Making Christmas Memories

Posted on December 10, 2005 by moonbridgebooks

Most families have their own special traditions relating to the winter holidays. I always make the eggnog butter cookies my mother used to bake, and now my own children decorate them. My dad gets a new puzzle every year for Christmas so there’s a table set up for anyone to stop by and fit a piece in. My sister and I find it a required treat to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” each year in our own homes to help us keep the real meaning of Christmas in mind as we rush towards the big day. These traditions give extra meaning to the holiday by making it our own personal celebration.

Is there a certain prayer that is said around the dinner table, a candlelight service to attend, a particular home where relatives gather? Is there an aging angel that tops the Christmas tree, a holiday light show to drive through, a giving of food or gifts to those less fortunate? Whatever your traditions, they are rituals that make the holidays more memorable and enjoyable. They create a bond within family members that goes on to future generations. Memories, after all, are what make the holidays truly special.


Eggnog Butter Cookies

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup eggnog
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
5 ½ cups sifted flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add remaining ingredients in order listed. The dough will be rather stiff. Chill an hour or more. Roll out dough and use cookie cutters to cut shapes. Set on cookie sheets covered with parchment paper. Brush lightly with egg white and sprinkle with colored sugars. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
Posted in holiday, recipe, traditions | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Family Games People Play

Posted on December 5, 2005 by moonbridgebooks

Our closet is filled with board games and card games and puzzles. I like to buy games that even our youngest child can play, and that us parents enjoy. The games listed below are educational and/or challenging to the mind and are our top choices for family fun. They can be played with two to four (sometimes more) people. Sometimes, even Grandma joins in.

Slamwich, for ages 6 and up, is a well-worn card game in our house. Make sure your fingernails are smooth as you have be the first to slap the deck to win cards. It is available in specialty toy shops and online through Gamewright and Amazon.

Rat-a-tat Cat, an award-winning card game for ages 6 and up, works your memory and tests your strategy as you try to collect low-number cards after looking at only half the cards you were dealt. It can also only be found at educational toy shops or online.

Yahtzee, for the beginning poker player, is a simple game where kids can practice addition skills. Young kids can play with parental help on strategy and adding.

Pass the Pigs is a fun, interesting game of rolling pigs, adding, and taking risks. Comes in a little carrying case you can fit in your purse. You should be able to find this at your neighborhood Target or Toys-R-Us.

Labyrinth, by Ravensburger, is one of our favorites and is also only at educational toy shops or online. Ours came from Discovery Toys. Even my husband enjoys this game of shifting “maze cards” to create pathways so you can reach treasures shown on your cards. This game is for ages 8 and up. There is a Junior Labyrinth for ages 5-10.

Life, an oldy but goody, is now available as “Sponge-Bob Life” – a version my child has on her Christmas list. This game has taught our youngest to count big money and to make change. It introduces concepts like insurance and the cost of paying for daycare. I’m not sure what concepts Sponge-Bob Life introduces … or whether there will be any boy children my daughter will insist on sticking under the car.

I Spy is a card-matching memory game based on the I Spy books, which my kids (and I) enjoy. This is the one that sharpens my own scatter-brained memory and that we like to get Grandma to play since it is good brain exercise to help combat her short-term memory problems.

Of these games, Rat-a-tat Cat and Pass the Pigs are shorter games for busy parents with time limits. Hope you’ve found some ideas for the kids’ Christmas presents. Have fun!

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
Posted in family gathering, raising kids | 1 Comment

Time to Play

Posted on December 1, 2005 by moonbridgebooks

Family games make great holiday gifts that help to bring kids and adults together. Parents, make time to play with your kids. My youngest daughter regularly asks if I will play a game with her. Too often, we say, “Not now, I’m busy,” or “Maybe later,” but later never comes. Sometimes we just don’t want to play Candyland.

Wouldn’t it be nice, though, to stop and make time for one game with your child? There is a sense of freedom and laissez-faire in being able to put aside your busy schedule and give your child your complete attention for just awhile. It is a real bonding experience that, trust me, thrills your child and makes him or her feel like you really think (s)he’s important in your life.

Stop your busy day sometime. The laundry, the errand, the little household repair will wait. There’s nothing like laughing and playing with a child to make you forget your cares and make your child love you more than ever. Drop everything and live for the moment. Playing keeps us young at heart – and, of course, makes for happy memories.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
Posted in seize the day | Comments Off on Time to Play