The frenzy of the holidays is upon us, and it seems no one can escape from long to-do lists, buying presents, and tackling crowds. Whether you shop locally or hit the malls, no parent is immune from incessant whining and the need to relax.
Cookies swaps are a popular New England tradition during the holidays. I made these mini black-and-white cookies for a Mom's Night Out cookie swap in West Newbury.
Parents in particular are faced with such pressing issues as whether to send out photo holiday cards with or without an informative letter about everyone’s achievements, if 15 sugar cookies is too many for your already hyper child to consume in one night, and perhaps most timing consuming of all – sitting down to wrap the growing pile of gifts hidden in the basement. Tip: a glass of wine – or two – helps.
With 2012 upon us, take a moment to hit your own reset button. What’s important to you? How you can make this insanely busy time of year memorable for you and your family? Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or another holiday, take some time at the Merrimack or the Atlantic with your family and breathe. Or try something new, like mediation. I recently tried Zach Field’s gong mediation at the Tannery and noticed a 6-year-old girl there with her mom. Next time I’ll try bringing my daughter. (No way my son could sit through the 30-minute class!)
Here are some ways our family hopes to get through the next two weeks. Hopefully we’ll still be smiling when the clock strikes midnight in Newburyport in 2012. Actually, I’ll probably be asleep!
Cook together
Children love to cook, and this time of year there are so many festive recipes to try. Making gingerbread cookies with Grandma is always a favorite, and inviting friends over to decorate the cookies extends the fun.
Baking, decorating and eating gingerbread cookies is a great holiday activity to do with the kids.
If your kids love crafts, create cinnamon ornaments for the tree. The whole house will smell delicious, and they make great gifts, too.
Make the excitement productive by preparing Christmas morning breakfast in advance, with your children’s help. Fellow Whiny Wednesday contributor Alyson Aiello shared this recipe for French toast casserole recently on her Facebook page.
Hanukkah overlaps this year with Christmas. It starts the night of Dec. 20 and ends the night of Dec. 27. There are quite a few households in town that will make potato latkes with the children, this one included. We also love to invite friends over to light the menorah with us.
Create a child-friendly New Year’s celebration
For the last few years my daughter and her friend Ella have celebrated New Year’s Eve with my mother-in-law in Merrimac. She provides hats, noisemakers, appetizers, and tea for the girls. The trio sets a timer and counts down together, sometimes more than once because it’s so fun! This type of celebration doesn’t have to be done on New Year’s Eve at midnight; the girls usually celebrate it a day or two early with Grandma on an afternoon during the school break. New Year’s kits can be found at CVS or local party stores, or you can put your own kit together.
On New Year’s Eve day, Dec. 31, you might find us at First Night Boston. The event is filled with kids events from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., all at the Hynes Convention Center. We’ve never been before, but the programming is enticing and includes an act from local children’s musician Sara Wheeler and her “Little Grove” class.
Later we’ll return to town for our annual New Year’s Eve family dinner at Flatbread Pizza Company in Amesbury. There are always other young families gathered, and the place is warm and cozy. Their desserts are phenomenal – think warm homemade brownie sundaes topped with ice cream. A decadent end to the year for sure. Ask your kids what’s on their New Year’s resolutions lists and I’m sure you’ll get some funny responses.
New Year's Day 2011 was the perfect day for a family nature walk on Plum Island. We're hoping for a repeat in 2012.
Last year, we started a new tradition on New Year’s Day, talking a nature walk on the Hellcat Wildlife Observation Area at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island. (see map for location) The mild weather drew many other explorers that day, and the boardwalk trail was perfect for my two youngsters.
The final day of vacation
Most schools in the area are observing the New Year’s holiday on Monday, January 2, so we get another day home with the kids, who at this point will probably be bored with all of their new toys and bouncing off the walls. Plan a special trip or event this day. Local options include ice skating at the Graf Rink at 10 a.m. or tubing at Amesbury Sports Park. For the little ones who may need to catch a car nap, Boston Children’s Museum and the New England Aquarium are open.
Happy holidays to all the amazing parents out there – and good luck surviving the next two weeks!
Jill Oestreicher Gross lives in Newburyport. Her two children, 4 and almost 7, may implode with excitement over the holidays. Jill can be reached at jillalexandra@yahoo.com.
