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Preparing for the holidays is never easy much less restful especially when you have children. Between the nagging question of how long it is until Christmas, the excitement of events to come and the boredom because of Christmas school break the only way to get anything done is to keep little hands busy and growing minds occupied. This is a collection of ideas that may help in the endeavor of having a peaceful holiday season.

To avoid the "is it time yet?" nagging try an advent calendar. To craft one of these you will need 24 pieces of candy, chocolate or other non perishable snack and 24 containers such as empty matchboxes, wrapping paper and ribbon or little boots made of felt. Fill each container with a treat or wrap the treat and number these small packages 1 through 24. Each morning the children get to open one gift. This gives them a little surprise to look forward to each day and they can count the days until Christmas Eve.

Consider making gifts for relatives and loved ones instead of buying them. A great idea is putting together a calendar. You can either buy a blank craft calendar available in most craft stores or make a template yourself. Have your kids make a piece of art for each month. Get creative and let them experiment with different styles and techniques. Glue the masterpieces to the pages of the calendar. This gift is sure to delight the recipients, entertains your children as well as being a valuable learning activity for them.

An old traditional is the stringing of pop corn. You pop loads of popcorn, thread a needle and start poking each kernel until you get a long chain. These look pretty on the tree or around the room. As an added bonus it will get your house smelling delicious. Make sure to pop more than you need for decorating because little hands come with little mouths and hungry bellies. If your kids are too young for needle and thread you can cut strips of paper and foil. Form a loop and glue it together. Take the next strip and form the loop with the ends reaching through the first loop. Intertwine loops until you reach desired length. If using paper the strips can also be colored before forming the garland.

Take your children outside for a walk. They need the fresh air and exercise even if it is cold. While out search for and collect pine cones or if you come across them some interesting looking twigs, mistletoe or holly twigs. These treasures of nature can be used as pretty decorations in center pieces or ornaments. A little white

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