Tag Archives: holiday decorating tips

The Homeschoolers’ Advent Calendar: Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan

Or Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun as they say in Turkey, or Joyeux Noel as they say in France, or Feliz Navidad as they say in Spanish speaking countries, or Merry Christmas as we say here. (In case you’re wondering, the title is in Mandarin.) Learning how families celebrate Christmas all over the world is in and of itself an educational experience. This is one of the most interesting and fascinating things that we do all year. As a result of “visiting” a few countries around Christmas time each year, we have incorporated a few other traditions into our … Continue reading →

The Homeschoolers’ Advent Calendar: Community Service

I’m one of those people who believes strongly that before people should graduate from high school they should be required to do community service hours. I believe this so strongly that in our household, community service begins in kindergarten. My son is required to do two ‘projects’ a year (he is in kindergarten) and my daughter does something every other month–she is in second grade. Why Community Service? We do community service because it is a tangible way to teach compassion and empathy and thankfulness. One of my daughter’s first Christmas projects was to bring food to a homeless shelter. … Continue reading →

The Homeschoolers’ Advent Calendar: The BIG Shopping Day

Some people say that we are certifiably insane, but we do all of our Christmas shopping in one day. That doesn’t sound so bad until you consider that we’re buying presents for 7 nieces and nephews, 5 of our own children, several friends in church, and of course we help our kids give gifts to each other. When we’re all done, we have a van full of presents, exhausted kids, and a whole night of wrapping ahead of us! There are a variety of reasons we do it this way but none of them have to do with homeschooling so … Continue reading →

The Homeschoolers’ Advent Calendar: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

I had just written a blog about studying the North Pole and as I was talking about it with my husband who should walk in buy my night owl son? His newest fascination with life and literature is Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar Express. He can be heard walking down the hallways singing some version of the hot chocolate song from the popular movie. So it only came naturally that as I thought about today’s activity, I should write about The Polar Express. Preschool: Dramatic Play Get a large refrigerator box or several medium sized boxes and make yourselves a … Continue reading →

Inexpensive Ways To Set A Festive Holiday Kids’ Table

Friday is our playgroup’s annual Christmas/Holiday potluck luncheon. Being that I am not the world’s greatest cook I volunteered to help decorate the kids table. Well, one of them. We have 12 kids under the age of four dining on two tables. I’ve teamed up with another playgroup mom to make simple, inexpensive decorations and place settings that can easily be adapted to your own holiday kids’ table. Here’s what we are planning: Baking Sheet Placemats. I’m not talking Emeril quality cookware–I got a dozen standard baking sheets at the dollar store for less than $15. I then picked up … Continue reading →

The Homeschooler’s Advent Calendar: Crafty Activities at Families.com

Do you tour this website? I have to admit that I check out a few blogs regularly, but if I’m searching for something I often go to the forums to get people’s opinions. However, when I was thinking about today’s Advent calendar topic, I thought I’d take a good look around at what Families.com has to offer. Obviously the blogger in fun or kid’s crafts doesn’t blog in homeschooling–but which of us homeschoolers doesn’t like to get out the craft boxes every so often? In reality, I found many ideas that I can use for our Christmas celebrations during homeschool. … Continue reading →

The Homeschoolers’ Advent Calendar: The North Pole

While your kids are writing those wish lists out for Santa, take some time to visit the North Pole. . .via the web that is. Go ahead–make your hot chocolate, sit back, relax, and spend some time learning about the very interesting Arctic circle. I have to tell you that as I was writing this article, I was so fascinated by the things I found that it took me twice as long to write it. I kept stopping and reading and stopping some more. I hope you find it as fascinating as I did. Our first stop in our Arctic … Continue reading →

The Homeschooler’s Advent Calendar: Handel’s Messiah

At the risk of offending, I do not consider anyone truly culturally literate unless they are familiar with Handel’s Messiah. (There are several other classical pieces about which I could say this too–but hey, it’s Christmas time!) I am always extra thankful to live in New York City at this time of year. There are a wealth of venues at which to go see this performed. May I suggest that if you’ve never seen it–take your kids and go. It is nothing short of awe inspiring in my opinion–especially if it’s done very well. Besides going to hear the Messiah … Continue reading →

A Homeschooler’s Advent Calendar: ‘Tis the Season for Writing

I awoke this morning (way too early) to the joyful sounds of five children climbing into my bed. They were enthusiastic, they were gleeful and they were ready to begin their day. I suspected that they were ready to conquer the world but I was wrong. What they were actually ready to do is give me (for at least the tenth time) their Christmas wish lists. Even the 18 month old twins got in on the act. Somehow they managed to circle a remote control robot car (I suspect with the significant help of let’s say. . .and older brother!). … Continue reading →

The Homeschoolers’ Advent Calendar: Holiday Books to Treasure

Do you celebrate Advent? For those of you who might not know what Advent is, it is the 24 days preceding Christmas. For Christians it is a time of reflection and anticipation building up towards the birth of Christ. So I thought we would take a little time each day building up towards Christmas to talk about what you might do this year to incorporate holiday celebrations into your home schooling. I don’t know about your kids and your household but there are two things that happen in my household around Christmas time. The first is that visions of home … Continue reading →