Christmas time is everybody’s most awaited time of the year. But, if adults are looking forward to the holidays, just imagine the excitement that most kids feel as the yuletide approaches. One of the things that preschool children love about Christmas are the holiday-themed activities they get to do only during this time of the year. As parents, this is an excellent time for you to bond with your kids, and give them some activities that also provide them more opportunities for learning. So what are you waiting for? Get into the holiday spirit and explore the following exciting holiday Activities for Preschoolers in Colorado Springs.

Making stockings

If there’s anything that most kids at preschool age are excited about as the holidays approach, that’s the fact that they will be getting Christmas presents. And when it comes to gifts, it has already been a tradition of many kids in the US to hang their stockings by the fireplace and wait for their gifts from Santa Claus. Make it even more exciting for them by creating their own stunning Christmas stocking. Provide them the materials they need and guide them as they design their own stocking to however they want it to look like. This way, they are doing something productive, and this is an opportunity for them to channel their creative skills.

Decorating Christmas tree

Kids would love to participate to some of the adult activities. So when it’s time for you to put up your Christmas tree, don’t forget to get your children involved. Kids at their preschool age may not be able to do heavy and complex tasks but it does not mean that you can’t entrust them with the simple ones. They’d love to feel that you trust them even with the little things. When it comes to Christmas tree decoration, you can probably ask them to hang the Christmas balls according to color. You can let them pick the other decorations, or hang the candy canes.

Baking goodies

Baking is another activity that your little ones would love to do with you. Aside from being able to teach them a new skill or an activity that they would probably love to do as they grow old, this is an excellent chance for you to bond. Choose some fun baked goodies you can make with your kids. You can have gingerbread cookies, or cookies with various shapes, or maybe colorful cupcakes. Then, ask them to do some simple steps like adding some ingredients to your mixture, or asking them to do the mixing as you guide them. These maybe simple things but these are the ones that will leave good memories in their hearts.

Gift-giving and donations

At a young age, it is important that parents teach their kids the importance of giving and sharing with others. This holiday season, you can encourage them to practice it by asking them to collect some stuff they don’t use anymore so that they can give it to the less fortunate kids. Make a big box where they can put in their stuff and ask them to collect their old toys, shoes, clothes, books and everything else that other children can still use. Let them understand why they are doing it and recognize their effort and their desire to give.

Introduce new Christmas books

While most kids would love to spend the holidays playing, it will also be a good idea if you encourage them to read at least one book. When you go Christmas shopping, you can drop by the bookstore and let them choose a holiday themed book they would be interested to read while they are on vacation.

Making Christmas cards

Preschool children love to draw, color and paint. And you can encourage them to make good use of these skills by making their own Christmas cards. Ask them to make some cards for whoever they want to thank for this holiday season. This is an excellent way for them to do something fun, exciting and productive at the same time. Just make sure all the materials are ready for them and that they do this under an adult’s supervision.

 

It’s often thought of as tacky, but is it really?

Re-gifting is the practice of individuals giving unused gifts that they received from others.

Declared a national holiday by money management website Regiftable.com, National Re-gifting day is celebrated each year on the third Thursday in December.

The date was chosen because it’s when companies are most likely to hold their office holiday parties giving individuals the chance to offload unwanted or unused gifts.

Re-gifting as a teaching tool

At first glance you might not believe that regifting offers any benefit…other than perhaps cleaning out your closets, but this common practice gives parents and child care educators the perfect opportunity to teach kids how to share.

Thoughtful giving

Gift giving is a way to show someone that you care. Help children to understand that giving someone a gift is not a way to “show off”, so there’s no need to spend more than your budget allows.

In fact, in classroom situations, teachers set a limit on the amount each student can spend to avoid the chance of any hurt feelings.

To help children connect with the purpose of gift giving, ask each child about the last present they received. Who gave it to them? How did it make them feel?

Discuss what the other person must have been thinking when they gave it to them and ask what they think this person might like to receive from them.

Gracious receiving

The other side of giving is, of course, receiving.

Remind each child that the intent behind gift giving is many times more important than the actual gift itself and to show their appreciation.

After all, it really is the thought that counts.

Earth friendly

Re-gifting something that someone else would use and enjoy is also good for the planet.

Include the idea of regifting when discussing the topic of recycling with your class. It provides a concrete example that’s easy for children to understand.

Helping others

Have your class take part in community gift giving efforts such as Toys for Tots.

Take the opportunity to discuss just how much of an impact they can make in the lives of other kids, just like them, who may not have as great of a Christmas as they will.

Re-giving do’s and don’ts

Etiquette is important if you choose to regift. Following are some commonly accepted “rules” when regifting:

• You must be transparent about the gift – don’t pass it off as a newly purchased item.
• The item should be unopened, in its original packaging.
• Don’t re-gift handmade items.
• Don’t unload something unless you know the recipient will have a good use for it.
• Remove the gift tag first!
• Don’t re-gift something your child received from someone special…instead, have them use it when the gift giver is around to show their appreciation (e.g. the bunny suit in The Christmas Story!)
• Avoid re-gifting within the same social circle.
• Don’t re-gift something unless you know exactly who gave it to you.