The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But they can also be a time of stress. There's the pressure to find the perfect gifts, make everything just right, and please everyone. Not to mention all the end-of-year deadlines at work. It's no wonder that so many people dread the holiday season!
But it doesn't have to be that way. With a little planning and some creativity, you can take the stress out of the holidays and make them joyful and fun for everyone. Here are some of the best family activities to make your holiday season merry and bright.
1. Get outside and get active. There's nothing like some good old-fashioned fresh air to clear your head and boost your mood. And when you're cooped up inside all day, it's easy to get cabin fever. So go for a hike, build a snowman, or just take a walk around the block. You'll come back feeling refreshed and ready to face whatever the holidays throw your way. We just went to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, CA. It was a beautiful day and was great to be outside observing those fascinating insects!
2. Make homemade presents. One of the best ways to save money and reduce stress during the holidays is to make your own gifts. Not only will you save money, but you'll also Avoid dealing with crowds at malls and stores. And your friends and family will appreciate the thoughtfulness of a handmade gift. Just be sure to start early so you don't end up rushing at the last minute!
3. Bake holiday treats together. What better way to spread holiday cheer than by making delicious treats? Get your kids involved in the kitchen by having them help you bake cookies, gingerbread houses (try to leave these up for a few days at least before eating them!), or other festive snacks. Not only will you create some great memories (and maybe even new traditions), but you'll also have something tasty to eat when you're done!
4. Give the 12 Days of Christmas to a family you know. For the 12 days leading up to Christmas, bring gifts secretly to a family. 1 gift the first day, 2 gifts the second day, up to 12 gifts on the 12th day. These don't need to be extravagant, they can be treats, small or homemade items. This is a great way to bring your family together as you hide, deliver, and dash away to not get caught, which gets more difficult the closer you get to Christmas! It really gets you in the spirit of Christmas and giving.
5. Give back to others in need. The holidays are about more than just receiving gifts—they're also about giving back to those less fortunate than us. Seeing firsthand how much we have to be thankful for can help put our own problems into perspective. And what better way to teach our children the true meaning of the season? There are many ways to give back, so find one that suits your family's interests and abilities. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen, help decorate a senior citizens' home, or collect toys for children in need. Whatever you do, spreading holiday cheer is sure to make everyone in your family feel good!
The holiday season should be a time for joy—not stress! By taking some simple steps and getting creative, you can make sure that your holidays are fun for everyone in your family. So get outside, make homemade presents, bake festive treats together, have a movie marathon night, and give back to those less fortunate. With these tips, you're sure to have a holiday season that's merry and bright!
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The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. If you're looking for some fun family activities to do during the holidays, look no further. Here are some of the best activities to get everyone in on the holiday spirit.
1. Baking treats! Baking cookies together is a great way to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Not to mention, you'll have a delicious treat to enjoy and share afterwards! Baking and decorating gingerbread houses together is not only fun, but it also results in a beautiful decoration that you can display proudly.
2. Another great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit is by caroling. Whether you go just with your family, or with a group of friends, this is sure to bring a smile to your face, and brighten the lives of those you bless with your songs! We love caroling to our neighbors and local nursing homes.
3. What would the holidays be without watching some festive movies together? Pop some popcorn, snuggle up under a blanket, and enjoy quality time with your family while watching classics like "Miracle on 34th Street" or "It's A Wonderful Life." For my family, "A Christmas Carol" is our favorite and we watch multiple renditions every year!
4. One of my personal favorite holiday activities is going for a walk or a drive to look at Christmas lights together. Walking is a great way to get some fresh air and appreciate all of the hard work that people put into making their houses look beautiful during the holidays. Driving is a wonderful time to blast the Christmas music and enjoy the lights outside your neighborhood. It's super fun to see the homes that have their lights set to music!
5. Last but not least, another great way to spend time with your loved ones during the holidays is by attending holiday concerts, ballets, or plays together. This is a great way to get into the festive spirit and enjoy some amazing holiday-themed entertainment. "The Nutcracker" is one we see often, "Messiah" sing-a-longs will exercise your vocal cords, and local churches and schools have concerts that are quite enjoyable. It's a fabulous experience to be a part of these events, too!
The holidays are a wonderful time of year to spend with family and friends. If you're looking for some fun family activities to do during the holidays, consider baking cookies or decorating gingerbread houses together, caroling, watching festive movies, going for walks to look at Christmas lights, or attending holiday concerts or plays. Whatever you end up doing, quality time with your loved ones is what will truly make your holiday season special.
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It can be tough to find gifts for homeschooled kids that are both fun and educational. But never fear! I've got you covered with this list of 20 great gift ideas. From learning games to creative art supplies, there's something here for every child or teen. Plus, they're all affordable and easy to find, so you won't have to spend a lot of time or money searching for the perfect present. So whether you're shopping for a child or teen, be sure to check out this list!
1. Learning Games
There are tons of great learning games out there that make education fun! Check out classics like Scrabble or Monopoly, or try something new like Qwirkle or The Settlers of Catan (These are some of our favorites). There are also lots of great card games and board games that can help with math, science, history, and more. Whatever your child's interests are, there's sure to be a learning game that's perfect for them.
2. Art Supplies
Creative kids will love receiving art supplies as a gift! Stock up on crayons, markers, paints, clay, and whatever else your child needs to express their creativity. If you're not sure what they need, a gift card to an art supply store is always a good option. Or you could put together a craft kit with everything they need to make a specific project. Either way, they're sure to appreciate your thoughtfulness!
3. Science Kits
Science lovers will be thrilled to receive a science kit as a gift! There are kits for all kinds of different experiments, so you can choose one that's perfect for your child's interests and abilities. There are kits for Earth Science, Chemistry, STEM, Geology, Ecosystems, and more! Plus, it's a great way to get them interested in science and teach them about the scientific method. It might even inspire them to pursue a career in science when they grow up!
4. Books
Books make the perfect gift for any occasion! Whether your child loves stories about princesses or dinosaurs, there's sure to be a book out there that they'll love. You could even put together a themed book set, like classic literature or folktales from around the world. And don't forget about non-fiction books! They can be just as engaging and informative as fiction books, and your child is sure to learn something new from them. Holiday books are great, too! These are some favorites for my kids.
5. Puzzles and Brainteasers
Puzzles and brainteasers are great gifts for kids who love solving problems. They'll have hours of fun trying to put together a difficult puzzle or crack the code on a brainteaser. And you can rest assured knowing that they're also getting some valuable mental exercise in the process! So if you're looking for a gift that's both fun and educational, puzzles and brainteasers are always a safe bet.
6. Educational Toys
Another great option for gifts are educational toys. These are usually designed for specific age groups and focus on things like colors, shapes, numbers, letters, etc. They're perfect for younger children who are just starting to learn these concepts.
7. Educational Subscriptions
There are so many unique subscriptions that encourage learning in a variety of ways. I love those that help them learn new skills or be creative. These are two we enjoy all year: Think Outside, Annie’s Kit Clubs. And if your kids like to cook - I'm The Chef, Too!
8. A personalized book
Give your child the gift of a story this Christmas with a personalized book. There are many great companies that offer this service, and you can find a book for any age group. This is a gift that will be cherished for years to come.
9. A subscription to a kids' magazine
This is a great gift for the young reader in your life. Not only will they enjoy getting their own mail, but they'll also love having something new to read each month. We like Learn Our History and Tuttle Twins.
10. Sensory swing
This swing is great for all kids, but especially if you have a child with special needs. These allow for a wide range of motion, provide sensory pressure, and help with body balance and awareness.
11. Balls
Soccer, Basketball, Football, whichever sport catches their eye. This gift will keep your kids happy and active and outside! Many balls have different sizes, so pay attention to the size your child needs.
12. A new bike
For the active child, nothing beats a new bike! If you're feeling generous, you could even add on some training wheels or a helmet to help them stay safe while they're out riding around. Every child needs a bike at some point in their lives. Encourage their outdoor activity with this special gift!
13. Essential Oils
Did you know that there are essential oils specifically designed with kids in mind? Help bring calmness, focus, and health with these amazing and kid-loved tools, and ease into bedtime with the owl diffuser that has nightlights and music!
14. A karaoke machine
Does your child love singing? If so, they'll love belting out their favorite tunes with their very own karaoke machine or a simple karaoke microphone! This is a great gift for family gatherings or parties with friends.
15. A pet
Pets are not only fun but also provide companionship and teach responsibility. If you're considering this option, be sure to do your research beforehand to find the best pet for your child and family situation. Look for local rescue centers - we have had our little rescue for 13 years and love him!
16. Memberships
A trip to the zoo, aquarium, national park, museum, or amusement park, or better yet, get the whole family a year’s membership! There's nothing like seeing animals up close and personal, learning about faraway places and history, or just having a blast together as a family! These make great day trips or weekend getaways, depending on how far away you live from these attractions. The America the Beautiful Pass is great - and if you have a 4th grader - they get a free Every Kid Outdoor Pass.
17. Experiences
Sometimes the best gifts aren't things at all but experiences instead! Tickets to see a movie, play, or concert, or even just a gift certificate for an afternoon at the spa—these are all things that kids will enjoy and remember long after the holidays are over. So think outside the box this year and give your child an experience they'll never forget! CertifiKid or Groupon are great places to find local experiences at great deals.
18. A special homemade gift
This could be crocheted or knitted, painted or colored, thrown on a potter’s wheel or even baked in an oven. Get creative with your own talents and make it unique and something they will treasure always.
19. A warm fuzzy blanket
Who doesn’t love cuddling up with a fuzzy blanket in the winter? There are so many options and designs that this can be personalized to fit your child’s interests.
20. Legos
Legos are hands down, the toy that my kids play with the most. They love to build and design, and there are so many options depending on their interests! These keep brains and hands occupied and creative.
There are tons of great gifts out there for kids! Whether you're looking for something fun or something educational (or both!), be sure to check out this list of 20 great gift ideas. From learning games to science kits to experiences with the whole family, there's something here for every child or teen on your list. These are great for homeschool and public school families alike. And best of all, they're all easy to find! So what are you waiting for? Start shopping today!
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common condition in children that often continues into adulthood. If you are the parent of a child struggling with ADHD, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to best manage their symptoms. It's even more difficult if you have ADHD and your child has ADHD, too. The good news is that there are many natural ways you can help your child manage their ADHD (and these work for adults, too!).
Diet and Supplements for ADHD Management
One of the most effective ways of managing ADHD is through diet and supplements. A well-balanced diet as found in "Disease Proof Your Child: Feeding Your Kids Right" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, with plenty of plant-based protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates can help keep your child’s blood sugar levels stable throughout the day, helping them maintain focus and concentration. Adding specific supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and magnesium can also help support the brain as recommended in books like “Healing ADD” by Dr. Daniel Amen. Supporting the gut microbiome with probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes is also incredibly beneficial for managing ADHD symptoms naturally. It is essential to remove dyes, fast food, processed food, refined sugars and refined grains from the home. (Yes, this means no candy!)
Essential Oils for Focus & Calm
Essential oils have been used for centuries to improve mental clarity and emotional balance. The scents from essential oils move through the olfactory system and go straight to the brain. For those living with ADHD, diffusing essential oils like vetiver, cedarwood, lavender, peppermint, and frankincense can help immensely with focus, calmness, and sleep while you are healing from the inside out through diet and supplements. These can be applied topically, as well. Find my "Focus" roller recipe here. My daughter loves how these oils make a difference for her concentrations levels. It is best to use these morning and night - breathing for several minutes at a time, and then breathing them during study times.
Environmental Management & Routines
Eliminating dyes (especially artificial colors), refined sugar and flour products (like candy bars or white bread), fast food meals or any other processed/junk food from your home will make a huge difference in your child’s behavior and overall health.. Keeping an organized environment with labels on things like drawers and shelves can also be helpful in providing visual cues to help them stay on task throughout the day. Also, establishing a daily routine where expectations stay the same each day helps provide structure so they know what to expect throughout the day which helps alleviate anxiety associated with change or unpredictability. Finally, lists of daily tasks to be checked off can be very effective to help both parent and child see progress throughout the day.
Living with someone who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder does not have to be overwhelming if you take actionable steps towards managing their symptoms naturally through diet changes, specific supplementation as suggested in the books above, using essential oils, eliminating certain dyes, and avoiding refined sugar/flour products & fast food/junk food meals. You can keep it under control through keeping a clean organized environment, providing visual cues, and maintaining routines that provide structure and predictability throughout each day. These things will all contribute towards successfully managing your child's ADHD behavior naturally! Taking these proactive steps may seem daunting but trust me when I say it is worth it! As a holistic mom who deals with ADHD in myself and several of my children daily, I understand how difficult this journey can be but I assure you that these strategies work! Good luck!
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When it's time to take your schoolwork seriously, having a little extra focus can go a long way. That's why I'm going to show you how to make your own focus roller with essential oils. This simple DIY project will help your family stay focused and energized when taking on those tough tasks!
Let’s start by gathering our supplies. You will need a 10ml glass roller bottle, fractionated coconut oil, and these five essential oils: vetiver, lavender, frankincense, peppermint, and cedarwood. Once you have all of your ingredients gathered together, you can begin creating your powerful focus roller blend!
Add 5-10 drops of vetiver oil to your roller bottle. Vetiver is known for its calming abilities which can be helpful when trying to focus on a task or activity. Next add 3-5 drops each of lavender and frankincense oil. Lavender has the ability to soothe and relax the mind while frankincense helps promote clarity and alertness. For an extra boost add 2-3 drops each of peppermint and cedarwood oil. Peppermint naturally energizes while cedarwood helps sharpen concentration and mental alertness. Finally, fill the remaining space in the bottle with fractionated coconut oil before replacing the roller top and giving it a good swirl!
When it's time to use your new focus roller simply apply one drop behind each ear or roll onto the temples as needed throughout the day for an extra boost of energy and concentration! The great thing about this blend is that it's safe enough for children over 2 years old so they can get in on the action too!
Making your own DIY essential oils focus blend is quick, easy, and affordable - perfect for busy moms looking for natural solutions for their families! With just five essential oils plus some fractionated coconut oil you can create a powerful focus blend that everyone in the family will love using again and again throughout hectic school days or stressful days at work. So don't wait until chaos ensues - grab those ingredients now and make your own DIY focus roller! You'll be glad you did!
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Any purchase made is a blessing to my family at no extra cost to you!
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