St Nicholas (Father Christmas) is the historical Santa Clause. He was Bishop of Myra, Asia Minor (near modern Finke, Turkey) around the year 325 AD. HIs traditional feast day is December 6. There are several legends about him which are summarized below. All have the same basic theme: he was the ultimate anonymous gift giver. He also did not expect a return for his good … Continue reading The Progression of Santa Clause
This holiday is not so celebrated in the United States as it is in other countries. Santa Lucia is celebrated on December 13th by having a young women come with lights and sweets. My mother loved this holiday and we celebrated every year until I was in high school. We used to get up early and make some sort of breakfast, my memories are that … Continue reading Santa Lucia
Each family has different holiday traditions, throughout the years those traditions may be altered or change entirely due to marriage, babies, location. There are many different traditions that I enjoyed as a child and I plan on continuing as an adult with my family. My Christmas Holiday starts on Thanksgiving weekend. We always put up the Christmas tree, decorate the house and start the baking! … Continue reading Holiday Traditions
Holiday Gifts Made by Children: Paper mache` bracelets: Don’t let this scare you- it’s easy but a little messy. Fold a 1/2 sheet of newspaper into a width of about 1″. Form into a circle and tape with masking tape. Add more tape around to secure. Tear 1′ strips of newspaper. Using a mixture of glue and water, dip newspaper until wet and wrap around bracelet. Use … Continue reading Kid’s Korner: Holiday Gifts
A holiday party is in progress and a photo is being snapped. This is the scene as you watch through the frosted windowpane: A woman wears a black velvet dress cut to a “V” in back. Her hair is upswept and perfectly lacquered. Her nails are perfectly manicured and her smile shows perfect teeth. Her children, too, are dressed festively. The girl is dressed in red … Continue reading Peeking Through the Window
Thanksgiving Crafts: Indian headband: Have children trace their hand five times on different colored construction paper. Staple onto headband strip of paper, overlapping “feathers”. They can use this Indian headband in a Thanksgiving play. Turkey Hand: Have children trace hand on colored construction paper. Cut it out. Color the hand in where the thumb is the head of the turkey and the hand is the … Continue reading Kid’s Korner: Thanksgiving Crafts
We’ve found some simple and fun crafts for children as young as 3 or 4. Older children can cut their own shapes. Most importantly, remember this is supposed to be fun! There is no right or wrong way to make a pumpkin! Creativity is limited only by your child’s imagination. The colors are suggestions, however, ask your child what color pumpkin they want to make! … Continue reading Fun Halloween Crafts and Games
Picture Credit: Vernon’s Blog Go to a Pumpkin Patch. Pick your favorite. Take it home and decorate or make pumpkin seeds and pumpkin bread. Go on a hayride! Stuff a scarecrow. Do leaf tracings. Find out what types you’ve collected. Have your children rake up leaves (for money?). They jump in! Have a harvest party. Include scarcrow making. Everyone brings an old shirt and pants. You … Continue reading Ideas for Fall Both Indoor and Out
Fall is a great time to go outdoors and LOOK. Teach your children to notice things- patterns on the ground, the sun shining through the leaves, the many shades of leaves, various bark trees. A nature walk could include taking a book along to identify birds, trees, leaves, and bugs. Best medication for TEETHING TODDLERS crushed ice! Give child spoon and little dish of ice. Really … Continue reading This Works for Me!
For variety, make sandwiches using hamburger buns, hot dog buns or whole wheat bread. Include one chocolate “kiss”. Adds a little sweetness and lots of love. Make jello with lots of fresh fruits (add when jello is partially set.) Sen to school in thermos. Add fun stickers or holiday stickers to sandwich bags. Warm soup in the morning and send in a thermos. Add a … Continue reading Lunch Box Delights
ART with Angela DiCicco, The Italian Grandmama's Guide 