Tag: celebrating

31 Ideas to Celebrate the Last Day of School

Time goes by quickly. In a blink of an eye, your child is an adult. Take the time to embrace the daily triumphs. The memories will last a lifetime.

Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com

The end of every school year is a milestone in your child’s life. Not to mention, you deserve personal recognition for your hard work too. School schedules are sometimes hectic with last-minute snacks, homework help, field trips, parent-teacher conferences, fundraisers, and on some days simply getting your child to school on time.

Photo by Teejay on Pexels.com

When the last day of school arrives, celebrate. Scheduling conflicts may not allow your celebration to occur exactly on the last day, still, take the time to recognize the accomplishment. The celebration can be a simple family dinner with a special dessert to a large party with your child’s friends.

Photo by Jens Mahnke on Pexels.com

Please note: “As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn income from qualifying purchases.”

If you are uncertain how to celebrate the end of the school year, ask your child for input. Often your child’s idea may be something you would have never thought about as a fun way to celebrate. If you need inspiration, check out the following for ideas to celebrate the last day of school.

Photo by Ash on Pexels.com
  1. Special homemade family dinner (let your child pick the meal)
  2. Go out to eat.
  3. Bake a celebration cake.
  4. Make breakfast for dinner.
  5. Family game night.
  6. Plan a trip to the local bookstore to purchase books for summer reading.
  7. Host a backyard BBQ
  8. Pool party (if the weather permits)
  9. Backyard beach party
  10. Harry Potter theme party
  11. Comic book, Star Wars, princess, or other theme parties
  12. End of the school year theme party
  13. Trip to the local ice cream shop
  14. Spa day (This is a favorite with teens. Summer haircut, new nail color, or facial).
  15. Create a sundae bar in your kitchen. (Banana splits with all the toppings are a great way to celebrate).
  16. Make root beer floats.
  17. Pizza party
  18. Video game night
  19. Outdoor games party
  20. Go to a local, state, or federal park. (Don’t forget the picnic basket)
  21. Scavenger hunt
  22. Movie night
  23. Slumber party
  24. Picnic in your own backyard.
  25. Host a bonfire.
  26. Plan a trip to an amusement park.
  27. Attend a major or minor league baseball game or other sporting events
  28. Water balloon “fight” or other water-related activities.
  29. Hang a banner. (Small gestures have a major impact on your child).
  30. A card with a gift certificate to your child’s favorite place.
  31. Visit an art gallery or museum.

The end-of-school-year celebrations are a fun way to acknowledge a year of hard work. Have fun and enjoy summer vacation.

Christmas Pretzel Treats

Is the hustle and bustle of the holiday season keeping you busy? Do you need a quick and easy snack for a holiday gathering or family movie night? Chocolate covered pretzel treats are a fun way to celebrate Christmas. The pretzel treats are an easy make-ahead snack.

Materials Needed:

  • Dipping chocolate (For added Christmas fun, purchase red or green colored dipping cholate)
  • Pretzels of any style will work.
  • Christmas sprinkles, marshmallows, nuts, chocolate chips, shredded coconut

Instructions:

  1. Melt dipping chocolate as directed. You can melt the chocolate in the microwave or use a double boiler pan.
  2. Melt chocolate to desired consistency. Smooth, well-heated chocolate is easy to apply to pretzels.
  3. Dip pretzels in chocolate.
  4. Add sprinkles. For extra fun, allow your children to help decorate with the sprinkles. Creating their own snacks is a great way to get everyone involved.
  5. Allow the chocolate to harden.
  6. You can store the pretzels in a plastic bag or airtight container.

Celebrating Advent

Tomorrow, December 1st marks the beginning of Advent. Running from the first of December to Christmas Eve, the Advent marks the birth of Jesus. In fact, the word Advent is actually Latin for coming. Advent is a celebration to help people focus and remember the reason for the Christmas season. 

Depending on the day Christmas falls on, Advent can begin on different days. The start of Advent on December 1st only occurs when Christmas falls on a Wednesday. Each Sunday before Christmas has special meaning. 

The Candles of Advent

Each Sunday before Advent, a candle is lite. The candles hold special meanings for the holiday season. 

  • First Sunday: A purple candle, symbolizing hope, is the first candy lite. The first Sunday candle is also known as “The Prophecy Candle” to remember the prophets who predicted the birth of Christ. 
  • Second Sunday: Another purple candle is lite to symbolize faith. The faith candle or “The Bethlehem Candle” focuses on Mary and Joseph’s trip into Bethlehem. 
  • Third Sunday: For the third week into Advent, a pink candle is lite. The pink candle or “The Shephard’s Candle” represents joy. The birth of Christ brought great joy. 
  • Fourth Sunday: For the fourth week, a purple candle is lite. The fourth candle, or “The Angel’s Candle,” represents peace. 

Depending on how you celebrate, a fifth candle may be added to Advent. Lighting a white candle on Christmas Day to celebrate Christ’s birth, the candle represents light and purity. The centered white candle is also known as “The Christ Candle.” 

In some cultures, the colors of the candles do not matter. The action of remembering Advent is an essential part of the holiday season.

The Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath is part of the candle lighting ceremony. The four candles are set on the wreath with the fifth candle (optional) placed in the middle. The wreath consists of evergreen branches woven together in a circular form. The evergreen circle represents eternity. 

Advent Calendars 

Advent Calendars are generally part of celebrating Advent. Counting down to Christmas, an Advent calendar has 24 or 25 openings. Advent calendars vary, including traditional Christ laying in the manger scenes to popular products like Harry Potter mini-figures, Lego, perfume, or jewelry samples.

Other Advent calendars are homemade with chocolate, small toys, or other treats behind each little opening. No matter the type of Advent calendar you use, enjoy the Christmas season. 

 

Please note: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

%d bloggers like this: