Q. I have three young children. I want Christmas to be more than asking Santa for toys. I want us to do things together that they will remember, and I also want them to start to learn how other people celebrate at this time of year.

A. Each year, read some holiday-oriented books together. This year, you might try "What Santa Can't Do" (Douglas Wood) and "Bear Stays Up For Christmas" (Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman). And don't forget the classic "Night Before Christmas."

Start family traditions you can continue indefinitely. Decorate a gingerbread house (buy an inexpensive kit if you don't want to make your own from scratch), string popcorn for your tree, make holiday cookies, create Christmas cards for family members and friends.

Make "magic reindeer food" with your kids, and for Christmas Eve gifts to others. Save small jars, baby-food size will do, or even small plastic or paper cups. In a pinch, use a small closeable plastic bag.

In each container, layer  1/4 cup oatmeal,  1/4 cup sugar, and some red and/or green sugar crystals (from the cake decorating section of the market). If you're using jars or cups, you can put plastic or felt or even a folded tissue on the top and secure it with colorful yarn, a rubber band, or ribbon to make a pretty gift.

Add this little poem with instructions to do what it says on Christmas Eve:

Sprinkle on the lawn at night

The moon will make it sparkle bright

As Santa's reindeer fly and roam

This will guide them to your home.

The kids will love doing that! And here are two books you can read with your children to help them begin to learn about traditions other than Christmas: "My First Kwanzaa" (Deborah Chocolate) and "Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah" (Sylvia Rouss).

We wish you fine holidays.