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By Karol Ladd www.PositiveMom.com

Dinner Theme
Every once in a while, build a theme around your dinner. On Mexican night, decorate the table with bright colors and a sombrero for tacos and tamales. On Italian night, use a red checked tablecloth as you serve spaghetti. Of course, Valentines dinner can be red foods with paper hearts. On St. Patrick's Day serve a green dinner (with the help of food coloring) on a green tablecloth with paper shamrocks scattered on the table. 

1. Seasonal Celebration
   At the beginning of each season, celebrate with a related dinner. The beginning of winter can be celebrated with paper snowflakes and snowball ice cream for dessert (roll vanilla ice cream in coconut). For the first day of spring, place fresh flowers on the table (or make tissue-paper flowers) and serve cookies shaped like flowers for dessert.
   
2. Kids' Cooking Night
   Allow older kids to search the recipe books and plan their favorite menu. They will need to make a list for you ahead of time so you can get the ingredients at the store. Then allow them to cook the meal, with only a little guidance from you if they need it. It is also their job to set the table. This activity tends to give them a greater appreciation for what you do.
   
3. Manners Night
   Once a month, declare a manners night. Ask all family members to dress nicely. You could hand out invitations if you want to go the extra mile. Serve dinner on the fine china and nice tablecloth. Teach one or two rules of etiquette at the dinner table, and talk about the importance of respecting one another.
   
4. Place Mat Art
   Allow kids to make different place mats each year. Using a large piece of colored construction paper, they can draw or color, make a collage, paint a scene, or use photos. You can even take an old map of the United States and cut it down to make place mats. Take the completed mats to an office or teacher supply store to get laminated, or you can use clear contact paper to do it yourself. Keep the collection of mats over the years and bring them out now and then. It's fun to see the progression of their talents and abilities. 
    
     
    

Karol Ladd is a best-selling author of over 20 books and Christian communicator to women around the world. One of Karol’s greatest joys is to encourage and inspire moms to be a positive influence in their homes.  She is a frequent guest on radio and television programs and serves on several ministry boards.  Karol is best known for her Positive Power series including The Power of a Positive Mom which is translated into five different languages.  Her most valued role is that of wife to Curt and mother to daughters Grace and Joy. Visit her website at www.PositiveMom.com.  Click here to read her blog on PreciousMoms.com.