Christmas is about celebration. Celebration of the coming longer days. Celebration of family and friends. Celebration of the birth of Christ.

This is why it is such a festive season … we’ve all got a lot to celebrate. And here are some ways that you can use to celebrate the season.

Watch Christmas Movies and Special
This one is easy … if you have a television, you have access to a plethora of Christmas themed entertainment. From traditional fair such as one of the many versions of A Christmas Carol to It’s A Wonderful Life, there are plenty of Christmas movies and specials airing this time of year.

And, often, a new Christmas movie is released in the theaters, as well. This year, we have Jim Carrey providing the voice of Ebenezer Scrooge in the latest version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of the Christmas spirit.

You can also visit your local video store and rent a movie or three. And, these days you can access a wide selection of Christmas fair over the Internet. Not only can you watch stuff on YouTube, but you can even download whole movies.

Go Old School and See a Play
Most towns have local performing arts theaters and this time of year many of them are putting on productions of both traditional and new Christmas tales. Also, many churches are performing versions of the Nativity, the Little Drummer Boy and other Bible stories that teach the meaning of Christmas.

Go Caroling
Singing the songs of Christmas, whether in the shower or at your local hospice center is a wonderful way to celebrate the season. Community colleges, churches and even neighbors gather impromptu caroling groups to sing at hospitals and around the neighborhood. And, if you’re really lucky, you might even be able to see a production of Handel’s Messiah. Some towns even have a sing-along version, which can be quite fun.

Carols as a tradition at Christmas is said to originate from England and France in the Middle Ages. At the time, carols were dances accompanied by singing. The tradition that Anglo-Saxons preferred was to have small choirs gather on the village green and sing carols and Christmas songs to passers-by. Over time, the meaning of the word changed to refer to only certain types of songs.

Rock Around the Christmas Tree
And, of course there is the traditional Christmas party. Workplaces, neighborhoods, even good friends and family will be hosting parties that you can attend and enjoy a little winter festivity. Even social hubs such as bars may have special nights with different food and lower-priced drinks during Christmas.

It seems there is no end to the festivities during the Christmas season. Have a good time … in a responsible manner.

You’ve got cookies to bake. Presents to buy … and wrap. Parties to prepare for … and attend. The holidays can be a very busy time.

And now the kids are home … all day … every day … for two whole weeks.

Love them, yes. But how do you make sure they have a happy — and safe — holiday season while you’re doing all that other stuff, too?

Making the right activity choices might keep you on schedule and keep your kids Christmas vacation full of holiday spirit.

Family Cookie Baking

One time-honored tradition that kids have enjoyed for generations is cookie baking. There are plenty of fun, easy and kid-friendly recipes that can choose from.

You can bake from scratch … and, these days, you can bake from a mix or even pre-made cookie dough!

The key is to let the kids do the things they can do safely … age appropriately, of course … and help them enjoy the process. I baked my first cookie when I was about three and I can still remember the taste. Memories like these are golden.

Wrapping Gifts

Kids can help with packaging the cookies as gifts, too. Also, there are some children who are naturals at wrapping Christmas gifts in general, too. (Yes, I was one of those — by the time I was 7, I was even wrapping my own gifts, which my mother had covered in brown paper so I would still be surprised on Christmas day.)

Make a fun day out of it. Gather all the supplies: wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, bows, tape, etc. Then let the kids have fun wrapping the gifts.

Greeting Cards

Have the kids help you make your greeting cards a little more memorable. They can help sign them, address them or, better yet, make them.

Instill the Value of Charity

Do you you donate food, toys or other gifts during the holiday season? Many charities, including local hospitals, run Adopt-a-Family Christmas gift giving campaigns.

Why not have the kids help you gather and deliver your donation? This is a wonderful way to teach your children about giving, budgeting money, and people who are in need.

You receive the ages of the children in the family. You can assign each child their own child to give to and shop for. When you get to the store give them the money they have to spend along with the wish list from the child. Your child will see how hard it is when you really want to buy something for someone, but you do not have the money. Your child will also make choices about what is really a good purchase. Watching their faces when they finally make their choice is priceless. It is a much different experience leaving the toy store on that day.

Another idea is to find the nearest homeless shelter or food kitchen and ask what they do for holiday dinners. You will find that there are many volunteer opportunities for the entire family. The true meaning of Christmas can be found when you and your family go to the local food kitchen to pass out Christmas dinners to those less fortunate. Many of the people that come to eat are families. Tell the shelter you want to help and they will find a way that works for you.

I hope these few tips will help you make the most of your kids’ Christmas vacation … and maybe add to the wonderful memories they will eventually share with their children.

If there was every a story that has been re-told over and over again, it is Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Several movies, both live action and animated have been created … and numerous TV shows have done their own spin on this beloved story. In fact, I remember Xena: Warrior Princess doing a version!

When I was growing up, my favorite version was the 1971 animated short staring Alistair Sim as the voice of Scrooge. I loved the stylized imagery that was inspired by engravings from the 1800s. Here is the full show on Google Video:

For more of this version, visit here.

This year’s animated version from Disney, staring Jim Carrey as the voice of Scrooge, looks promising. It uses modern computer animation to give it more realism with out resorting to live action. Here’s a clip:

Patrick Stewart, of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame, did an awesome one-man show of A Christmas Carol. I have the CD and listen to it each year. Of course, there is a movie adaptation … not as good as his one-man show, but a decent attempt. Here’s a clip:

One of the most famous versions is the 1951 version, staring, yes again, Alistair Sim. Here’s a clip:

Of course, I can’t cover them all here. But I can at least list a few more of my favorites:

• Scrooged (1988) – a comedy version starring Bill Murray
• The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) – Kermit and friends tell their version of the classic
• A Christmas Carol (1984) – starring George C. Scott
• Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (1962) – the lovable near-sighted old man takes on the classic roll
• A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004) – Kelsey Grammar sings his way through this musical version of the classic tale