After eating an enormous meal we clear the table of food and dishes. The adults usually drift off to the living room for some conversation and of course, some of us are still enjoying dessert or an after dinner drink. So that we can talk without the children interrupting we occupy them with Christmas crafts.
The first thing they do is write their letters to Santa Claus. This is always fun for them and as adults, we enjoy watching and listening as they carefully write details about what it is they want. It’s fun to see the differences in how each of my grandkids crafts their letters. I have one grandson that feels he needs to justify why each request is reasonable and he then explains any bad behavior that he may have exhibited in recent times. My grand-daughter on the other hand seems to feel she deserves whatever she asks for, because without a doubt she has been good all year long.
After the letters are completed and the envelopes are addressed to Santa at the North Pole, the kids begin working on small Christmas projects. They make simple things like glitter decorated pine cones and Styrofoam snowmen among other favorites.
Throughout the year I have learned to collect crafting materials. Any type of Styrofoam is saved, as well as scraps of ribbon, lace and cloth. I even have a collection of buttons that comes in handy for craft projects.
I keep all the supplies in a large plastic container – it’s actually a sweater box that is designed to fit under the edge of a bed. Believe it or not, this craft box as we call it is one of the things my grandkids love most about my house. They love to play with pipe cleaners and the other unique sort of things I collect.
The box holds small shells, a collection of beads, various colors of glitter, glues, pine cones, dried flowers, glue guns, colored markers, crayons, colorful paper, old Christmas cards and other remnants of beautiful paper and cards. In reality, it is a sort of junk box full of little treasures that can be used in creative ways.
My suggestion is that you begin a ‘craft box’ now. By the time the holiday season gets here you will have lots of craft stuff. Just start adding little treasures that you find. If you are like me you probably have some cheap imitation jewelry that you could toss in the box. Buttons can be decorated to be beautiful little treasures. Tiny artificial flowers can add a lot to a homemade Christmas ornament.
When the kids make the Styrofoam snowmen they like to add a scarf and other adornments. Use your imagination. It’s fun to help the kids come up with ideas and ways that they can use the odds and ends that you collect. You will have fun while helping the kids to learn about improvising and innovation. It’s fun for old and young.
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