Ways to make a big Christmas
with a small family:
A COBWEB PARTY! - In the
18th century, a fun tradition was to tie a LONG piece of yarn to a
present - then hide the present. Take the piece of yarn (which is
still attached to the hidden present) and wrap it around chair
legs, through stair bannisters, over tables, under couches...
Clear around the house. Once you're ready to hunt out the
presents, the gift giver needs only to tell the recipient what
color yarn they're following. If everyone in the family hides and
seeks presents for each other, it can turn into a cobweb
extravaganza!
- Make
COOKIES
together... (after you change out of your inaugural clothes). Make
the cookies in the shape of your initials!
- Write in a yearly family diary
- Team up with other small families
- Play Card games or board games together. Keep a
running tally of who's winning and at the end of the day, the
winner gets a "big box" surprise present!
- After opening your presents, put together a
basket of good stuff you no longer need to give to a charitable
organization. Put a bow on it, and put it by the front door to be
delivered the day after Christmas.
- Put on a Christmas show and tape it (either audio
or video.) Keep track of your performances each year. If you can't
sing or dance, read a poem, or a tell a short story!
- In the days before Christmas, you can write a
short script for a play (1 or 2 pages), either about the Christmas
Story or about something you all enjoy. On Christmas day, you can
hand out the parts (and costumes, if you have them) and video tape
your performance! Each year, you can come back and see how things
have changed (and how your performances have improved!)
- Play Christmas music on the radio (or stereo) in
the background.
