Category — Christmas Activities

You’ll need:
Paper for the antlers & nose (you can cut them out of colored paper or use white paper & color with crayons or markers).
black marker to draw eyes
Paper sack (lunch size)
Rolled oats
Glitter
Directions:
1. Color and cut-out antlers, nose & eyes.
2. Fill the bottom of the paper sack with rolled oats mixed with glitter.
3. Fold the top of the paper sack down and into a point.
4. Glue antlers, nose and draw eyes.
4. Glue down so it’s secure. Don’t forget to include the poem.
5. Keep until Christmas Eve.

Poem
On the night before Christmas every year,
You leave Santa a snack but not his reindeer.
So this year on Christmas Eve,
Don’t forget a reindeer treat to leave.
Sprinkle the reindeer food on your lawn,
Then Christmas morn it will be gone.
The magic glitter and oats did surely guide,
Santa’s reindeer to your house on his long ride.

This is a fun & easy decoration to make with your grandchildren or children.
All you need is:
Paint stirring stick, tongue depressor, black & white paint, buttons, googly eyes, fabric scraps (scarf), orange marker or felt (nose), black marker (mouth), ribbon (for hanging) and hot glue.
Directions:
1. Paint stick & tongue depressor & glue as shown.
2. Add face, scarf & buttons.
3. Attach ribbon on back with hot glue.

This is a fun alternative to the traditional popcorn and cranberry garland.

You’ll need:

1 package of rainbow licorice
1 package of gumdrops
thin wire
Directions:
1. Cut the wire the length you want your garland. I cut mine into smaller sections for my grandchildren because it was difficult for them to slide the gumdrops on the long wire.
2. Cut the rainbow licorice into small sections about 1-2 inches long.
3. Begin with a gumdrop on one end then alternate licorice and gumdrops.
4. Leave a short piece of wire on each end of your garland so you can twist two lengths together attaching the garland.

The women in my extended family have a great tradition. The first Saturday of December we get together at my home and have a pot luck lunch. Everyone 6 years and older is invited. We always do a service project for a local hospital and sometimes we make Christmas cards, gift tags or crafts for ourselves. This is a fun Christmas card project using scraps of ribbon and yarn. We even used holiday paper and stamps. Everyone created their own unique, personalized card. You can buy blank cards and envelopes at most craft stores or you can make your own using cardstock.

What a cute keepsake for you or your grandchildren, a handprint ornament. I got this idea from my grandson’s kindergarten teacher.
You’ll need:
Round Christmas ornament
White acrylic paint
Permanent markers (various colors)
Large paper plate
Directions:
1. Pour enough white paint on the paper plate to cover your grandchild’s hand.
2. Have your grandchild press their hand in the paint making sure the entire hand is covered.
3. Help them wrap their hand around the bottom of the round ornament. Make sure their fingers are spread out. You only have one chance to do it so make sure the hand is correct before you have them press on the ornament.
4. Wait for the paint to dry (about 30 minutes).
5. When it’s dry make a face, hat, scarf, buttons, arms, etc. on each of the fingers to represent a snowman. Each one can be different.
This is a fun and creative way to make a memory with your grandchildren.

CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
KWANZAA ACTIVITIES
CHANUKAH ACTIVITIES

This is a great gift for your child to give someone special or a way to preserve a memory. Just recycle an old frame with paint and cute designs. You can also us tongue depressors to form a frame. Just paint, glue together and add a message or design. Use a ribbon or string for hanging. These frames are easy and fun and I know any grandparent or parent would be thrilled to receive one as a gift.

Here’s some fun Christmas jokes that I found in the book “Christmas Fun Activity Book” by Clare Beaton.
What is Tarzan”s favorite Christmas song? Jungle Bells
Why did the turkey cross the road? To prove he wasn’t chicken
Who is never hungry at Christmas? The turkey – he’s always stuffed
What do cannibals eat for Christmas dinner? Baked beings
What is the wettest animal? A rain-deer

This is a cute and easy way to display your photos on the Christmas tree. I had a darling photo of my niece Libby, holding my granddaugher Kate that  I wanted to display. I just cut a circle from some cardstock with a Christmas design. Then I cut a smaller circle using a contrasting color and the last circle was the photo. I punched a hole and added string for hanging.  Now I have a lasting memory of special family members and the great thing is, it only took a few minutes.

This fragrant pomander ornament is great to do with an older grandchild. It’s fun and easy to make and will keep the house smelling like Christmas.
You’ll need:
Oranges or limes
Whole cloves
Cinnamon
Ribbon
Tape
Plastic bag or container
Directions:
1. Apply tape around the fruit where you will place the ribbon.
2. Push the whole cloves close together in the space around the tape. If you’re are using a lime it gets a little messy when the juices run out. It’s not a problem with an orange because the skin is thicker.
3. Place the fruit in a plastic bag or container for about 2 weeks. The fruit will shrink and the cloves will be very close together. The plastic bag keeps the fragrance.
4. Before putting the ribbon around the fruit, add cinnamon to the plastic bag and shake. This will cover the fruit with cinnamon and add to the fragrance.