1. Realize that some traditions just happen. Whether it's building a Graham Cracker Cookie Mansion or decorating a special tree-sometimes the best traditions just magically start one year.
2. Traditions should include everyone. Even if there is one 'boy' tradition with dad and a 'girl' tradition with mom, most traditions should include everyone in the family (this includes grandparents and extended family if they are staying in the house at the time).
3. Choose activities that reflect the spirit of the holiday. Whichever faith you may follow, find the time to attend at least one service during the season.
4. Choose activities that will serve others. The holidays are a great time to practice and teach generosity to your children. Allow your children to help select what they want to participate in each holiday season so they can develop a clear understanding of the needs of the community. Consider serving meals at a shelter or programs such as Meals on Wheels, Toys for Tots, Angel Tree, or Coat Collection.
5. Choose activities that are easily reproduced year after year. The importance of the holidays is not to be elaborate but to be repeated every year and passed on to the next generation.

Family traditions need to be emphasized and kept faithfully. If a child or teenager in your household wants to go to a party rather than attend a traditional family dinner, consider saying "No." However, it is important that you discuss your reasons for keeping the family customs; don't lose your temper, just explain your reason and maintain your resolve. Years from now you will see your children starting the same traditions in their families. Similarly, if a holiday party at work lands on the same day that you have planned to go get your family tree, again, put the family custom first. As soon as exceptions are made, the tradition dies out and the family has lost what could have been a great moment.

If your family has few real traditions, add some of your own. The more traditions, the more clearly the family is defined. Regardless of what religion or set of beliefs you hold, traditions can and should be a part of the family.

Don't limit your tree-trimming traditions to your evergreen. Transform a family member into a decorated Christmas tree in this hilarious after-dinner activity. Supply your kids with green and red crepe paper, aluminum foil, and masking tape. When they're done, gather 'round the tree and take a photo to add to your family album or send as next year's holiday card.

Put your personal stamp on holiday greetings with this handprint design.

Materials

• Plain notecard or card stock
• Red craft paper
• Glue stick
• Tempera paints
• Paper plates
• Googly eyes

Instructions

1. Cut Santa-hat shapes (minus the white pom-pomps and white trim) from the craft paper, then glue one onto each card. 
2. Glue a pair of googly eyes a fingertip's width below each hat.
3. Pour white tempera paint onto one paper plate, and a drop each of red, black and pink 
4. Mix some red and white tempera to make pink onto another plate (for the cheeks)
5. Stamp white handprint beards on each card beneath the googly eyes.
6. Use fingertips to stamp the trim on the hats, and a nose, mouth and cheeks on each face.

Sweet and good to eat, these portly pals create an afternoon of fun with the kids. Mini chocolate pieces make the eyes and buttons; pretzel sticks make the arms. (makes about 26 snowmen)

Ingredients

• 12 vanilla caramels, unwrapped 
• 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1 10-ounce bag of marshmallows (about 39)
• Marshmallow creme (optional)
• 53 pretzel sticks
• 1 cup of chopped pistachios, toasted coconut, toffee pieces 
• 4 ounces of bittersweet, semisweet or milk chocolate pieces
• 2 teaspoons of shortening
• Orange color miniature candy-coated semisweet chocolate pieces or other tiny round candies

Instructions

1. Line a large baking sheet with foil; butter the foil and set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, combine caramels, sweetened condensed milk and butter. Heat and stir over medium-low heat until mixture is melted and smooth.
3. Using kitchen scissors, cut one-third of the marshmallows in half crosswise.* Place each marshmallow half, sticky side down, on top of a whole marshmallow. Press together gently. If necessary, spread a small amount of marshmallow creme between the marshmallow pieces to hold them together.
4. For arms, insert a pretzel stick into two opposite sides of each whole marshmallow.
5. Dip bottom third of each of the marshmallow stacks into melted caramel mixture. Allow excess to drip off. Place dipped marshmallows on prepared baking sheet.
6. In another small saucepan, combine chocolate and shortening. Heat and stir chocolate mixture over low heat until melted and smooth.
7. Place pistachios, coconut and toffee pieces in separate small bowls. Dip each caramel-coated marshmallow stack in melted chocolate, covering the bottom of stack with chocolate. Allow excess to drip off. Immediately dip chocolate-covered marshmallow in pistachio, coconut & toffee. Return marshmallow stack to baking sheet. Let stand for about 30 minutes or until chocolate melts.
    
8. Place snowmen on their backs. To make eyes and buttons, dip one end of a remaining pretzel stick into melted chocolate and dab chocolate onto snowmen. For a nose, dab on some chocolate and attach a small orange-colored candy. Let stand about 5 minutes more or until dry.
9. Eat and enjoy!

*Tip: If your kitchen scissors get sticky when cutting marshmallows, coat them with nonstick cooking spray or dip them in hot water.