Are you looking for ways to help create some new holiday memories? The kind of activities that your children and grandchildren will speak of for years to come? Take a look at these tips for creative approaches to bridge and organize the days. It is our wish at Midwest Christian Retreats that this will be the best, Christ-centered Christmas your family has ever known. May your stress be less and the days merry!

1. The SimpleMom website has some great articles in the Relationship section. Check out this one called “6 Weeks Till Christmas: Create A New Family Tradition” for great ideas to make memories with those you love.¹
   
   
2. Also see the SimpleMom article on "12 Weeks to a Peaceful Christmas" for tips on reducing chaos as you accomplish the many tasks to create wonderful family memories....and as SimpleMom describes you can "Plan ahead, and enjoy the season sanely."²
   
   You can also find great articles on SimpleMom for a 2009 Checklist including articles like preparing your holiday budget, gathering your addresses and planning your "greetings", gift shopping, making plans to Give Back, inventorying your decor to watch for sales, making meals ahead to freeze, and preparing to receive or be a guest.²
   
   
3. Sydney Stevenson offers suggestions on the "Top 5 Ultimate Christmas Family Traditions" on her ezine. She stresses
   

"At Christmas, there is nothing more important than spending time with the ones we love. Whether it means warming up by the fire after a day out on the slopes or baking up some delicious festive goodies in the kitchen, being together is what is most important. One of the best ways to do this at the holidays is to have magical family traditions that take place year after year. This not only creates special holiday memories for youngsters, but it gives them something to look forward to each and every Christmas.
Here are a few of my all-time favorite family traditions:

1. Each year on the first day of December, give someone special a new pair of Christmas pajamas to wear throughout the month. This is especially fun for kids but everyone loves new pajamas! This is a nice idea for seniors as well.

2. Plan on opening one special gift on Christmas Eve rather than saving all of the gifts until Christmas Day. This spreads out the fun and anticipation of opening gifts at Christmas.

3. For a couple with no children, why not celebrate the "12 Dates of Christmas" rather than exchange gifts. Plan 12 special outings together throughout the month of December. It could be dinner and a movie or a evening stroll through the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights. This is not only a great way to spend time together but it will also save you some money if you want to celebrate Christmas on a budget.

4. Pack the family into the car and tour the neighborhood in search of the best Christmas light display. Have everyone vote on their favorite at the end of the night.

5. When your weary-eyed but excited kids wake up Christmas morning, tell them that no presents can be opened until each one has sung their favorite Christmas carol. You will never hear a song sung so fast in all your life!! A precious way to start Christmas morning. Christmas family traditions don't have to be elaborate or expensive. They just need to be yours. And don't forget the camera. A Christmas scrapbook full of memories is an absolute must have for any family. Want to know another one of my all-time favorite family traditions at Christmas? Check out Elf On A Shelf. And don't forget the real reason for the season by displaying one of these gorgeous Outdoor Nativity Sets on your lawn.³

4. The Graham Family Ministries offer a great article Encouraging Families in the Lord and His Ways including a link to an article on The Glorious Coming, A Jesse Tree Advent Celebration by Ann Voskamp⁴

Also check out this link to download the Jesse Tree Ornaments and Coloring Page.⁵

5. Also see Suzie Cortright’s Life & Love section for her article titled “Christmas Traditions: 25 Meaningful Ideas for Families”. This includes inexpensive ideas like going for a nature walk, making holiday cards or appreciation cards as a family, sharing recipe cards for your favorite treat and much more.⁶

Merry Christmas from your friends at Lake Williamson and Midwest Christian Retreats!

¹SimpleMom website offers great ideas to count down in a section called "6 Weeks Till Christmas: Create a New Family Tradition", by Tsh on November 13, 2009, in relationships on the Simple Mom website, http://simplemom.net/6-weeks-till-christmas-create-a-new-family-tradition/

²SimpleMom website offers great ideas in an article called 12 weeks to a Peaceful Christmas, http://simplemom.net/12-weeks-to-a-peaceful-christmas/

³"Top 5 Ultimate Christmas Family Traditions" by Sydney Stevenson, http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-5-Ultimate-Christmas-Family-Traditions&id=3301294

⁴ Graham Family Ministries, Encouraging Families in the Lord and His Ways; The Glorious Coming, A Jesse Tree Advent Celebration, by Ann Voskamp, http://www.school4jesus.com/The-Glorious-Coming.html

⁵Click here to download the Jesse Tree Ornaments and Coloring Pages, http://www.school4jesus.com/files/The%20Glorious%20Coming%20-%20Ornaments%20and%20Coloring%20Pages.pdf

⁶ Suzie Cortright’s Life & Love section for her article titled “Christmas Traditions: 25 Meaningful Ideas for Families”.

Susie Cortright is the founder of Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com where she hand picks only the very best online coupons, including coupons for photo processing and photo gifts: http://www.susies-coupons.com/photo.htm http://halife.com/family/family_christmas_traditions.html