McGregor, Texas, McGinley Memorial Public Library Books and Friends: A Christmas List

Library of Congress

http://www.read.gov/books/saint-nic.htm

Celebrate Christmas

Evelyn Smith

Revised December 22, 2015

Bake some Christmas cookies, divinity, or fudge.

Perhaps you can use Grandmother’s recipe, but here are some recipes from the Web that promise to be easy-to-make:

Fudge: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/extra-easy-fudge/

Divinity: http://www.cooks.com/recipe/765408fe/divinity-fudge.html

Cookies: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/desserts/easy-christmas-cookies-00100000070003/index.html

Including elementary-school age children in the baking process also helps them learn some practical math and reading skills.

Give the gift of reading.

Resolve to read to your preschool and elementary-school age child daily.

Remember that books make thoughtful Christmas presents: Check out Literacy, Family and Learning’s “26 Wonderful Picture Books to Read at Christmas", which also might make some great stocking stuffers: http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2013/11/25-wonderful-picture-books-to-read-at.html

The Children's Reading Foundation recommends that parents read to their children from the time they are toddlers throughout their elementary-school years for 20 minutes daily: https://readingfoundation.org/the-solution/for-parents/

While you are at it, read aloud to your family at Christmas time. Victorian classics are available free-of-charge Online:

Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol"(http://literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/christmas-carol/ )

O'Henry's "The Gift of the Magi"(http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/1014/ )

Clement Clarke's Moore's “A Visit from St. Nicholas' (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171924) .

Since their authors wrote them before movies and TV came along, they contain all kinds of descriptive details that will awaken your children's imagination and improve their reading and writing abilities.

Download or rent a Christmas movie.

How about watching "It's a Wonderful Life"? Since the copyright has worn out long ago, it's free-of-charge on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93A0D_5yX3g

Check out the Christmas lights.

Drive around town, taking in all the Christmas lights. Local newspapers often publish self-submitted addresses where motorists can go to see decorated homes.

Download some Christmas music.

Christmas and more music for you. (2013, December 8). Virtual Sheet Music. Retrieved from

http://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/nl/20131208/evelynelainesmith@sbcglobal.net

The Virtual Sheet Music Website offers monthly free classical sheet music Online. This month the Website allows users to download free audio files from Tchoikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” as well as piano sheet music from Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV585 & Prelude and Fugue XIX—Book I. Additional free sheet music is available at http://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/free.html

Also, enjoy the numerous selections from Handel's Messiah or Bach's Christmas Oratorio on You Tube. Also, check out local live performances of these classics. Additionally, don't forget your local high school's band and choral departments by attending their Christmas or holiday concert.

Organize an impromptu caroling party.

Going caroling at Christmas is an experience teens and children remember.

Print off some Christmas carols and take the kids around the neighborhood Christmas Eve. This is a great activity to organize when extended family members get together:

http://www.christmas-carols.net/

http://www.carols.org.uk/

Count your blessings & then give to charity.

Charity Navigator lists reputable charities, noting how accountable they are: http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Your children, can also help pick out a toy for the local Toys for Tots drive or given a budget, fill a shoe box of gifts for Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child as time allows or else pick out a gift from their catalog of giving opportunities for a last-minute gift: