Our Christmas Morning Traditions

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #175, Christmas Around the World, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Our Christmas Morning Traditions

In “Our Christmas Morning Traditions,” Episode, #176, Meredith Curtis shares her Christmas morning traditions, established in 1986 and continued to this day. Starting with special Christmas devotions and a homemade cinnamon roll “birthday cake” and ending with presents, these morning traditions have helped us to celebrate joyfully while keeping our focus on Jesus, the One we celebrate. The Curtis Christmas morning traditions have impacted relatives and friends who have occasionally visited our family for the holidays. Precious to this day, Meredith encourages listeners to create their own Christmas morning traditions that meet the needs and desires of your own family. Merry Christmas!

 


Rejoice! for unto to us a child is born! - with Powerline Productions, Inc.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 


Show Notes

His & Hers & Ours

Writing the Devotions

Preparation

House Decorated & Tidy

Cinnamon Rolls Made & Rising

Breakfast Casserole, Orange Juice Ready, Kitchen Island Ready

Good Morning

Christmas T-shirts

Coffee, Juice, Hot Chocolate

“Fireplace” on TV, Christmas Lights On

Devotions

Devotion Books

  • Luke 2
  • Christmas Carols & Songs

Homemade Cinnamon Roll & “Happy Birthday to Jesus”

Impact on Visitors

Presents

Eat Breakfast while Opening

Open Gifts – one at a time (we open stockings on  Christmas Eve after the Traveling Dinner)

Making a List for later Thank-You Cards

Calls to Family

Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles

Sign up for our Newsletter

100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Celebrate Thanksgiving by Meredith Curtis Christmas Thoughts & Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis at Powerline Productions, Inc. Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Jesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith Curtis
Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis

 


Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

Christmas Around the World

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #175, Christmas Around the World, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Christmas Around the World

In “Christmas Around the World,” Episode, #175, Meredith Curtis introduces you to Christmas celebrations & traditions from Germany, Mexico, England, Bethlehem, South Korea, and the Philippines. Learn about each nation, make a flag ornament or banner, and try out one Christmas tradition from each country.

 

 

 

 


Rejoice! for unto to us a child is born! - with Powerline Productions, Inc.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 


Show Notes

Christmas is celebrated with joy around the world!

Learn about different Christmas traditions & incorporate them into your Christmas this  year.

Germany

Advent Calendars, Christmas Trees, Christmas Cookies, Christmas Markets, Christmas Villages, Church & Presents Christmas Eve, Christmas Family Day, Second Christmas Give to Poor

Bake German Gingerbread Cookies

Mexico

Nacimiento (nativity scenes), Poinsettias, Pastorelas (Christmas plays), Pinatas, Farolitos (light in bags), Las Posadas, Christmas Eve Mass

Enjoy a Pinata!

England

Advent Wreath, 12 Days Christmas, Decorate with Holly, ivy, & Mistletoe, Christmas Lights, Candlelight Carol Services, Caroling, Cards, Christmas Eve Services, Christmas Crackers, Boxing Day

Make a Christmas Cracker

Bethlehem

Prophecies about little Bethlehem, Decorations, Each Denomination has its own procession past special sites, Christmas Eve parade & fireworks, Chuch Services

Watch Bethlehem parade on TV

South Korea

Church, Light Displays, Visit Loved Ones carrying Candles house to house, Christmas feast (barbequed meat with rice, sweet potato noodles, kimchi, bean paste, and vegetables), Christmas cake (made w rice flour)

Make a Korean Christmas Dinner

Philippines

Parol (Christmas lanterns), Christmas trees (made of metal, plastic, or wood), Simbang Gabi (from 12/16 to 12/23 before sunrise services), Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, Christmas cakes (made from rice flour), Ginger Tea

Make a Filipino Christmas Cake & Drink Ginger Tea

Sign up for our Newsletter

100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Celebrate Thanksgiving by Meredith Curtis Christmas Thoughts & Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis at Powerline Productions, Inc. Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Jesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith Curtis
Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis

 


Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

Family Traditions to Celebrate, Teach, & Identify

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #173, Family Traditions to Celebrate, Teach, & Identify, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Family Traditions to Celebrate, Teach, & Identify

In “Family Traditions to Celebrate, Teach, & Identify,” Episode, #173, Meredith Curtis believes family traditions are a perfect way to celebrate holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and special days. They also help us to pass on values and give our children a sense of security as a family member. Many celebrations also lend themselves to teaching children family and national history. Where do you start to build family traditions your family will enjoy and keep everything simple and easy? Meredith hears you and she has some simple steps to take to plan your own family traditions.

 


Powerline Productions, Inc.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 


Show Notes

Start with his and hers. Then move to ours.

The Basics of Traditions

Festive with purpose!

  • Celebration Fun
  • Teaching & Passing on Virtues
  • Identification in the Family

Let Me Give Your Some Examples

New Years Day

Scriptures

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (II Corinthians 5:17)

Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14 NASB)

New Life, New Opportunities, Moving Forward

Celebrate: Game night & Festive midnight “toast with hugs”

Teach/Pass Values: Family Communion (new life in Christ) & Prayer for the New Year (new beginning)

Family Identity: “This is how we celebrate New Years”

St. Valentines’ Day

Scripture

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12 NASB)

Love for God, Romantic Love

Celebrate: “Pink & Red & White Dinner,” decorate, make Valentines for each other

Teach/Pass Values: Parents share love story or looking at wedding album, Read (or watch) something about St. Valentine

Family Identity: “This is how we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day”

Mother’s Day / Father’s Day

Scripture

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth(Ephesians 6:1-3 NASB)

Blessing of Parents, Honoring Parents

Celebrate: Special meal, Encouragement Game, Family Outing, or Presents (combo or all)

Teach/Pass Values: Call grandparents, Send cards earlier, Help children make cards & gifts for parent

Family Identity: “This is how we celebrate Mother’s Day & Father’s Day”

How to Get Started

Brainstorm your dreams for your family

Talk to your husband – his favorite holiday traditions

Talk to your kids – what are there favorite holiday traditions

Can tweak traditions (e.g. opening presents one at a time)

Think in terms of Celebrate & Teach/Pass Values. All traditions help establish a family identity.

Sign up for our Newsletter

100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Celebrate Thanksgiving by Meredith Curtis Christmas Thoughts & Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis at Powerline Productions, Inc. Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Jesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith Curtis
Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis

 


Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

Developing Traditions & Hobbies with Your Kids

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Developing Traditions and Hobbies with Your Kids - Talking Mom 2 Mom Podcast

The days are long and the years are short. We get caught up in the day to day operations and before long our children are grown up. Developing traditions and including your children in your hobbies is one way to develop and maintain a strong relationship and sense of family as the years pass.

Links:

Talking Mom 2 Mom Website

Find us on Facebook!