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A kids’ Christmas craft party
“You have
to have kids around at Christmas,” said my friend Wanda many years ago when I
dropped my three little girls off at her home. They spent a day with her teens
during her annual gingerbread bake.
Now that
my three girls are teens (and we have three little girls behind them), they
still celebrate wide eyes and clumsy little hands at our annual Christmas craft
party. Glue, beads and glitter still have the power to please.
We meet
early in Advent at a retreat house run by retired teaching sisters. A mom named
Jeanne brings a large basket for each family to toss in a donation and/or a
treat as a way of saying thank you to the sisters.
The crafty
moms among us lay out tables, each with all the supplies to make a different
craft, and a couple of samples to show the kids what the final product should
look like. Sponge-painted wrapping paper is a perennial favorite.
Moms Donna
and Mary lay out large sheets of white freezer paper.
Then the
kids go to town, dipping tree-, snowman-, or star-shaped sponges into shallow
tubs of quick-drying, washable paint in red, green and gold. With the help of
crooked tape and a lopsided bow, these will likely contain the other treasures
the kids will make that day to give to Grandma on Christmas morning,
exclaiming, “I made it myself, just for you!”
Here are a
few easy samples that have worked over the years. Your local craft store or a
catalog such as Current has more
ideas. Plan on about six to eight crafts for the party.
Each should take no more than 15 minutes. Choose things that little kids can
make with minimal help. Big kids can lend a hand with cutting or using the glue
gun — that is, if they are not too busy applying just the right amount of
glitter to their own.
Not
crafty? Don’t worry. Other moms bring treats for the whole gang to share
throughout the day. It’s a great way to enjoy a taste of Christmas joys to
come.
You have
to have kids around at Christmas. Not only to initiate them in the joys of the
season, but to experience them yourself. To become like a little child — that’s
what the Kingdom of heaven is all about.
Edible Ornaments
When I
introduced these, most were eaten on the spot, and many more were brought home
for “baby brother” whose teeth hadn’t come in yet. … Wrap Tootsie Pops in
glitzy tissue paper or wrapping paper, and tie with curly ribbon. Poke thin,
bendable wire through the top for hanging on the tree or hot glue a ribbon loop
instead. Or just use as a stocking stuffer.
Peppermint Wreaths
Twist
thick, bendable wire into a closed circle. Add peppermints all around with a
glue gun. Curl red, green, gold or silver ribbon and tie in lengths all around.
Little girls love to wear this creation; little boys love to eat it.
Doorknob Décor
Fun foam comes in many
colors in doorknob hanger shapes at your local craft store. But it is expensive
if you have a large group. In past years we’ve had 60 children! Instead, try
colorful, thin, easy-to-cut poster board or thick felt. Bring a couple of forms
so older kids can help younger ones trace and cut out. Have a few containers of
jingle bells, candies, sequins and ribbon to add using a glue gun.
Little Bag of Cheer
You can
find small Christmas print goodie bags at a craft store or in catalogs like Current. Or you can let the kids make
them with wrapping paper. Cut a square of wrapping paper large enough to fill
with a packet of hot chocolate mix, marshmallows and a peppermint stick. Tie
ends with curly ribbon. Have “To” and “From” tags ready to attach. We sent our
photographer home with one for himself and one for his wife.
Stained-Glass Windows
Using an iron on a low setting, have a big kid melt crayon shavings
between two pieces of wax paper. Place two identically sized pieces of black construction
paper together and trace and cut out a hole or trace window lines and cut
around lines (as shown). You may shape the hole as a pointed Gothic church
window or a round rosette. Glue your wax paper “glass” in between the two
black-paper window outlines. Punch a hole in the top and thread a ribbon
through for hanging.
Holy Pine Cones, Batman!
Gather
pine cones (if climate permits). This is a great way to recycle last year’s
cards or depopulate your ever-multiplying holy card drawer. (Holy cards have no
natural predators.) Cut out images of the Madonna and Child or the Holy Family,
punch a hole and loop a ribbon through. Attach to the pine cone with hot glue. Using a glue gun, top the cone with a red, ready-made (try the
dollar store) bow.
This story was reprinted from the Advent/Christmas
issue of Faith
& Family magazine.
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