Holiday traditions should come from the heart, not the mall.

Description:
Tis the season to be jolly! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwanzaa, your child will undoubtedly be caught up in the excitement of the season, even if he or she is still too young to understand the meaning behind each holiday. Young children love rituals, though, and it's never too early to start your own traditions. This activity puts the focus back on family and friends, and away from the frenzy of shopping.

Step by Step:

1. Stack several sheets of construction paper in holiday colors and fold in half.
2. Glue the following on the pages in any order you choose:
   • Photos or drawings of family members
   • Favorite holiday recipes
   • You child's quotes about his or her favorite part of the holidays
3. Decorate the borders with holiday stickers, crayons and markers, or paint.
4. Color photocopy the holiday ?book? for everyone on your gift list.
5. Laminate the covers.
6. Open the book and punch two holes (one a third of the way down from the top; one a third of the way up from the bottom) along the spine. Thread yarn through holes, tie on the outside, and crease again.

Materials:
Pictures of family members or pets
Favorite artwork your child has created
Favorite quotations from your child
Favorite holiday recipes and family traditions
Construction paper
Yarn
Glue (non-toxic)