First, Happy Hanukkah! It starts today and ends at sunset on Dec 19th.In our house, one of us is Jewish and one of us is Catholic. It's important to us that our kids grow up understanding our different backgrounds and to be open to new cultures, religions and the various ways we all have of celebrating. This means the holidays at our house are a mix of everything. Lots of candles, extended family dinners and music from around the world in English, French, Hebrew, Spanish and even Swedish.
Now the plot thickens...
Our kids get gifts for both Hanukkah and Christmas but to keep things from getting too crazy (and our kids too spoiled), we have one rule for both holidays: we make our gifts. At the beginning of the year we create a list which anyone can add to during the year. The family challenge is to actually make the things on the list.
Okay, mom and dad do buy some things for the kids that aren't homemade (only Apple can make an iPod) but the idea is to focus on the meaning of the holidays and not just the stuff. If you would like to try this at your house here are some ideas:
Supplies (like thumb drives and art supplies) can be found here:
OfficeMax (2%) and SAVE up to 50% on printers!
Joann.com fabrics and crafts (2%)
Hancock Fabrics (3%)
MisterArt.com (3%)
Magic Cabin (4%) (great gifts and ideas)
Things with Stories
Hand-drawn books (cartoons!)
Paintings & Drawings
Cards
Sculpture (pipe cleaners, clay or tooth picks)
Music (Garage Band makes this easy)
Movies
Web pages (my daughter loves to make stuff on the family computer)
Things that are Useful
Cookbooks
Something to eat
Boxes
Pillows
Homemade Scarf or t-shirt
Candles
Soap
Beaded Jewelry
Things to Play
Family trivia game (things only the family knows)
Invent a new card game
Make a handmade checkers or chess game (Play-Doh or Lego would work great for this)
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