Holiday ‘to-dos’ together

With holiday excitement in the air, are you looking for ways to keep your young “elves” busy — and keep yourself sane at the same time? Here’s a tip: Make this special season memorable by including the kids in a few everyday activities. Not only will they feel useful, but also happy to be part of it all. So turn off the TV, gather the gang and check off your holiday “to-do” list together.

Bring the Outside In

Cut some evergreen branches from the yard or purchase them at the Christmas-tree lot if you’re buying a tree. Arrange them in a clear vase or large, clean mayonnaise jar for an eye-catching, woodsy table centerpiece. For bookshelves and nightstands, make mini-arrangements with just a short branch or two. For a guest room write “Welcome to our holiday home!” on a small card and attach to a ribbon tied around the vase. Remind your child to keep an inch or two of water in the containers throughout the month.

A Table That Sparkles

Bring out stored tarnished silverware, vases and serving platters, roll up everyone’s sleeves and show the kids how to polish the pieces until they shine.

Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner

On your family bulletin board, attach photos of friends and relatives who will be visiting your home for Hanukkah and Christmas. To build anticipation before their arrival day, say their names and share stories about each one. If you already have a gallery of family portraits in your hallway, make a simple guessing game with your preschoolers of identifying names with faces.

The Real Meaning

Gather winter and religious books from bookshelves around the house and check out a stack from the library to keep your family’s reading habit alive. Classic stories and large books with beautiful photos and illustrations will capture the interest of all ages. Place a bookmark on special pages or leave the book open on a table for everyone to see.