It's already time to think about sending this year's holiday cards. Though we don't always get it in the mail before Christmas, we try to come up with a family greeting that conveys news and reflections on this special season.
Over the years, the kids have contributed either by writing a few lines, signing their names, licking stamps or stuffing envelopes.Before the hectic pace of the holiday season gets the best of family life, set aside a quiet afternoon or evening to make special cards together with your children.
The most economical greetings are those you create on a plain, prestamped postcard available at the post office for the cost of the postage. Your family can decorate the plain side of the postcards in a variety of creative ways such as the popular technique of potato prints.
To make potato prints, an adult or older child may cut a potato in half with a paring knife. On the sliced side of the potato, carve a design such as a pine tree, star or any other symbol of the season. Sop up extra moisture from the cut potato with a paper towel. Dip the design in acrylic or poster paint and make prints on your postcards. Carve additional potato halves and dip in different colors of paint if you wish to make borders or other details.
For a beautiful snowflake design, make a print with a medium-size green bell pepper. Cut the pepper in half crosswise. Dry the freshly cut area of each half with a paper towel. Paint the cut area with gold paint and press the pepper firmly on the postcard. When the paint is dry, add a message and sign names.
If you prefer to create a personalized holiday letter instead of a postcard, ask each child in the family to write a few sentences describing milestones and mem-orable events of the past year. If you have preschoolers, ask them to tell you their ideas. Jot down their comments in their own charming style. Type or write the family greetings, including your own thoughts, on a sheet of paper leaving space for a family photo. Attach the photo to the paper and take the completed greeting to a print shop and make copies.