Not Edible Crystal Snowflakes and Ornaments

What you need:
String, wide mouth jar, white pipe cleaner, borax, boiling water, and pencils.

Take a white pipe cleaner and cut into thirds and twist them to make a snowflake or you can do whatever shape you want. Make sure it with fit into the jar.

Tie a string to one end of the snowflake and tie the other end to the pencil.

Fill Jar with Boiling Water. Add 1 Tablespoon of Borax (It is found on the Laundry soap lane of the store- don't use Boraxo Soap) to the water and stir until it dissolves. Add the rest of the Borax. You need 3 tablespoons to every 1 cup of water. You can also add food coloring to the water, if you want colored snowflakes. I personally like the plain old white.

Hang the pencil over the jar, with the pipe cleaner completeley covered in the water, but not touching sides or bottom of jar.

Let sit over night.

Borax is soap, so remember not to keep low for a child to drink. I still have mine that I did years ago on my Christmas tree. Over the years the crystals have changed a little, but it still looks pretty cool on my tree.

Crystal Fun!

Rock Candy To Eat!

Needs:
1 Cup of boiling water
3 Cups White Sugar
Jar
Pencil
wool or cotton Yarn
Food Coloring
Flavoring

Instructions:
Tie the yarn to the pencil. Set the pencil on top of the jar and see if it will hang without touching the sides or the bottom, but almost to the bottom. Boil water. Stir in sugar a spoonful at a time. Keep adding sugar until it starts to collect at the bottom of the jar and doesn't dissolve while stirring. This is called Saturated. You can't have too much or too little or it won't grow crystals on your yarn. Add food coloring of the color you want and flavoring. Pour into the glass jar and don't let any dissolved sugar into the jar. Hang the string again in the jar. Put it where no one can mess with it. Put a paper towel over the top so nothing gets into it. After one day you should see it start to grow. Let them grow until they stop or it is the size you want, about 4-7 days. When sugar crust comes at the top of the jar, then remove it and eat. If it forms on sides and bottom, but not on your string, remove string carefully, reboil and cool like you did before. Pour into a clean glass jar and replace the string. When done Allow to dry and then eat.

A New Tradition!

We got an early Christmas present from my Sister-in-law, Nicole and her family. It is an elf that comes with a story. After you read the story, he hides all month long in high places in your house. The kids are never to touch the elf. Anyway my younger kids Love it, and my older child loves to hide the elf. It has made for lots of seeking the elf, lots of laughing, and lots of fun. If you are interested, then click on the website about it, below.



http://www.popinkins.com/

Christmas Ideas!

My neighbor asked me to post this, but I realized I had already done this. So I thought I would recap a little and then tell you to go look under labels under Christmas for more ideas and you can see what I wrote about this.



Anyway I am a cub scout leader and for one of our Christmas activities, we made green and red paper chains. at the top was a big star with the words, "I am trying to be like Jesus". On the inside of each chain was something that they could do, to make them like Jesus and more focused on him during the Christmas season. Examples you can find in the past posting.



After we got them completed, I read the book I believe in Santa Claus, by Diane G. Adamson. It is first all about Santa. Ex. he comes at night, he wears red, he loves little children etc. Then it switches and talks about Jesus Ex. he comes at night, he wore red, he loves little children etc. After reading the book I talked to them about how it can be confusing when at school you only talk about Christmas and Santa coming, but at Church you only talk about the birth of Christ. But I said that this book helps us realize that Santa is trying to be just like Jesus and he is a symbol of Christmas. When we think of Santa, we can think of Jesus, just like when we see a Christmas light we can be reminded of the star that came the night Jesus was born.

Then I took the chain and said that the outside is a countdown until Santa comes, but the inside is a countdown until Jesus was born. By doing nice things for others and trying to be like Jesus, we can honor Jesus and give him a gift that he would love by serving others.

Anyway I had this little boy (I forgot to tell his Mom this part), that openly scoffed when I said we were going to read a book called, I believe in Santa Claus. He didn't say anything, but his face told me, that he was not a believer. He also thought making chains was something a preschooler would do. But after I read the book, his little chain seemed much more important, and his face said a different story, than before I read the book.

He went home and has been so excited about Trying to be like Jesus everyday. His Mom called me to tell me, what a great idea it was, and how much he looks forward to doing it everyday. I usually get no comments, and it was really nice to hear how much she like it. She asked me to post it, so now I have. Merry Christmas!

Compliment Stocking!

My sister, Jill shared this on facebook, and I thought it was cute and would post it here. Doing anything like this with children is a really good idea.

Christmas idea to share One thing we did with our kids was to let them write compliments to each other during the month of December(we did too). They could choose any day. No one was assigned. More than one person could do it in a day. You write a complement for each person in the family including yourself. They are put in the empty stockings. When someone noticed they were there we would read them as a family. Children that were too little to write could dictate to someone else. They could be things like "You are a good jumper." or "You have a great laugh." This was really fun to do.

10 Fun Christmas Games!

1. Don’t Eat Santa- Big version that fits on the floor or the whole table. For those of you who don’t know, you place a small treat (cereal I usually do) on each Santa square and one person goes out of the room. When he is gone another (I usually do the person who had the last turn going out) person picks a Santa. Then the person comes back in the room and starts to eat. When they hit the one that was picked, everyone yells, “Don’t Eat Santa!” It scares the child and they all laugh and then the next goes. It’s very simple, but even 6^th graders have loved it. I will bring the big board (A different Santa on a full piece of paper, and then they are taped together like a bingo board) and the cereal treats with it.

2. Christmas Twenty Questions- Adult starts by choosing a Christmas related person, place, or thing and says, "I'm thinking of something". The children try to guess what it is by asking no more than twenty questions that can be answered "YES", "NO", or I DON'T KNOW". The student who guesses correctly is next up.

For kids that are littler, Example: Frosty
Clue: I'm thinking of someone who wears a hat
Clue: He loves snow
Clue: He'll melt if it gets too warm outside

For kids that are older Example: Frosty
Adult: I'm thinking of something at Christmastime!
Kid #1: Is it cold? Yes
Kid #2: Is it Red? No

To get you started: Santa, Rudolph, elf, Mrs. Claus, Candy Cane, Snowman, Tree, Lights, Stocking, North Pole, Sleigh, Cookies, Milk, Etc.

3. Pin The Nose On Rudolph- Rudolph picture, red nose circles for each child, tape, pen for their name, and a blindfold.

4. Santa Bingo- cereal or beans for counters, and everything for the game. Google Free Christmas Bingo, and you can print color or black and white ones.

6. Musical Chairs- a treat for everyone that gets kicked out of musical chairs and Christmas music.

7. What is it? Christmas pillow case that has all sorts of Christmas objects in it. It is a guess and feel game. Each person takes a turn feeling one object and guessing what it is. When guessed you pull it out and see if they are right. You can keep all the objects together and have them hold the one while you grab it, or you can do one at a time and use another pillowcase to hold the other stuff.

8. Blind Snowman Game

Supplies:
8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper
Pencil.

How To Play: Give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil. Explain to them that they will close their eyes and you will tell them what to draw. DON'T tell them they're drawing a snowman! Draw 3 circles on top of each other. Each circle gets smaller from bottom to top. In the middle circle draw three buttons going vertically down the center. In the top circle draw two eyes, a carrot nose, and a mouth. Draw a hat on top of the smallest circle. Draw stick arms on both sides of the middle circle. Draw a broom in one stick hand. Open your eyes! If playing with older children you might want to devise a point system, such as: 5 points for each circle that touches the other. Points for the hat touching the head, the eyes being in the top circle, etc.

9. Tongue Twisters

How To Play: Say each phrase three times as fast as you can. Let kids practice on their own or take volunteers to come up and try their best for all to hear. A candy can prize for anyone who tries.

Chocolate cocoa cravings cure colds
Santa sings shining star songs
Sally skis super slow
Big bright bells banish boredom
Grumpy Grinch goes grizzly gus
Pretty packages perfectly packed
Tip-top tiny tot toys
Sally's striped stocking's stuffed slightly
Santa's super souped sleigh swiftly slides sideways
Cheery cute caroling Christmas critters
Candy cane cookies keep kids coming

10. Santa Says

How To Play: Played similar to Simon Says. The player up is "Santa". Player will say "Santa says hop on one foot". The children will hop on one foot. Player will say "Stop". The children are to keep hopping on one foot until player says "Santa says stop". Repeat for additional activities such as take one baby step forward, step backwards, turn around, sit down. Sometimes Santa will say "Santa says" and sometimes he won't. It'­s a fun game to play with young children.

Christmas Nativity Program Scripture Version

Every year we have a nativity on Christmas Eve. We dress up, have simple parts, and of course remember the real reason for Christmas. I have two versions of our Christmas programs. I tried to find other people's so I wouldn't have to go to the work, and never did. So if you do something like this or want to start here is the first one. Also parts can be adjusted depending on how many people you have. We have a lot of people.

2009 Christmas Program


Mary:

Joseph:
Jesus 1:

Angel Gabriel:
Angel 1:
Angel 2:

Angel 3:
Wiseman 1
Wiseman 2
Wiseman 3
Shepherd 1:

Shepherd 2
Star:
Narrator 1:
Narrator 2:
Narrator 3:
Narrator 4:
Inn Keeper 1:

Inn Keeper 2
Herod/Leading Music:

Please bring this copy with you on Christmas Eve to follow along!

Away in a manger (First Verse)

Narrator 1: And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said.

Angel Gabriel: Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Narrator 2: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Mary: I rode a donkey, my baby was coming soon.

Joseph: The journey was long and slow. I couldn’t find a place for us to stay, each Inn we went to the Inn Keeper said….

Inn Keeper 1: “No room!”

Inn Keeper 2: Joseph knocked on my door and asked for a room. There was no room. I started to send him away and then I called him back. I said, “I have a stable, you may stay in”.

Narrator 3: And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Silent Night (First Verse)

Narrator 4: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,

Angel 1: Fear not: for, behold, I bring you agood tidings of great bjoy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is aborn this day in the city of David a bSaviour, which is Christ the cLord.

Angel 2: And this shall be a asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Narrator 1: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Angel 3: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth bpeace, good will toward men.

Narrator 1: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,

Shepherd 1: Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

Shepherd 2: and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Stars Were Gleaming (1 Verse)

Narrator 2: And they came with ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it awondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and apondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Narrator 3: Now when Jesus was aborn in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying,

Wiseman 1: Where is he that is born bKing of the Jews?

Wiseman 2: for we have seen his cstar in the east,

Wiseman 3: and are come to dworship him.

Narrator 3: Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,

Herod: Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Narrator 4: When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Star: When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy!

Narrator 4: And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and afrankincense, and myrrh.

With Wondering Awe (First Verse)

Narrator 1: And being warned of God in a adream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod:

Narrator 2: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the prince of peace.

Joy To The World (First Verse)

Second Version of the Christmas Nativity

Away in a manger (First Verse)

Angel Narrator 2 (Mary, Joseph, and Donkey come out) Many years ago in the city of Nazareth a young woman, named Mary had an angel appear to her. The angel told her that he would be the mother of the Savior. Mary then married a man named Joseph and together they planned and waited for the Savior to come.

Angel Narrator 1: A decree went out from the king of the Romans, that all the world was to be taxed, in the city that they were born in. Mary and Joseph had to travel to ethlehem to pay their taxes.

Mary: I rode a donkey, my baby was coming soon.

Joseph: The journey was long and slow.

Inn Keeper 1: “No room!”

Inn Keeper 2: Joseph knocked on my door and asked for a room. There was no room. I started to send him away and then I called him back. I said, “I have a stable, you may stay in”.

The Nativity Song (Third Verse)

Angel Narrator 3: So Mary and Joseph went to a stable, where animals like horses and cows were kept. The baby Jesus was born in the stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. (Baby Jesus comes out)


Silent Night (First Verses)

Shepherd #2: In the fields near Bethlehem, we were tending our flocks of sheep, and an angel came.

Angel #2: Don’t Be Afraid!

Angel #3: The Savior, Jesus Christ, has been born and is lying in a manger.

Angel Narrator 1: And suddenly all the Heavenly Angels came saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men.

Angel Narrator 2: And when the angels went back to heaven, the Shepherds said to one another:

Shepherd #1: Let’s go to Bethlehem and see baby Jesus!


Stars Were Gleaming (1 Verse)

Star: When Jesus was born I appeared and was the brightest star in the sky.

Wiseman #1: My friends and I followed the star, traveling from the east.

Wiseman #3: We said, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We saw the star in the east, and have come to worship him.

Wiseman #2: We found baby Jesus and gave him gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Murr.

With Wondering Awe (FirstVerse)

Angel Narrator 3: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the prince of peace.

Christmas Bells Are Ringing

Songs are from mostly the LDS Primary Book:

The Nativity Song
This is the stable shelter so bare; Cattle and oxen first welcomed him there. This is the manger, sweet hay for a bed, waiting for Jesus to cradle his head.

Away in a Manger
Away in a manger no crib for his bed, The little lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay, The little lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. Asleep, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep the Savior in a stall, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep, Asleep the Lord of all.

Silent Night
Silent Night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace; Sleep in heavenly peace.

Stars Were Gleaming
Stars were gleaming shepherds dreaming; and the night was dark and chill. Angels’ story rang with glory; Shepherd heard it on the hill. Ah, that singing! Hear it ringing, Earthward winging Christmas bringing! Hearken! We can hear it still!

With Wondering Awe
With wond’ring awe the wisemen saw The star in heaven springing, And with delight, in peaceful night,They heard the angel singing: Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to his name.

Christmas Bells Are Ringing
Christmas Bells are ringing, here what they say to you.
Jesus is born, In Bethlehem, In Bethlehem.

Christmas Eve Date

A few years ago someone told me that they were going to have Hot Chocolate as a couple on Christmas Eve night. Of course they didn't have kids, and I am sure had plenty of time to have cocoa with each other. I decided that this was my new goal. Can I get ahead and organized to have a small moment with my husband. The answer is yes. Hopefully by tonight I will be done getting ready for Christmas. And my husband and I will have a moment on Christmas Eve that is not about the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but a moment just for us. We are also a game couple, so we will also be playing a quick game of our new favorite game Fits. It is something to look forward to. Anyway just thought I would pass it on!

Christmas Websites!

The first Christmas website I am sharing today is called http://www.santas.net It is a website where you can email Santa, you can find all traditions of different countries, a place to check Santa's list to see where he is putting you (good or bad), Where all the symbols of Christmas came from (more than you think on this website), jokes, and more fun!

The next website I will be trying for the first time this year. Join me, or wait and I will tell you if it was good. It is http://www.noradsanta.org This website allows you to track Santa's movements on Christmas Eve! I think it sounds neat and will keep my kids busy during the day as they check on him. It also has other fun stuff.

Neat LDS Toy!

I was reading a friends blog and she made a comment about the fisher price nativity characters were teaching the missionaries. I looked in and guess what? I saw LDS missionaries right in the nativity. Here are the kinds and I found them for a pretty good price at http://www.deseretbook.com/ for the Nativity go to http://www.fisherprice.com/ I think my kids will really like the missionaries!

Ornaments for the Grandparents

Yesterday I made 30 paper ornaments in about 30 minutes with my cricut. I also printed pictures of all my nieces and nephews and my brothers and sisters. I placed one picture on each ornament and today I will give them to my grandma, updating something we did in the past.

A few years ago we bought her a Christmas tree that was pre-lit, and was pretty small. You see my grandma is too old to really do the whole big Christmas thing. But this tree we keep the ornaments on year round and she puts a garbage bag over it until Christmas and then she has someone grab it out of the basement for her. The only ornaments she puts on are of her grandchildren and the greats. She loves it so much!

I try every once in awhile to give my mom a ornament for her tree with my kids on it. Not only does she enjoy looking at them, but her grand kids love to see how they have grown up. Remember to write the date on the back with the child's name.

This activity is also perfect for an out of town grandparents. They mail really easy and will give them joy when they open it up!

What I tell my children about Santa!

My children ask me all the time, "Mommy do you believe in Santa?" And I always answer them with a very honest answer, YES! When they stop believing I make it clear that if you don't believe, you get nothing. And I make it clear that I really do believe in Santa. That keeps the magic alive and well (even when your 12). I had to teach my husband all about this, when he married into a believing family. And because we all believe, it brings a magical atmosphere to our house. To me Santa represents more than just someone that brings us toys once a year, or a commercialized holiday. Santa is special because he spends time with us and shows us he loves us! He follows the example of Jesus Christ and chooses to serve others. He makes others happy and does good deeds for us. He brings families together, and gives us wonderful memories. Santa is magical.

I remember when I was younger and the Santa that was living in our basement would come home from different family parties in the valley. One family in particular would only get together for their Christmas party, and this was the only time they talked to each other, or gathered together, and they always had Santa come. Santa was the only thread that was keeping this family together. It was important to them, and it always humbled the Santa that lived in my basement. I saw this Santa in the basement, do many good things for others. He brought families together, brought happiness-when their was none, did subs, and did good deeds all year long. He even sent a Christmas letter to each child that he knew. Now I do the Christmas letter in his honor.

I have heard people say that their kids resented them, that they felt lied to, etc. But for me Santa lives in my heart, and that's what I tell them. So far I haven't had any big problems. I really just link how Santa is good and how he is a symbol of Christmas, and that symbol is a example of Christ. Hopefully this helps if you get asked any hard questions this year or in the future.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Countdown!

My mom was a really amazing woman and mother. She still is, but I am talking more about when I was a child. Every year my mom did things that made Christmas extra special. One thing she did was make gingerbread men with us. After we had done that she would get a really long piece of plastic wrap and she would lay 25 (or the amount of days left for Christmas) cookies on the plastic wrap. Then she would fold over the wrap so you had a big long line. Then she took red and green ribbon and would make individual sections between the cookies. Then she would hang it up in the kitchen. Each day we would cut one cookie off and have a little treat. We loved counting how many days until Christmas! So if you have little ones, this might be the thing to try!

I do a form of this. I just buy candy and I have a fabric countdown that I hide the candy in on the day. Not as clever as my mom, but she didn't have 3 holiday birthdays either!

Stained Glass Pictures

For an activity, I am going to get some Vellum and print Christmas images on them. I haven't decided if it is going to be religious or like Santa. Then you just give your child crayola markers and let them color the picture. Then you tape in the window. They are really cute.

Another idea you can do with them is make the picture a size of a wallet picture. After they are done coloring it, then go to a craft store and buy see through Christmas balls. Roll up the picture and place inside the ball. These make great gifts, a great craft to keep kids busy, or just a fun ornament to do at Christmas time.

Above pictures are of my kids coloring with Vellum paper. They had so much fun and it looked so pretty when placed into the window. I found this link that had christian stain glass windows that are done. http://www.sundayschoolprintables.com/coloring/coloringpage7.php

I used this one for my kids:

Christmas Ornament!

When my husband and I got married we started giving each other one ornament a year. They were just random, but I love to see them each year as I get them out and put them on the tree.

A few years ago we started giving us as a couple one ornament and then our kids their own of the same ornament. So now that we have five kids, that means 6 exact ornaments on the tree. I mark each one with their name and the year they got it. Theme wise I have chosen to do Santa. This has a very special meaning for me and as they grow older they will find out why I love Santa's. We had Santa live with us in our basement. He had beautiful bells, a beautiful beard, and over all looked authentic. I miss him now he is gone, but will always remember him by Santas around my house. My Mom has a big tree that only has Santa ornaments on it. It also has dates and names of everyone who has found out what she collects. Because we had Santa live with us for so long growing up, my mom has Santa's everywhere in her house that people have given her.

When my children get married, they will take their Santa ornaments and put them on their trees. And then hopefully the tradition will continue and they will also love Santa and have a tree of Santa. More importantly when they are starting out and are poor, they won't have to buy ornaments.

When I was a child our tradition was that we made a homemade ornament every year for our tree. We also made two others and would include them in our 12 days of Christmas (we called it Pixie) to give to elderly or singles in our ward.

So come up with your own ornament tradition and like me alter it when needed and most of all make memories with your family- now - This Christmas!

Clothespin Ornaments!

This was a homemade ornament we made as a child. The other one I didn't have a picture to, but I can tell you the instructions at the bottom.

Materials:
1. 2 No-roll clothespins (3 3/4")
2. Brown Paint
3. Paintbrush
4. 2" piece of string or ribbon
5. Red pompom
6. 2 little googly eyes

7. Craft Glue or Hot glue gun


Instructions:

1. Holding the 2 clothespins so that one is right-side up and the other is upside down, overlap the top 1" on each clothespin and glue in place as pictured. If you are using craft glue you will need to wait until the glue is completely dry before proceeding.
2. Paint both clothespins brown. Let dry.
3. Glue the eyes and red pompom on the reindeer as pictured for the face.
4. Tie the two ends of the 6" string together in a knot and glue to the back of the reindeer as the hanger.

5. As always put date and name of child that did it on back or bottom!

Clothespin Candle
This one is so easy! You take a clothespin a regular one and paint it bright red. Then take felt and make flames and attach them on the ends of the clothespin. Then you can cut with felt some ivy and berries and place where it pinches on the outside. Then you pinch it on the branch and it is a little tree candle. As a little kid, that was my very favorite ornament!

CINNAMON CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS (Do Not Eat)

About 10 years ago I made these at church. I have put them on my tree every year. If you keep them in a gallon ziplock bag, they really keep their smell from year to year. This is fun to do with children. I am just this year needing new ones, because mine are all getting broken.

4 oz. ground cinnamon (cheap spices can be purchased at dollar store)
1 tbsp. cloves
1 tbsp. nutmeg
2 tbsp. white school glue
3/4 c. applesauce
(Do NOT eat!)

Makes about 12 large ornaments.
Any spices can be used, the spices are only used to give the ornaments a good smell. Combine spices in a bowl, mix together. Add applesauce and glue. Work with hands until smooth. Mixture will be like wet dough, if too juicy add a little more spice. Roll out to a 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with Christmas ornament indented cookie cutters. Cut a hole in upper edge of ornament with a drinking straw so ornament can be hung.

Place on rack to air dry for several days (3 or 4 days), turning until dry. Do not put in oven. Great gift toppers or ornaments.

Straw for Jesus!

This idea is very similar to the one I added earlier today. You make or buy a manger that is big enough for a doll to be in it. Then you get a bag of straw and place it by the manger. Then either you let your child put a piece of straw in every time they do something good for another person, or my favorite at the end of the day you all do it together as a family and tell each other what you did that was nice. By the time Jesus is "born" there should be plenty of soft hay for him to lay in. Use your doll on Christmas day and place him in the manger. I also before my kids get to open presents (and so daddy can set up cameras and such) read them a short child version of the Nativity. It sets the right kind of mood for the day!

A Different Kind of Christmas!

One year someone gave us a really fun activity, that made Christmas more special and more focused on making others happy and not ourselves (which in turn made us happy). Anyway make a list with 25 activities and print it up using a white, red, and green piece of paper. The activities could include:

1. Do something nice for your mom today

2. Do something nice for your dad today

3. Write your grandma a note

4. Draw a picture of Jesus and give it to someone

5. Help sister make her bed today

6. Sing someone a Christmas song today

7. Call and talk to someone you love on the phone today

8. Read a story about Jesus and tell about it at dinner

9. Do 3 nice things today for your brother

Etc.

Then cut up the daily activities into strips and take each strip and make a paper chain, rotating each color. Each day rip one off until you get to the end and reach Christmas. Also at the top of your chain have your child color a picture of baby Jesus and then talk to them about the gift they are giving Jesus this year. Which is all the acts of service. This really gets the kids thinking about how and what is important in life and not so much of what Santa is going to bring them.