January
2
December
22
My Favorite Christmas Traditions
My favorite Christmas traditions revolve around photos. When I decorate my home each year, I look forward to these decorations most of all! On my mantle, I hang a banner with clips, so I can attach past Christmas cards. As I clip on each card, the memories attached to each photo come to mind and bring me such joy.
On a side table in my dining room, I have family photos displayed. Behind each photo is another photo of my daughter with Santa. Each December, I just switch the photos, and I can easily switch them back after Christmas.
My friend, Debora, shared the next idea with me. She takes all the photo holiday cards she receives and places them on a ring after Christmas. Then she prays for friends and family throughout the year as she turns the photos on the ring.
December
18
An Outdoor Family Tradition
When I first read this book, I believed the family was off to choose their Christmas tree, but there was a delightful surprise awaiting me. This charming story is sure to be a favorite with nature enthusiasts.
Click here for the Safeshare link to the story.
Start a new family tradition and make edible ornaments for the birds. One of my favorites is a pinecone covered with peanut butter (natural is best) and rolled in birdseed. Hang the pinecones with twine and in the spring, the birds can use it for nesting material.
December
14
Kissing Under the Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a plant that grows parasitically on trees. It extracts water and nutrients from the host plant. In the winter, the plant produces white berries. Use caution around children and pets because mistletoe berries are toxic.
What is the origin of the holiday tradition of kissing under the mistletoe? Mistletoe is considered a symbol of fertility and life because in winter, when deciduous trees have lost their leaves, and many plants have died away, mistletoe remains green. There are a myriad of myths and legends about the mistletoe plant throughout history.
When you hike or while you drive, ask your child to spot mistletoe growing in trees,
Mistletoe is Common in Atlanta.
Click here for the Safeshare Link.
December
13
Poinsettias-What do You Know?
Many of us decorate our homes with poinsettias during the Christmas season, but what do you know about this plant?
Poinsettias grow wild in Central America and Mexico.
In their native environment, poinsettias are shrubs that grow as high as 10 to 15 feet tall.
Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first ambassador from the United States to Mexico, brought the plants to the United States in the 1820s, and they were named after him.
The colorful parts of a poinsettia aren’t flowers, but modified leaves, called bracts. The flower is the yellow center of the plant.
Click here for the Safeshare link for the following informative video.
Visit a nursery or greenhouse with your child to examine different varieties of poinsettias.
The Legend of the Poinsettia, from Mexico, is an excellent choice if you are studying Christmas around the world. Legends are traditional stories regarded as historical but with little or no evidence to prove them.
Click here for the Safeshare Link.
Click here for details about a poinsettia art project for kids of all ages. This would make a beautiful card!
December
7
An Ornament to Treasure
My daughter, a Covid bride, was married this year and we both wanted to save the lovely flowers from her wedding in June and her reception in November. I experimented with drying the flowers in my basement. When I saw these DIY ornaments at Michaels. I knew they would provide the perfect means to display some of the blooms. I’m excited about gifting her this keepsake ornament! What an easy way to preserve memories from a dance, anniversary or any other special occasion. Do you have any other ideas on how to use these flowers? Please leave your suggestions in the comments.
Note: Suspending flowers upside down in a dry, cool place helps to maintain their form while they are going through the drying process. It also allows the air to circulate around the petals, stems and leaves, preventing mold.
November
30
Christmas Tree for Animal Lovers
Three years ago, I gave my almost 91 year old mother a Christmas tree. She had not had a tree for years. Because she was a fan of Animal Planet, I decided on an animal theme and purchased stuffed animal ornaments to adorn her tree. I have added to it each year since then. It brings her so much joy that it stays up all year! Wouldn’t it also be a perfect tree for a child’s room or a science lab?
My mom is in a wheelchair, so I was excited about this addition.
November
19
An Attitude of Gratitude
I’m Thankful Each Day by PK Halinan is one of my favorite children’s books about the concept of gratitude. Although it is a fitting book to use around Thanksgiving, this delightful story is appropriate to read anytime.
Safeshare link for video below:
He also wrote Let’s be Thankful.
Create a class book in which each student contributes a page for something he/she is thankful. At home, ask your child to take photographs of people, places, events, animals or items for which he/she is thankful, print them, and make a book. Write text on each page. It will be a sweet keepsake to read each Thanksgiving.
December
17
Fireplace in the Science Lab
December
11
