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CANDY CANE SEEDS
Put round, red and white peppermint candies into a pretty container or a small bag--tie with this poem attached.
I once knew a gardener who knew how to grow-
Bright tasty candies, right out of the snow.
I asked him to share his secret with me-
And this is what he replied quite readily.
To garden in winter is difficult you see
It takes lots of care and a very special seed.
I'll give you a couple to grow your own treats-
And you'll soon reap a harvest of candy cane treats.
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SNOWMAN KISSES (Use mini-marshmallows or other white candy)
Package prettily with attached poem...
Snowflakes from Heaven as white as can be!
Can build a Snowman for all to see!
He's cute and cuddly ---and full of good wishes...
And wants to give you a whole bunch of his kisses!
SANTA KISSES #1
(Package Candy Kisses prettily and attach one of the following)
Santa's been busy
Granting our wishes...
So he dropped off this bag of Santa Kisses.
SANTA KISSES 
#2
A bag of Hugs & Kisses
to wish you Merry Christmas!
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These have been around awhile and you either like them or you don't! But here they are...
#1 REINDEER POOP (or Droppings)
For "Reindeer Poop" put Raisenettes or Milk Duds in small cello or bagagies; attach one of the following poems.
Santa's been here. How do I know?
Look what I found outside in the snow!
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#2 REINDEER POOP Poem
I woke up with such scare when I heard Santa call...
"Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"
I ran to the lawn and in the snowy white drifts,
those nasty reindeer had left "little gifts."
I got an old shovel and started to scoop,
neat little piles of reindeer poop!
But to throw them away seemed such a waste,
so I saved them, thinking-you might like a taste!
As I finished my task, which took quite awhile,
Old Santa passed by and he sheepishly smiled.
And I heard him exclaim as he sped off in the sky...
"Well they're not potty trained, but at least they can fly!"
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GINGERBREAD POOP (Use gum drops)
Heard you've been naughty!
So here's the scoop
all YOU get is
Gingerbread Poop!
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SNOWMAN POOP #1 (Use marshmallows)
Heard you've been naughty
So here's the scoop,
All you get is...
Snowman Poop!
SNOWMAN POOP #2
Santa looked at his list-
even checked it twice.
And he found out that
you haven't been nice.
With coal so expensive,
here is the scoop,
Santa's filling your stocking
with SNOWMAN POOP!!!!
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APPLESAUCE AND CINNAMON ORNAMENTS #1
1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon
1 cup applesauce (store bought works best)
1/3 cup white school glue (Elmer's or other)
Directions:
1. Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. Knead for a few minutes.
2. Roll out to 1/8 or 1/4 inch thick. (If sticky, dust your hands and rolling pin with cinnamon, work on waxed paper.)
3. Use cookie cutters or other implements to cut out the shapes you want.
4. Cut out a hole at the top of each with a drinking straw so you'll be able to thread a ribbon or string (for hanging) when dry.
5. It takes 4 or 5 days for the ornaments to air dry. You should turn them over frequently so they will dry evenly and won't curl.
6. You can outline each shape with puffy paint to make them more special. From Sarah/Oakbrook
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#2 Method: One of my favorite gifts to make with children are "Cinnamon Ornaments." they look nice and last forever....Cassie/Michigan
1. Take 1 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup flour and 3/4 cup cinnamon.
2. Mix the ingredients, and add more cinnamon slowly until the dough is smooth and not sticky.
3. Roll the dough out as you would to make cookies, to about 1/4" thickness.
4. Use cookie cutters to make shapes.
5. Use a straw to make a hole for the string to go through.
6. Leave straw in as ornament dries and remove once dried.
7. These take 3-4 days to dry thoroughly.
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COOKIE CUTTER CLAY
This recipe is meant to be rolled out, cut with cookie cutters, and left to dry. Great for ornaments!
2 cups Salt
2/3 cups Water
1 cup Cornstarch
1/2 cup Cold water
1. Mix salt with water in saucepan.
2. Stir and boil.
3. Add cornstarch and cold water.
4. Keep heating if it does not get thick.
5. Roll out dough on board floured with cornstarch. Make shapes.
6. Dry and decorate ornaments.
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TWO HOLIDAY PLAY DOUGH RECIPES
MAKE GINGER BREAD PLAYDOUGH (non-cook)
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 tbsp. ground ginger
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup water
Mix together and knead until smooth.
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MAKE HOLIDAY PLAYDOUGH (cook)
1 Cup flour,
1/2 Cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Spices: cinnamon, Allspice, Ginger, Nutmeg
- Mix the dry ingredients.
- Add spices a small amount at a time until the dough smells and looks like you want it too.
- Mix water and oil together first and then add them to the dry ingredients and stir.
- In a pot, cook the mixture for two to three minutes, stirring frequently. The dough will start to pull away from the sides of the pot and stick together.
- When this happens, take the play dough out of the pan and knead the dough until it becomes soft and smooth.
- Allow the dough to cool and then store it in an airtight container.
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CANDY CANE REINDEER
Materials:
2 brown pipe cleaners, candy cane, two 6 mm google eyes, 1/4" pom pom, glue, scissors
This has been around awhile--but great fun for first-timers!
1. Cut one long pipe cleaner in fourths.
2. Twist the other long pipe cleaner around the top of the cane to make 2 large antlers.
3. Wrap 2 pieces of the cut pipe cleaner pieces --around each antler to make the "branches" on the antler.
4. Glue the eyes to each side of the cane "hook.
5. Glue the pom pom at the end of the cane for the nose. You have a reindeer!
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STRING OF GINGERBREAD MEN AND WOMEN
Make a string of paper gingerbread men and women to decorate a room. These simple-to-make strings make a great Christmas or Winter decoration. You can drape the strings across rooms, over windows and around the tree.
Materials:
Brown grocery bag or brown/tan construction paper
Crayons or markers
Scissors,
Glue
Tape or staples
A long piece of green or brown yarn or string
1. Draw a gingerbread man or woman on a piece of construction paper. 2. Make sure to draw a rectangle on the top of the head (your gingerbread person will hang from this rectangle, which will be folded over).
3. Cut out the gingerbread people. Draw a face, clothes, etc.
4. Fold the rectangle at the top of the head over.
Attach the gingerbread person to a long string using tape, glue, or staples. Make more gingerbread people and attach them to the string.
Hang your string of gingerbread men and women across the room for a wonderful Christmas or winter decoration.
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GUMDROP-SPICE DROP CANDY TREE
Materials:
Gumdrop (Spice Drop) Candy
Styrofoam tree - Any size desired; trees in sample photo are 6"
Tin foil
Pointed Toothpicks
1. Cover the tree base with tin foil
2. Break toothpicks in half
3. Put a gumdrop on the broken side of the tooth pick...
3. Starting at the bottom of the tree, poke the pointed side of the tooth pick (with the gumdrop on it) into the tree.
4. Continue going around the tree until it's covered with the candy.
I remember making these in the late 1960's! Seeing a photo of one on a website brought back some nice memories--so guess what?! I made one and "Hubby" made the other...
The trees are nice to add to a tablescape, part of your dessert table, or to give as a 'hostess gift'. Be sure to have extra gumdrops to munch as you make! (Photo by KidActivities)
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JINGLE BELLLS TO WEAR! (Wrist or Ankle Bracelet)
Take a strip of green or red fabric or felt that will fit for a wrist or ankle band.
Tie string or yarn to the bells and then to the strip...or sew jingle bells to the fabric...
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DECOUPAGE HOLIDAY COOKIE PLATES
You need:
Clear glass plates, plain white paper, pencil, scissors, crayons or markers, Modge Podge
1. Trace around a plate. Cut out the circle.
2. Make a colorful drawing on the paper circle.
3. Brush Mod Podge onto the back of the plate.
4. Press the picture onto the back of the plate.
5. Press out any wrinkles.
6. Let the plate dry.
If you're an adult and making on this for a gift-fill this plate with cookies you have made! Cover with colored cellophane and ribbon.
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HOLIDAY PARTY CRACKERS (Not the kind you eat!)
1. To make Christmas party crackers, take an old paper towel roll and cut it in half or thirds.
2. Place small favors such as erasers, tiny toys, stickers, or small wrapped candy inside.
3. Roll the filled paper towel roll in Christmas wrapping paper allowing extra paper at both ends. Twist the excess wrapping paper at each end and tie with ribbon or yarn. Christmas Party crackers!!!
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REINDEER PUPPET (young kids)
Materials:
Small paper lunch bag
Scissors
Markers or crayons
Red paint or Red sticker circles
1. Have children cut 2 antler holes and one nose hole in their bags. (Antler holes are at the bag top---and the nose hole should be in the middle of the bag where a nose would go)
2 Show the children how to put their fingers in the holes to make the antlers (first two fingers for one hole--and last two fingers for next hole---thumb is used for the nose hole
3. Optional:Each child can dip their thumb in red paint or stick on a red sticker to make the nose.
Young kids can then sing "Rudolf the Red-Nose Reindeer" using this as a prop!
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EASY PAPER REINDEER FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
- Materials:
Dark Brown construction paper
- Light Brown construction paper
- Large googly eyes
- Small red pompoms
Trace Child's shoe on dark construction paper and cut out to make head. Trace child's hands on light construction paper and cut out to make antlers. Glue antlers, eyes, and pompom (nose) to head
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TIP: Be sure to save any Christmas left-over candy canes to make Valentine Hearts in February!
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Make a Holiday Banner for your Room!
It can say: JOY! HAPPY HANAKKAH! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! PEACE! (whatever...)
Need:
Butcher Paper:
Narrow Banner about 18" X 36" and Wide Banner: 24" X 36"
Also-Choice of a Dowel, bamboo stake, twig, etc.
Construction paper in assorted colors
Glue/paste, scissors, yarn
Letter templates
Discuss with children what you would like the banner to say and what the design, technique, etc. should be.
1. Fold both ends of paper over twice (about 2") and paste or staple the bottom fold.
2. Cut out pieces for the banner (the words or word and pictures)from the construction paper.
3. Arrange the design on the butcher paper.
4. When you're satisfied with the design, glue the pieces down.
5. Attach the doweling to the top of the banner with paste or staples. Add yarn and hang.
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DOG BISCUIT REINDEER
Materials:
1 dog biscuit (Or a dog biscuit shape)
2 wiggly eyes
Set of ears (Make templates for ears and holly-shaped antlers as shown in picture)
Set of holly antlers
Pom pom for the nose (Sparkly nice)
yarn or ribbon for the hanger
Glue all parts on as shown in sample...Kids now have a reindeer ornament for your tree!
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JINGLE BELL WIND CHIMES
Materials for each chime:
Unsharpened Pencil
10 Bells
Yarn
1. Cut 12 pieces of yarn.
2. On 10 pieces of yarn tie a bell at the end of each one.
3. Tie a plain piece of string on EACH end of the pencil for hanging.Tie them together at top.
4. In-between the end strings, tie the yarns with bells on them onto the pencil.
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GINGERBREAD KID
Materials:
Brown construction paper
Buttons
White yarn
Black beans
Red ribbon
One red pom pom
Cotton balls
Stapler
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
1. Fold a large piece of brown paper in half.
2. Trace the shape of a gingerbread man on one side.
3. Cut out the gingerbread man so that the folded piece of paper makes 2 of the shape.
4. Use white yarn to make the decorative icing.
5. The beans can be used to form the mouth.
6. The red pom pom can become the nose.
7. Use the buttons to make a shirt and eyes.
8. Use the ribbon to make a hair bow, a scarf, or a bow tie!
9. Staple the two sides together, leaving a hole at the top.
10. Stuff the gingerbread man with cotton balls and then close up with staple or glue.
Created by Ms. Julia from the Kansas City Public Library
GINGERBREAD RHYME for above...
Stir a bowl of gingerbread,
Smooth and spicy brown.
Roll it with a rolling pin,
Up and up and down.
With a cookie cutter,
Make some little men.
Put them in the oven
Till half past ten!
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SPECIAL GLASS ORNAMENTS
Materials:
Perfectly Clear glass ornaments (Size is your choice)
Acrylic paint (color choice is yours--sample is with pearl and gold
Put acrylic paint "inside" the ball --- roll it around until all is covered with an effect that you like...
This note is from Angie who gifted the ormanents to me in 1991...
1. The balls need to be dried 'up-side down' which can be very messy. 2. I hot glued toilet paper tubes standing on end in a cardboard box.
3.You can then tip the painted balls in the ends of the tubes and the extra paint goes into the box.
4. Make sure that the tubes are placed far enough apart for the balls to fit. It will depend on the size of the balls.
If you will be signing the bottom of the ornaments, the signature and date are done on the outside with a paint pen in either gold or silver. (You can see signature on far left ball) They write beautifully on glass. (Ornaments created by Angie Dockter, Brooklands School - Rochester, Mi. Photo by KidActivities)
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SEQUIN STYROFOAM BALL ORNAMENT
Materials:
Styrofoam ball (any size)Sample is about 2"
8 mm sized sequins
3/4 inch sequin pins
Feathers, seed beeds, toothpick
For sample ornament...
Put sequins into the ball and have them overlap slightly.
Do this by sticking a straight pin through the tiny hole in the center of each sequin. The pin will fit flush with the top of the sequin and penetrate the Styrofoam ball and hold the decoration in place. The head of the pin will hardly be visible, so it will look as if the ball is made of sequins once you have covered the entire thing. (This ball is covered entirely with sequins; however, the silver do not show in the photograph)
You can also get a lovely effect by first putting a pin in a sequin --and then a bead. This design is nice on a 'satin' covered styrofoam ball; it would take longer to do--but may be something an adult or older youth would like to try.
To hang THIS ball, a toothpick was poked in the top center. A seed bead was glued to the top of the pick and then a small loop of ribbon tied under the bead. (The bead keeps the ribbon from slipping off) Small holes were poked into the top of the ball and feathers put in these to hide the toothpick.
You could also hot glue a loop of gold string or ribbon to the top of the ball. The loop should be large enough to attach an ornament hanger to it--at least the circumference of your thumb. The longer the loop, the farther down off the branch the ball will hang. Use a tiny dot of glue to hold the loop in place.
This ornament was made by Delaney Biggs of Waterford, Mi. Grade 3-2008; Photo by KidActivities
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Thank you to Cere Child Care for sharing the following three Christmas Ideas. Great for younger children!
RECYCLE OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS!
Cut off the front cover of old Christmas cards. Have children sign their name on the back and decide whom to give it to. Punch holes around the border and give children a strip of curling ribbon to lace around boarder.
SANTA ORNAMENT... Use green paper. Paint fingers white for beard. Paint palm skin color (mix a little orange or brown into white until you get the desired skin color). Paint top of hand and thumb red for hat. Stamp with thumb out and fingers slightly together, pointing to the bottom of the paper. When dry add face and white dot on the end of the hat. Optional- Laminate, punch a hole at the top and hang on your Christmas tree!
SANDPAPER GINGERBREAD COOKIE
1. Cut a Gingerbread cookie out of sandpaper.
2. Scrape across and all over with a cinnamon stick to make it smell nice.
3. Decorate with eyes, glitter, or whatever you have on hand.
4. Use scalloped edge scissors to make strips with white construction paper for the icing decoration.
Return to Page 1 of Christmas Arts & Crafts
HAVE FUN WITH ALL THE WINTER PAGES!
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