NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Dec. 8, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Each year parents take on the daunting tasks of holiday preparations for the entire family. To carve out precious family time during the busy holiday season, the editors at FamilyFun.com (www.familyfun.com), the premier online family resource for creative solutions, suggest planning themed "family nights." These planned nights get kids involved with many holiday activities and help parents complete many of their holiday preparations -- all while spending time together.
From designing ornaments to baking goodies, here are five top holiday family night ideas from FamilyFun.com that kids and parents can choose from to help make the holidays memorable for the entire family:
Design an Ornament Night Yarn Candy Cane A neat twist on a classic, these canes are virtually indestructible (and they make excellent gifts).
MATERIALS: Two skeins of cotton, one red and one white; scissors; red pipe cleaner; 1/2-inch to 5/8-inch ribbon.
1. Open a skein of cotton and snip the loop at each end so you have two bunches; repeat with the other skein. Then take one red bunch and one white bunch and tie them together into a single knot around the end of a pipe cleaner.
2. To make the stripes, twist the two colors around the pipe cleaner and knot the ends together around the other end. Trim the cotton at both ends and trim the pipe cleaner if need be.
3. Bend into a candy cane shape and adorn with a ribbon bow.
Create a Homemade Gift Night Handprint Apron
Kids will enjoy making this handy apron which would make a great gift for a grandparent. All they have to do is dip their hands in paint and voila, they've made a great gift with their own "signature" on it.
1. Cover a work area with newspaper, and lay the apron right-side up. Pour a little paint into a paper plate.
2. Have kids press their hands in the paint, move them around until the palm sides are covered, then place their handprints on the apron. Continue until the apron is covered with prints.
3. Write each child's name with a fabric pen under his handprint. Let dry for at least one day before wearing.
Make a Sweet Treat Night Dough Nuts
Kids will go nutty for these clever fall treats, which look like acorns but taste a whole lot sweeter.
1. Frost a third or so of a plain or glazed doughnut hole with chocolate frosting or peanut butter.
2. Roll the frosted top in crumbled toffee (look for it in the baking section of grocery stores), then add a small piece of a pretzel for the stem.
Contribute to a Greater Cause Night
Help those that are less fortunate by creating gift baskets filled with holiday goodies and crafts created by your family and deliver to a local charity organization.
Holiday Movie Night
Gather the family to watch classic and contemporary holiday films including Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Home Alone, and The Santa Clause.
"These days, parents lead busy lives, but it doesn't take much time to plan unique holiday activities that involve the entire family," said Emily Smith, vice president, FamilyFun.com. "Our site provides creative and quick ideas for creating spirited family nights, which makes for a memorable way for families to celebrate the holiday season together."
Editor's note: Directions and photo available for consumers at www.familyfun.com.
About FamilyFun.com
Produced by Disney Online, FamilyFun.com is the premier online family resource for creative solutions, combining award-winning content and related community features focused on great ideas, practical advice, and "fun stuff to do." The site's popular "Solution Centers," which offer parents real answers in real time, include: "Recipes," "Travel," "Arts & Crafts," "Games," and "Parties." Disney Online also produces Disney.com, the leading kids' and family entertainment destination on the Internet. Disney.com features exciting neighborhoods that live within the gates of Disney's virtual theme park, housing a variety of wholesome, original content that consistently reflects the magic of Disney. Disney Online works closely with The Walt Disney Internet Group, which provides integrated strategic and operational Internet services for The Walt Disney Company's Internet initiatives.