During this challenging time, the Thrive team has decided to compile useful resources, tips and activities into a weekly newsletter for Thrive families. Most of these tips and activities are geared to children ages 4—12. We hope this brings you a simple and enjoyable way to stay

Thriving Families

December 14, 2020 Volume 1, Issue 37

5 Dinner Time Prompts

Try these conversation starters at dinner time and see

where the conversation takes you!

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

What is your favorite food to eat during Christmas?

What is your all time favorite Christmas present?

What is your favorite part of Christmas?

DIY Glowing Snow Globe Supplies:

Flat tonic water (your tonic water should be open to air at room temperature for 2 days.

Tonic water is carbonated, so you want all the carbonation to leave before putting it in a

jar.)

Plastic or glass jar (as long as it has a water-tight lid)

Waterproof glue (you can use hot glue)

White and orange foam

Permanent markers

Back light or glow sticks

Instructions:

1. Draw the shape of a snowman on the white foam and cut it out.

Use the orange foam for the nose and glue it on the snowman. Use permanent markers to

draw the eyes, mouth and button.

2. Glue your foam snowman to the inside of the jar lid. Add the tonic water and glitter in the

jar. Screw lid on (make sure its tight enough) turn upside down and viola! Take it in a dark

room with a black light to see it glow! (If using glow sticks – add them in jar with the tonic

water and glitter)

Mindfulness Corner

Hot Chocolate Make a cup of peppermint hot cocoa for

yourself and your kids. Sit down on the floor together and set a timer together for 5

minutes. Prompt your kids to notice what they smell and feel, and taste. Close your eyes while you do this if you don’t think your kids will burn themselves with their hot cocoa. After the time is complete, talk about what you noticed and

how you are feeling.

References: Robledo, A. (2020, December 07). 12 Holiday Mindfulness Activities For Kids • Nomads With A Purpose. Retrieved December 10, 2020, from https://www.nomadswithapurpose.com/holiday-mindfulness-activities-for-kids/ Rutledge, K. (2020, December 10). 100 Would You Rather Questions for the Holidays. Retrieved December 10, 2020, from https://www.signupgenius.com/groups/would-you-rather-holiday-questions.cfm Taste of Home. (n.d.). Reindeer Brownies. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/reindeer-brownies/ About Rebekah Gienapp I'm Rebekah Gienapp: Mommy. (2020, November 23). 25 Diverse & Inclusive Children's Books About Christmas. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.rebekahgienapp.com/diverse-christmas-childrens-books/ Citro, A. (2013, December 15). DIY Glowing Snow Globe: Quick Winter Craft. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/12/diy-glowing-snow-globe-quick-winter.html?ref=pcrorganicgglunkwn

2020 Emotions Ornaments

2020 has been a year filled with a roller coaster ride of emotions. Why not commemorate that with a 2020 emotions ornament? To make a 2020 emotions ornament, you will need a clear plastic ornament ball with a removable top, various colored ribbon, and small beads or stones (optional). Each colored ribbon will represent a different emotion. For example:

Red = Frustrated Orange = Mad Yellow = Happy Green = Calm Blue = Sad Purple = Scared

Think about a time you felt a particular emotions this year, if doing this activity as a family, talk about it. Then add the appropriate colored ribbon to the ornament. After you’ve finished adding the rib-bons to the ornament, you may opt to add small beads or stones for fun decorations.

Virtual Christmas Party Ideas

2020 has been the year of virtual get-togethers and parties, and this holiday season is no different. Need some inspiration for your Virtual Christmas Parties with your family and friends?

Check out some ideas we’ve gathered. Christmas Tree Show and Tell Sing Christmas Carols Watch movies together over Zoom Paint and Sip Cookie Decorating Bingo – opt to pay for prizes and have

participants chip in towards E-gift cards Would You Rather Christmas Style (see

our prompts)

Would You Rather? Christmas Edition

Would you rather have white lights or colored lights? Would you rather drink egg nog or hot chocolate? Would you rather wear ugly sweaters or matching PJs? Would you rather have a star or an angel on top of your tree? Would you rather decorate cookies or gingerbread houses? Would you rather be one of Santa’s elves or one of Santa’s

reindeer? Would you rather ride on the Polar Express or on Santa’s

Sleigh? Would you rather eat gingerbread cookies or candy canes? Would you rather wash your hair with cran-

berry sauce or with mashed potatoes and gravy?

Would you rather get 1 amazing gift or 10 OK gifts?

Would you rather give up a Christmas tree or Christmas cookies?

Christmas Books

‘Twas Nochebuena: A Christmas Story in English and

Spanish by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and Sara Palacios

I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison and

Frank Morrison

Tree of Cranes by Allen Say

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

The Elf on the Shelf by Bell Chanda and Carol V. Aebersold

Reindeer Brownies

Ingredients:

4 ounces unsweetened

chocolate, chopped

3/4 cup butter, cubed

3 large eggs

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-in. baking pan with foil,

letting ends extend up sides; grease foil. In a microwave, melt

chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool slightly.

2. Whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt until blended; stir in

chocolate mixture. Gradually stir in flour; spread into

prepared pan. Bake until edges begin to pull from sides of

pan, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

3. Lifting with foil, remove brownies from pan.

Spread frosting over top. Cut into 12 squares;

cut each square into a

triangle. Attach candies

and pretzels to make

reindeer faces.

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 can (16 ounces)

chocolate frosting

48 candy eyeballs

24 red-hot candies

48 miniature pretzels