My friend Stacy issued a "25 Days of Christmas" challenge.
To participate, post 25 ways you celebrate the Christmas season.
You know, when we considered homeschooling this year, the very common issue of socialization came up -- how could we insure that our children would have opportunities to socialize, to grow as part of a group, etc. We were proactive about becoming involved, and clearly, the lack of socialization is not an issue for us at all. Two days this week were spent celebrating the holidays with friends from a couple of the homeschool groups we belong to.
At the first party we went to, the kids played relay games, video games, ping-pong, and musical chairs. They had a story time, and they decorated Christmas cookies. They sang karaoke. They ate snacks at tables filled with excited, giggly children, and then they did it all over again. I enjoyed spending time with some of the other parents discussing Christmas gift options, Advent celebrations, and schooling plans for the new year. At the end, the kids went home with goody bags stuffed to the brim with holiday trinkets and toys.
Gracie's Karaoke Debut
(she sang "Our God is an Awesome God," which just happens to be the fastest song in all of Contemporary Christian Music. Very difficult.)
The next day, we joined another group of friends for another party where we ate delicious snacks and painted porcelain ornaments. For a small fee, we could choose from a variety of shapes and sizes, and all the materials were supplied. Both of my kids painted small crosses. We shared a table and paints with my friend Lisa and her sons Ian and Trevor. Myles sat across the room with other friends.
When the kids were done decorating ornaments, we gathered them to be fired in the kiln. Then, the kids went on a hunt for Baby Jesus, who'd been "swiped" from the nativity set. Trevor was the first in our group to find Jesus, and was later awarded with a prize.
Ornament Selection
Painting with Our Pals
On the Hunt
The Big Winner!
Fun! I like the Baby Jesus scavenger hunt. I'm so glad you've found good groups of friends for the kids (and you) to socialize with.