HALLOWEEN FUN FOR DINNER

If you need a fun Halloween dinner idea this one is for you.  I remember having dinners like this in my youth but we called them something different but now I believe we would call them Mystery Dinners.  The items on the menu are named mystery names so you don't know exactly what you are getting but that is what makes it so fun.    There are many ways to do this but this is the one I came up with for a recent high school dance for my daughter and her group.   It is easy to adapt to a family.

Menu:

I am including the word document I printed off to make the menus-

WELCOME TO A

SPOOKTACULAR

Dining Experience

APPETIZER-

 Please choose ONE of the following choices and write the number on the order paper provided:

1)           Troll Bogies

2)          Corpse Extremities

3)           Frankenstein’s Teeth with Dragon Scales

 DESSERT-

Please choose ONE of the following choices and write the number on the order paper provided:

 

1)     Disections Glory

2)    Cemetery Plots

3)    Ghosts in the Graveyard

 ENTRÉE-

Please choose the ORDER of your ENTRÉE dishes and put it on the order paper provided:

1)           Devil’s Inferno

2)          Ground Grasshoppers & Werewolf  Nails

3)          Road Kill Thrill

4)          Vampire Stakes

5)          Slimy Swamp Grass

Some frightening fun while you wait…

1)             Why did the skeleton go the party alone?

2)            What road has the most ghosts haunting it?

3)            What position does a ghost play in soccer?

4)            What room is useless for a ghost?

5)            Why are vampires tough to get along with?

RIDDLES:

1-It’s right behind you…creeps on the ground, follows you home

Does not make a sound-better turn around-

What is it?

2-“Look at you,” the old witch said.

“You’re no use to me till I cut off your head!”

Where is the witch and what/who is she talking to?

 

I burned the edges with a lighter and then added spider webbing for effect.
I included order papers on the bottom of each menu so they could put their name and selections on it. 

Here are the food items that go with each Spooky name:
APPETIZERS:
                        TROLL BOGIES  (purple jigglers cut into cubes)

 

 

CORPSE EXTREMITIES (apple sliced lengthwise and thin for palm of hand, banana sliced into thin strips for fingers, red grapes cut lengthwise for fingernails)

FRANKENSTEIN TEETH WITH DRAGON SCALES (Ritz crackers for scales and orange cheese cut into long cubes for teeth)

ENTREES:
DEVILS INFERNO (any type of red drink (we used cranberry juice) with small chunk of dry ice in it)

ROAD KILLTHRILL (parmesan chicken, use Tyson frozen breaded breasts, add hot marinara sauce to top after completely cooked, turn off oven but leave in oven and add shredded mozzarella cheese)
SLIMY SWAMP GRASS (Fettuccine Alfredo)
                            Recipe for delicious Alfredo sauce:
                                   Bring to boil stirring constantly:  1/2 C butter
                                                                                         1 C heavy cream
                                                 Then add 3/4 freshly grated parmesan cheese
                                                 (Not the Kraft jar kind or pregrated, it does
                                                   not melt right)
                                    Stir until smooth and cheese is completely melted.
                                    Add salt and pepper to taste.
GROUND GRASSHOPPERS & WEREWOLF NAILS (Olive Garden type salad with black olives as the nails.  Sam's Club sales Olive Garden dressing and croutons so it really tastes just like it .. )
VAMPIRE STAKES (breadsticks)

DESSERTS:
DISECTIONS GLORY (cake balls, dipped in white chocolate and painted to look like iris)

CEMETERY PLOTS (brownie square in bottom of cup with chocolate pudding on top then add crushed oreos and gummy worms)

GHOSTS IN THE GRAVEYARD (rectangle graham crackers standing up with the help of a little frosting with marshmellow dipped in chocolate for a Smore effect)

We served the dinner one course at a time and the kids loved it.  All ages of children would enjoy this, it was a big hit even for high schoolers.

Here are the answers to the Frightening Fun section:
1) Because he couldn't find any body to go with him
2) Dead End
3) Ghoulie
4) A living room
5) Because they can be a pain in the neck

Riddles:
1) Your Shadow
2) She's in the garden talking to a cabbage

                                       

 

 

WHAT CHILDREN THINK OF THEIR MOTHERS

What Children Think of their Mothers

I have been teaching preschool for 23 years.  Almost every Mother’s Day I have the preschoolers make their mother a special card for Mother’s Day.  This is a fill in the blank card.  It has 8 open ended questions that they respond to.  I take each child out separately to answer these questions so they are not influenced by answers given by the other children.  The questions are:

1)      My mom loves to…

2)      My mom is really good at…

3)      I love it when my mom makes me…

4)      My mom is ___________ years old

5)      My mom looks most beautiful when…

6)      My mom taught me to…

7)      If I could get my mom any present in the world, I would get her a ….

8)      My favorite thing to do with my mom is….

I love to write down their responses just as they say them.  It is a very hilarious activity but mostly a very telling one.  I have learned much about what children THINK their mothers love and what they think of their mothers. 

When beginning with the first question, I say,  “what does your mom love to do?”  Usually they will think about that for a minute and I will say, “what is your mom’s favorite thing to do, what does she just love?”  I always feel sad when some of them have answered, “talk on her phone,” or “be on the computer.”  Not that these things are bad, but that her children define her favorite thing or thing she really loves with something that isolates her from them,  distracts her or focuses her attention outside of the present moment.  Now, I don’t think mothers should be focused on their children 100% of the time and never do anything that is not for them, but I do think that children thinking their mother loves her phone or computer more than she loves anything else is not the message we want to or should send to our children-that won’t look that impressive on an obituary. 

More common answers to this question are:  “make food, play with me, laugh,  cook, go on trips, clean, do laundry, do the dishes, watch kids, go to church, kiss my dad, play games, hug me, and sing.” 

I love these answers because if you’re a mother of a child who thinks you LOVE to do dishes and laundry, clean, watch kids, play with them and laugh, you are doing something right.  Your attitude about motherhood is positive.  Although being a mother is the hardest job in the world you exhibit the joy in it.   You are happy and content with the amazing role of motherhood.   This is important for your child’s emotional attachment and well being.     

Now this is not to say that when one child answered this first question with, “ lay down on the couch and do nothing all day,” I believe everything I hear and judge!  I don’t.

The answers to question #2, “WHAT IS YOUR MOM REALLY GOOD AT”, are quite joyful to me well.  Sometimes I would have to expound the question with, “what are your mommy’s best talents?”  Their answers include: “working, cooking, baking, writing her name and teaching my brothers to be nice, showing us videos, practicing karate, making dinner, doing the dishes, making Indian food, knitting, sewing, singing, playing games, and babysitting.   The most hysterical answer was, “my mom never did talents.”

Some people may think that a woman loses her SELF in motherhood but clearly from a child’s perspective, a mother is a hero, one who can do anything and whose daily mundane jobs become talents in the eyes of her family.

 

Question #3, “I love it when my mom makes…” provides great insight into the importance children place on having good food and food that makes them feel happy and loved.  The top answer over the years has most definitely been “cookies”.  Cookies give children a sense of contentment, peace and joy.  They mean a lot to these little people who are learning that home is a place that smells and feels good, is warm, safe and secure.  Again it aids in their emotional attachment and sense of belonging to a family that lives in a special place.  Smells bring emotion and fresh baked cookies or bread bring happy emotions.  That smell can ward off the world and home is a place to drop off all the stress and worry of the day.   Teens also need and appreciate such things. 

Other answers include:  “corn bread, cake, beef stroganoff, spaghetti, cinnamon rolls, pancakes and waffles, Hashwee (a Lebanese food), sandwiches, noodles, a lunchable (that does take some effort), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” and a totally unrelated food answer, “a present for me.”

 

Question #4, “My mom is ________ years old,”  proves that children have NO concept of age.  They know how old they are and how old their brothers and sisters are but they do not comprehend that grownups generally have to be t least 20 years older than them.  The children answered this with ages from “ 11, 45, 16 to 118!”  Some of us started birthing awfully early or very late!!

So when you are frustrated that another birthday is coming for you or you are not looking quite like you did in your late teens, early twenties- take heart, kids don’t care.  It’s grownups that compare themselves to each other and worry about aging.  Age means nothing to children.  We should all worry about it less and follow their example.

 

Question #5, “My mom looks most beautiful when…” is the fastest answered question of all of them.  All other questions cause the children to ponder for a bit and sometimes I have to reword or expound the question to help them think of an answer but this one is always answered immediately.   It’s also very telling about how observant children are and that they do notice when we make an effort to look nice, wear make-up and dress up.  I think this is interesting because there are many things that can go completely unnoticed by children but this is something that is meaningful to them.   

The children always give these answers:  “when she’s in her wedding dress, when she goes to church, when she puts that black stuff on her eyes, when she puts that purple make-up on her eyes, when she wears her polka dot dress,  when she does her hair curly, when she goes to work, when she puts pretty earrings on and I like her dresses, when Randy (her hair dresser) does her hair, when she puts on lipstick, when she wears  her beautiful jewelry and when she wears a beautiful dress to a meeting.”

These answers teach us that we should continue or increase our efforts to keep our appearance nice and that  just because we are maybe a stay at home mom, our children and husbands do notice if we take the time to put on make-up and look nice.  It seems very important also to keep pictures of our wedding day hanging in a prominent place in our home so that our children can see that that was a special day where we gave great  effort to look our best .  It’s our princess moment.  We always want our children to think of us, at least for one second, when they are asked about the prettiest princess they know-right?  Also we teach our children that church is a special activity when we dress up and we want to look our best as we worship the Lord.  We are teaching them respect for things that should have respect when we dress nicely for important things. 

 

Question #6, “My mom has taught me…” gives important insight into the work mother’s do each day- that of being a teacher and nurturer.    The children said their mothers have taught them to… “do talents, do the ABC’s, read, swim like a duck, be nice, pump on the swings, garden, write, spell my name,  ride a two wheeler, tie my shoe, and sing a song.”    Once again I do not judge with answers such as this, “she hasn’t taught me anything, and nothing.’  Don’t lose heart, I’m sure it’s just because they didn’t understand the question! 

Imagine a world where mother’s didn’t teach their children the simple lesson of being nice or swimming like a duck.  Mother’s influence is crucial to society.

This whole question card proves that mothers are teaching things everyday intentionally and unintentionally-attitudes, respect for others and self, doing your best etc. etc. 

 

When I give Question #7, “If you could get your mom any present in the world what would you get her?”  I expound with the fact that they would have a whole bunch of money and could go to any store.  Their answers also prove that children do NOT care about money or comprehend the price of anything.  They do not see the value in expensive things. The cost does not make an item more special. Over the years I have never had a child say “a car, a house or a boat.”  Their answers are: “a wallet, new shoes and tall ones, gum, some flowers, new earrings, new braclet and necklace but I’d have to go to two stores, a pretty sparkly dress, an apron, chocolate, a book, a big cookie machine, flowers, a smoothie maker, and a lovely Elsa dress.”  Thank heaven’s for Frozen, it helps in so many ways!

This can give us all a lesson about how it is again comparing ourselves to other grown-ups that we start to feel inferior about our incomes or all the “stuff” we have or don’t have.  Children don’t want stressed out parents because they have overextended their budget trying to “keep up with the Jones.”  If we do that we cannot say, “it’s all for our children, we want them to be happy.”  They are happy with flowers!

 

The answers to the last question, “What is your favorite thing to do with your mom,” give us the most important information we need about how to raise our children.  All they want from us is our time.  That is how they feel love.  They don’t want expensive things, they don’t care about living in a big house or having fancy cars and they don’t care how old we are.  They are simple and want their lives to be simple.  They want us to simply BE THERE and give them our attention.    Their answers are: “ play Uno that’s a really hard game, crack eggs open, go to Boondocks, play with her,  make food with her, play marbles, pick up snails in the garden, play with her and my sister, play legos, bake cookies,  play games, go on a picnic, read a book, and make dinner. “

 

Just remember your children think you are the best.  You are perfect in their eyes.  You are their hero and their happiness.  Don’t be too hard on yourself about all the things you think you are not doing right or good enough- let their opinion matter most and to them you are everything!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY-YOU TRULY HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy "BIRTH" day BOOK

I made this many years ago when my children were very young.  It is a book that contains their BIRTH story; the story of when we found out they would be joining our family, my pregnancy with them, the details of the day they were born, why we picked the name they were given, their first few days at home and details about their blessing day and a few pictures of the day they were born.  Most importantly it tells why we love them and how blessed we are that Heavenly Father sent them to be in our family.

This is a most special and treasured book at our house.  We look forward to the end of each birthday when I read the birthday child their story.    No matter how old they have gotten, it is still an absolute must do!  In fact as they have gotten older the reading of the story in a more sweet and tender experience that always brings me to tears as we remember the JOY that came the day that particular child was born and how fast the time has gone.  When my son was on his mission I made a copy of his pages and sent them to him in his birthday package so he could read them-it wouldn't be a birthday without reading this special story! 

The beginning of the book also has a special message from my husband and me about the wonderful work these children have to do here on earth at this time in history. 

 

 

 

 

 

Each child's story always ends with this sentence...

"The day you were born was the one of the BEST days of our life!"

 

This kind of book adds much to a child's self esteem.  It gives them identity, purpose and knowledge that they are an important and anticipated part of a family.  It is also a good family history. 

 

 

I used a 1" 3 ring binder, and sheet protectors.  I typed up each story and then color copied the pictures.  Please remember I made this in the "olden" days before there was Shutterfly or Costco Photo books.  (I have since made a few of those and that would be a great option for this as well.)

 

Celebrate Martin Luther King

We learned all about Martin Luther King today at preschool and watched a youtube video of his famous "I Have a Dream" speech (we only watched the last 6 minutes and we counted how many times he said, "I have a dream.")

We talked about how his hard work and sacrifice changed America to be a better place where people are more kind and accepting of others.  That was his dream and it has come true.  Then all the children decided on a dream they have that will help the world be better and they drew pictures on paper quilt squares.  We put it together with tape and added the yarn bows in each corner. 

It was touching to see what the children came up with and that even at their young age they really understood thinking about ways that they can make a difference.

CONGRATULATIONS, the holidays are over AND you lived to tell about it!

I was so proud of myself that through the busy, stressful and chaotic holiday season I only had two breakdowns.  That is an improvement on last year's four and five  the year before that.  Next Christmas  I will shoot for one and maybe with any luck by 2015 I will be down to none!  Always aim high!

All that being said, one evening while driving in the car with my 10 year old son, I asked him what his favorite thing about Christmas was.  Without any hesitation he said, "the joy."  His simple yet profound answer caught me off guard as I expected many other things to come out of his 10 year old mouth.  It gave me pause to ask myself if I was feeling the "joy" of the season. I hadn't been seeing all the joy through all the shopping, wrapping, planning, cooking, cleaning, decorating, delivering, etc. etc. and decided then and there to shape up.  I also thought that despite the chaos and stress every mother feels during the month of December, I had apparently hid it from him and that was a really good accomplishment!  I'm too am grateful for all the joy of the Christmas season and hope it will carry over into 2014!


For me Christmas success is measured in shouts of joy or tears of complete love for the perfect gift.  I plan all year for those kind of reactions and this year did not disappoint.

 


Another most exciting thing was the ever so brief moment when my 10 year old saw the sleigh tracks, reindeer tracks and Santa footsteps to the front door, and I saw him revert to a little child and believe.  We called him outside and he came with disgust and a "I'm too old for this stuff," attitude but as he saw the "evidence," his face changed and wonder filled his eyes.  It was worth the work I went to even if it was brief.  Maybe even my teenagers had a second where they wondered if it could be real and the magic tickled their heart just a little.

I ended up using a PVC pipe to make the sled tracks and a baseball bat (handle end) to make the reindeer tracks. It worked pretty good. 

WITHOUT CHRIST THERE IS NO CHRISTMAS-Christmas Eve Ideas

Along with all the efforts to create and enjoy the "magic" of Santa Claus, I try to put as much effort into making sure that my children know that Christmas is truly about our Savior Jesus Christ.  It is a time to think of Him each day and live as He would want us to.  So here are a few ideas to help us focus on Him.

#1- HOLDING BABY JESUS
Our Christmas Eve tradition is that we have a special dinner with candlelight and china (it's good that I pull that out one time a year).  We place baby Jesus from our nativity in the center of the table.  After we are  done eating we each take a turn holding that baby Jesus in our hand and sharing with the family our love for the Savior, how He has helped us this year, what we have learned of Him etc. etc.  It is a most tender and touching experience to listen to each family member tell of the differing ways and times that the Savior has strengthened them throughout the year. 

#2-READ ACCOUNT OF SAVIOR'S BIRTH IN BOOK OF MORMON
One of our family's most favorite Christmas story is the account of Jesus' birth recorded in the Book of Mormon, 3rd Nephi, chapter 1 beginning on verse 4 through verse 26.  Besides the accounts in the Bible I think this is the best Christmas story there is.  It is perfect for Christmas Eve.  We read this each year on Christmas Eve.  It tells of the people who believe Christ will soon be born but the unbelievers think the time has past for his birth so they plan to put all the believers to death.  Nephi prays to save his people and hears the voice of the Lord say to him that "...on the morrow come I into the world..."  The sign is given and the next morning Jesus Christ is born.  The believers are saved and blessed by their faith. 
It is a beautiful account and is surely the most amazing true story of Christmas Eve.

#3-SIGN A SONG ABOUT THE SAVIOR CHRISTMAS MORNING
This is a tradition I got from my dad.  Each Christmas morning before we could dig in to Santa gifts and the present mayhem, we would sit together for family prayer and then sing Silent Night or Away in a Manger.  As a young child I sure hated this tradition but as I grew I learned to appreciate it and continue it with my children.  It definitely helps us focus and turn our thoughts to the greatest gift of all- our Savior.


#4-SIBLING GIFT EXCHANGE
We have always had our children draw names for Christmas gifts to each other.  We found years ago that that gift exchange was heavily overshadowed by all the other presents on Christmas morning so we started doing it on Christmas Eve.  It has made all the difference.  It is a tender time to focus just on that gift giving amongst brothers and sisters and see the excitement that comes to receiver and, especially the giver.  It adds a whole new joy and anticipation to Christmas Eve. 

SEEING IS BELIEVING!

The following ideas take a little, well maybe a lot of effort but are so worth the excitement that will follow...

#1- SLEIGH TRACKS
If you live where there is snow and have a pair of ski's put them on and with your legs as far apart as they will go (we need width here) slide across the yard or through a small section.   That way you will make tracks that look like a sled was there.  With the ski's still on attempt the reindeer tracks. If you have no ski's use a 2 x 4 and lay it on the snow until you have two parallel lines.   If there is no snow, you can use  ride a bicycle over your grass and make two parallel lines (the tires will at least smash the grass down a bit to provide a "sled" mark).


#2- REINDEER TRACKS
One year my dad had shot an elk and I asked him to keep one leg for me.  I kept it in a bag until Christmas and then on Christmas Eve about 2 AM I went outside and stomped that elk hoof all around the front yard near the sled tracks.  If you don't have access to an elk hoof (who in the world does?  It sounds funny to even say that because I am saying it like it's something you can just go pick up at Walmart!- Someday I hope to manufacture one that you can attach to your broom handle.)  then I have used many times since a potato.  Just cut a potato lengthwise and trace this pattern on to it then carve it out with a sharp knife.  It works pretty good but does take longer. 

WHEN IT'S ALL FINISHED PRAY THAT NO MORE SNOW FALLS AND COVERS ALL YOUR HARD WORK!

One year all my neighbors came out to see the glorious sight and proof that Santa had been there.  The children were jumping up and down and bursting with squeals of excitement and although completely exhausted and unable to walk from spreading the ski's a little too wide, I felt it was definitely worth it.  Magic takes effort!

#3-  SANTA'S FOOT PRINTS
After the children have all gone to bed on Christmas Eve, find the biggest boots you can.  Pour washable brown paint in a cookie sheet.  Add some water, just enough to water the paint down a bit.  Mix it together with a pastry brush.  Take it outside to the porch.  Set it on the ground.  Slip on the large boots.  Step into the paint mixture then very carefully step off the pan and walk to the front door.  It's going to bring the house down!

This idea is great for anywhere you live even if there is no snow.  The paint will wash off very easily but leave it long enough for all the neighbor children to come have a look.  They may however wonder why Santa didn't leave any on their steps.  Refer their parents to my blog!

ONE WEEK BEFORE THE BIG DAY - Let the Magic Begin!

LESS THAN ONE WEEK TO GO!  Here are some ideas to really put the Christmas magic over the top at your house!

#1- Santa gifts must be wrapped in paper NEVER before seen by children. 
Go to any store and purchase a paper with Santa on it or something that looks like it could be straight from him.  (That way it's exciting and more believeable that it came from the North Pole, Someday I hope to market special North Pole wrapping paper but haven't got to that this year)
Also get some really fancy bows and tags that look like something special.  Here is an example of some I got from Oriental Trading and love them because they look pretty authentic.  I have my neighbor write names on them so no handwriting tracing can go on. 

When the presents look very beautiful and extra special it helps with the "magic." Many people don't wrap Santa gifts and that is just fine.  The excitement is still there but if you want to really turn up the excitement level and anticipation wrap those gifts and look forward to a most magical morning.


#2- REINDEER FOOD
Not only does Santa need a treat but his reindeer do too.  This is such a fun idea for kids to do on Christmas Eve.  Here's the recipe and I tell my kids that it came straight from Santa himself. 
                                                        
                                       RECIPE:
                                             Combine:
                                                     1/3 C rolled oats
                                                     1 TBL glitter
                                                     1/4 C carrots
                                                                          Mix well
After you have made the recipe together, send the kids outside to sprinkle the mixture all over the grass, snow or outside of your home.  The glitter works on snow and grass (it's guides the reindeer to the food).


#3- SPECIAL SANTA KEY FOR FRONT DOOR
We have never lived in a house with a chimney so I  had to come up with this idea long ago when my children were worried that we had no way for Santa to come in the house.  I went to the nearest hardware store and had a front door key made in gold.  I added a ribbon to it and presented it to the kids.  They of course wanted to try it out so that is why it has to be a real key that will open your door.  Then before they go to bed we hang the key on the doorknob and it's ready for Santa. 


#4-  SANTA IN THE MALL OR PARTIES
Always tell your children that the Santa's they see in stores or parties are sent by Santa and are his special helpers.  Children will be very curious and questioning about fake beards and boots.  Explain that Santa has a special school that he himself trains all his helpers who get to dress like him and help him out during the Christmas season.  This will help them be reassured that because they see fake beards and boots the real Santa is still in the North Pole.


FUN IDEA to display all your Christmas cards: I learned this idea from my grandma and have been doing it since I got married.  We put all the Christmas cards we receive on our front door so that we can enjoy them but also anyone who comes to our home gets to enjoy them as well.  It keeps those we love in our thoughts each day of the season.

IDEA: GINGERBREAD MAN RUNS WILD!
Read the story of the Gingerbread man and then create one with your children.  Costco sells a great package with 4 large ones and all the makings to decorate.  Also Peppridge Farms sells a box with several little ones in it or you can use a great recipe to bake some.  After decorating them tell your kids you need to stick them back in the oven to make sure the decorations are cemented on (don't really turn the oven on however).  Set the timer for 10 minutes.

During that time distract your children somehow and either do it yourself (but they will be suspicious) or call a neighbor over to do the job of removing the Gingerbread man from the oven and hiding him outside somewhere like in the mailbox, car or bushes etc.  IMPORTANT: leave the pan in the oven.  When the timer goes off have your kids come to get him out.  He will be gone.  The excitement is fantastic.  Send them on a hunt to find him. 

When they find him ask them how they could be sure he doesn't get out again because he needs to go back in for another 5 minutes or so.  Hopefully they will come up with the idea to tie it shut.  After you have tied it shut set the timer and distract them again and get him out and hide him in a different place.  Have them come to the oven again and this time leave the rope lying in the pan. 

Send them on a hunt for him again and after finding him, hopefully they will want to stand guard.

 After standing guard for a short time you can finally get him out and eat him.

This is one of the most fun Christmas activities and your children will love it!  I did it at preschool this week and have attached some video to go along with the pictures.  (Please forgive that two of them are not the right direction -I am learning.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANTA GIFTS - Tip #2

It's important to remember that Christmas time is a great opportunity to teach your children about provident living, the difference between wants and needs and gratitude.  My ideas here are supported by many psychologists and family therapists and I will share some of their advice as well. 

We should never let guilt or comparison with friends or neighbors fuel our gift purchasing and giving.  Set a limit in your family about how many gifts will be from Santa and when you discuss with your children what they want for Christmas tell them your expectations for the year.  For instance, if it's going to be a very frugal Christmas let them know that Santa will not be bringing all their wants this year but he could probably bring one or two. 

I have taught preschool for 21 years and each year we do a Sub-for-Santa in our class and collect change for over a month and then take that jar filled with $ to the bank and then go to the store to purchase gifts for needy children in their age range. Every year after explaining what we are collecting the $ for and how the parents of these children don't have enough $ to buy the things their children need and want, the children will say,"Santa will just bring them the presents they want." 

I have come to the conclusion that children need to understand that Santa cannot bring anything and everything.  Children need to learn about realistic expectations.  So I came up with this explanation for children and it seems to really open their eyes to their opportunity to help others and also that they are not entitled to whatever they want and have to really think about what they hope to receive from him.  It is this...

Santa also lives on a budget that is given to him by the parents.  I have told my children that parents have to give Santa money for the gifts he brings.  He gets much of his things from the same stores we shop at because they give him the best deals.  He also has a deal with stores that if something breaks after Christmas you can exchange or return it to a nearby store.  He  has to check with parents before giving the gifts he gives.  There is a special phone number that only parents can use to call him.  This works great if your child is begging for a puppy and you just cannot have one right now.  

One of the best ways to blow your Santa cover is to give clothing or shoes.  It is difficult to believe that Santa is making clothes, shoes or socks up in the North Pole.  Things that could have "fit" problems should be given from the parents.  As a child, the first time I started to clue in to the Santa thing was when I opened some boots and immediately put them on and my mom said, "If they don't fit we can take them back."  How? Where? I wondered.

In our family Santa only ever brings two or three gifts.  The rest of the gifts are put under the tree before Christmas Eve so they are seen and anticipated about before the big day (if they are put out on Christmas Eve children we be very suspicious on Christmas morning).  I also want my children to understand that it takes a lot of effort for parents to shop and wrap and show appreciation for that Christmas morning.  I think it would be great for children to write a letter of thanks to Santa after Christmas to practice showing gratitude. 

Lastly, there is much research that backs up that as children grow and are asked what they remember best about Christmas, traditions and memories far outweigh any specific gift that was given.  This is powerful research.  We need to spend more time on building traditions that are special to Christmas in our family and less time running around like crazy people trying to buy the latest and greatest toys.  Traditions create memories and that is what are children truly remember and what create the strong bonds that last a lifetime.

IDEA:
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS STORIES:  Here's a fun tradition that you could start DEC 12 or 13.  Wrap up all the Christmas books you have or if you are just starting out accumulating books, buy one or two each year until you have 12 and in the meantime check out 12 from the library.  Each night have your children open 1 book.  Sit and read it together.  You will open one each night until Christmas.   We always end on Christmas Eve with this family favorite Jolly Old Santa Claus by Ideal Press.  I've been reading that on Christmas Eve since I was a little girl.  It has the BEST illustrations by George Hinke and puts you right at the North Pole and you can go to bed with visions of Christmas magic right in your head!