The holiday season is the time to give and receive gifts, such as books, toys, and movies. Children look at different toys that shine in malls that make their eyes sparkle with joy. Parents, on the other hand, worry about the safety of the toys they buy.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, many of us will be gathering with our families. This will be an excellent time to share stories, and listen to grandparents talk about family history. Because wonderful and interesting stories get passed around during this time of the year, November is called the National Family Stories Month.

It is exciting to have this celebration, but the National Family Stories Month is not just about collecting and sharing family stories. It’s also about preserving family traditions. Be sure to enjoy and make the most of the National Family Stories Month with these brilliant ideas!

Share stories about your childhood

One of the most interesting stories everybody loves listening to is the story of your childhood. Share your fondest memories of when you were your kids’ age. What were the funniest things you did? What was the most memorable? Reminiscing on your childhood is a fun way to bring laughter to the group. Make it more exciting by flipping through old photo albums and showing photos of when you were younger.

Talk about your family traditions

Family traditions are important because they strengthen family bonds. Share with the younger members of the family the traditions you’ve kept. Explain why you have maintained them. Even if they are as simple as saying a prayer before a Thanksgiving meal, putting up a Christmas tree or hanging stockings on Christmas Eve, these traditions are always meaningful.

Document memories

It’s always fun to relive the good old days, especially when the memories were documented. Continue to add entries and include your children’s. Keep their baby photos and take note of important milestones. They would love to hear funny stories of when they were little. These keepsakes are something that your child will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Ask grandma and grandpa to share the story of how they met

Another exciting story the family would love is the story of how grandma and grandpa met. Times were different so many years ago and it would be interesting to find out your grandparents’ love story. During their time, communication wasn’t easy. There were no mobile phones or internet and it’s romantic to learn about courtship from back then.

Listen to some good, old music

There will always be those songs that bring feelings of nostalgia when played. Play the songs that bring back good memories, or ones that you danced to back in the day! Does your family have a favorite song to sing or dance to? Find a record or a CD of that music and put it on! Tell the younger members how it all started and share this tradition with them.

Play a movie the entire family has always loved watching

Did your family have a favorite TV show or childhood movie when you were growing up? Why don’t you watch it together? No matter how old it is, nothing’s more fun than everyone gathered around while watching a family favorite!

Start a new tradition with your kids

Aside from the existing family traditions, it’s also a good idea to start a new tradition with your kids. You can bake a favorite cookie recipe or learn a new game. Any activity will do as long as it creates new wonderful memories together.

Family stories are some of the best things that bind us for years and years. Continue to celebrate them while you create new family memories together! Use this guide and make use of these ideas to make your National Family Stories Month more fun and meaningful!

Being an integral part of the food supply of many countries, a world without potatoes is unimaginable! This month, we have more reasons to take in our favorite vegetable and make wonderful recipes because September is National Potato Month!

To help you get started, here are some great potato recipes that you can make at home to celebrate National Potato Month with the entire family!

Chicken and Potato Pot Pie

Chicken and Potato Pot Pie is an excellent meal for when everyone’s already starving and you’re running short on time. It is a fast and easy comfort food for both kids and adults alike. The following are the ingredients you need.

• 2 medium sized potatoes or 3 to 4 small potatoes
• 1 can of cream chicken soup
• 1 chicken breast
• 1 cup frozen vegetable blend
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 package refrigerated pie dough

Directions: Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and the chicken breast should be cut into small cubes. Mix the potatoes, vegetable, chicken, soup and a soup can of water together in a 1-quart microwave-safe dish. Top the mixture with pie dough. Brush the dough with egg. Microwave for 20 minutes or until chicken and potatoes are completely cooked.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes don’t have to be boring. Just when you thought you have tried every possible variation, this recipe introduces you to mashed potatoes with a twist. The ingredients for the roasted garlic mashed potatoes include:

• 5 pounds of russet or Yukon gold potatoes
• 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
• 1 and ½ sticks salted butter
• ¼ cup half-and-half
• Heavy cream
• 3 to 5 heads roasted garlic
• Salt and black pepper

Directions: Prepare your oven and preheat it to 350 degrees F. Cut the potatoes into cubes and boil it for about 30 minutes until tender. Drain and mash the potatoes for 5 minutes while allowing steam to escape. Then add the cream cheese, butter, cream, half-and-half, roasted garlic, salt and pepper. Mash and mix them together.  Once done, spread the potatoes into a large baking dish and leave a slice of butter at the top. Bake for about 30 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

Potato Salad Cha Cha Cha

Potato Salad Cha Cha Cha is going to be your next family’s favorite potato recipe. Why? Because aside from offering a good mix of flavors, this recipe is also healthy. So, without further ado, here are the ingredients and steps to make this dish.

• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• 2 and ½ tbsp lime juice
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 and ½ tsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. bottled mild jalapeno sauce
• 15 oz black beans
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 7 oz can vacuum packed kernel corn
• 1 and ½ cup sliced green onions

Directions: Cook potatoes in 2 inches of boiling water for 12 minutes or until tender. Once cooked, drain it and allow to cool. Meanwhile, whisk together the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. Add salt if desired.

Twice baked potatoes

Twice baked potatoes is a recipe that your family will surely love! It features an explosion of flavors including fresh green onion, crispy bacon bits and gooey cheddar on top of hollowed out potato halves. Check the list of ingredients below.

• 8 baking potatoes
• 2 sticks salted butter
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup bacon bits
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 2 tsp seasoned salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 green onions

Directions: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Rub the potatoes with canola oil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for an hour or until they are well cooked. In a large mixing bowl, place slices of butter in and add the sour cream and bacon bits. Then, remove the potatoes from the oven and reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides and add them in your mixing bowl. Make sure not to tear the shell. Then, place the hollowed out potato halves on a baking sheet. Meanwhile, mash the potatoes into the mixture of butter, bacon and sour cream. Then add milk, cheese, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper. Fill the hollowed out potatoes with this filling and top each potato with more cheese. Pop them into the oven for 15 minutes and they’re ready to eat!

Now that you have these exciting potato recipes, you’re on your way to having a blast this National Potato Month! So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get messy in the kitchen and enjoy a wonderful meal with the family!