Search Results for: blog document those family traditions and recipes

Genealogy for Kids

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I want my children to share my passion for genealogy, and I try to share my research with them whenever I think I may have grabbed their attention. My three-year-old son accompanies me on most of my cemetery visits, and actually gets excited when I ask him if he wants to go for a walk in the cemetery. My nine-year-old daughter enjoys looking through my old family photos with me. I am always looking for ways to involve my children in my genealogy, and often come up short when looking for ideas online. However, I have managed to come across … Continue reading →

Tackling Multiple Holiday Get-togethers

There was a time when holidays became an exercise in stress rather than a time to enjoy. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy getting together with family and friends, but the running between different homes while also hosting part of the holiday in my own home left me exhausted. It was just too much. It was also way too much food, feeling obligated to eat at every stop, and ending up stuffed and miserable. There is a better way. While our engagements are now fewer in number, we still have to do a bit of juggling. It helps when … Continue reading →

Goodbye Birthdays, Hello Holidays

Okay, two more birthdays have come and gone and they are the last two of the year (at least as far as immediate or nearly immediate family goes). With each person another year older, presents unwrapped and currently occupying the living room, and finally the birthday goodies are almost gone, it’s time for me to start looking toward the holidays. With a smudge of birthday cake frosting still on my lips, I’m writing my list and starting to plan. Halloween is going to be easy. We already have most of what we need for costumes. A little candy and a … Continue reading →

Family Tradition : Sheet Notes

Here’s a fun birthday tradition to create that I ran across in, 365 Ways To Help Your Children Grow, by Shelia Ellison and Barbara Ann Barnett. It’s called Sheet of Notes. What you do is buy a large white bed sheet that you will use as the tablecloth at a birthday party. Next, place a piece of plastic underneath it. Place permanent markers around the table and have guests write a personal note to the birthday person. Have them date their note and use the sheet each year on that person’s birthday. This would be a great memento for your … Continue reading →

Document Family History with Photos (and More)

Yeah, I’m aging myself again. I’m old enough to remember when not all photos had dates embedded into them. I’m also old enough to remember that I thought I would never forget certain things, so I didn’t bother to inscribe names, dates, locations, or other information on the backs of my photos. If you don’t want to write directly on the back of the photo, write a message to store with them or to place beside them in albums, keepsake books, and scrapbooks, or slip a piece of paper behind those photos you frame. It is way too easy to … Continue reading →

Holiday Decorating: Quick Tips with Ribbon

When it comes to holiday decorating and adding extra festive little touches, ribbon is your friend. You can use any kind and there are great choices available from sheer, satin, and wired ribbon, to holiday themes. Try these simple tips: When Setting the Table Group silverware together, knife, fork, spoon, and tie a ribbon around them. Make a neat bow. You can also roll silverware in a linen napkin before adding ribbon. Tie gorgeous sheer or satin ribbon around the stems of glassware for an extra sparkly touch. You can also tie bows around single candy canes, and lay one … Continue reading →

Sending Christmas Cards

Do you faithfully send out Christmas cards each year? Maybe this is the first time you plan to send them. Either way, there are some great cards out there from which to choose. You can buy themed sets pre-packaged with matching envelopes or you can purchase individual cards. Maybe you opted for family portrait cards. Those are my favorite kind. You can also print cards from your computer. Most desktop publishing programs offer a greeting card setup. With this option, you can make your own family photo cards with just a snapshot. There are various places, both online shops and … Continue reading →

Family Christmas Gift Wrapping Party

A gift-wrapping party is a lot of fun. It also helps gift-wrapping go by quickly. Everyone lends a hand and has a good time doing so. Of course, you’ll have to stash presents that are for your spouse and children, but the gifts you purchased for grandparents, other family members, friends, and teachers, can all be piled up in one place for the party. Select a nice assortment of wrapping paper and collect plenty of packages of tape and some extra pairs of scissors (suitable for children). Gather nametags, bows, ribbons, and decorative items or candies that you would like … Continue reading →

Document Those Family Traditions and Recipes

Kids grow up way too fast, and before we know it they start heading off to college and making lives of their own. Soon after, they may begin starting their own families, and they will likely want to incorporate some favorite family traditions and recipes into their holiday celebrations. While most traditions are things they will remember, it’s still a nice idea to put together a little holiday journal that includes favorite photos, funny or inspiring quotes of things family member or friends have said, and special recipes. If you’re like me, you may not always follow an exact recipe, … Continue reading →

Capture Your Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving Photo Ideas With Thanksgiving nearly here, I was thinking about the things I would like to document this year for this special holiday. With a little planning, you can make sure to take pictures and preserve those special memories. Here are a few ideas I’ve had that you may want to include on your scrapbook layouts. Family photos. This is a holiday where many family members travel to be together. It is a great opportunity to take pictures of people who can’t usually be together. Remember to get a picture of all of the cousins in attendance at Thanksgiving … Continue reading →