It�s All About the Kids
www.northpole.com
This is a great, interactive holiday website for
children of all ages. With animated graphics and corresponding sounds, there
are 10 different areas of interest for kids. They include: Village,
Workshop, Santa�s Den, Weather Station, Toy Shop, Mailroom, Clubhouse,
Reindeer Barn, Kitchen and Elf Pal Academy. In the Reindeer Barn, your child
can click on animated graphics within the barn scene to go on different
adventures. These adventures include reading holiday stories, or having an
elf read the story out loud. You can even submit basic information about
your children and have printable personalized stories created for them. At
the Elf Pal Academy, you and your children can enjoy educational activities
such as math riddles, learning letters, concentration, sound recognition,
mazes, flashcards and word search that combine learning with colorful
artwork. In the kitchen, you can take a peek inside Mrs. Claus� cookbook for
delicious cookie, cake, pie, candy and bread recipes. Or, kids can chat with
Santa�s elves, Bonnie and Bif, through ElfChat, and send holiday cards to
their friends, family, and teachers.
Giving to Those in Need
www.allthingschristmas.com/christmas-charity
Thanksgiving and Christmas are synonymous with
indulgence, as we stuff ourselves with delectable delights and fill our
homes with gifts galore. It�s easy, during this time of year, to forget that
there are many families who are struggling just to put food on the table.
Elaborate parties and holiday gifts just aren�t in the picture for them.
This year, consider helping others in need by donating to a charity. The
AllThings Christmas website has compiled a pretty thorough list of top
Christmas charity projects. They include Angel Tree, Save the Children,
Operation Christmas Child, Make a Wish Foundation, Toys for Tots, and My Two
Front Teeth.
Holiday Safety
www.esfi.org/program/holiday-safety-50
Each year, an average of 1,650 individuals are injured
during fires occurring around the holiday season. These fires cause over
$990 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration
(USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and
happy holiday. This website
― produced by the Electrical Safety Foundation International
― has a number of valuable fire safety and prevention tips worth
reading.
From the Heart, Not the Wallet
deenyssimplejoys.blogspot.com
/2008/10/200-inexpensive-fun-budget-friendly.html
If you have to go cheap this year, this is the way to
do it! This blog has a list of brilliant ways to be frugal, while still
honoring the spirit of the holiday with humor and cheer.
Here are eight great inexpensive gifts and
corresponding notes to be lovingly attached.
 |
Plate of homemade cookies: �Wishing you
a wonderful holiday, from your �crummy� neighbors!�
|
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Loaf of bread:
�For being there when you were
�kneaded,�
for
�rising�
to the occasion, large or small. No matter how you
�slice�
it, you do a terrific job loving others
― and we love you!�
|
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Snickers Candy Bar:
�Don�t
�snicker�
― just be glad you got something!�
|
|
Jar of homemade jam: �Hoping your
Christmas is jam-packed with cheer!�
|
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Gourmet pasta with a bow and wooden
pasta spoon: �Have a �pasta-tively� happy holiday!�
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Candle (in holiday color or scent):
�Best Wishes for a bright and beautiful Holiday Season!�
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For the teacher in your life, try
stuffing Hershey�s Hugs & Kisses in a coffee mug with the
following note: �A teacher can�t live by apples alone.
She/he needs �hugs� too! Merry Christmas!�
|
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Or, give a soup packet with gourmet
crackers in mug with the following card: �Wishing you a �Souper�
Holiday Season!�
|
There are hundreds more of these ideas at this website.
It�s definitely worth a look!
In Good Fun
www.uglychristmaslights.com
Take a few minutes and look through the posted
Christmas-light photos here. Some will awe you; others will make you laugh.
The website says it best: �This site is here to show those houses where the
residents are likely celebrating a happy holiday, but have no sense of
decency in how they choose to celebrate. We will show the garish, the ugly,
the weird. For your own sake, and the sake of your neighbors, do not try
this at home.�
