| Christmas is about family. Here is a | | | | You may want to tie the jingle bell to a |
| collection of five crafts that you can make | | | | branch of your Christmas tree, or attach one |
| as a family to teach the true meaning and | | | | to your child's shoelace to remind them of |
| symbols of Christmas. Children will learn to | | | | the Christmas season. |
| identify Christmas using their five senses: | | | | |
| sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Pick | | | | Smell Activities |
| and choose the activities you think your | | | | |
| family will best enjoy, and spread them | | | | Scented Orange Ornaments: |
| throughout the season. Start new traditions. | | | | |
| Most importantly, use the activities to talk | | | | Materials Needed: several small to medium |
| as a family. | | | | oranges or tangerines, 1 bottle whole cloves, |
| | | | wire and cutters, 1 inch (or thicker) ribbon, |
| Sight Activities: | | | | tied into a bow. |
| | | | |
| Make holly wreaths out of green felt or | | | | Gently make a vertical surface cut at each |
| construction paper: | | | | quarter of the orange. Carefully poke the |
| | | | wire through bottom of the orange and push |
| Materials: paper plate, scissors, three | | | | through the top. Secure by twisting the wire |
| shades of green felt or construction paper, | | | | into a circle, thus holding the orange in |
| old newspaper, glue gun and glue (or craft | | | | place. Dry the wire with a paper towel if it |
| glue), red beads (optional), 1 inch thick red | | | | got juicy. Push in cloves, thorny end first, |
| ribbon tied into a bow (optional.) | | | | along the cut grooves of the orange. Slide |
| | | | the bow down the wire until it tops the |
| Fold a paper plate in half and cut out the | | | | orange, and fold back the wire to secure on a |
| center. Discard the center piece. Make a | | | | tree branch. |
| pattern of spiny holly leaves using old | | | | |
| newspaper, and use a fabric pen to trace the | | | | This ornament will fill your home with fresh |
| shape on three different shades of green | | | | citrusy, gingerbread smells and can also be |
| felt. (You can also use green construction | | | | wrapped to be given as a gift. Gingerbread |
| paper.) Use a glue gun or craft glue to | | | | has been associated with the holidays since |
| attach the holly leaves to the paper plate | | | | medieval times, when the crusaders brought |
| ring, alternating colors. You can glue red | | | | citrus fruits and spices back from the Middle |
| beads in triangular bunches of three to the | | | | East. At first it was too expensive for |
| leaves if you want to add berries. Attach the | | | | anyone but the lords and ladies of the |
| optional bow at the top or bottom of the | | | | castles to eat. Today it can serve as a |
| wreath. | | | | reminder that baby Jesus was the prophesied |
| | | | king. |
| The holly wreath, hanging on a door or over | | | | |
| an archway, makes a fine visual symbol | | | | Taste Activities |
| Christmas. The circle is a symbol of | | | | |
| brotherly love. Demonstrate to your children | | | | Decorate Christmas Cookies: |
| how the circle never ends, just like our love | | | | |
| for each other shouldn't end. In olden days | | | | Using your favorite sugar cookie recipe and a |
| when all other plants died under the snow, | | | | variety of cookie cutters, spend an afternoon |
| the holly stayed green, giving hope that life | | | | baking up a batch. Frosting, cake decorating |
| would come again. The red holly berries | | | | supplies and candy can be used for |
| represent Jesus' blood, which gave man hope | | | | embellishment. Make a plate to take to a |
| of life after death. The bow is symbol of | | | | neighbor, or hang the cookies on the tree. Of |
| unity, which families feel at Christmastime. | | | | course, you must eat a few! Cookies and |
| Red is the color of sacrifice. Talk about | | | | apples were used as the first Christmas tree |
| these meanings with your children as you make | | | | ornaments in Germany, where they came to |
| the wreath. Every time they see it hanging | | | | symbolize the fruits of redemption. |
| will be a reminder to them of the true | | | | |
| meaning of Christmas! | | | | Touch Activities |
| | | | |
| Sound Activities | | | | Candle Lights: |
| | | | |
| Jingle Bells: | | | | Candles have long represented Jesus Christ on |
| | | | Christmas, and have been used on Advent |
| Ask your children to close their eyes. Move | | | | wreaths, lightstocks (Christmas Pyramids), |
| away from them. Have them try to walk to you | | | | Christmas trees, or single candles at the |
| with their eyes closed. Then repeat the | | | | window. Light a candle and have your children |
| activity, but this time ring a jingle bell. | | | | hold their hands up close enough to feel the |
| Bells ring out to lost sheep and guide them | | | | warmth. Although winter is traditionally a |
| back to safety. Jesus is sometimes called the | | | | cold season, Christmas activities with your |
| Good Shepherd, guiding every child to safety. | | | | family bring warmth into the heart. |