| ating for Christmas should be fun for the whole | | | | on your tree, and use artwork to temporarily |
| family…trying to do everything yourself | | | | decorate your walls. Using some of the things |
| can make you both tired and resentful. Here are a | | | | your kids create to decorate will show them how |
| few ideas for getting the whole family involved in | | | | much you value their art—and keep them |
| the Christmas decorating this year: | | | | motivated as you work. |
| 1. Don’t be a Grinch: Part of the fun of | | | | 6. Do a simple project together. Choose an |
| decorating is sharing the responsibility. Make sure | | | | activity you will all enjoy, and set aside some time |
| you aren’t keeping all the fun for yourself! | | | | to do it together. You can make something as |
| Even though your 5 year old may cluster all of | | | | simple as a paper or popcorn chain, or decorate a |
| the ornaments on one droopy branch, he or she | | | | pre-baked gingerbread house to display on the |
| will still have a blast helping you decorate (and you | | | | table. Make sure you set aside enough time to |
| can always rescue the ornaments later! | | | | complete your project, and be sure to display it |
| 2. Stretch the decorating out over a couple of | | | | when you are done. |
| days—or a couple of weeks. Trying to do | | | | 7. Choose kid friendly decorations. It sounds |
| everything on one day may be too | | | | simple, but choosing fun, kid friendly décor |
| much—or it may be just enough to turn | | | | can make the process a lot more fun for |
| your holiday decorating into a chore. | | | | everyone involved. If you feel brave, let the |
| 3. Decide what items are most important to you, | | | | children choose their own decorating items (but |
| and do those first. For most people, it’s | | | | don’t be surprised if you end up with an |
| the tree…others are most enthusiastic | | | | eight foot tall inflatable Sponge Bob Santa for |
| about decorating the outside of the home. | | | | your lawn! |
| Prioritize, and give the most time to the things | | | | 8. Plan a decorating day. Decide on what task you |
| you can do together, and that you enjoy doing. | | | | want to complete, and gather everything you |
| 4. Let the kids help. It will take more time, but | | | | need to finish it. Decorating a tree? Make sure the |
| allowing your children to help will get them | | | | tree has been purchased, and is in the stand and |
| involved and keep them involved. Most kids are | | | | ready to go before you start. Putting up the lights |
| not very good at decorating, and some are | | | | outside? Make sure you have enough sets to do |
| downright terrible, but the only way that they will | | | | the job—and that they aren’t in a |
| learn is if you give them a chance. | | | | tangled heap! Planning ahead and having the right |
| 5. Decorate with kids’ crafts. Use the art | | | | tools for the job can make decorating a relaxing |
| they bring home, and the cards they make to | | | | and fun thing for everyone involved. |
| decorate your home. Hand handmade ornaments | | | | |