Children look forward to the holiday season with excitement and awe. Here are some ways to make memories as you enjoy the holiday season with your child.

• Attend a holiday play that has the nativity scene. Children enjoy the story of the baby Jesus. If you are tight on funds, then check the local high schools to see if any of them have a holiday play scheduled. Sometimes it is possible to see several different plays at area high schools. Also, make sure to take your child to his own school play.

• Take your child to a holiday concert. Music should be part of every child's life. You do not need to spend a fortune as nearly every high school has a holiday concert. Since the high schools coordinate their schedules to perform on different nights, you might be able to attend more than one holiday concert. Also, some professional concerts are designed for children and offer reduced rates on the Saturday matinee.

• Check the chamber of commerce website to see if a nearby community will be having a holiday parade. Children love parades.

• Plan a children's holiday party for your child and his classmates. Some fire stations do fundraisers and will bring Santa on the fire truck to the party.

• Drive around the neighborhood after dark to look at the different holiday lights. Play some Christmas music in the car as you are driving down the street looking at the houses.

• Rent the Christmas movie that was your favorite when you were the same age as your child. Make some genuine hot chocolate and watch the movie together.

Buy a digital camera to take pictures of your child as you are enjoying the holiday season together. Put the photos in a scrapbook along with the printed programs from the plays and concerts. Both of you will cherish the memories for many years.

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