How to Make Family New Year’s Resolutions I can’t take any credit for this idea. It was all my 9-year-old son’s idea. “Mommy, I have been working on an activity in my mind since Boxing Day.” We had been talking a lot about New Year’s Resolutions and what they mean, and whether we should make […]
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Dear Santa Lantern *I received a “Dear Santa Lantern” from Nouwee to test – who wouldn’t want to? All opinions are our own* You’ve mailed a letter to Santa. Maybe you had your letter read on the radio or printed in the newspaper. If you’re in England, maybe you’ve sent your letter up the chimney. […]
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How to Make Family New Year’s Resolutions I can’t take any credit for this idea. It was all my 9-year-old son’s idea. “Mommy, I have been working on an activity in my mind since Boxing Day.” We had been talking a lot about New Year’s Resolutions and what they mean, and whether we should make […]
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Dear Santa Lantern *I received a “Dear Santa Lantern” from Nouwee to test – who wouldn’t want to? All opinions are our own* You’ve mailed a letter to Santa. Maybe you had your letter read on the radio or printed in the newspaper. If you’re in England, maybe you’ve sent your letter up the chimney. […]
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I can’t take any credit for this idea. It was all my 9-year-old son’s idea.
“Mommy, I have been working on an activity in my mind since Boxing Day.”
We had been talking a lot about New Year’s Resolutions and what they mean, and whether we should make them or not. We also talked about picking one word to focus on for the year.
This is when Daniel piped up with his idea. Hesitant at first, it ended up being one of the best family bonding experiences.
How to make family New Year’s Resolutions
Sit around a table. Each person has a piece of paper and a pencil. Write your name at the top of the paper. Put numbers down the edge of the paper – the number in the group plus 1. We had 4 people, so we wrote to the number 5.
Pass your paper to the left. As you pass the paper around, write down one resolution for that person. Something that they need to work on, or a goal you think they should try to achieve.
Keep passing the paper around until it returns to you.
Now, write 2 resolutions/goals for yourself.
The results were outstanding.
Instead of it being really negative and accusatory, it was so positive on how we can make changes to make our family stronger.
– Learn to bake together – Don’t complain so much at supper time – Turn off the computer when the family is around – Develop better sleep habits
I urge you to try this activity this January, and be prepared to have your eyes and mind opened, but be prepared to work on these goals together. Post them somewhere where you can refer to them.
Happy New Year!
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But… Have you ever sent your letter to Santa on a paper lantern that looks like a hot air balloon? This year, we did!
When I was contacted by Nouwee to test the Dear Santa Lantern, I couldn’t resist. The boys (7 & 9) still mostly believe in Santa, and are at the perfect age to try it out.
According to the website, the “Dear Santa” Lantern’s goal is to create those magical moments with your child and to offer them the world’s greatest gift: your presence.
If you could take a happy memory, a milestone event or a family get together and make it even more special, would you? This Holiday Season, imaginative Quebec-based NOUWEE is asking Canadians to create the magic of memories through unforgettable party accessories. In time for the holidays, the brand has expanded into Ontario with newly developed, family-friendly party favours.
This includes the Dear Santa Lantern
DEAR SANTA: This year, children can send their letters directly to the North Pole with the NOUWEE Dear Santa Lantern – a mini hot air balloon with a letter attached for Santa that kids can customize with their wish list and personal messages.
How it Works
The Dear Santa Lantern is SO EASY. That’s the first thing I loved about it.
All the instructions are clearly marked on the back of the box. There are very few of them.
Take the lantern out of the box, and “fluff” it up into a balloon shape.
There is also a postcard inside that is addressed to Santa. Write a personal letter (we made sure our address and last names were NOT on the card as Santa would magically know it was from us, anyway!).
At the bottom of the lantern is a cardboard combustible square. Light that on fire.
Once the balloon fills with the warm air (about 2-3 minutes), we let it go into the air!
Our Experience
We first attempted to light the Santa lantern with our friends when we went to the mountain to cut down our own Christmas tree. However, it was far too windy. The lantern would not light, and then the wind was starting to rip the lantern. So, we decided to pack it up and try again another day.
After days of waiting for the wind and rain and snow to pass, we finally found a clear day!
We lit it in an open area at the top of a hill. We also decided to light it during the day, as we thought the pictures for this blog post would be clearer. Ideally, you should light it at night.
Picture the scene in the movie Frozen with all the lanterns being released, and you know what I mean!
Safety
To light it safely, it is good to have two adults. One to hold the top of the lantern, while the other lights it and hold the bottom.
We were worried that the fire might burn the sides of the lantern, but it never did! The lanterns are actually small hot air balloons made out of flame-resistant rice paper. It is made to go up until the fuel burns out and come back down slowly afterwards.
So it is perfectly safe to release it into the air while it was still burning. However, the instructions do recommend having a water source nearby for emergencies!
Only adults are to light the lantern!
Environmental Concerns
The second thing I love about the Santa Lantern is that it is biodegradable. So, you can feel better about releasing it into the air, than a helium balloon. Two thumbs up.
Our Launch
When we launched it into the air, we had no idea what to expect, but when it went, and kept on going, it was utterly amazing.
The kids stood in awe and wonder!
We stood in awe and wonder, watching it for over 10 minutes until it went beyond our sight lines.
What a magical moment, and one I would love to do every year!
I asked Thomas (7) how he thought Santa would get the letter (especially as it was heading south!) “I think a polar bear will find it and give it to Santa,” he said. “Either that, or when Santa is out snow gardening, it will land on his snow lawn, and he will find it.”
And that’s part of Christmas – the childhood wonder and magic of it all, which Nouwee’s Dear Santa Lantern can help to create!
Or, if you miss your chance to make a Dear Santa Lantern,try out the Wish Lanterns, where you make a wish and send it into the sky. How wonderful for a birthday or a summer party! (retail $19.99)
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