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Start your own New
Christmas Traditions!
by Alan & Ching -
R. de Luzuriaga
Television shows and shopping malls
have started to remind you that the yuletide season is coming. As we
ponder on Christmases past and the great times we had with our
families, we cannot help but yearn for equally meaningful and
memorable ways to celebrate the coming holidays with our loved ones.
There are many wonderful Christmas
Traditions. The Christmas tree, donating to charities, a visit from
Santa, and Christmas programs are but some of the usual practices
that have been enjoyed by countless families.
For those who would want something
different, here are some new ways to make your own Christmas
Traditions.
1. Welcome a less fortunate family
into your home. - Many families give to charity, volunteer in
feeding programs and throw parties for the less fortunate. This
Christmas, why not make it closer to home. Invite the family of your
household employee or community worker over for a Christmas lunch,
complete with gift-giving and other activities. Make it a different
family every year. You and your children would give a whole family
immense joy on this occasion as well as give you heart warming
memories as the years go by.
2. Eco-friendly and money-saving
Christmas decorations - Instead of spending on decorations,
re-use materials to make your home festive. Assign each family
member an area to decorate (ex. Mom - living room, Dad - dining
area, Children - garage, patio, kitchen, etc...). Make sure that
everyone uses only existing household materials like newspapers,
magazines, bottles, jars, candles, cartons, cans, cardboard, etc.. (
you're allowed to buy glue and adhesive tape) to create decorations
such as Christmas trees, wall decor, wreaths, a Christmas Belen,
lanterns and the like. Guests during the Christmas season will marvel
at how you and your kids decorated your home for the holidays - the
creative and environment friendly way.
3. "Translate your favorite
English Christmas Carol to Filipino" - Singing is part and
parcel of Filipino celebrations and Christmas is no exception. The
use of sing-along machines as well as the ever dependable guitar,
make Christmas day a musical experience for many families. To create
something different than the usual karaoke night, why not create
some semi-original numbers from the staple Christmas classics.
Translate your favorite English Christmas Carol into Filipino or the
native family dialect. Performing such novelties will surely make the
Christmas program something you will not easily forget. And who
knows, you even might perform these "originals" in the
family reunion.
4. Capture it on Video ! - The
digital video camera has been an indispensable tool to capture
memories for many families. But, it can be more than just a way to
preserve those delightful moments when the kids open their gifts and
shout with glee.
Using the video camera and editing
software in creative ways can make Christmas celebrations truly
remarkable and memorable . Try some of these out.
A) Instead of forcing your chubby Uncle
to get all made up to play Santa Claus, (Kids aren't fooled as easily
nowadays, anyway), make a video of Santa climbing down from the
roof and placing gifts under the tree ( make sure the children are
all asleep when doing the video shoot). Show these to the kids when
they wake up, right before gifts are handed out and it will add magic
to their Christmas morning.
B) Gather the old Videotapes, video
disks, and scanned photos, of the yearly Christmas celebrations and
edit the highlights in one video show. Seeing how your family
celebrated the occasion through the years will give everyone a smile.
Don't forget to take a video of the coming celebration and edit it
in for next years gathering. Do this year after year after year, and
see how the family and the kids have grown as time goes by.
C) Make a Christmas Video greeting and
post it in Facebook or email it to your family and friends. Not only
will it be cheaper than sending greeting cards, it will also add a
special touch for those who receive your on-cam holiday greeting.
5. Hold a Christmas Master Chef
competition - To prepare for your Christmas feast, let everyone
pitch in by making a Christmas dish - from a simple ice cream sundae
that the kids can make to Mom's special salad. You can pick a a Food
Theme if you like - Filipino Food, Dessert, Anything goes, etc...
and let Grandpa and Grandma be the judge. The winning dish earns
bragging rights and gets to be a regular dish every Christmas to be
prepared by your very own family's Christmas Master Chef 2011!
6. Family Christmas Run or Bike
trip- Get physical and prepare for those extra pounds to be
gained later in the day. Wake up to an early Christmas morning and
see the sun rise while going on a family fun run around the
community. For those who prefer biking, hop on those wheels and start
on an early family bike trip to your favorite trail. Don't forget to
wear Santa hats / helmets to mark the occasion.
Christmas is all about love and family.
And the best way to celebrate it is by making your own Christmas
Traditions to be shared and handed down through generations.
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