The countdown to Christmas has begun at our house, and I hope you ll join us for a 12-day journey of crafts and carols! I have included projects I believe are classic Christmas crafts along with a few new ideas. If you would like to supplement these crafts with brief stories and devotionals about the carols, I highly recommend the book Christmas Carols for a Kid s Heart. We used it last year for our devotions before Christmas and we plan to use it this year, too! Not every song I ve used is included in the book, but it is a lovely way to find out the history and significance of various carols (it also includes a CD). I pray you will be blessed and find these crafts useful in your journey towards Christmas! Blessings, Stacie www.motherhoodonadime.com Copyright: Stacie Nelson of Motherhood on a Dime 2011. All rights reserved. This download is provided for personal use. You may post pictures of your family using this download provided you link back to either www.motherhoodonadime.com. You may not reproduce, repackage, or redistribute the contents of this download, in whole or in part, for any reason. This download is provided free of charge. You may not alter or sell any files. You may not host this file on another site. Please contact me at motherhoodonadime@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Table of Contents: Day 1: Magnetic Manger Scene Day 2: Craft Stick Christmas Tree Day 3: Cut-Paper Ornaments Day 4: Glittering Stars Day 5: Edible Nativity Day 6: Handprint Angel Towels Day 7: Recycled Card Nativity Craft Day 8: Star Ornament Day 9: Christmas Tree Gift Bag Day 10: Festive Candle Holders Day 11: Coffee Filter Angel Day 12: Birthday Party for Jesus
Supplies: Day 1 Hymn: Away in a Manger Magnetic Manger Scene Cards with nativity scenes or printable nativity from Making Friends Scissors Glue Magnets 1) If you're able to find cards with nativity scenes, cut-out the various people and animals needed. If not, print a Nativity set on cardstock. You could even color your own! 2) Cut out the figures and attach magnets.
3) Use the magnetic figures to retell the story of Jesus' birth. Day 2 Carol: O, Christmas Tree Craft Stick Christmas Tree Supplies: Four craft sticks Scissors Paint or markers or crayons Glue Buttons, stickers, or other embellishments 1) You'll need two full craft sticks and two cut craft sticks. Cut one stick about 2/3 across. Cut the other approximately 4/5 across.
2) Paint with a brush or fingers or color each stick green. Allow to dry. 3) Use a full stick for the trunk and bottom branch. Glue the branches on the trunk (I prefer to use a hot glue gun, but regular school glue will work -- just allow plenty of drying time). 4) Add embellishments. Finish the project by adding a magnet to the back, so you can hang it on your refrigerator. You could also glue a loop of ribbon on the back to turn it into an ornament.
Day 3 Song: We Wish You A Merry Christmas Supplies: Old book Christmas cookie cutters or patterns Pencil Scissors Cardstock paper Ribbon Cut-Paper Ornament 1) Using pages from an old book, trace a Christmas-themed cookie cutter or pattern onto the paper. 2) Cut out the design.
3) Tear a rectangle or square shape from the cardstock. Make sure to fold the paper back and forth to get a nice tear. Glue the shape onto the paper. 4) Punch a hole. Thread with ribbon. Hang on your tree. You could also frame them for simple wall decorations.
Day 4 Carol: O Holy Night Glittering Stars Supplies: Glitter Contact paper Scissors Cookie cutters or other stencils 1) Lay a small square of Contact paper (sticky side up) in a container. Sprinkle with glitter. Place another sheet over the top to seal in the glitter. 2) Trace a star pattern or cookie cutter onto the contact paper.
3) Cut-out the star. 4) Make a hole at the top. Thread with string or an ornament hook. **Variations: Add foil stars or other embellishments. Use as ornaments or package toppers.
Day 5 Carol: Silent Night Edible Nativity Supplies: Cereal box Graham crackers Frosting EL Fudge cookies or Nutter Butters Fruit Roll-Up Decorated star-shaped cookie Animal crackers Pretzel twists Shredded coconut Marshmallow Yellow food coloring (if desired) Plate Spoon or butter knife 1) Cut off the bottom of a cereal box. Cut in thirds and use the ends. Use one to form a stable. Place on a plate.
2) Dab frosting on one square of graham cracker. Attach to one side of the box. Complete the other sides. 3) Place a dab of frosting on the bottom sides to "glue" it to the plate. Add two EL Fudge cookies or Nutter Butters in front of the stable (use frosting to stick them to the plate). If using Nutter Butters, frost the cookie and decorate for Mary and Joseph. If using EL Fudge cookies, drape one cookie with a Fruit Roll-Up for Mary.
4) Form pretzels in a manger shape. Add coconut for hay. For yellow hay, toss coconut in a plastic bag with food coloring and shake. 5) Dab frosting on the animal crackers and add them to the scene. Add a star to the top of the stable. 6) If desired, place a marshmallow in the manger for a swaddled Baby Jesus.
Day 6 Carol: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Handprint Towel Angels Supplies: Dish towel White acrylic or fabric paint Paint brush Paper Milk lid Scissors 1) Cover foot with white paint. Step on the towel. 2) Paint right hand white. Hold fingers together and press onto the left side of the foot. Paint left hand white and press onto the right side.
3) Trace a milk jug lid onto paper. Cut out the inside to make a stencil. Use a sponge or brush to paint the head. Add a halo if desired. 4) Allow to dry overnight before using the towel.
Supplies: Card with Nativity scene Six craft sticks Crayons or markers Glue Scissors Ribbon or other hanger Day 7 Carol: O Come All Ye Faithful Recycled Card Nativity Craft 1) Lay out the craft sticks to form a frame. This gives you a guide for the size to cut the card. Cut the card. 2) Color the craft sticks (if desired). Glue on the sides.
3) Glue the top and bottom sticks. Allow to dry. 4) Form a triangle at the top and glue on the last two sticks. I prefer to use the jumbo craft sticks with preschoolers, but older children could do this as well with the smaller sticks!
Day 8 Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem Star Ornament Supplies: Thin cardboard or cardstock Scissors Glue Tissue paper Ornament hook or ribbon 1) Cut two triangles out of thin cardboard or cardstock. 2) Glue the triangles together to form a star.
3) Cover with glue. Crumple tissue paper and place on the star. 4) Poke a hole with a thumbtack and hang with an ornament hook!
Supplies: Day 9 Song: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Christmas Tree Gift Bag Paper sack Green construction paper Scissors Glue Stickers 1) Draw and cut-out a Christmas tree shape. Glue to the paper sack. 2) Cover with stickers.
Day 10 Song: Deck the Halls Festive Candleholders Supplies: Votive holder Acrylic Paint Q-tips Tea light Glue Salt 1) Using a Q-Tip, make "dots" all over the candle holder.
2) Allow to dry. Place a tea light in the holder. Very pretty and simple...or you can move on to the next step. 3) Smear the outside of the glass with a thick coat of glue. Be careful not to scrape off any painted dots. Roll or sprinkle with salt. 4) Allow to dry completely. Place a tea light in the votive holder.
Supplies: Day 11 Carol: Angels from the Realms of Glory Coffee Filter Angel Coffee filter Cupcake liner Glue Markers/crayons Used envelope Lid or other circle template Scissors Glitter 1) Fold a coffee filter in half. Cover the filter with glue and fold in half again. Glue again and fold in half once more. 2) Fold a cupcake liner in half and glue on the back of the coffee filter.
3) On the edge of an envelope, trace a circle. Be sure not to cut the fold. 4) Draw a face on the circle. Glue the angel body on the circle. Place ribbon or string across the fold. 5) Glue down the face and allow to dry. Decorate with glitter, if desired.
Day 12 Carol: Joy to the World Birthday Party for Jesus! 1) Make a cake (Dad-led cooking project - yay!) 2) Frost and decorate the cake. 3) Have a party! Sing carols, read about Jesus' birth, sing a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday, and eat cake! Happy birthday, Jesus. May we never forget to celebrate You!