family holidays

Holidays are magical times when families come together to share and celebrate. Traditions that may date back generations make these occasions particularly special for many African-American families. "It's part of our foundation," says Antoinette Broussard, author of African-American Celebrations and Holiday Traditions. "When we come together, have this communion together and celebrate our traditions, we are really celebrating our history--where we come from, where we are and where we are going."

From baking Grandma's cobbler recipe for Christmas dinner to lighting the Kwanzaa candles, holiday traditions inspire warm memories for the entire family. No matter what traditions you practice, Broussard says to make sure the kids participate as well. "Whether you're all in the kitchen cooking or you're setting the table, it's important to get everyone involved," she says. "Even if the kids balk at first, they will ultimately be proud of their contribution and they will learn from the experience."

Here are some ways to create great holiday moments in your home:

DO-IT-YOURSELF DECORATING

Tap into your creative juices and your kids' imaginations to make your own holiday decorations and cards. This is a fun way to celebrate the holidays and spend time with your children. Brighten up the Christmas tree with colorful bows made from African prints, or let the kids create custom holiday cards with their favorite stickers.

HOST A HOLIDAY LUNCH

While the children are out of school and home all day, invite a few of their friends over for lunch. This gives the kids a chance to see each other and play over the holiday break. Make their favorite sandwiches taste even better by adding LAY'S[R] brand potato chips to the meal.

SHARE WITH OTHERS

Holidays are a wonderful time to share with those less fortunate. Go through your closets with the kids and donate clothing and other items you no longer use to charity. Ask your children to donate toys they no longer play with to other children who have no toys. This is a holiday tradition that will make you feel good and teach your kids a valuable lesson about giving.

CATCH A GREAT MOVIE

Rent your favorite holiday films and gather the whole family around for a night of fun that gets you in the spirit of the holidays. Be sure to serve up the snacks they love, like great-tasting LAY'S[R] potato chips, to make the evening extra special.

CELEBRATE YOUR HERITAGE

During this holiday season, take some time to pull out the photo album and talk with your children about their relatives and ancestors. They'll love hearing stories about those who came before them--and they'll get a kick out of seeing old pictures of you!