In the home of Matilda and Monica, twins! Identical sisters, who look just the same, are worried that Santa may not know their names!

When visiting Santa out at the big mall. They stood next to him confidently tall. “Matilda, you are quite a gymnast,” he said. “I like your fine medal that hangs by your bed, And, Monica’s trophy from her last recital; You’re quite a pianist; there is no denial.”

How did Santa do it? Did he just guess? Twins identity crisis can cause so much stress!

If friends cannot do it, how did this jolly elf recognize each twin for her unique self? Was Santa just lucky to get their names right? Will he really know them on Christmas Eve night? Momma said that Santa’s observant and smart. Does he have the secret that tells twins apart? The twins are fashioning an early gift from momma – names monogrammed on plaid Christmas pajamas – they decided to put Santa to the big test.

After all, he was Santa and he should know best. Matilda and Monica made a big swap; They switched out their new Christmas pajama tops! Ready to face Santa with a twin game, Matilda wore Monica’s and her sister took her name.

As mom and dad slept, the girls crawled quietly to position themselves ‘neath their bright Christmas tree. Momma knew they were anxious, so she’d understand. And she said that Santa’s a twin’s biggest fan. They waited for hours not making a peep. But, before they knew it, the twins fell asleep.

Then Santa arrived and much to his chagrin, he tumbled as he almost stepped on a twin! “A Twin Slumber Party? Not in anyone’s dream on Christmas Eve night! This must be a scheme!” said Santa, observant and so wise. And he was not fooled by their pajama-switch disguise. Placing presents for Monica and Matilda, Santa knew he still had one last thing to do.

Beside each girl’s present, he left a note. Here are the wise words that Santa wrote: Twins are a gift to the world, times two. But the real blessings lie in each of you. Though you may look alike, you’re uniquely apart, by actions and words that define separate hearts. So be true to yourself though others may guess, your face with your name will outshine the rest.

The girls were awakened by paws on the roof. Was that Santa leaving? Did they miss their proof? But the note Santa left them gave their names a new light. And they heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, “Celebrate twins! Forget all the drama! I know who you are, so switch back your pajamas and hop back in bed.”

Cynthia F. Panks, age 63 is the proud grandmother to two sets of twins! Writing is one of her favorite past times. She had two daughters who both delivered twins! Madison and Mackenzi are 14-years-old. Sydney and Shelby are 7-years-old. She wanted to write a Christmas poem on the uniqueness of being a twin since there weren’t many holiday-themed poems or songs for twins.

The post Twins’ Night Before Christmas - A Twins Tale appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Try some of these ideas to enjoy your twin’s first holiday season as a family. 

For my twins’ first Christmas, I was determined to be a cool mom. I wrapped a few toys to put under the tree. I kept the ornaments simple.

I didn’t offer to host a big family feast. There was just one tradition I wanted to start: baking homemade cookies with them. Never mind that my daughter and son were 5 months old and hadn’t even tried solids. I’d read somewhere that smells trigger emotional memories, and I was determined that as they grew, anytime they smelled the scent of sweets wafting from an oven, they would be flooded with memories of home.

As you might predict, my first attempt at baking with the babies wasn’t the cozy kitchen scene I’d envisioned. I put too much pressure on myself to make the moment fun and perfect, starting with my recipe for complicated glittery star-shaped cookies. When my tears started rolling, I felt as if I’d ruined not just their Christmas Present but all of their Christmas Futures. Ah, Baby’s first big holiday. Like the first birthday, this milestone triggers a mom’s urge to plot and plan. But take it from me, a parent who has been there: Less is truly more. Use these steps to feel fortunate this holiday — not grinchy.

Blend Old and New

Until this year, you’ve probably celebrated the holidays the way your parents or your in-laws did. Now that you’re the mom, you have the chance to call the shots and establish new traditions. Just make sure you do so thoughtfully.

Talk to Grammy. If you’ve always gone to your Bubbe’s house for the first night of Hanukkah but want to light the first candle by your own hearth, don’t dodge the topic — be up-front with her, says Meg Cox, author of The Book of New Family Traditions. Reinforce what won’t change; for example, you’ll still go to Aunt Sue’s house for the last night of Hanukkah. And resist making any broad, forever proclamations. In the end, you may really miss Bubbe’s bash and want to return next year.

Give everyone a break.

“The year my daughter was born, we decided to go to a restaurant for our holiday dinner, which is something we’ve continued to do,” says Anika Palm, of Orlando. “My family was thrilled!”

Without the stress of cooking, everyone in Palm’s family could focus on being together. “You order what you want and then leave the mess behind,” she says.

Dial down the holiday emphasis.

If your babies are less than a month old, the best bet may be to treat the day as 20 percent holiday, 80 percent regular day. Even leaving the house may be too much. “My son was 6 days old for his first Christmas,” says Melissa Schlegel, of La Crosse, Kansas. “I thought we were scaling back by not driving the three hours to my parents’ and just going to my in-laws’ nearby. But I hadn’t yet found a proper nursing bra, and I practically had to undress in a back bedroom to breastfeed my son. I was exhausted and overwhelmed.”

Roll with it. If your family has traditions you love, stick with them. They’ll still feel brand-new to your little one in the coming years. That’s how Olga Davis, a Chicago mom, whose daughter Madeline celebrated her first Christmas last year, sees it. “Our family is Mexican, and our big gathering is Christmas Eve,” she says. “We make tamales and bunuelos [fried dough], and everyone stays up until midnight to open gifts.”

Davis envisions her daughter doing exactly that as a kid. “Hey, I had to wait!” she explains. “Madeline will too! And she can join in the cooking.”

Get your partner’s input. The two of you have probably learned to take turns visiting each other’s parents for the holidays. Now build on that compromise by discussing the one or two aspects from your own childhood traditions that you want to pass down, says Cox. Make those a priority, and you’ll both feel heard.

Plan some child-free time. And guard it fiercely. Hire a sitter, so you don’t miss your friend’s big bash. Spend a Saturday afternoon baking with your sisters or shop all day with your mom. Afterward, you’ll feel more refreshed for taking care of your sweetie.

Create a Family Story

When you start to panic about not buying enough for your babies this holiday, take a calm-mom breath. “Most of us don’t remember the gifts we receive as kids,” says Cox. “What we remember are the rituals that happened every year.” As your children grows, these little events are what will bring them comfort and a sense of place.

Enjoy simple moments. If you’re up for it, start a tradition you can easily repeat. Cook latkes with another family. Snap a photo of your babies in their Santa jammies. “For our babies first Christmas, we placed a tiny tree in their bedroom, safely out of reach on a bookcase,” says Wendy Cromwell, a mom in Atlanta. It turned into a tradition. “This year will be their third Christmas, and they can’t wait to decorate her tree.”

Give back. True, your babies won’t remember a good deed you do for others this season, but once sharing is part of your family’s holiday routine, it may stick. Buy two of a toy that you are planning to give your children and donate one. Shannon Johnson, of Dobbs Ferry, New York, a mom of two, began donating food on a monthly basis to a needy family the year she became a mom. Eleven years later, they’re still at it. “I knew this tradition would grow with us,” she says. “And it takes the focus off what’s under the tree.”

Reconnect with your roots. New parents are often energized to learn more about their own culture. “We decided to add a Dia de los Reyes [Three Kings Day] celebration to our family’s holiday traditions when our first child was born, not just because it’s a Latino holiday but because it continues the story of Jesus’ birth,” says Melanie Mendez Gonzales, a mom of two in San Antonio. Now Gonzales’ family drinks te de canela, a cinnamon tea; eats pan dulce, a sweet bread; and plays Loteria, similar to bingo. “Part of my Mexican culture could get lost if we don’t continue these traditions,” she says.

Invest in relationships. “I love to curl up on the couch with my son after we’ve decorated the tree and talk about the ornaments we’ve collected,” says Cox. “It’s just us connecting.” Your kids may not be old enough to sit and chat, but they’re the perfect age for cuddling in front of your decorations. As for my quest for cookies that first year, I did turn out a batch of tasty, three-ingredient peanut butter confections.

My twins are now 5 and we’ve baked together every year, creating big messes and plenty of arm-less gingerbread men. I look forward to it, but if life gets in the way, a sugar-cookie scented candle sits on my kitchen counter.

Techy Tools for Holiday Help

The latest trends for saving time and banishing stress from your to-do list.

You Want: Shopping done overnight

Try:  Signing up for an Amazon Prime membership (Amazon.com). A $79 annual fee gets you free shipping on eligible items, and free streaming movies, perfect for holiday fun.

You Want: Gifts at bargain prices

Try: Downloading the RedLaser app (free for iOS, Android, and Windows). Scan the purchase you’re about to make and you’ll find out whether you’re getting the best deal. If not, you’ll be directed to the store or online site with the lowest price.

You Want: A potluck that’s easy to plan

Try: Going to Perfect PotLuck.com. Reduce the back-and-forth on who is making what, and coordinate dishes so everyone doesn’t bring green bean casseroles.

You Want: Quality time with faraway family

Try: Using FaceTime, Google+ Hangouts, or Skype. Now Grammy who lives in Maine can read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to your baby at your home in Miami.

By Kim Hays from American Baby

The post The Holiday Survival Guide – Surviving the First Holiday Season appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Even with the popularity of using e-mail, social media, and texting to communicate with friends and family, holiday cards continue to be a time-honored tradition. In fact, according to a survey from holiday cards and thank you cards retailer, Cardstore, 43 percent of Americans prefer a greeting card from a loved one instead of $10, and 63 percent think sending a special occasion greeting through a social network is inappropriate.

While survey results show most people prefer to receive holiday cards, people mistakenly think that creating these custom cards is time-consuming. Thanks to technology, new products, and online greeting card sites, this isn’t necessarily the case. By following the tips below, creating custom, personalized holiday cards can be easy, fun, and inexpensive.

Picture Perfect

Getting a perfect holiday picture does not have to involve a three-hour photoshoot with an expensive photographer. Oftentimes the best holiday shots are the candid, everyday ones shot at home. For professional-looking DIY images, use natural light (if indoors, shoot near a window), get up close, and have the subjects involved in a favorite activity. Laugh, have fun, and shoot away. Even if the shots aren’t perfect, use photo editing software – sometimes just simply changing the image to black and white or cropping out unwanted parts can transform the image.

Let your kids be the artist

Instead of uploading a favorite photo for holiday cards, simply scan your kids’ favorite drawings and quickly upload them to a photo greeting card site. This is an especially cute idea for classroom or grandparent holiday cards.

Collage Card

Instead of spending hours deciding which photo to feature for the holiday card, just choose several photos taken throughout the year that highlight favorite adventures and memories. Visit a favorite online card store and select one of the many templates available.

Keep it simple

Scour the crafting and dollar stores where there are a variety of inexpensive products to make handmade cards. Use blank cards and embellish with just one or two items – any more items and it can be daunting, especially if more than 50 cards need to be made. For instance, punch out polka dots in festive holiday papers using a circle punch and adhere them to the card front in a random, whimsical pattern. Or, run a piece of grosgrain ribbon across the front of the card and adhere a glittered embellishment or button.

Use a kit

For those who lack the creative bug or are really strapped for time, use pre-assembled DIY holiday card kits. Cardstore has embellished card kits that combine the time-saving elements of digital photo cards with the personal, hand-crafted touch of dimensional accents. Order the photo cards online. Once they arrive, decorate the cards with the provided coordinating stamps, gems, and glitter glue. Tips and creative inspiration included and no extra trip to the craft store needed!

The post 5 Tips for Perfectly Simple Holiday Cards appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

As the holiday’s fast approach, it can become a stressful couple of months for parents. Especially parents of multiples. What better way to approach the holiday hustle than with a sense of humor.

You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout; get your feet in the pie. This familiar verse—modified to the realities of the McGee household—has become my mantra as I approach another round of holidays with my wife Lisa and our 3 ½-year-old twins daughters, Katie and Sara. Fortunately, as each year goes by, there’s less crying and pouting; but enough about Lisa and me. Like most families, we’ve had our share of warm and wonderful holiday moments. However, I seem to best remember the ones that would never make a Currier and Ives print.

Halloween Havoc

For instance, we were proud parents the Halloween when our 1-year-olds were finally able to walk on their tiny toddler legs up to neighbors’ doors to trick-or-treat. However, Sara overdid the personal mobility concept. For as soon as a neighbor opened the door, Sara barged right in and made herself at home—in the kitchen, dining room, or wherever looked most inviting. It was then my mission to extricate her wriggling body from the family’s dog or homemade caramel corn and explain. “Yes, honey, I know we just got here, but now we have to go.”

Katie made her Halloween reputation as a home-front hostess. When costumed kiddies held out their sacks at our door, 2 ½-year-old Katie took it as an invitation to plunder, reaching in to relieve them of their best treats. It was a toss-up who threw the bigger tantrum—the kids whose candy was swiped or Kate when she had to give it back. Lisa and I were no better. Last year when we all got back from trick–or–treating, we searched through the girls’ treat bags and began recycling the least attractive items back to the doorbell ringers. Naively, we thought our twins eating dinner in the kitchen would be oblivious to the chicanery in the dining room. Suddenly there came an independent howl from Sara, “HEEEY, Mom’s giving away our candy,” Nothing like being caught red-licorice-handed.

Sick of the holidays? Not us!

At Thanksgiving, McGee family tradition usually involved one of us being in the emergency room or otherwise disabled. Lisa was on pregnancy bed rest Thanksgiving before the twins were born, which, we like to feel, gave the kids a leg up on this quaint family custom. Last year, Lisa’s family joined us for Thanksgiving. Aunt Robbin contracted a killer flu bug as she was getting on the plane in Texas and was totally laid low by the time she arrived in Denver. Poor Robbin spent the entire five days down in our unfinished basement “guest room” and the twins only saw her from a safe distance at the top of the stairs. Weeks after everyone went home; Katie and Sara would ask if their Aunt Robbin was still down in the basement. Expecting tales of tempting turkey dinners or Indian/Pilgrim vignettes, we asked the kids what they liked best about Thanksgiving. Kate said she liked it when dad dropped the jar of honey, and Sara picked it when the garbage disposal blew up.

Obviously, our daughters think it is a fine Thanksgiving custom to confine guests in accommodations we usually reserve for our cat, to dodge food particles spewing out of the sink, and to reverently gather around the mess of glass embedded in honey on the kitchen floor.

Out of the mouths of babes

Christmas, of course, is also special. Amidst the snowflakes and silver bells, Lisa and I always look forward to the “Annual Christmas Tree Fight.” Besides the timing of putting up the tree, we wrangle over which way it should face, how it should be anchored, what the trimming should be, and where and when it will fall over.

While my wife and I were arguing last Christmas, Sara said, “You guys stop fighting.”

“We’re not fighting, I protested, “We’re discussing.”

“Well, you shouldn’t be disgusting at Christmas,” Sara replied. Can’t argue with that. Last year, we put up a novelty Santa, who boomed “Ho, ho, ho—Merry Christmas” every time the door was opened; besides fielding the toddler question, “Dad, who’s Mary Christmas?” seemingly hundreds of times, I began to find Santa’s unceasing jolliness just a bit tiresome.

By the third day, Santa had mysteriously disappeared. My guess is that he was bound and gagged by some cheerless Grinch and hidden in an upstairs closet.

But, at least we had the spiritual consolation of Christmas Eve services in our church. We thought the kids were old enough to sit in the sanctuary with us, until, at one of the most solemn, silent moments, Katie sang out loud and clear, “Mom, I’ve got to go potty!” 

Granted, it wasn’t “God bless us, everyone,” but just about what we’ve come to expect from our little dickens.

The post Approaching the Holidays with Humor appeared first on TWINS Magazine.