by Melanie Skelton

One of the things I love most about teaching my children at home is the morning a big snowstorm hits and we have nowhere to go. We peek out at public schooled children trudging through the snow, then go light a fire, stay in our warm pajamas and get the schoolbooks out. Actually, I have to admit that it gets harder to maintain this lifestyle as they get older and more involved, so I treasure it when I can.

The holidays can hold the same kind of magic if we are willing to focus on those things that spark that magic. Think about it. When you are running around shopping for Christmas, is that magic? How about the recitals and parties that try to take over the Christmas season, is that magic? Maybe, but the real magic is in those moments when your children's eyes sparkle with the excitement of having created a “special” ornament for the tree or helped take cookies to a neighbor.

As home educators we have an expanded opportunity to create more of these magic moments in our home. There are so many activities and so much we can learn with our children in connection to the holiday season. I'd like to share a handful of ideas with you.

We love learning about the holiday traditions of other countries. Last year our main focus ended up being on Australia. The children were fascinated to learn that it is a summertime Christmas they celebrate in Australia. They go to the beach and have barbecues, and according to one book we read, Santa arrives on a bike. We learned some Aussie lingo and my children still walk around saying “g'day mate” to each other. The highlight was when we learned about Christmas Crackers, a tradition that actually came to Australia from England. A cracker is a small cardboard tube (think toilet paper roll) with goodies inside and wrapped in bright paper. When the cracker is “pulled” by two people, there is a pop. We searched the internet trying to figure out how to make our own crackers for Christmas Eve. We ordered a bundle of twenty-five cracker snaps for $4.25, found a collection of Christmas jokes and went to work making crackers. It was great fun.

Have you ever tried a themed Christmas, such as a Colonial Christmas? I've never done this but have a friend who did when they were looking for a way to keep Christmas simple and inexpensive.

The holidays are a great time to have your children do arts and crafts. They can make gifts for siblings or grandparents with your help. I've seen many books at the library that offer ideas for gifts children can make. And handmade decorations are a given at our house. We can't put up the Christmas tree without the children deciding to make those red and green paper chains or string popcorn. Save the metal lids of your frozen juice concentrate and use a nail and hammer to punch holes forming a simple design. Add trim and hang it on the tree. Or use salt dough to make little ornaments for the tree. Sometimes these don't quite make it to the tree, but it is the process that is important anyway. Many magazines have a nice selection of ideas for ornaments you can help your children make.

This is also a great time of year to be in the kitchen with your children. Learn to make something new, perhaps something to go along with your study of another culture. Or something that is a traditional recipe in your family.
Above all, enjoy this time with your children. These are days to cherish. When it seems too hard to buckle down and do math, take math to the kitchen or pull out the Legos and read Christmas Carol or The Best Christmas Pageant Ever while they play quietly. And watch for that sparkle of magic in your children's eyes.