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 COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS (OR HANUKKAH OR KWANZA) PAPER CHAIN

Time is a difficult concept for young children to grasp! One fun and easy way to count off the days is to make a Holiday paper chain.  Start on December first...and each day remove one paper loop!

If you are a teacher/caregiver--make one with each child to take home--be sure to include directions for parents! (You could also do this in your classroom or program to count down the days to winter vacation!)

Materials:
Red and green construction paper (or color for your Holiday)
Choice of stapler, tape or glue stick
Scissors or paper cutter

Directions:

1. Have adult cut paper strips from construction paper. The strips in the sample photo are approximately 2” x 8”.
2. Staple, glue or tape strips as you would any paper chain.
3. Depending on the amount of days to Christmas, number the loops 1 up to 24. (24 will be at the top of the chain and 1 at bottom)
4. Hang the chain from a doorway or hook.
5. Each day remove one loop from the chain. Before you know it-- the big day has arrived!

TIPS for Parents:
   • If your child is under 5, consider putting up no more than two weeks of loops. Time does seem to stretch on forever with little ones! 
  •  Consider making one chain for each "young" child you have; each child will want to remove their own loop. Problem solved! (500 pre-pasted 7" strips can be ordered from Orientaltrading.com for $4.99 - 5.99. however they are thin and can tear easily)

This is also a great idea for counting off any big event such as vacations, birthdays, etc. (Photo and idea by KIdActivities and featured on Nickelodeon Holiday Ideas!)

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 REINDEER FOOD

For each small baby food jar, you'll need:
1/4 cup dry oatmeal
1/8 cup granulated sugar, 1-2 tablespoons colored sugar
(Traditional recipes call for glitter, but unless you purchase the pricey edible glitter from specialty shops, it WON'T BE SAFE FOR BIRDS AND SQUIRELLS. Substituting colored sugar will still give a sparkly appearance, without being harmful to the actual animals who will end up eating it.

 

FOR A BABY FOOD JAR
Layer half of the oatmeal, followed by half of the colored sugar, the white granulated sugar, the rest of the colored sugar, and topped with the rest of the oatmeal.

Alternatively, combine ingredients in a mixing bowl and scoop into zippered plastic bags....

IN A BAGGIE...

(With the sugar instead of the glitter-It's OK for the kids to munch on.)

Attach this poem if it is a gift!

Sprinkle on the lawn at night.
The moon will make it sparkle bright.
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,
This will guide them to your home.

Direct the children to sprinkle it on Christmas Eve on the lawn, driveway, or apartment patio to entice the reindeer. It gives them something to munch on while Santa delivers his goodies.

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DECEMBER CELEBRATION AND HOLIDAY CARDS

Make a Holiday card with the words
"Sweet Wishes for A Merry Christmas ...Happy Hanukkah or _______!"

On the inside of the card, glue or staple a wrapped mini candy.

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BEADED WREATH TREE ORNAMENTS

Green 12" chenille stems (pipe cleaners)
Wire cutters
Red pony beads
Red ribbon or yarn

 

Cut the chenille stem in half with the wire cutters.
String about 5 beads at intervals onto the chenille stem. Bend the chenille into a circle.
Twist the ends together to make a wreath.
Tie a red ribbon on to hang it from a tree.
(These are nice for small table top trees---the many I made with children 15 years ago-still look the same! B)

YOU CAN ALSO String pipe cleaners through multi-colored beads, then mold the pipe cleaners into various shapes, such as candy canes, Christmas trees, stars, etc.

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SCENTED HOLIDAY BALLS

1 Styrofoam Ball (size may very)
1 Cup dried herbs or potpourri, dried rose petals or dried small flowers for a 6" size ball
White Glue
Twine or Ribbon

1. Pour herbs mixture into a bowl. You may choose to ground leaves or petals in a coffee grinder or food processor or glue them on separately.
2. Cover an area of the ball with glue and roll ball through mixture, covering an area at a time.
3. Cloves may be glued on separately.
4. Cover ball with waxed paper and firmly press. Allow to dry completely before adding ribbon

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ORANGE-CLOVE POMANDORS

Ingredients
6 oranges (or lemons)
whole cloves
decorative ribbon

The Spice Mix
4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons ground cloves
2 tablespoons ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons ground allspice
1/4 cup orrisroot powder (as preservative)
 
Directions
1. Combine the spice mix ingredients.
2. Wash oranges.
3. After poking a hole with a needle, fork, or tooth pick,insert cloves into oranges in a decorative pattern.
4. Roll cloved oranges in the spice mixture within 24 hours and set in a warm place to dry, turning fruit daily.
5. Drying takes from two weeks to possibly a month.
6. Pomanders are completely dry when they are hard.
7. Remove pomanders from the spice mix, dust off a little, and tie with decorative ribbons. (Wrap your orange in holiday ribbon leaving enough extra ribbon at the top for hanging. You can poke holes into the ribbon and through to the orange to help hold it in place.)

Set out in a bowl or you can use as Christmas ornaments. Also great hung in a closet! These can last for nonths to years!

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FUN FOAM ORNAMENTS...

 If you don't sew, use cookie cutters to cut shapes from Fun Foam. Press the cookie cutter into a sheet of Fun Foam. The cutters will leave an outline.
Cut along the lines, and decorate the shapes for the holidays with markers, paint, glued-on beads or glitter.
Punch a hole in the top of each ornament to accommodate a ribbon or cord hanger.
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 FILL CLEAR ORNAMENTS with popcorn, confetti, cellophane sparkles, pieces of foil garland or potpourri.

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HOLIDAY PUZZLES

 Collect and save the front of old Christmas/Holiday cards. To make the puzzle-- glue the card front onto card-stock.
With a black marker, draw several squiggle lines on the BACK SIDE of the card.
Cut the card following the lines.

Keep each puzzle in its own baggie.

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#2 MAKE A MAGNETIC HOLIDAY PUZZLE

 Find a Christmas greeting card that is printed on stiff paper.
Take the front of the card and cut it into several puzzle pieces.
On the back of each piece, attach a small magnet or segment of magnetic strip.
The children can put them back together on anything that a magnet will stick to!!!

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POPSTICLE STICK REINDEER
 
Materials:
3 popsicle sticks
2 google eyes
1 red pom pom
Glue
1. Glue 2 popsicle sticks together and make a 'V' shape.
2. About 1/3 or the way from the top, glue the third popsicle stick horizontally across the others.
3. Glue on googly eyes under the cross stick.
4. Glue the red pom pom at the bottom of the V-shape. (Photo from Reindeer Crafts)

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 HOLIDAY CINNAMON STICK BUNDLE 

Put 3 cinnamon sticks in a plastic bag and add a couple of drops of Cinnamon fragrance oil and shake together. Remove sticks and then tie together in a bundle with raffia or ribbon to scent a room. (MAKES A NICE GIFT)

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PLASTIC PLACE MAT ORNAMENTS (Can be used outdoors)

 Materials:
Plastic place mats
Scissors
Paint pens and Con-Tact paper
Circular paper hole-punch reinforcements

 1.Cut Christmas-tree shapes out of plastic place mats.
2.Cover with green Con-Tact paper, if desired.
Decorate by painting on designs with paint pens or markers.
Use hole reinforcements with painted centers to look like ornaments on a Christmas tree
Source: diynetwork.com

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NATURAL TREE ORNAMENTS (Submitted by Linda/Wisconsin) I only have natural ornaments on my tree at home. We also do this at our center.

• We decorate the tree with popcorn and cranberry garland, white painted pine cones, (some glittered) and cinnamon dough ornaments. 
  • We make pomanders from oranges and cloves (the pompadours can then be hung in closets)..But start those in November! 
  • We make walnut shell ornaments (directions below) and put those on the trees too.

The tree at the center and in my home... smell amazing the entire month!!!

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WALNUT SHELL ORNAMENTS

 • Take walnuts and crack them so you have the 2 halves.
Take out the nut meat and be sure to use it for a cooking project with the kids. (Make sure there are no allergies)

 • Next take twine or ribbon and glue it into the shell
Glue the edges of the shell and put them together. Either hold the two shell pieces till the glue sets enough to keep the pieces together...or put a rubber band around the shell.
When it's dry--remove the rubber band and it's ready to hang on the tree.
You can also paint the shells and add glue and glitter...or just glue and glitter the natural shell.

 • IDEA: You can also use them OUTSIDE.
Cover them with peanut butter and bird seed and then hang. 

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 CANDY GARLAND

  • To make a candy garland-- thread a needle with floss. Thread the candy and not at the ends. 

  • You can hang the garlands on a tree or about the room or chandeliers. OR

 Use wrapped treats and an ordinary  stapler. Simply staple the ends of the wrappers together. (For loops and dips, make sure the garlands are at least double the length of the surface from which you will drape them.

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SNOW GLOBES

Fill a clear glass baby food jar (or other small jar) with half water and half corn syrup.
Add glitter, beads, etc. The corn syrup makes the glitter fall slowly for a sparkling effect.

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FROSTY HOLIDAY CARDS AND PICTURES (Two projects in one!)

Mix 1 cup Epsom salts with 1 cup boiling water. Let cool.
Use paint brushes to paint mixture over recycled Christmas cards or note cards with pretty pictures.
When dry, pictures will have a frosty appearance.

Don't throw away the mixture when you're done painting!
In your science center... take a piece of black construction paper and cut it to fit the bottom of a clear, flat dish.
Pour any remaining salt and water mixture into a dish and let sit over night to dry.
The mixture forms crystals.
The children can then use magnifying glasses to view the crystals. Two projects in one!!! ;-)

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 HOLIDAY WISH COLLAGE!

Write on construction paper a heading of-
"My Holiday Wish List"

Collect kid related catalogs and week-end advertising papers...filled with child related gifts/toys/books/clothes/electronic/and things for family time ideas.

Have children cut out pictures of things they find special.
Have them glue the items on sheets to form a wish-list for parents.
Instruct youth to ONLY cut and paste what they'd truly like!!!

TIP: This should be done right after Thanksgiving to early December--so that before parents shop they'll have an idea of what their children would like!

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BROWN PAPER CHRISTMAS STOCKING
Make a great Christmas stocking from a brown paper grocery bag. You can hang it and stuff it with Christmas goodies.

Supplies needed: Thick brown paper (like grocery bag paper) or brown felt, Pencil, Scissors, Glue, A hole punch, Yarn, Markers or crayons.

1. Draw a large stocking on thick brown paper (or brown felt).
2. Cut out two copies of this stocking.
3. Glue the two stockings together around the edges (make sure you don't put any glue along the top opening).
4. Punch holes around the edges of the stocking.
5. Weave yarn in and out of the holes. Leave a loop of yarn at one end, and tie it in a knot.
6. Decorate your stocking with crayons, markers, stickers, construction paper cut-outs, or glitter.

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COLLAGE CHRISTMAS TREE 

Materials: (1) 9"x12" newsprint, (1) 9"x12" (any color) construction paper, old magazines, scissors, pencil, paste or glue

Fold the 9" x 12" construction paper in half - lengthwise.
On the half of paper draw a half of tree in a cone shape (may have a trunk in a pot base if desired--but needs to have the CONCE SHAPE tree on the trunk bottom) This will be the tree pattern.
When you cut the side out--unfold to get entire tree shape.

Next--Cut pieces of bright colored pieces of paper from  magazines.
Tear these into small pieces and shapes.
Paste these onto the construction paper.

Cover the entire paper-overlapping the pieces.
These can also be applied with liquid starch and a paint brush.
Let it dry.

Lay the tree pattern on top of the collaged construction paper and draw around the tree with a pencil.
Cut the tree shape from the collage paper.
You now have a collaged tree shape.
 
You can mount the tree on a dark or bright colored paper. Really pretty. when complete.
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PAINTED HAND AND FOOT ANGEL
 
Materials:
Construction paper, paint, paintbrush, paper plate, water and clean-up cloth or paper.
Pour paint on the plate.
With the paintbrush, 'paint' the child's foot and then press the foot gently onto the construction paper.
Clean the foot and then 'paint' the hands (one at a time) and place it to the side of the foot so that it looks like wings.

When dry-add two little eyes.
With a thin circle of glue and glitter-create the halo.

If this is to be a gift... Label it
To: ___________
From: Your Christmas Angel'

Source: HistoryMom on yahoo

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TISSUE PAPER ORNAMENTS

Need:
2" Styrofoam Balls
Tissue Paper in Assorted Colors
Liquid Starch
Glitter
Hairpins
Toothpicks
Wax Paper
Decoupage Solution
Foam Brush
 
Instructions:

• Tear tissue paper into irregular 1" pieces.  Working over waxed paper, brush a section of Styrofoam ball with Liquid Starch. Place overlapping pieces of tissue paper over the starched section of the ball.
• Brush a coat of starch over tissue paper.
• Continue until entire ball is covered.
• Use toothpicks pushed into the Styrofoam to keep the ball from rolling around.
• Let dry. Brush with a coat of decoupage solution.
• Sprinkle with glitter while still wet. Let dry.
• Remove toothpicks.
• Push hairpin into the ball for a hanger.
  Source: MakingFriends.com

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GROUP HANDPRINT CHRISTMAS TREE

   •Have all children trace their hands onto green construction paper and cut them out.
   •Using their hands, curl the fingertips upwards to make a branch look. Put all the curled handprints over each other into a Christmas tree shape.
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PAINTED HANDPRINT WREATHS

1. Have children dip their hands in green paint...make green hand prints in a circular shape on tag board.
2. When the paint has dried, roll small pieces of red crepe paper into balls (berries).
3. Glue the red berries onto the hand prints.
4. Make a red bow out of the crepe paper and staple it onto the wreath. Cut a hole in the middle of the wreath. (We actually cut the shape put before we decorate the wreath.)
5. Use either green or red yarn to hang the wreaths. Submitted by Sarah/Oakbrood

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HAND PRINT WREATHS
Using green construction paper or poster board---trace children's splayed-fingered hands;cut out multiple copies of it. 
Overlap hands and arrange them in a circle to make a Christmas wreath.
(You can put hands over a pre-cut wreath-shape cardboard for more stability)
Decorate the wreath with red ribbon and a few small light ornaments-or red pom-poms.

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FELT CHRISMAS TREE (For younger children)

Have children glue a piece of "cone-tree shape" felt triangle on of poster bard or cardstick paper.
Kids then snip other colors of felt scraps into little pieces and glue on as ornaments.
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MACARONI ORNAMENTS
Need:
(1) 3" X 4" piece of tag board or lightweight cardboard for each ornament.
Paper clip for each
All shapes and sized of macaroni
Scissors and glue
Gold spray paint and newspapers.
1.  Fold the 3" X 4" piece of tag board or cardboard in half.
2.  Cut out ANY shape desired for the ornament.
3.  Cover the cutout shape with glue.
4.  Arrange the dried pasta shapes on the ornaments. They can be arranged any way the children like.
5.  When one side is complete- let it dry and set.
6.  Turn it over and do the other side.
7.  Put a clip through the card board to hang. Spray with gold spray paint. It is advisable to lay many ornaments on newspaper and spray all at the same time. Let one side dry and then do the other side.

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PASTA SNOWFLAKES

Materials:
Wheel shaped pasta, White paint, White glitter, Dry Tapioca pudding mix, Paint brushes, Elmer's glue

Take round wheel shaped pasta and glue them together in a circle shape. When dry--paint the entire snow flake white. Before the paint dries sprinkle on glitter mixed with dry Tapioca pudding mix.
To hang from the ceiling, insert a piece of string or yarn through one of the wheel holes after the snow flake is dry.

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TIP
If you're going to make 'Pine-Cone" Ornaments...

First bake the cones on a foil-lined cookie sheet for about an hour at 200 degrees. This kills any bugs or spider mites (or who knows what else!) that live in them. This also allows the seeds to fall out.
If you want the pine cone to close up again, just plunge it in cold water!

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COLLAGE CHRISTMAS TREE

Need: (1) 9" x 12" newsprint, (1) 9" x 12" any color construction paper, old magazines, scissors, pencil, paste or glue

Fold the 9" x 12" construction paper in half - lengthwise.
On the half of paper draw a half of tree in a cone shape (may have a trunk in a pot base if desired--but needs to have the cone shape tree on the trunk bottom) This will be the tree pattern. When you cut the side out--unfold to get entire tree shape.

Next---Tear bright colored pieces of paper from the magazines -- tear them into small pieces/shapes.... paste these onto the construction paper.

Cover the whole paper-overlapping the pieces. (these can also be applied with liquid starch and a paint brush.) Let it dry.

Lay the tree pattern on top of the collaged construction paper and draw around the tree with a pencil---cut the tree shape from the collage paper. You now have a collaged tree shape.
You can mount the tree on a dark or bright colored paper. Really pretty. when complete.
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MAKE AN EASY GINGERBREAD HOUSE #1
MaterialS:
Small, clean milk cartons
Brown construction paper
Glue
A variety of holiday decorating items such as-gumdrops, popcorn, M&M's, chocolate chips, peppermint candy, sprinkles, frosted shredded Mimi-Wheats or Wheat Chex (good for a thatched roof effect), raisins, etc. 

Cover a small milk carton with the brown construction paper.
Decorate as desired!

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 GINGER BREAD HOUSE #2

Sample houses made by  children at Cere's Childcare and Pre-School 

This 'mini' craft ginger bread house has big flavor. Kids can decorate it and enjoy as a Christmas treat, or as a decoration for years to come.
Materials:
7 graham crackers
Frosting for glue (recipe below)
Assorted small candies for decorating
Ribbon
Pastry bag and tip or Ziploc bag and scissors

Purchase or Make Frosting
1/2 pound confectioner's sugar
3 tbs. butter/margarine
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 - 2 tbs. Milk

Mix all the ingredients together until smooth and easy to spread, but not runny. Add more sugar if too runny.
If you have a pastry bag, place frosting in bag and use a small tip. You can use a Ziploc bag cutting a small hole in the corner.

Place one graham cracker flat on the table, squeeze a little frosting around all edges. You may need an extra pair of hands.
Place one cracker on each side standing up. It now looks like a box without a top.

Carefully squeeze more frosting on all outside corners from top to bottom and around the bottom of the box.
Let it stand for a short while to let frosting harden a little. This will make working with the roof a little easier.
Now squeeze frosting on two of the top edges of the box and place the last two graham crackers in a V shape on as the roof. It looks like a triangle on a box now from the side. It may overhang if you can get the frosting to hold for you.
Squeeze frosting along the top of the roof where crackers join. Let stand again until frosting hardens a little.

.......With leftover frosting, cover the roof to look like snow. (Two sides are left open) Then squeezing small amounts on candy, place candy on the house to decorate. You can use the frosting to add things like doors and windows. Just use your imagination.
After project is totally dry, string ribbon through to open side of the roof and hang on Christmas tree.

If you want to do this project with young children, you might want to make the base house ahead of time, gluing the corners from the inside - and let it harden. Then turn them loose with frosting and small candies to do the decorating.
 
Notes:
This Gingerbread House is safe to eat, but if you would like to save your treasure for years to come you can use a spray varnish in a well ventilated area. (2 - 3 coats of varnish).
Source: kaboose.com

TIP: Are you making this at home and short on time? Cute kits are at Michaels and other craft stores--just put together!

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PHOTOGRAPH HOLIDAY ORNAMENT  (Easy)

Create ornaments using a photograph of the child.
Glue the photograph onto a shape the child cuts out of paper or poster board (such as a Christmas tree or Hanukkah menorah, etc.).
Decorate the ornament with glued-on sequins, beads or ribbon.
Cut a small hole in the top and thread a ribbon through to hang the ornament.

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VOTIVE CANDLES

 Materials:
Baby food jars or jam jars
Scraps of tissue paper
Diluted paste or glue

Clean the jars  and let dry. You can use small jars...but check the size of the votive candle to make sure it will fit.

Have the children  brush glue onto the jar and place different colors of tissue paper over the glue, overlapping so the entire jar is covered on the outside. When brushing the tissue with glue be sure to do so gently so it doesn't tear. If it tear, remove or leave wrinkled. The glue will appear to be white but will dry clear and when a candle is lit inside will give off a pretty color and design. Great for gift time!   ♥ For Christmas: Use red and green 

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ORNAMENT WITH PHOTO IN GOLD MASON JAR LID

1. Take out the insert of the lid and glue the child's picture in it.
2. Cut around the picture and put the insert with the glued picture back into the lid-Now the picture shows through.
3. Finish it with gluing lace or trim around the edge on the backside of it.
4. Add a piece of gold wired cord to the trim with a dab of hot glue.

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PICTURE ORNAMENTS

1. Buy holiday gift tags at the store.
2. Glue a small picture of the child in the middle and laminate.
3. Cut out and poke a small hole in the top to string.
4. You have a homemade ornament that is inexpensive and easy!

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HAND MADE GIFT WRAP

Three Different ideas to create gift-wrap paper...

#1. Sponge-print holiday designs on brown wrapping paper.
#2. Decorate paper lunch bags with glitter-glue designs and holiday stickers. (Discount School Supply has nice big white bags)
#3. Rubber-stamp prints on butcher/roll paper, using washable ink pads in holiday colors.
See Gift Wrap Category for more ideas and other photographs

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Monica from The Homespun Heart states that her favorite gift wrap is brown craft paper and simple twine. The photographs below are some creative ways she's embelished plain brown paper. Some of the many items Monica incorporates into her wrapping are "... pages from old books, mini clothespins, magazine pictures, felt scraps, sticks from the yard, buttons, ribbon and sewing notion scraps." When wrapping gifts with children, the wrapping procedure is an artistic endeavor in itself! 

  

 

PAPER PLATE POINTSETTIA FLOWER CRAFT
This simple-to-make poinsettia is made from a paper plate and a child's handprint cutouts.

Materials:
A paper plate
Red, green and yellow construction paper
Scissors, Glue or a stapler

1. Trace children's hands on red and green paper construction paper.
2. Cut out the hand tracings.
3. Glue or staple a circle of green handprint tracings (fingers pointing outwards) around the outside of the plate.
4. Glue or staple a second circle of red handprint tracings (fingers pointing outwards) just inside the first circle.
5. Glue or staple a third circle of red handprint tracings at the center of the plate.
6. Glue a small yellow paper circle in the center of the flower.
It's really cute!

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HAPPY HOLIDAY CANDLE JARS

Materials:
Super clean Jars--the mouth of the jar just needs to be big enough so a tea light candle can fit through it. 
Beads and tea light candles 
Large bag of hard candy such as mints 
Hot glue gun and glue sticks: Remember, young children and hot glue don't mix, so make sure you do all the gluing!

1. Sort beads by color. (Red and green for Christmas? Yellow, red and green for Kwanzaa? Blue and white for Hanukkah?)Or any color the children wish...

2. Hot glue the beads onto the outside of the jar. When   the glue is dried,  pull off  the leftover glue strings from the jar.

3. Unwrap candies and arrange the mints in each jar to make a "bed" for the tea lights. Fill it up as high as sdesired;make sure the top is relatively flat so that the candle can sit level. Experiment to get a look you like.
 
4. take a tealight out of the metal and put it on top of the "bed" in each jar.

5. Finsih off with a  length of ribbon and tie it around the top of the jar... t Alternately, stick some embellishments around the top of the jar to finish it off. Make sure that the end product doesn't have anything hanging over the opening of the jar that could create a fire hazard
 
You can make bigger decorated jars out of industrial-sized condiment jars and pillar candles.
This idea is adapted from ParentsConnect Holiday Ideas.(Photo from same) Going to make my own and will have photo up soon!

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CD ORNAMENTS

Materials: Old CD's
Glue stick
Decorations such as ribbons, stickers, paper, pipe cleaners, holiday paper, confetti, etc.
 
1.Glue everything in place. If writing is on one side--cover that with holiday paper.
2. Add a ribbon on the back to hang it up. (A lot of them wold look  great hanging from classroon ceiling)
Alternative Idea: Draw  own pictures on CD or glue children's photos and decorate further if desired.

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PIPE CLEANER WREATH

Cut a small wreath shape from cardboard and wrap it with green pipe cleaners. (Make sure that the wreath is small enough so pipe cleaners will reach around to the backside to twist shut. Loop yarn or ribbon around to tie it on a tree--that's it. Photo  courtesy of World Preschool Mom blog site.

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MAKE SCENTED PINE CONES 

Materials Needed: Pine cones, Pine or fir pure essential oil, Lidded container, box or plastic bag, Facial tissue

1. Fill container, box or plastic bag with dry, clean pine cones.
2. Liberally sprinkle tissue with essential oil and add to bag or container.
3. Seal the bag or container and allow oil to penetrate cones for several days before removing (the longer the cones are contained, the stronger the fragrance will be).

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RUDOLF MASK (For younger kids)

  Materials:

Paper plates, brown, black and red construction paper, scissors, glue, markers or crayons, single whole punch, rubber bands or tongue depressor stick 

Preparation: For young children, pre-cut antlers and reindeer nose.
Directions:

1. Cut reindeer nose, and antlers out of construction paper.
2. Paste onto plate. Draw mouth. Cut holes out for eyes.
3. Punch hole on both sides of plate and attach rubber bands--or tape to a popsicle to hold in front of face. 
4. Have children wear reindeer masks while singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Photo from Activity Village

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CANDY COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

One sturdy 9" paper plate
•Santa face pattern  (Click here)
•Markers or crayons
•Rhyme to attach to back of plate
•Glue
•Hole punch
•Yarn
•Peppermint candies

1. Print off Santa faces for each child.  Cut it out and color with markers or crayons.

2.  Glue the face to the front of the paper plate. Optional: color around the outside rim of the plate.

3.  Punch seven holes along the bottom of the plate and one for the hanger on top, as shown.

4.  Cut pieces of yarn and thread through the holes and tie.  Attach peppermints to the bottom ends of the yarn.  These will hang down.  Tie a loop of yarn at the top to use to hang on the wall.

5.  Write the below Countdown to Christmas poem on the back of the plate. 

Starting seven days before Christmas cut one piece of candy off to enjoy each day.  Idea and photograph from the Kansas City Public Library.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS POEM

Enjoy one peppermint candy,
From Santa's beard each day.
When all seven are gone,
It's time for Christmas, hooray!

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This is Page 1 of Christmas Arts & Crafts~ Go to Page 2

 FYI: Be sure to check out "DOING THE DAYS OF DECEMBER" for fun Child Program ideas! 

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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

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!

• Christmas Snacks/Food
• Christmas Games and More! (Lots of other Ideas!)
• Doing the Days of December!
• Christmas Song Lyrics
• Christmas Tongue Twisters
• Christmas and Winter Jokes
• Winter Arts and Crafts
• Hot Cocoa Recipes and Fun
• Winter Inside Games
• Winter Outside Snow Games
• Winter Outside Fun
• Random Winter Ideas
• Snowman Themed Games...
• Snowman Themed Arts and Crafts
• Miscellaneous Snowman Ideas
• Snowman Themed Snacks
• Reindeer Theme

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SNOWBALL MARSHMALLOWS

Ingredients:
Bag of Large Marshmallows, Corn Syrup, Sugar Crystals, Cake Sparkle Sprinkles

• Gently brush each marshmallow with corn syrup.
• Roll in sugar crystals and cake sparkles.
• Set aside on parchment paper to dry.
• Cover lightly with saran wrap to keep air off so marshmallows don't dry out.
• Once set, enjoy or place into snack-sized zip loc bags for gifts or later!

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BAGEL WREATHS
Ingredients:

Bagels
Cream cheese -tinted green
dried cranberries or dried cherries

Spread half a bagel with green cream cheese to look like the base of a wreath. Decorate the wreath with dried fruit.
(Nice for your program but also nice at home for Christmas brunch!)

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WREATH COOKIES
Ingredients:
Round Butter cookies with hole in the middle
White frosting
Green food coloring
Cinnamon candies or pieces of gum drops

Directions: Mix food coloring with frosting spread on cookie
Place cinnamon candies on cookies

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CHEERIOS CHRISTMAS TREES

Ingredients:
6 cups Honey Nut Cheerios cereal
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
4 1/2cups miniature marshmallows
Green food color
Red cinnamon candies or sliced gumdrops

1. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper
 
2. Pour the cereal into a 4-quart bowl. Set the bowl aside.
 
3. Place the butter and marshmallows in a 3-quart saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
 
4. Stir in the food color until the mixture is evenly colored.
 
5. Pour the marshmallow mixture over the cereal and stir until the cereal is evenly coated.
 
6. Lightly spray your hands with cooking spray. For each tree, shape about 1/4 cup of the cereal mixture into a Christmas tree shape on the cookie sheet.
 
7. Press the candies into the trees to look like ornaments.

8. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store the trees in a loosely covered container.

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CHEX VANILLA CHUNKS
Snack mix with chocolate, peanuts, marshmallows and pretzels. Make it in minutes.

Start to Finish:50 min.
Makes:16 cups snack

Ingredients:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz),
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex cerea,
2 cups salted dry-roasted peanuts,
2 cups small pretzel twists, 2 cups miniature marshmallows,
1 package (20 oz) vanilla-flavored candy coating (almond bark)

1. Place chocolate chips in freezer to chill. In large bowl, mix cereals, peanuts, pretzels and marshmallows; set aside.
 
2. In large microwavable bowl, microwave candy coating uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds; stir, breaking up large chunks. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until coating can be stirred smooth.
 
3. Gently and quickly fold cereal mixture into coating with rubber spatula, stirring gently until evenly coated.

Stir in chilled chocolate chips. Spread on waxed paper; cool completely, about 30 minutes. Break into chunks. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
Betty Crocker Recipe

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NO COOK PUMPKIN PIE (Individual Servings)

Give each child a cup.
Into their cup put a big scoop of canned pumpkin, marshmallow creme, cool whip, and pumpkin pie spices.
Have children mix and then spread on graham crackers and eat.

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NO BAKE PUMPKIN PIE

Individual recipe:
Small custard-sized ready to eat--pie crusts
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
1 tablespoon marshmallow creme
1 tablespoon prepared whipped topping
Sprinkle of cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and pour into the crust. The recipe is then ready to eat; it may be refrigerated or frozen.

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HOT APPLE DIP   (Great for Winter Holidays!)
2 cups or 16 servings
Ingredients:
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA
2 Tbsp.  brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
1  apple, chopped and divided in half,
 1/4 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Tbsp.  finely chopped Pecan Pieces
Wheat Thin Original Crackers or Cinnamon snack crackers

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix rcream cheese, sugar and cinnamon or spice in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in half of the apples.
3. Spread into pie plate or small casserole dish. Top with remaining apples, Cheddar and nuts.
4. Bake 10 to 12 min. or until heated through.
Serve with crackers.

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MICROWAVE FUDGE #1

1 pound powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup milk
1/4 pound margarine (or butter)
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Blend powdered sugar and cocoa in mixing bowl then add milk and butter, cook in Microwave Oven for 2 minutes. ( do not mix these ingredients, merely place in the bowl)
Remove bowl from microwave and stir  to mix ingredients.
Add vanilla and nuts and stir until blended.
Pour in greased container and place in freezer for 20 minutes or refrigerator for 1 hour.
Cut and serve. Yield: 60 pieces.

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MINUTE MICROWAVE FUDGE #2
From the kitchen of Erica Wilson on Mrs. Clauses' website

 Ingredients:
1 pound of powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 pound butter/margarine
1 cup chopped nuts

• Mix all dry ingredients together.
• Put in a 8"x8" inch microwave safe pan (important to use this size pan).
• Add milk and vanilla extract.
• Place chunk of butter/margarine in center ( leave butter as whole do not chop up).
• Microwave on high for 2 minutes until bottom of dish feels warm.
• Stir vigorously and blend in chopped nuts.
• Put in mold or whatever and chill for 1 hour.
*Use real butter for best results.

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NO BAKE PEANUTTY CLUSTERS

A super-easy sweet treat!
Makes:About 3 dozen cookies

1 bag (about 12 oz) semisweet chocolate, milk chocolate or butterscotch chips (2 cups)
2 cups chow mein noodles or any ready-to-eat cereal
1 cup peanuts
 
1. In large microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 1 minute.
Stir after 30 seconds- until softened. Keep stirring until smooth.

If not completely softened, continue microwaving 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each microwave time, until smooth.
 
2. Stir noodles and peanuts into chocolate until well coated.

3.Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm. Store covered in refrigerator.

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CANDY CANE BRITTLE
Makes 2 pounds
From the kitchen of Cheree Bailey

Ingredients:
1/2 cup light corn syrup and 1 cup sugar
1 cup crushed candy canes OR 1-1/2 cups nuts of your choice
1 teaspoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

1. In a round 1-1/2 quart microwave safe dish, combine corn syrup and sugar. Stir well until blended. Microwave on high for 4 minutes.

2. Stir mixture (if using nuts instead of candy canes, stir nuts in now).

3. Microwave on high 4-5 minutes or until light brown.

4. Stir in butter and vanilla-blend well. Microwave on high 1-2 minutes.

5. Add baking soda--stir lightly until foamy.

6. Quickly pour onto lightly greased baking sheet (you can use Pam or shortening). Pour crushed candy canes over brittle while warm and press lightly onto surface. Let cool.

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REINDEER CHOW

9 cups of Rice Chex
1/2 package Hershey's semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups powdered sugar

1. Put Hershey's chips into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth.
 
2. While the chips are melting, gently put the Rice Chex into a separate bowl.
 
3. Gently pour the melted chocolate over the Rice Chex. Gently stir the chocolate and Rice Chex together until all the Rice Chex are covered.

4. Put 1/4 of the mixture into a zip lock bag with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and shake gently until Rice Chex are covered with sugar. Pour into a storing dish.

5. Cover the remainder of the Rice Chex with powdered sugar in the same manner.

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SANTA FACE NUTTER BUTTER COOKIES

Ingredients for one cookie: 
Nutter Butter Cookies, White Frosting/Icing, Red Sprinkles,  Coconut, 2 Chocolate Chips, 1 Red Hot
 
1. Put frosting on each end of the cookie. 
2. On one end dip the iced cookie into coconut to make Santa's beard. 
3.On the other end of the iced cookie, sprinkle the red sprinkles on for the hat.
4. Place the chips on with icing for the eyes and the red hot for the nose

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REINDEER NUTTER BUTTER COOKIES

Ingredients: Nutter Butter Cookies, Peanut Butter, Raisins, Small Pretzel Twists, Red M & M Candies

Directions:
1. Place a small amount of peanut butter on the top of a Nutter Butter cookie.
2. Put a small pretzel twist on the peanut butter, letting it stick beyond the cookie for antlers.
3. Put two more dots of peanut butter and add raisins for eyes.
4. Finally put a dot of peanut butter on the bottom part of the cookie and add a red M&M for a nose.

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REINDEER CUPCAKES

Ingrdients:
24 large pretzel twists,
24 miniature marshmallows,
24 red cinnamon candies,
24 small red gumdrops
Make 24 cupcakes (or double or triple batch as box directs)
Can also purchase plain frosted cupcakes.

1. Frost cupcakes with frosting.
2. For each cupcake, cut pretzel twist in half; arrange it on cupcake for reindeer antlers.
3. Cut miniature marshmallow in half; arrange on cupcake for eyes. 4. Center a gumdrop below marshmallow halves for nose.
5. Place red cinnamon candy below gumdrop for mouth. Store loosely covered.

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REINDEER FOOD FOR KIDS

Ingredients:
12 cups Crispix cereal
1 bag (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate or butterscotch chips
3/4 cup peanut butter 
1 cup powdered sugar

1. In a very large pot over low heat, melt peanut butter and chocolate chips, stirring frequently. (Or melt in micro wave)
2. Remove from heat and add cereal, stirring gently to coat well.
3. Add the powdered sugar, a bit at a time, and continue stirring until mixture is completely combined.

• Spread pieces on a cookie sheet or other clean, flat surface, separating them so they don't stick together.
• Allow to cool completely.
• Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
• Makes about 12 1-cup servings.
• It goes very quickly once kids get over the appearance - it looks rather like dry pet food! Adapted from partyfood.suite101.com

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SUGAR CONE CHRISTMAS TREES

Ingredients: Sugar cones, Green frosting, small candies, plastic knives

Give each child a sugar cone and plastic knife. Have the children frost their 'tree base'. You can get green frosting by mixing food coloring with white frosting.
After the tree is frosted, decorate with small candies. Keep, make a scene with the trees, or eat!
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REINDEER POOP (NO-BAKE COOKIES)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons cocoa
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups oatmeal -- not instant
1/2 cup chopped nuts -- optional

1. In a large saucepan, mix butter, sugar, milk and cocoa together.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients.
4. Drop by the teaspoon-full onto wax paper and allow to harden.
5. They will set up in approximately 30-60 minutes.
6. This will keep for several days without refrigerating, up to 2 weeks refrigerated and 2-3 months frozen. Make 72...

You can enjoy with the kids... or  give out for gifts!  Put some in a zip-lock baggie and attach one of the  "Reindeer Poop" poems from the "Reindeer Theme" page.

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GIFT WRAPPED SNACKS (For a festive holiday touch)

In a large bowl, mix together such foods as dry cereal pieces, sunflower seeds, M & M's, raisins, nuts, and mini marshmallows.
For each child put a serving of the snack mix in the center of a holiday napkin.
Bring the sides of the napkin together and tie with ribbon.

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CANDY CANE WANDS

Special candy canes for the holidays! Dip them in chocolate and sprinkle with candies ready for tasty festivities! Start to Finish takes 30 min

 Ingredients:
     •1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or white vanilla baking chips
     •2 teaspoons shortening
     •16 candy canes or peppermint sticks---about 6 inches long
     •Crushed hard peppermint candies
     •Miniature chocolate chips, candy decorations
     •Colored glitter sugars or coarse sugar crystals (decorating sugar), if desired

1. Line jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 x 101/2 x 1 inch, with waxed paper.
In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/2 cup chocolate chips and the shortening over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted.
 
2. Tip saucepan so chocolate runs to one side. Dip 1 candy cane at a time into chocolate, coating about half of each cane. Place on waxed paper in pan. Let stand about 2 minutes or until chocolate is partially dry.
 
3. Roll chocolate-dipped ends in candies. Place on waxed paper in pan. Let stand about 10 minutes or until chocolate is dry. Store loosely covered at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

FOR A SPECIAL TOUCH
Double-Dipped Candy Cane Wands: Dip candy canes into one kind of chocolate and allow to dry, then dip into a second chocolate, leaving part of the first chocolate show. A Better Crocker Recipe

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POPCORN WREATHS

Ingredients:
1/2 cups popped popcorn
2 cups marshmallows
2 Tbsp. milk
5 Tbsp. Lime flavored jello
1 cup red and green fruit flavored candies
 
1. Put popcorn in large bowl.
2. Melt marshmallows over low heat; stir constantly.
3. Add milk and jello; stir till jello is dissolved.
4. Take off of stove; stir in the candy.
5. Pour over popcorn; stir to coat evenly
6. Lightly grease your hands. Shape about 4 heaping Tablespoons popcorn mix into wreath shapes
7. Lay on waxed paper to cool down completely. Make wreathes out of the rest of the mix.
8. Store in an airtight container  Photo from Artists Helping Children

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SANDWICH YULE LOG (Looking for a fun but substantial snack? Try this...good for all ages!

1. Remove the crust from a slice of bread--any kind your kids like
2. Flatten the bread with a rolling pin and spread the bread slice with your children's favorite filling
3. Roll into a log--eat!

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JOLLY S'MORES

Ingredients for one:  2 grahna crackers, 1 Tablespoon peanutbutter, 1 Tablesoon marshmalllow creme, 1/2 chocolate bar

Spread pe4anutbutter with knife on 1 graham cracker square. Top the4 peanut butter with the chocolate bar. Spread the marshmallow creme on the4 remaining graham cracker square; place it marshamallow side down on the chocolate bar.

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Don't forget  fun and easy...

• Holiday cookie cutter sandwiches
• Star shaped cheese and Holiday crackers
• Red and Green Christmas Chips and Salsa
• Red and Green Apples
• "Little Debbie" Tree shaped individual snack cakes 
• Red and Green Grapes
• Tomato Soup with Green Goldfish Crackers
• Ice Cream with Strawberry Syrup and Green Sprinkles
• Decorated cupcakes
• Pepperoni and Green Olive Pizza (Christmas Colors)
• Rice Crispy Treat Present: Take a treat and tie with Licorice String
• Purchased or Homemade Christmas cookies
• Peppermint ice cream
• Hot Chocolate 

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If your looking for GOODIES THAT MAKE GREAT GIFTS click here!  You'll find such things as Tea mix, Cocoa mixes, Gourmet Apples, Colored sugar, tea stirrers and chocolate covered spoons!

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The page for  make a variety of DIPPED PRETZELS AND RECIPES WITH PRETZELS is Here...in it's own category!

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 REINDEER CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL RODS (Pretzel rods with antlers)

Ingredients:
4 ounces chocolate vanilla or butterscotch-flavored almond bark--chopped
12 large pretzel twists
12 pretzel rods
24 miniature semisweet chocolate chips
12 red candy-coated chocolate candies
1 roll Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot
Cherry or other flavor chewy fruit snack rolls
12 miniature green M & M's

 1. Place candy coating (Almond Bark) in 1-cup microwavable measuring cup. Microwave uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted.
 
2. Dip pretzel twists into melted candy coating. Place on waxed paper. Let stand until coating is set.
 
3. If necessary, re-warm coating. Dip top 2 inches of pretzel rod into melted candy coating; attach pretzel rod to bottom of pretzel twist. Place on waxed paper.
 
4. To make reindeer...
Press on chocolate chips for eyes and red M & M for nose-- using melted candy coating.

• Cut scarf from fruit roll; attach to reindeer using candy coating.
• Press on green M & M for button using candy coating. Place on waxed paper. Let stand until coating is set.
• Store coated pretzel rods loosely covered at room temperature no longer than 2 weeks. Really cute!

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M&M PURCHASE TIP

 When the Christmas Holidays are over--buy all the red and green  M&M candies you can. Often they are on sale at 50-75% off and you can use the red for Valentine's Day and save the green for St. Patrick's Day!

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Be sure to visit the Winter Snacks and Food Fun Page. Lots of Goodies that would also be great for this Holiday Season!

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HOLIDAY BEVERAGES

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SANTA'S REINDEERS GYM GAME

Create flashcards with reindeer names.
The common names given for Santa's reindeer in modern culture are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner/Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

Eight of these names are taken more or less directly from Clement C. Moore's "A Visit From St. Nicholas," Rudolf was not part of the original reindeer but came later from the song - Rudolf the red nose reindeer...

Players stand side by side on a line called the NORTH POLE.
The children can select the name of a reindeer for themselves.
One person is Santa.

Santa stands in the middle of the play area facing the reindeer.
Santa calls the name of a reindeer (example -"Dasher").
All reindeer by that name gallop to the other end of the play area .
Santa tries to tag them.
All players tagged stay in the middle to help Santa.(If there is a large amount of chileren, Santa can have one of two of his/her elves assist.

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SANTA TRIP (Good for line transitions)

Players sit in a circle. The first player says,
" On Christmas Eve I'm traveling with Santa and I'm going to take (something starting with A )".
The next player repeats the first object and adds an object beginning with B continue the game through the alphabet.
If there are more players than 26 letters...start again at "A".

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INSIDE 'SNOWBALL' TOSS GAME

Materials:
Poster board, crayons, paint or markers, large marshmallows, plastic wrap, tape for tossing line.

1. Draw a VERY LARGE Christmas tree on the poster board; decorate and color the tree.
Glue or staple the poster board to a piece of cardboard and cut 4 round circle holes of various sizes in the tree. You'll throw the snowball through these holes.
 
2. To make the snowballs, wrap 3-5 marshmallows in plastic wrap and tie or tape it to hold it together.
Prop the tree up and mark a line on the floor at the desired distance from the tree.
Younger players may need a closer line.
 
3. Playing the Game: Players take turns standing behind the line and try to toss the "snowballs" through a hole on the tree board.
Keep score by counting the snowballs successfully tossed through a hole or by assigning a point value to each hole.
The smaller the hole, the more points earned.
For a party-a prize could be awarded to all who participate!
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How many words can you spell with the letters in CHRISTMAS?
Example: Sam, mass, mist, rat, tar, his, at, sit, etc.

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ESTIMATIONS: Not just fun but MATH and Science too!

GUESS THE NUMBER OF ROUND PEPPERMINT CANDIES (or candy canes) IN THE JAR ...
Have the kids write their name on a piece of paper along with their guess...Put the guesses in a closed envelope. Depending on what is being guessed--you can award prizes or the jar itself! In case of a tie--have two prizes--or enough in the jar for two. The winning child can also open the jar and share with the group! (I like that one the best!)

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CHRISTMAS 'WHO AM I?'
A guessing game where you guess who each Christmas character is by asking questions.

Players: 2 or more players.
Needed: Tags for each person's back with Christmas characters written on them.

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 ***PLAY CHRISTMAS CHECKERS & TIC TAC TOE using round Green and Red Peppermint wrapped Candy!***

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GIVE THE OLD 'HOT AND COLD' GAME A HOLIDAY SPIN!

1. Hide a Christmas (or Holiday of your choice) item.  
2. Have a child to try to find the item. 
3. When they get close to the item they are getting hotter. 
4. When they get farther away from the item they are cold. The farther they get away the colder they get.  The closer they get the hotter they get...

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CHRISTMAS MEMORY GAME
Supplies: 18 items in box (Adjust to the age of children)
 
Version #1:  Show the items in the box to the children. Remove one or more items out of the box (without children seeing you). Have the children guess what items are missing.

Version #2: For older children --put items on large tray or cookie sheet. Cover. Remove cover for 20-30 seconds and then remove tray from room. Children are to write down as many items that they can remember from the tray before you yell, "STOP". Most correct answers wins!

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THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS GAME
Age Level: Pre-K through grade 6

 "The Night before Christmas" is a little like "Musical Chairs."
Put chairs in a circle.
Give each child playing the name of some part of Santa Claus' outfit-such as sleigh, reindeer, etc.---Or something story related.(House, mouse, window, etc.
Each item can have one or more playing with the same word-such as there can be two sleighs, etc.

1. The facilitator reads the well-known story, "The Night Before Christmas."
2. As the 'chosen words from the story' are read, the players having that word, rises... turns around in a circle... and sits down again.
3. When the reader mentions Santa or Santa Claus.---ALL change places, and children try to secure a seat.
The one left out. continues reading the story, and so on, until completed.

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WHAT'S THAT SONG? #1

Play Christmas songs  from a CD.
Who can recognize the title the quickest?

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WHAT'S THAT SONG? #2
A drawing/guessing game for 4th grade or older

Supplies:
Black board and chalk or Dry Erase board and markers.
Slips of paper with a different Christmas song written on each one. A Christmas themed container or a stocking
Timer
 
1. Divide the group into teams.
2. The player up draws a slip of paper from the stocking, reads it silently and hands to facilitator. 
3. The player must then draw clues as to what their song is--and try to get their team to say the name of the song.
4. If the playing team guesses correctly, before the timer runs out, they get two points.
5. If the playing team cannot guess correctly, before the timer runs out, the opposing team may take one guess.
6.If the opposing team guesses correctly they get a point and the playing team loses a point. Most points wins.

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WHO AM I?Make tags with names of Christmas characters:
Kris Kringle, Mrs. Claus, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Rudolf, Frosty, etc.

 

Put one on each persons' back.
Players go around the room and ask other participants questions that could be answered with a 'yes or no' to find out who they are.
When they guessed their own "identity" they get a prize.
1. Ask "yes" or "no" questions only.
2. Answer "yes or no" to questions only.
3. No removing your own name tag to find out. If you ask, anyone will help you find out your identity.

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UNWRAP THE GIFT

 

  Supplies: Box filled with candy and that box wrapped many times with different paper. Music

Play:
1. Children sit in a circle on the floor. While the music is playing the "present" is passed around the circle.
 
2. When the music stops, one layer of wrapping paper is removed. The music begins again and the process continues until the box is completely unwrapped.

3. The box is then opened and everyone shares the candy.

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 HOLIDAY “SIMON SAYS”
Play Simon Says according to the season and theme:
Santa Says, Frosty Says, The Snowman Says, The Elf Says, The Gingerbread Boy (or girl) Says, Rudolf Says, etc.

Example: Replace the phrase "Simon Says" with "ELF SAYS."  Leader Elf says:
'Elf says, "Put your hands on your head."' All players should be their hands on their head.
When the leader Elf gives an instruction without saying "Elf Says" and the followers do the action anyway, the leader Elf says "HO! HO! HO!" and the player must sit down.
The last player left standing is the winner and can then be the next leader Elf.

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CHRISTMAS CARD TOSS

Gather together a collection of old (RECYCLED) Christmas cards and carefully cut off the backs. (Avoid glittery cards.)
Place a large box or bin on the floor. (it would be nice if the kids decorated the container with a Holiday theme!)
 
Mark a place to stand some feet away from the box, depending on the age of the children.
If you are playing with mixed ages, older children should stand further away than younger children.

Each child takes turns tossing a stack of cards (like a frisbee) into the box. Count up the cards that land in the box...
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CHRISTMAS WORD SCRAMBLE (Played two ways)

Need: Index cards, Paper bags.
Choose a Christmas word such as: Christmas, Candy Cane, Santa Claus, or Reindeer.
Write the letters (mixed up) of the word on individual index cards. Do this two times, making two sets. Put each set in a brown paper bag.

Divide children into teams. Give each team a bag. The first team to decipher the word in the bag wins.

VARIATION: Divide children into teams with the same number of children as there are letters in the word.
Each child gets a letter and they must hold onto the card and stand in the proper order to spell the word for all to see.
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DRAW A CHRISTMAS TREE GAME

1. For a flat surface, instruct kids to place a book or something similar on their head. Hold it in place with one hand.
 
2. Place a sheet of paper on the book and start to draw with the other hand.
     • Instruct youth to first draw a floor.
     • Draw a Christmas tree on the floor.
     • At the top of the tree draw a star on the tree. 
     • Draw some presents under the tree

3. There is one point per correct drawing-- one point if the tree is on the ground and one point if the star is on the tree and not in mid-air, one point for each present under the tree! You can also add ornaments on the tree...

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PLAY  20 QUESTIONS HOLIDAY STYLE!  
One person picks something that is HOLIDAY RELATED... and then the rest of the children ask "Yes -or -No- questions’ (up to 20 questions only) until someone guesses who/or what the person has chosen. Another version of this game is to place something "Holiday-ish" IN A BOX that the children can't see. Play the game from there! (You could put in a snow globe, ornament, tinsel, tree light, Santa hat, etc.)

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FOR PRE-K AND K
 
Place cotton ball "snow" on the parachute. Put on some music and gently let the snow fall.  

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NATURE

 

SHELTER, OBSERVATORY AND FOOD FOR SMALL ANIMALS AND BIRDS...

Turn a protected section of your program or school yard into a nature shelter. In the cold weather- birds, squirrels and other small wildlife are in constant search of food, fresh water and safe shelter.

Set up a bird feeder, bird bath and bird house where you and the children will be able to quietly observe. They'll enjoy watching different animals seek the food and water-- and your bird house will be there when needed.
 
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OUTDOOORS CREATURE WREATH

Materials:
Cardboard wreaths (Make templates of wreath shapes to trace) or make a wreath shape from very small paper plates
Peanut butter
Birdseed
Popcorn

1. Cut wreath shapes out of cardboard.
2. Give each child a wreath and a plastic knife to spread peanut butter over the wreath shape.
3. Put birdseed over the peanut butter covered wreath.
4. Use spots of peanut butter to "glue" pieces of popcorn onto the wreath in a bow shape.
5. Hang the wreaths outside where they will be seen! Good for birds and other outdoor creatures...

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DECORATE YOUR WINTER TREES OR SMALL SHRUBS!

CHEERIO CHAINS
Wrap tape on one end of a long length of yarn.
Tie a knot with a Cheerio on it at the other end.
If children are young, demonstrate how to string the chain by sliding a Cheerio (or any 'O' shaped cereal) over the tape (needle) and dropping it to the bottom.
Invite children to help you until the entire chain is strung. Drape these chains around outside tree for birds/animals to enjoy.
 
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ORANGE SLICES...
Poke a hole with a plastic straw at the top of each orange slice. Thread with raffia or ribbon and tie each slice to a branch.
 
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Take STALE BREAD and have children cut SHAPES WITH COOKIE CUTTERS. Invite them to spread peanut butter on the bread with a plastic knife and then sprinkle on birdseed.
Poke a hole at the top with a plastic straw.
Thread with raffia or yarn.
Together decorate the outdoor bushes and low trees branches with the decorations.
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  FOR FUN...

MEMORIZE SANTA'S REINDEER'S NAMES...

 

The common names given for Santa's reindeer in modern culture are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner/Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

Eight of these names are taken more or less directly from Clement C. Moore's "A Visit From St. Nicholas," and the ninth from the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the TV special based upon it
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 SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES!

Canada--Merry Christmas
USA--Merry Christmas
China--Sheng Dan Kuai Le
France--Joyeux Noel
Finland --Hauskaa Joulua
Denmark--Glaedelig Jul
Spain--Feliz Navidad
Mexico--Feliz Navidad
Sweden--God Jul
Russia--S Rozhdestvom Kristovym
Portugal-- Boas Festas
Japan--Meri Kurisumasu
Italy --Buon Natale
Greece--Kala Christougenna
Belgium--Vrolijke Kerstmis
Poland--Wesolych Swiat
Netherlands--Zalig Derstfeest
Germany--Frohliche Weihnachen

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A GAME WITH THE ABOVE LANGUAGES!

This game can introduce youth to different languages. They may not know how to pronounce the words-but they'll learn how to recognize the greetings.

1. Cut 36 pieces of tag board. On half write the countries-on the other half write the greetings.

2. Quilt fashion--tack the countries on a bulletin board, wall or what will work for you. Put the greetings in a box.

3. The first player takes a greeting from the box and places in over the country he/she thinks it matches.
Following players have a choice. They can move whatever greetings they think belongs elsewhere-or choose a new greeting to place on a country.

4. As the game progresses, there may be two greetings on the same country. The next player will need to correct that on his/her turn. There is only one move per turn.

5. When a player at his turn-- decides all is correct-- the game is over and the answers are checked!

TEAM play: Set up two game boards and greeting sets. The first team done --ends the game.
If the first team to finish has all correct--five additional points are earned.
Both teams score one point for each correct move.

TIP: Write the greeting on the back of each country for easy checking) Kids can also play alone during free time.
Source: Holiday Games-Edupress 1990

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(This following list can also be used to play the above game!)

LEARN SANTA'S NAME FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

Austria - Weihnachtsmann, Nikolaus
Belgium and the Netherlands - Black Pete, Christkind, Noel and Saint Nicholas
Brazil - Papai Noel
China - Che Dun Lao Ren
Denmark - Julemanden
England - Father Christmas
Estonian - Jouluvana
Finland - Joulupukki, Old Man Christmas
France - Pere Noel or le Petit
Germany - Weihnachtsmann, Nikolaus
Holland - Kerstman
Iceland - Jolasveinn
Italy - Babbo Natale
Japan - Santa Kurousu
Lithuania - Kaledu Senu
Mexico - San Nicolás, Santa
Norway - Julenissen
Poland - Star Man or Wise Men
Russia - Grandfather Frost (Ded Moroz), Dedushka Moroz
Serbo-Croation - Bozic Bata. Sveti Nickola
Spain - Three Kings
Sweden - Jultomten
Switzerland - Saint Nicholas, Chriskind

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PROGRAM TREE

If possible bring a small pine tree into the classroom/program for the Holiday season. If no tree is available, make a large one out of green butcher paper/roll paper and hang it on the wall. Make and reproduce patterns for the children to color/paint/decorate -- and cut out.

Punch a hole near the top of the ormaments and add yarn to hang. (When it's time for holiday vacation--the kids can take the ornaments home to put on their own trees)

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 November 8th is/was DEAR SANTA DAY...(posted in November DOING THE DAYS!) They still may be  E-mailing...

 If you're fortunate enough to have an on-line computer in your program-Here are two FREE websites that E-mail Dear Santa letters. First one has some other "Santa things"...the last is the more simple--but very sweet. Nice to post at "parent center..."

http://www.emailsanta.com/ really fun site!!!

http://www.santa-at-home.com/writesanta.shtml

HAVE SANTA TALK DIRECTLY TO YOUR CHILD THROUGH COMPUTER VIDEO!  Your child can receive their own personalized video message from Santa--click here. You enter info about your child (first name, hair color, photo if you wish, City/State, and one gift they would like (and will get) Using his big book of 'naughty and nice' boys and girls your child will see a page in it.  Santa talks directly to your child. It's very magical!

If you are a caregiver/teacher and would like to share this with your parents, the address is  http://portablenorthpole.tv/ 

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THE UPCOMING NEW YEAR!
Make a list with the kids of all the things they'd like to do in your program this winter!!! Try to do it before winter/holiday break--or the first week the holiday break is over!

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 MUSIC, MOVEMENT, SONG  "HE'LL BE COMING DOWN THE CHIMNEY"

Sung to "She'll be coming around the mountain"
 
He'll be coming down the chimney when he comes,
He'll be coming down the chimney when he comes,
He'll be coming down the chimney,
He'll be coming down the chimney,
He'll be coming down the chimney when he comes.

 He'll be bringing lots of presents when he comes,
He'll be bringing lots of presents when he comes,
He'll be bringing lots of presents,
He'll be bringing lots of presents,
He'll be bringing lots of presents when he comes.

He'll be driving nine reindeer when he comes,
He'll be driving nine reindeer when he comes,
He'll be driving nine reindeer,
He'll be driving nine reindeer,
He'll be driving nine reindeer when he comes.

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"CHRISTMAS IS HERE" Song

Sung to the tune of Jingle Bells

Let's make Christmas wreaths
And decorate the tree...
Then wait for Santa's treats-
How happy we will be!

Let's sing songs of peace,
Sing them loud and clear...
Oh what fun for everyone-
Christmas time is here!

Christmas time, Christmas time,
Christmas time is here!
Oh what fun for everyone-
Christmas time is here!

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THE REINDEER POKEY - to tune of 'Hokey-Pokey'

You put your reindeer hoof in,
You take your reindeer hoof out.
You put your reindeer hoof in,
And you turn yourself about.
You do the Reindeer Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about.

Next verses:
You put your reindeer tail in...
You put your reindeer nose in...
You put your reindeer body in..etc...

You can make up own verses...

 
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***Have you ever started singing with kids and didn't remember all the words?

This is the link  to some favorite Children's non-religious Holiday and Winter Song Lyrics!***

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 MEDIEVAL WINTER CELEBRATION from Giraffe Lady in Saginaw, MI. Instead of having yet another generic Christmas party, my students and I have a Medieval celebration. For the two weeks prior to the last day of school before winter break, we build castles out of boxes (and anything else we can find), decorate plastic goblets with jewels, make medieval style hats and brown butcher paper tablecloths that look like wood, and talk about life in the middle ages. (Last year we spent an hour and a half talking about the plague and what silly things people believed to be medicinal.) I even got brave last year and showed them bits and pieces of "Monty Python's Holy Grail" because it depicts the attitudes and customs of the day in a humorous way that (I was somewhat surprised to find) the student related to well.

Then, on the day before we break for Christmas, we have our "feast". We turn off all the lights and use battery-operated candles for light. We lay down the "wooden" tablecloths over the cafeteria tables and put some natural looking garlands down the centers of the tables. The students get a hard roll torn in half as their charger, and we serve them torn up roasted chicken (Meijer's are good, and they're only about $5 each), hunks of cheese, and oranges for dessert. They drink sparkling grape juice from the goblets they've made, and wear their medieval hats. The students get a somewhat healthy meal (or enough to serve as a snack) and they love the novelty of the entire set up.

 The first year we did this, it was supposed to be a week-long project for the 6th-8th grade group. They enjoyed building the castles so much that they spent two weeks on just that! I have done this every year since. 

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TEN EASY TIPS FOR AN EARTH FRIENDLY HOLIDAY!

 

You can celebrate the season of giving and do your bit to help out Mother Earth at the same time. Here's how.

 

1. MAKE MEMORIES...
Give experiences instead of 'stuff'. Try tickets to a show, a ball game, or a scenic train ride instead of dust-collecting knickknacks. Tailor the gift to the recipient: club or museum memberships, craft or hobby lessons, 'I O U' for a home-cooked meal, an afternoon of gardening help, free babysitting, and so on.
 

2. SAVE ENERGY
Shopping downtown? Take public transportation. (Look Ma! No parking fees!) And bring your own shopping bags while you're at it.
 

 

3. RIGHT LIGHT
Using LED Christmas lights instead of power-sucking regular lights will dramatically slash your energy bill. Put all of your lights on a timer so they shine out only when it's dark.
 

4. GO NATURAL String together plain popcorn and fresh cranberries into long, colorful swags to hang on the tree, along the mantelpiece, or in the windows. (This is a great activity for the kids!) After the holidays you can hang the strings outside for the birds to enjoy.
 

 

5. GO LOCAL
Seek out regionally produced, one-of-a-kind gifts. Good sources include church fairs, craft shows, local boutiques, and flea markets.
 

6. RE-GIFT
Here's your official permission to pass along that present you can't use but maybe Uncle Charlie can.
 

7. REUSE
Turn old holiday cards into gift tags and colorful paper chains.
 

8. RECYCLE
Why spend money on commercial gift wrap? Calendar pages, kid's school paintings, the comics section of the newspaper--these make fun and fabulous wrapping paper alternatives. Choose paper or cloth ribbon, or colored twine instead of plastic ribbon.
 

9. REDUCE
Instead of adding bulk to the landfill, choose gifts that come with a minimum of product packaging, and try to find packaging that's 100 percent recyclable.
 

10. SIMPLIFY
Stop the madness and remember what the holidays are really about-- Family...Friends...The simple pleasures of a shared meal!
By: Vanessa Greaves  

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 HAVE FUN WITH ALL THE WINTER PAGES!

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JOKES GOOD ALL WINTER...

Q. Where does a snowman keep his money?
A. In a snow bank.

Q. What's a good holiday tip?
A. Never catch snowflakes with your tongue until all the birds have gone south for the winter.

Q. What do you call a snowman in the summer?
A. A puddle!

Q. What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
A. Frosted Flakes.

Q. What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire?
A. Frostbite.

Q. What did the snowman order at the fast food restaurant?
A. An ice burger with chili sauce.

Q. Why don't mountains get cold in the winter?
A. They wear snow caps.

Q. Why did Frosty have a carrot in his nose?
A. Because he forgot where the refrigerator was.

Q. Why are there only snow men and not snow women?
A. Because only men are stupid enough to stand out in the snow without a coat.

Q. What do snowmen wear on their heads?
A. Ice caps.

Q. What do you get if cross a snowman and a shark?
A. Frost bite!

Q. How do you call an Eskimo cow?
A. An Eskimoo!

Q. What did the snowman order at McDonalds ?
A. Icerbergers with chilly sauce!

How do you know when there is a snowman in your bed ?
You wake up wet!

What do you call a penguin in the Sahara desert?
Lost!

What’s ice?
Skid stuff!

*Knock Knock
Who's there?
Snow
Snow who?
Snow business like show business!

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Who/What am I Winter Riddles…

• I can swim or walk for miles.
  I’m big with thick, white hair.
  I live up in the Arctic.
  I am a ________
  POLAR BEAR
  
• I’m usually made of colored yarn,
  By someone who is knittin´.
  Unless one’s lost I come in pairs.
  Of course I am a ______  
  MITTEN

• My antlers tower above my head.
  Where I live--- it’s cold all year.
  I can pull a sled or pack a load.
  You call me a ______
  REINDEER

• I’m big and white and made of snow,
  So I’ll never have a tan.
  When the sun comes out, I melt away.
  Each year, I’m a new ______
  SNOWMAN

• I’ve got a big mustache.
  I dig shellfish with my tusks.
  I swim in icy waters.
  I’m a Walrus.

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 JOKES ABOUT REINDEER

 What do reindeer say before telling you a joke?      
This one will sleigh you!

Why do reindeer wear fur coats?
Because they would look silly in plastic macs!

How do you make a slow reindeer fast?
Don't feed it!

Why did the reindeer wear black boots?
Because his brown ones were all muddy!

How long should a reindeer's legs be?
Just long enough to reach the ground!

Why did the reindeer wear sunglasses at the beach?
Because he didn't want to be recognized!

Which reindeer have the shortest legs?
The smallest ones!

Where do you find reindeer?
It depends on where you leave them!

I can lift a reindeer with one hand.
I bet you can't.
Well you find me a reindeer with one hand and I'll lift it!

How many legs does a reindeer have?
Six. Forelegs at the front and two at the back!

What’s the difference between a cookie and a reindeer?
You can't dunk a reindeer in your tea!

When should you feed reindeer milk to a baby?
When it's a baby reindeer!

If a reindeer lost his tail, where would it go for a new one?
A retail shop!
 
Why do reindeer scratch themselves?
Because they're the only ones who know where they itch!

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CHRISTMAS JOKES & CHRISTMAS KNOCK-KNOCKS

Q. What do vampires put on their Christmas turkey?
A. Grave-y.

Q. What did the ghost say to Santa Claus?
A. I'll have a boo Christmas without you.

Q. What did the Gingerbread Man put on his bed?
A. A cookie sheet!

Q. How is the Christmas alphabet different from the ordinary alphabet?
A. The Christmas alphabet has NO EL.

Q. What do the elves sing to Santa Claus on his birthday?
A. Freeze a jolly good fellow .

Q. What do you call a cat on the beach at Christmastime?
A. Sandy Claws!

Q. Why are Christmas trees such bad knitters?
A. They are always dropping their needles.

Q. What beats his chest and swings from Christmas cake to Christmas cake
A. Tarzipan !

Q. Mom, Can I have a dog for Christmas?
A. No you can have turkey like everyone else!

Q. Whats the best thing to put into a Christmas cake?
Your teeth!

Q. We had grandma for Christmas dinner?
Really, we had turkey!

Q. What happens if you eat the Christmas decorations?
You get tinsel-itus!

Tip: Also check out  the  many  ‘Winter Jokes’ in the Season’s Joke Section!

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CHRISTMAS KNOCK-KNOCK JOKES

 Knock Knock
Who's there ?
Wayne
Wayne who ?
Wayne in a manger!

Knock Knock
Who's there ?
Donut
Donut who ?
Donut open till Christmas!

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Oakham
Oakham who ?
Oakham all ye faithfull... !

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Avery
Avery who ?
Avery merry Christmas!

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Holly
Holly who?
Holly-days are here again!

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Igloo
Igloo who?
Igloo Suzie like I knew Suzie!

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Mary
Mary who?
Mary Christmas

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 FUNNY!

CHRISMAS CAROLS AS INTERPRETED BY KIDS! 

A teacher in Atlanta asked her students to write the words to their favorite Holiday/Christmas Carols; here are some of the humorous lines she received:

  •  Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly
  • De three kings of porridge and tar
  • On the first day of Christmas my tulip gave to me
  • Later on we'll perspire, as we dream by the fire.
  • He's makin a list, chicken and rice.
  • Noel, Noel, Barney's the king of Israel.
  • With the jelly toast proclaim
  • Olive, the other reindeer. (all of the other reindeer)
  • Frosty the Snowman is a ferret elf, I say
  • Sleep in heavenly peas
  • In the meadow we can build a snowman, Then pretend that he is sparse and brown
  • You'll go down in listerine
  • Oh, what fun it is to ride with one horse, soap and hay 
  • O come, froggy faithful

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JOKE MENU...

• School & Computers
• Crossing the Road
• Food Jokes
• Animals: Cats, Dogs, Elephants, Variety
• Dinosaurs
• Sports:  Baseball-Football-General
• Jokes Insects, Fleas, Flies, Spiders
• Jokes: Weather, Flowers & Gardens, Birds, Bees, Frogs

Holiday Jokes:

• Patriotic (Labor Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Patriotic Theme, Uncle Sam, Presidents Day)
• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• All Winter time Jokes: Good All Winter, Reindeer, Christmas
• Valentine  
• St. Patrick’s Day
• Easter
• April Fools Day

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