Tag: Christmas 2020

How to Make a Christingle

Is this the first time hearing the word Christingle? Are you asking yourself, “what exactly is a Christingle?” Well, before you start searching, continue reading about the long-standing history of Christingle.

Christingle is a symbolic way to celebrate the Christian faith. Dating back to the mid-1700s, Christingle was part of a German worship service. Representing Jesus bringing light to the world,  John de Watteville, a minister, gave each child a lighted candle with a red ribbon.

In the late 1960s, Christingles became popular in England. Generally, Christingle services are held the week before or part of Christmas Eve services. Due to the pandemic, Christmas 2020 is going to be different. But you and your family can try new things. Making a Christingle is a wonderful new tradition to begin.

How to Make a Christingle

Are you wondering how to make a Christingle? The activity is simple; however, each piece has a specific meaning.

List of Needed Items

I used the candy that I had on hand.
  • Orange: The base of the Christingle is an orange or tangerine representing the whole world.
  • White Candle: Standing tall and straight, the white candle represents God giving light to the world.
  • Red Ribbon: Tying the ribbon around the orange represents the blood of Jesus and dying on the cross.
  • Four Skewers or Toothpicks: The four toothpicks represent North, South, East, and West. They also represent the four changing seasons. If you use skewers, you can fit more pieces of fruit and candy on to your stick.
  • Pieces of Dried Fruits: In addition to dried fruit, you can use nuts, miniature marshmallows, and sweets. The items represent the fruits of the Earth.

In addition to the list above, you will need tin foil. The tinfoil is a precautionary measure to prevent the dripping candle wax from getting into the orange’s interior.

Next, you start the task of creating your own Christingle. Younger children will need help with the first step. Slicing the top of your orange makes a hole large enough to fit your white candle’s base. Before pushing the candle down into the orange, cover the opening with foil.

When your base is complete, set aside. Now begin to place the dried fruits or other sweets onto the skewers. Repeat this step four times.

Place the candy, dried fruits, marshmallows, or nuts on to the skewers.

Now, push the four skewers into the orange. Place the skewers on each side to create a balanced appearance. Finally, wrap your piece of red ribbon around the orange and tie it into a bow. Congratulations on finishing your first Christingle.

I sat my Christingle on top of a Mason jar while I worked on it.

Staying close to home for the holidays is the time to do family crafts. Have fun making Christingles. Light the candles to take a photo in front of your tree on Christmas Eve. (Always practice safety procedures when using candles).

Make extras to give away. Just remember, do not cut the hole into the orange until you are ready to give your Christingle to the intended person.

Reference:

The History of Christingles.  https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/christingles.shtml

Ways to Celebrate Your Baby’s First Christmas

Are you celebrating your baby’s first Christmas this year? Due to the pandemic, numerous Christmas events are canceled, including visits with Santa Claus. But staying close to home doesn’t mean your precious little one’s first Christmas will be unmemorable.

Have fun! Enjoy! Your baby’s first Christmas is the perfect time to start new traditions or revisit old ones. Celebrate every moment. Check out the following list of ways to celebrate your baby’s first Christmas at home.

Write a Yearly Christmas Letter

Write a letter to your baby. Detail all your activities and feelings surrounding your baby’s first Christmas. Next, you can place the letter in an envelope to store in a shoebox or use a journal to make your entry.

Each year, add a letter or entry. When your child becomes an adult, give the letters or journal as part of Christmas gifts. The memories instantly turn into a lasting treasure.

Are you wondering what to write? Consider adding some of these details to your baby’s first Christmas letter.

  • Your baby’s age
  • Date of the letter
  • Favorite new toy
  • Reaction to the Christmas tree
  • Favorite Christmas song
  • Who was there on Christmas

Send a Christmas Card

Unless you want the post date, you do not technically need to send the Christmas card. Similar to the letter-writing activity, give your child a Christmas card each year. Write a small note inside the card.

Ask your friends or family to send your baby a Christmas card. Request your loved ones to write a small note, favorite Bible verse, Christmas tradition, or other activities.

Christmas Ornaments

Buy or make your baby’s first Christmas ornament. The new ornament does not need to be expensive. A plain ornament from your local dollar store is perfect. But remember to add a date. Buying an ornament for your child each year is a beautiful tradition. When your child is an adult, the decorations turn into a treasured gift.

Christmas Season Photos

Get camera happy! Taking lots of photos is one of the best ways to celebrate and remember your baby’s first Christmas.

  • Family Photo: Set your timer or do a selfie to take a family photo to celebrate your baby’s first Christmas. The picture can be casual or dress up in your good clothes for a more formal appearance.
  • Pajama Photo: Buy matching pajamas, strike a pose, and take fun photos.
  • Sibling Photo: Snap a photo of your new little one with older siblings. (Yes, your dog or cat can be part of the picture if your new baby is your first).
  • By the Tree: Hold your little one up to the Christmas tree to hang an ornament. (Depending on the age of your baby, you may have to perform the actual holding on to the ornament.) This simple task is a perfect picture to use your baby’s first ornament.

Make a Christmas Scrapbook

Print out all your photos from the holiday season, save the Christmas cards and other memorabilia to make a scrapbook. Add stickers, photo details, and other embellishments to make the scrapbook a long-lasting treasure.

Observing your baby’s first Christmas is a memorable event. Celebrate every moment of the holiday season with your new little one. Enjoy the Christmas season. Small activities can easily turn into long-lasting memories.

 

Christmas Preparations in October

Is the cooler October weather making you think about the upcoming holiday season? Are you on a tight budget this year? Or do you just want to start preparing for Christmas early? Starting Christmas preparations in October is an excellent way to get the most out of the holiday season.

Think Lists (and More Lists)

Whether you use your computer or a spiral notebook, lists are essential to staying organized during the holiday season.

  • Christmas Gift List: Who do you plan on buying gifts for this Christmas? A gift-giving list is a perfect place to start. Don’t worry if you forget someone. You can add to your list as the holiday season draws closer.
  • Size List: If you plan to purchase sweaters, pajamas, or other clothing items, start a size list. Keeping everyone sizes on one list is ideal for shopping, especially if you come across deals.
  • Gift Ideas: Do you already know what your family wants for Christmas? Make a gift-giving idea list for each person. Many stores have clearance items or other cost-saving deals right now. Maybe you will be able to check off a couple of things early.
  • Christmas Cards List: Due to social distancing and other guidelines, many family reunions, birthday parties, graduations, weddings, and other social gatherings were put on hold for a later date. Sending your family and friends Christmas cards lets them know you care. If your crafty, make handmade Christmas cards to send to your loved ones.
  • Food Menu: Make a list of recipes, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day menus. Write out the groceries needed to make everything on your list. The task provides an idea of the cost.

Budget

Use your lists to set a budget for the holiday season. If you get a weekly or bi-weekly paycheck, consider putting a portion of the money aside for Christmas preparations. Check weekly store ads for deals. Shop the clearance section. When possible, buy early.

Start Your Christmas Buying Now

Obviously, buying food at this time is not advisable. But, picking up other items, including gifts, is a great way to prepare for Christmas.

  • Stocking Stuffers: Small items are an easy add-on to your grocery list. For example, right now, many school-related things are on sale. Colored pens, pencils, watercolors, crayons, small notebooks, USBs, earbuds, markers, and other school items are great stocking stuffers.
  • Gifts: Toys, DVDs, clothes, and books are easy early buying gifts. Now bigger items such as electronics, televisions, or computers are often on sale during the holiday season. Waiting to purchase big-ticket items may be beneficial to your budget.
  • Stamps: Depending on the amount of Christmas cards you plan to send out, consider purchasing a book of stamps each week. The price of stamps adds up quickly. Spreading the cost over time is ideal.

Starting Christmas preparations in October can ease the stress of the holiday season.

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