games and family dinners. Maybe introduce doing an ornament craft.
Think more of others and what needs they may have. Participate in Haley’s Sub for Santa stuff.
Worship through Christmas carols, music and scriptures. Gather then play favorite music daily.
Finish Christmas preparations early so we can relax and enjoy the rest of the month. Follow the Christmas Countdown Planner.
Make decorations simple yet elegant. Lots of lights.
Do some fun away-from-home activities that are season related.
Try some new foods, and prepare our traditional ones like prime rib and fondue.
Create a Christmas photo book like Janet Long’s.
Send out Christmas cards and newsletters at least 2 weeks before Christmas.
Some new ideas to include on our "Make" list this year:
#1. Decorate with a familiar face (or many of them). Print or copy a photo onto heavyweight paper. Then wrap package with a wide band of ribbon. Using double-sided tape, secure photo to ribbon. You can use the photos to identify the giver or the getter, or attach one favorite photo to all your presents.
#2. The traditional Advent calendar got a creative kick, turning it into a festive garland that reuses your kids' colorful socks. Tucked inside are notes, games, goodies or a new ornament for the tree -- one sock for each day leading up to the Jolly Old Elf's visit.
#3. For the hard-to-gift: A Book of MoneyDirections
1. To create binding, you'll need two grades of paper: one that is lightweight, such as wrapping paper; and one that is medium weight, such as card stock. With a glue stick, affix together one sheet of each, back-to-back. Once dry, cut out a 6 1/8-by-2 3/4-inch rectangle.
2. Find the center (lengthwise), and use a bone folder to make two vertical creases, 1/16 inch to either side of it, to create the spine of the book. Cut a piece of linen bookbinding tape (available at crafts stores) the length of the spine, and affix. Fold dollar bills in half, one at a time, to crease; open, and stack together. Fold entire stack in half.
3. Use string to bind money to book, wrapping it around book's spine and across center fold of all the bills, and knotting. Punch one hole in front and back cover, and slip a piece of grosgrain ribbon through to tie book shut.
#4. Catchy Sayings and Gifts from the Kitchen
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