How to Make Your Family Holiday Magical

A time-tested holiday tradition for many families is to bake cookies together. If you don't have time or the inclination to start from scratch, buy the ready-to-bake dough at the grocery store—the treats will still smell and taste yummy. Put kitchen aprons on everyone and get to work, shaping cookies and having fun.

For an event sure to bring smiles to everyone's faces, host a cookie-decorating party. Have all your guests bring a batch of plain cookies (sugar or shortbread cookies are perfect). Let the kids decorate the treats with colorful sprinkles and icing. Every family gets to take home a plate of cookies at the end of the party.

Family time doesn't have to be structured. Turn off the television, sit around the fireplace, sip hot chocolate topped with a dollop of whipped cream, and tell holiday stories. Remember when. . . ?

Put Your Own Family First

Let charity begin at home. Hug and kiss your children, your husband, your wife, your mother. Look into their eyes and tell them you love them each and every day.

Have your family create their own "Twelve Days of Christmas." Each day, provide a holiday surprise for someone in your family: a bowl of twinkling lights on the breakfast table, a special breakfast with blueberry pancakes, a bouquet of holly, or a scribbled picture given in love.

Play Christmas carols in the car. Sing with your kids as loudly as you want!

Surprise your children by sending each of them a personalized letter from Santa! The letters make great keepsakes and can be a sweet addition to your family memory box.

Make a "Christmas Isn't Christmas List" or "Hanukkah Isn't Hanukkah List" to hang in your kitchen or family room. Your list can be as simple as a poster board decorated with markers, stickers or felt, or it can be an elaborate sign. Get input from the whole family. As the holidays progress and the whirlwind of activities fly by, check back to your holiday list to make sure you've done what you really wanted to do.