Whether you live in snow-filled place or a tropical paradise—here are some ideas for a winter party:

 Snowball Party

Take opportunities to open your home to unchurched friends! Eat ice cream or popsicles, have a snowball fight with cotton balls or wadded up pieces of paper, and make snow sculptures with tiny marshmallows. Close with a prayer, “Our Father, we know that You make every snowflake different from every other snowflake. You have made each of us different from everyone else. We are special to you. Amen.”

 

• Snow Bowling

Give each child 10 white plastic foam cups and a black marker. Have the children draw snowmen faces on each cup. Then show the children how to arrange the cups in a 10-pin bowling pattern. Use beanbags or small balls for bowling balls.

 

Chose some of these ideas to make your new year a great one!

• Always start off the New Year with a family meeting. Even the youngest child can participate in planning activities and talking about the vision and commitment of the family.  Discuss goals with each child. Write them down and keep in a special place to review each year.
•  Purchase a new calendar and let each child mark their birthday with a special sticker.
•  Choose a family theme and Bible verse to focus on for a great way to begin the year.
•  Make a tent in your den with sheets and clothespins. Use flashlights to read books and tell stories.
•  Dress in mittens, coat, and scarf for a family picture, then have ice cream for a snack.
•  Watch a movie with blankets, a fire in the fireplace, and hot cocoa—with lots of marshmallows of course.

Everyone talks about New Year Resolution’s for adults, what about something the kids can understand? This day by day dedication, along with Bible verses, is something the kids can remember. On each day of the week, have kids look up the Bible verses and fill in the blanks.

 

Sunday

“______ God with all your heart” (Deuteronomy 11:13).

Monday

“Keep your _______ pure” (Philippians 4:8).

Tuesday

“Keep your _______ on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).

Wednesday

“Please God with your _______” (Psalm 19:14).

 Thursday

“Use your ______ to listen to wise advice” (Proverbs 2:2).

Friday

“Your _____ can take the Good News to others” (Isaiah 52:7).

 Saturday

“______ the Lord with your _______” (Joshua 24:15b).

 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

We have all heard the story of Jesus many times. This year pray that God will reveal something new as you read and study it with your family.

The memory verse for this month is what an angel said to some ordinary shepherds out watching their sheep. You know for them it began as just an ordinary night for some ordinary men. Suddenly, they were right in the middle of a miracle!

Do you feel ordinary and wonder about your purpose? Are you restless, unfocused and finding little joy in your day? Stop right now and think about it—YOU and your family can be part of the miracle of Christmas. Change what you are doing, focus on Jesus and live life to the fullest. Do not wait a minute longer! There is Good News, Jesus Christ is born.

What does the month of December bring to your mind? Christmas carols playing softly while the children laugh and play? Rushing from store to store looking for gifts no one needs, enlisting babysitters so you can attend parties you do not enjoy, spending time decorating your home but never finding time to relax in it? The reason I can list all these things is because I have experienced them. My husband finally came up with a new rule—SIMPLIFY!

Think about December from a child’s point of view. It is a dream month—the most wonderful time of year! There are so many chances to teach your children lifelong lessons. Slow down; don’t worry about perfect decorations, perfect gifts, or perfect cookies. Kids just want you, your attention, and a happy home.