What Do I Do With Them all Christmas Break???

Merry Christmas in a house of teenagers may be an oxymoron. They're home for break and all routines and schedules go out the window. The little darlings sleep until noon, dirty dishes are piled in the sink and food provisions decrease rapidly. Music is blaring and the television is tuned to rather startling shows you never knew were on the satellite. Young men intentionally harming themselves (Jackass) and other young men intentionally stripping a victim's dignity for a laugh (Punked).

For non-driving teens, all Christmas preparations must be put aside for on the spot carpool duty. Driving ones expect regular curfews to be eased for "holiday" plans. The phone rings, the refrigerator empties and the door slams as friends file in and out.

As Mel and I will continue to remind you, this too shall pass. Make the best of the inconvenience, take a stand on the big stuff and enjoy this passage. It will be over before you know it. You think you'll never miss the pile of dirty clothes and wet towels in the bathroom? When your house is quiet, and the rooms are
neat and your children live other places, you will. You will.

Here are some suggestions to get your teen involved in Christmas and constructively occupied. It also steals a little time you can share with this often absent member of your family.
1. Put them in charge of a certain holiday food that means Christmas in your family. Identify the recipe and let them make the ingredient list, shop for the items and prepare on their own. Be available for questions and how-to advice.
2. The Angel Tree or other Community agencies are great introductions to gratitude and charity. Let your teen choose and orchestrate your family's contribution to making a difference for someone less fortunate.
3. If your child is creative and artsy, ask him or her to set the table for your sit down or buffet meal and to design the centerpiece, place cards, etc. Something as simple as Christmas morning breakfast, or let them drag out serving pieces and candlesticks that are in the back of your cupboard. It's a great time to talk about Great Aunt Mamie's butter dish and how she always made butter curls for Christmas Eve Dinner. Or the time the candles caught the holly on fire at Nanie and Daddy Har's and how exciting it was as a child to stand in the front yard with all the cousins as the fire truck screeched up! Share these memories. It gives your children roots and a sense of who they are.
4. Put older teens on Christmas Light Duty. Strap in small children and wave goodbye as your responsible and conscientious off-spring drive their younger family members on a Christmas light tour. RUN back into the house with your adult family. Visit for just a minute with a nice glass of wine or steaming Cappuccino before making the gravy and putting the rolls in.
5. Cookie Decorating is a great party for girls. I suggest you have the cookies cut out and baked ahead, then ice and decorate at the party. Multi-colored sprinkles, vibrant icings, red hots and silver BB's keep them busy and sharing a positive, girl time together. Pack up in small tins and send home with each guest.
6. Boy parties..hmmm, any suggestions that do not involve girls???

A recipe I would share that is a tradition in our family is "The Pink Stuff ":

Combine in a mixer or food processor. Beat until smooth:
2 cups sour cream
1 tbsp lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
3 ripe bananas
Fold in:
1 sack of frozen strawberries, thawed
1/2 c chopped pecans
1 can mandarin oranges-drained
Pour in mold or Pyrex dish - cover and freeze.
This may be made ahead and will last at least a week.

If you have read this entry and cannot identify traditions in your family, it's not too late! Start something this Christmas and by the time your teen goes to college, it will be your family's special way of celebrating. If you need ideas, just let us know. We've got a million of them!!!!
Peace and Happy Times this Christmas season! Chrissie