Tag: traditions

Tips for Hosting a Bethlehem Dinner on Christmas Eve

Are you searching for a new tradition for Christmas Eve? A Bethlehem Dinner is a perfect addition to your Christmas celebrations. The dinner focuses on the meal that may have been served when Jesus was born. Hosting a Bethlehem dinner can be a meaningful and enjoyable experience for your family and friends. If you are searching for inspiration, consider the following tips for hosting a Bethlehem Dinner on Christmas Eve.

  1. Theme and Atmosphere: Create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the spirit of Bethlehem. Use soft lighting, perhaps with candles or lanterns to set the mood. Consider playing soft instrumental music in the background.
  2. Menu Selection: Choose a menu that features traditional Middle Eastern dishes, such as hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, kebabs, and baklava. You can also include symbolic foods like dates, figs, and olives.
  3. Decorations: Decorate your space with elements that evoke Bethlehem and the Middle East. This could include using earthy tones, rustic tableware, centerpieces, and maybe even some themed decorations.  Small replicas of the Bethlehem star or nativity scene figurines are great choices for decorating tables.
  4. Storytelling and Reflection: Incorporate moments for storytelling or reflection on the significance of Bethlehem and the story of Jesus’ birth. This can be done through readings, prayers, or sharing personal reflections.
  5. Check for Allergies: If you are hosting a Bethlehem Dinner for friends or extended family members, check for allergies. Ensure that your guests feel included and comfortable. Consider their dietary preferences or restrictions when planning your menu. Be mindful of creating an environment where everyone can participate in discussions or activities.
  6. Hospitality: Embrace the spirit of hospitality by welcoming your guests warmly and ensuring that they feel valued and appreciated throughout the evening.
  7. Ending on a Meaningful Note: Consider ending the dinner with a time of gratitude or prayer, acknowledging the blessings of fellowship and shared moments.
  8. Gifts to Go: Consider giving your guests small gift bags. A nativity ornament or other small token is a wonderful way to remember your Bethlehem Dinner party.

By focusing on creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere, sharing delicious food, and incorporating meaningful elements, your Bethlehem dinner can be a memorable and enriching experience for everyone involved. Enjoy! Make Memories! Merry Christmas!

Easter Traditions to Start This Year

Do you want to start a new Easter tradition with your family and friends this year? Starting new Easter traditions can be a fun way to celebrate the holiday with your loved ones. If you are searching for ideas, consider the following Easter traditions to start this year.

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  1. Easter Egg Hunt: Organize a traditional Easter egg hunt in your backyard. You can fill plastic eggs with candy, coins, or small Easter-themed toys for children to find.
  2. Decorating Eggs: Get creative by dyeing or painting Easter eggs together. You can try different techniques like marbling, using stickers, or even creating unique designs with markers.
  3. Host an Easter Dinner: Cook and bake a traditional Easter meal. Ask friends and family members to join and bring a dish to pass.
  4. Easter Brunch: If you do not want to do an entire meal, host a special Easter brunch with family and friends. Prepare delicious dishes like quiches, hot cross buns, and carrot cake.
  5. Planting Seeds: Start a new tradition of planting seeds or flowers as a symbol of new beginnings and growth. You can plant them in your garden or in pots to keep indoors.
  6. Easter Crafts: Spend some time crafting Easter-themed decorations or cards. You can make paper bunnies, wreaths, or even homemade Easter baskets. Check your local dollar store, discount store, or thrift shop for supplies.
  7. Attend a Sunrise Service: Consider attending a sunrise service at a local church on Easter Sunday.
  8. Charitable Acts: Embrace the spirit of giving by volunteering at a local shelter, or donating food at a homeless shelter. Or volunteer at your local dog rescue by being a dog walker.
  9. Family Game Day: Plan a family game day with old-fashioned Easter-themed games and activities. You can have egg races, sack races, or even a bunny hop relay race.
  10. Easter Movie Marathon: Host a movie night. Watch Easter-themed movies or classics like “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown” or “Hop” while enjoying snacks and treats.
  11. Hiking: Get outdoors. Go for a hike, nature walk, or watch the sunset on Easter Sunday.

Have fun! Enjoy your time with friends and family! Happy Ester!

Ideas for New Christmas Eve Traditions

Are trying to figure out a last-minute, family-friendly Christmas Eve activity to start this year? Starting new Christmas Eve traditions can be a wonderful way to create lasting memories. If you are searching for inspiration, consider the following ideas for new Christmas Eve traditions.

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  1. Christmas Movie Marathon: Gather your family and friends to watch a series of Christmas movies or shows on Christmas Eve.
  2. Cookie Decorating: Bake and decorate Christmas cookies together, creating a fun and delicious activity. Or if you are incorporating Christian activities into your Christmas Eve celebration, bake and decorate a birthday cake for Jesus.
  3. Christmas Caroling: Go caroling in your neighborhood or to a local senior center to spread holiday cheer.
  4. Drive Around and Look at Christmas Lights: Pack hot cocoa in a thermos, bring snacks, and go for a ride to see all the different Christmas lights and displays in your community.
  5. Candlelight Dinner: Have a special candlelit dinner with your loved ones to celebrate the evening.
  6. Order In: If you do not feel like cooking on Christmas Eve, order from your favorite restaurant. Check the hours before making this plan. Some establishments may close early.
  7. Pajama Party: Make it a tradition to wear matching or festive pajamas on Christmas Eve.
  8. Acts of Kindness: Spend the evening performing acts of kindness, like volunteering at a local shelter or writing holiday cards for soldiers or healthcare workers.
  9. Storytelling: Share Christmas stories or read a holiday-themed book together as a family.
  10. Christmas Eve Scavenger Hunt: Create a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt with clues leading to small gifts or treats.
  11. Outdoor Adventure: If you have snowy weather, consider going for a winter walk or sledding adventure. Or spend time star gazing. You can always look for Santa too.
  12. Nativity Play: Act out the nativity story or put on a small play with family members.
  13. Midnight Mass or Church Service: Attend a Christmas Eve church service to celebrate the religious significance of the holiday.
  14. Christmas Eve Box: Create a Christmas Eve box filled with small gifts, books, or activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Remember that the most important aspect is to spend quality time with loved ones and create meaningful traditions that reflect your family’s values and interests. You can adapt these ideas to suit your preferences and start new Christmas Eve traditions that resonate with your family and friends. Merry Christmas!

Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice officially occurs on December 21, 2019, at 11:19 pm EST. In the Northern Hemisphere, the astronomical event marks the first day of winter. Knowing as the longest night of the year, the day marks the return of the light. Slowly the days will grow longer and the night shorter.

How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

People around the globe celebrate the Winter Solstice in many ways. If you are looking for simple ways to celebrate the start of the winter season, consider the following:

Go for a Nature Walk

Even if the sun is starting to set, go outdoors.

  • Dress appropriately. Remember to wear layers to keep warm.
  • Carry your cell phone, but put the device on vibrate.
  • Use a flashlight if needed.
  • Remember to walk in a known location for safety. Walking on a familiar path is essential if the sun is setting.

Go to the Library

On your walk or car ride, go to your local library to check out books about the Winter Solstice. Some quick title suggestion includes:

Your local library, online shopping center, or bookstore has numerous books related to the Winter Solstice.

Eat 

Combine your Winter Solstice celebration with your dinner. Host a special family night, or invite friends over to join you. Some basic ideas include:

  • A hearty Winter Solstice Soup to help you stay warm.
  • Swedish Saffron Buns or create bread in the shape of the sun to welcome back the light-filled days.
  • Mulled Wine, Hot Tea, or Egg Nog
  • Winter Salad
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Butternut Squash
  • Bake a cake in the shape of a Yule Log
  • Use nature and winter-themed items to decorate a cake.

Feed the Birds 

Long winter nights mean less available food for birds. Add extra seeds to your bird feeder. Or decorate a tree with edible food for the birds to enjoy.

Make Nature Crafts

Use items from your nature walk for crafting. Pine cones, small twigs, or acorns are perfect materials for wreaths and other nature-inspired crafts.

The Winter Solstice is a once a year event. Even if you just decide to curl up under a comforter with a good book, take a moment out of your busy work, school, or holiday schedule to celebrate the longest night.

 

 

 

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2018: The Year to Make Memories

Do you want to start a new tradition for yourself, your family, or your furbabies? Consider creating a memory box. Living in a digital age, small moments often get lost in the technological universe. Keeping a record of memorable days does not require attending large social affairs or ultimate road trips. Even though, both would be an excellent addition. Taking time to record simple, daily events may be the most memorable moments of the year.

The Memory Box

The memory box can be an old shoe box, a popcorn tin from the holidays, or a plastic basket from your local dollar store. You just need to create a space to store your memories. Get creative, decorate the box. If you have young children, consider making the box an afternoon project.

Feel free to create a unique, one of kind memory box for you or your family to enjoy.

What to Put in the Memory Box?

Keep in mind, there is not a specific guideline on what to put in your memory box. Creating a tangible storage space away from your digital devices is one reason for creating a memory box. Having fun is another reason.

1. Every Day Moments

Every day should be a celebration. Your child takes his or her first steps. Your son finally mastered Algebra. Your daughter got the lead in the school play. Or you received recognition for a project at work. Small moments go by quickly. Use index cards, notecards or scraps of paper to write about the daily event. Encourage children to participate. Even if they just draw small pictures, the notecard can be part of the box.

2. Ask Questions

Asking questions is another way to encourage your children to participate. At the same times, you are opening lines of communication. Questions to ask may include:

  • What was your favorite part of school today?
  • What do you want to do when you grow up?
  • What did you eat at lunch?
  • Did anything funny happen in school or practice?

Just keep an open mind, when you find out your son laughed and milk came out of his nose. And, he instantly became a lunchtime sensation.

3. Postcards

 Going on day trips, field trips, family vacations or even a trip to your local grocery store, you will see postcards for sale. Postcards are an inexpensive resource for making memories. Picking up a few postcards or allowing your child select a favorite, allows you to record your visit with a picture. Ask your child to tell you the favorite part of the trip. Jotting down a couple lines on the back of postcard provides an instant keepsake.

4. Other Memorabilia

When you begin adding items to your memory box, you will soon learn in the world of technological devices, a paper trail still exists.

  • Movie tickets stubs
  • Concert tickets
  • Program brochures
  • Schedule of events guides
  • Menus
  • Fortune cookie inserts

The list is endless. By keeping the small items, you can jot notes in the margins. Or add a notecard later describing the experience.

What Next?

What do you do when the year comes to a close? Open the box, review your memories, place them in a scrapbook, or create time capsules to view down the road. The small effort you make to today to add little notes will leave a larger impact later when you read the memories.