Sometimes I miss being a child … when the wide-eyed wonders and glorious splendor of the season were always fresh, new and full of wondrous things … when the burdens of adulthood hadn’t tainted the sights, sounds and scents that put the magic and a festive spirit into Christmas.

But sometimes I can get a taste of what that used to be by living vicariously through the children of today. And, I hope, that I’ll be able to live Christmas anew when I have children of my own.

Christmas really is a time for children. The major shopping malls enthrall with their various seasonal window displays and in-store Holiday arrangements. This is the best time of year to go window shopping with the kids. The displays, which can be moving, stationary or interactive, can be so mesmerizing that many a parent has arranged a trip to the mall just for children to view the many displays.

Then, of course, there is the annual picture taken with Santa. My mother has all the ones that were taken of me and my sister and it’s quite amusing. The first one or two I’m too young and just plain oblivious. Then there’s the year I was terrified and balling. There are a couple years missing … we were living in Kenya those years … and then my sister joins the pictures and goest through the same phases I did. I really miss taking those annual photos … but my husband is just not into it and I feel funny doing it alone as an adult.

Another fun family activities that is sure to delight the children is driving through the brightly decorated neighborhoods. Sometimes even a local part or arboretum will offer a fantasy of light display to view. Christmas displays have become so common, almost everyone has some form of lighting arrangement at their house. Many a neighborhood sees an increase in traffic during the Christmas season because of the fanciful, landscaped displays of outdoor Christmas light decorations. These usually include figures of reindeers, Santa, sleighs, angels, shepherds and animals that are a part of the story of Jesus’ birth.

There is also the lighting of the official town tree. Many cities and towns will have a official Christmas tree and offer an organized light ceremony. This event can be quite the treat for the kids, as it often includes treats, caroling and other fun activities — often including a surprise visit from Santa Claus.

Take the time to enjoy the season with your children and maybe you’ll get a taste of that magic you once felt so long ago.

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.