1. Buy a simple cheesecloth tablecloth and fabric markers. Drape the cloth over your dinner table and invite your guests to write their names, the date and what they are thankful for this year. Enjoy recalling the thoughts of family and friends as you reminisce with each year’s tablecloth.

2. Buy a tree ornament for each family member that recalls a special event in their lives from that year. Perhaps an ornament of a swimmer to honor your son’s first swim meet or ski-inspired ornaments for everyone from the family’s ski vacation. When your children have homes of their own, the gift of their personal ornament collection will give them both a jump start on decorating their own tree and years of memories.

3. Choose a special recipe and make it only once a year on a specific holiday. Family members will look forward to the navel oranges filled with sweet potato soufflé or the special holiday oyster dressing each year.

4. Pick a night to drive around town and admire the holiday lights. Don’t forget to bring along a thermos of hot chocolate and a recording of holiday music to listen to in the car!

5. Pass out 3x5 cards to everyone in the family during the days before you celebrate, asking them to note the past year’s special triumphs. Combine their responses into a memorable blessing for your holiday meal.

6. Take a picture of each family member at Christmas. Date them and hang them on the tree the following year on a ribbon or in picture frame ornaments. You’ll enjoy seeing how everyone grows and changes over the years.

7. Sponsor a needy child, family or elderly person for the holidays. Select the gifts together as a family to make the experience even more poignant.

8. Pass on your favorite dinner recipes to your grown children. Prepare them together this year; next year let them try it on their own!

9. Schedule a night for your family to watch holiday classics like “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” or “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Warm up the night with a fire in the fireplace and childhood recollections from the first time you saw “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

10. Not everyone is off from work during the holidays. Why not bake cookies or take part of your holiday meal to the local police station, fire station or hospital? This surprise will brighten the day of those who work to better your community.

Copyright 2003, M&L Publishing, all rights reserved.