Find the True Spirit of Christmas in a Wish Jar
Start a New Christmas Tradition
Aug 19, 2008 Mary Welling-Bonney
This project is a way to help your family remember what is important during the holiday season.
Cut up twenty three 2" x 4" pieces of paper for each family member. Try using scrapbooking paper. You can pick a design for each member of the family.
You will need a large mason jar, coffee can or any large container with a lid you can punch a slit into and remove later. If you are using an unattractive container use scrapbook paper or gift wrapping paper to cover the container. Encourage the kids to take ownership of the project and let them decorate the can or box. If your container is attractive enough on its own you won't need to decorate it. You can simply put a ribbon on it and add a bow to make it festive.
Each day set aside a special time. It can be right after dinner or right before bed. Just pick a time when the family is usually not rushed. Beginning December 1, each day at that time each member of the family will write their wish on their slip of paper, fold it and insert it into the jar.
The only rule is that the wish written on the paper cannot be for or about themselves. This is a great way to challenge the kids to think about someone else. The notes can be things like 'I hope mom feels better' or 'I hope dad gets that new account he has been working so hard for'. They can include wishes about siblings and other friends and family too.
In order to be able to write a wish about someone else they will have to talk to each other and find out what is important to the people around them.
On Christmas Eve the jar is opened.
The most amazing thing is when the wishes are read. It is then that you realize how much other people were concerned about you and your life. Each child is going to realize how much others think of them and worry for their struggles. They realize they weren't alone while they were going through their difficulty. You might even find the kids really concern themselves with your issues.
That night give each person a blank journal. Have them put their name on the outside and date the first page. Have the family tape or glue the wishes they had into their book. Each year they can add their wishes to the book. Part of the tradition will become looking back at the previous wishes from years gone by.
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