Ours always differs from year to year, but this year I'm trying to do more with them. Christmas has trimmed down ALOT for us this year, which all in all, doesn't really bother me. I figure the memories we make doing things together will last far longer than anything I can put under the tree for them. They might not appreciate the memories nearly as much right now, but they will someday.

We have a Christmas play at church the kids always participate in
School Christmas parties...I try to attend whenever possible
4-H Christmas party
4-H food drive...that was fun
Driving around looking at lights...or going to the organized light displays that you pay maybe $3-$5 per car load to drive through
This year we're making Christmas gifts for nursing home residents and delivering them in person
Instead of the kids shopping for all five other family members (we don't spend much...they get a dollar to spend on each family member at the Dollar Tree) this year, I'm going to suggest they use their money to buy things for Toys for Tots since the Dollar Tree has donation boxes set up in their stores.

Also...how do you find out about all of the Christmas activities in your town? I know our local Baptist church has a bell choir. I would LOVE to take the kids to see them if they still give Christmas performances....but other than calling the church, I don't know how to find out.

Baking and decorating Christmas cookies is one of my favorite things to do with my kids at Christmas.

We also go to a candy cane making demonstration (it's awesome) at a candy store in our area.

I usually check the local paper for other Christmas activities.

WE ride the incline downtown and then take the trolley to see all the store windows as well as the displays of Santa's from across the world. We check out the homemade gingerbread house and then walk up to see the huge Manger scene.

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I’ve been SWAK’d!
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Well, we always went to the town Christmas party and got pictures with Santa, but we don't live in that town any more soo... we will see. The kids always had the church Christmas program, but right now we don't have a church since we moved...

Geez, I am going to stop because I am depressing myself!

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~Happiness is a large family~

We make gingerbread houses and cookies, choc. covered pretzels, too. We will go to my youngest Christmas program. We also make a trip downtown (incline ride too- look out over Mt. Washington) and depending on the weather go ice skating. We have too many Christmas parties to go to. Check out local Christmas lights, either Olglebay or Hartwood acres to see Christmas lights too. So many things- so little time!

Hey StevesGal, what part of the Burgh are you from? We live in the South Hills.

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I’ve been SWAK’d!
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I'm only 35 minutes from South Hills! :D I was wondering if there was anyone from the boards closeby.. I live just south of Washington.

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Hi
When my girls were little we would round up all the Christmas books we had and then write each one down on a slip of paper and put them into a jar. Then each night the girls would taking turns to pull out a slip of paper and read that story out loud that night.
This was such a great way to unwind, get some reading in (school required 20 minutes a night at the time) and spend time together.
My girls are now 16 and 14 and we still do this (their request!!). One of their Christmas presents now is one new Christmas book every year.

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Karen

This is a GREAT idea!! I need to invest in some good Christmas books.

I think I have a new family tradition. thanks bamemm.
we do quite a bit, going see xmas lights around town, posadas(reinactment of Mary and Joseph looking for lodging), tamale making, cookie making, Holidazzle parade, OM- I better get moving on this stuff. I'm about two weeks behind.

allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls