Saturday, I learned about a tradition that my sister-in-law does with her children. I was surprised that I wasn’t aware of it. I guess it’s because I’ve only been married to her brother for a mere 36 years. And she’s only been doing this tradition with her children for 24 years. (You might say I’m not the brightest bulb in the string of Christmas lights . . .)

Anyway, I thought it was a delightful tradition and immediately knew that I would write about it here.

Every Christmas, my sister-in-law lets her children pick out one ornament that is ‘their’ ornament.  Then, when they get married, she gives them all of their ornaments so that they have a small collection of decorations for their Christmas tree.  I can just imagine the fun memories her children will have as a newlywed couple when they look at their own decorations on their own tree.  Then when the newlywed couple has children, they can tell their children the stories surrounding the decorations.

Don’t you think that this would be an absolutely marvelous tradition that you can have with your grandchildren?  There are several ways that you could do this:

• Take your grandchild shopping and let him pick out ‘his’ ornament. (You would need to tell the parents your plans so they can help your grandchild save them from year to year.)
• You can purchase an ornament and wrap it and then let your grandchild open the gift on Christmas Eve or at a special family party.
• Give the ornament as one of the gifts from you that your grandchild opens on Christmas Day.
• You and your grandchild can make a special ornament each year for your grandchild to keep.
• Purchase two ornaments — one for  your grandchild to keep and then one you put on your tree so that grandchildren can see ‘their’ ornament when they come to your house for a visit.  It could be a ‘memory’ tree.

You might also want to think of other traditions that you could have with your grandchildren.  When our children were growing up, we made a gingerbread house at Christmas time.  While that can be quite a bit of work, it is also lots of fun!  (Click here for the gingerbread house pattern and directions that I use.)

My niece takes her family to an interfaith creche exhibit.   My son takes his family on a Polar Express train ride.  When our children were young, we would take them to see the light display in a local city park and other various light displays.  Just recently, our little bedroom community has lights on the pond that are fun to see (and free!).

Now that our children are older, we take them to a Christmas melodrama and then out to supper afterward.

What are some traditions that you have done with your children?  What are some that you are doing (or want to do) with your grandchildren?

Last year I made some bracelets and tucked them in with ‘larger’ Christmas presents.  Did I write about that idea on this website?  Not even.  I should have shouted it from the roof tops because this is one craft that I can do.  Successfully.  Without any problems. All ten of my fingers cooperated so that I had a pleasing and satisfying experience Maybe it’s because I got an A in stringing macaroni on yarn in grade school.

Here are the bracelets I made for myself.  (I guess I could travel around the state to take pictures of the ones I gave away to others.  But, I’m too lazy.)

All I did was get the stretchy white plastic elastic (in the jewelry section of the craft store), thread the beads on the elastic, tie a square knot, and add a smidgen of Super Glue on top of the knot so it wouldn’t come undone.  I pulled the knot (while the glue was still wet) into one of the beads.  That way the knot wouldn’t be noticeable and then the glue would dry inside the bead creating a strong bond to the inside of the bead so the knot wouldn’t come undone.

I think that since my bracelet making experience was so successful (my only problem was spilling the beads) that maybe I ought to expand my repertoire to making some simple drop earrings.

Beadage has some very easy directions for making drop earrings.  So easy I’m absolutely positive that I could make them!  You just get a head pin, slide on the desired beads, make a loop on the end, and slip it onto fish hook ear wires.

	I thought these earrings from Elegant Crafts and Homemade Gifts were pretty.  (I liked the purple ones — they’d go nicely with my bracelet.)   They have lots and lots of good pictures with their directions.  Nice.

Making bracelets and earrings would be a simple project that could be completed in under an hour. What a delightful activity to do with your granddaughters. Or, instead maybe you might want to give them as Christmas presents to your granddaughters.

I think that jewelry is always a crowd pleaser with girls whether they are young or not so young — and whether they are making them or receiving them!

I know I have a weakness for things that are orange. (Is this candle holder orange or red???  I’m also a sucker for all things red.)

Imagine my delight when I saw this lovely candle on the Craft Stylish website!  They also had a plaid candle holder, a snowflake one, one with stars, and one with holly and berries.  So enchanting!

They have great directions and pictures of the whole process.  (I’ve almost deluded myself into thinking I could make one of these — and actually have it turn out.)  Wouldn’t this be great fun to make with your granddaughters?

I can envision it all now.  Christmas music playing softly in the background.  Outside, snow gently falling.  Inside, a fire crackling in the fireplace.  Cinnamon potpourri filling the air.  Christmas goodies patiently waiting to be consumed.   Grandma and granddaughters giggling and talking as they make the candle holders.  The candle holders turn out beautifully.  (Sigh. Only in my dreams, I realize!)

Maybe my granddaughter could help me when my craft-less fingers make myriad boo-boos.  Whaddya say, Natalie?  Even though you are only three months old, I think you’d do a better job than me . . .

You might want to take a trip to the Dollar Store to get various sizes and shapes for your candle holders.  Tall ones, square ones, short ones, fat ones.  I can envision a plethora artfully placed around my home adding holiday ambiance.  I’m going to make some.  I really am.  Really.  At least I think I will . . .

Anyway, these candle holders are great gift ideas for you and your granddaughters to make and give to friends and family.

It’s awfully hard when your grandchildren live far away, isn’t it?  How can a grandma build a strong relationship with those over-the-river-and-through-the-woods grandchildren?  Well, I got some wonderful ideas after seeing The Toymaker website. It’s all about paper!

Compared to electronics and big plastic toys, paper is cheap to buy and cheap to send through the mail.  The Toymaker has some wonderful items that you could print out for free and easily (read that to mean cheaply) mail to your grandchildren.  They would be totally delighted to get a package from grandma with some of the Toymaker activities inside.

If your grandchildren live close by, you could volunteer to babysit them for a couple of hours while the parents get some Christmas shopping done.  During your time together, you and your grandchildren could make some of these beautiful and very appealing activities.  Click here to see the Christmas ideas. Ideas include:

• a beautiful candy cane bag
• little snow guys that are so cute I want to pinch their cheeks!
• a whimsical elf ball
• an advent calendar (each grandchild could have their own special advent calendar but you’ll have to hurry since December is already here!)
• a beautiful pencil box that could then be filled with fun pencils

Afterward, you could make some hot chocolate or a cake in a cup (version 3 is the best) for a delicious treat.

There are ideas for other holidays, too.  And, be sure to check out The Toymaker’s Free Paper Toys. (I absolutely love the tooth fairy gazebo and the magic fairy wand!)

Take a some time to check out The Toymaker site.  I’m sure that you’ll find something there that you’ll want to use with your grandchildren.