xmas for kids

For teachers, neighbors, and baby sitters, label jars of candy with a sweet illustration. Scan art, and print onto a sheet of labels. Or have kids draw directly onto individual labels.

Hanging old toys on the Christmas tree spreads joy Mom will be pleased to have less clutter, and the toys will be happy to be rescued from their dusty corners. Ask the children to help pick which toys to transform.

Older children can use their hand to outline the cookies, drawing around it on the dough with a skewer and using a knife tip to cut along the line. If your child cant participate, make a pattern from a manila folder. Translucent parchment works well for the heart stencil; it will allow you to see the shape of the cookie through it.

Sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a large bowl; set aside. Put butter and brown sugar into an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt, then egg and molasses. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Divide dough in half, and shape each half into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.

Whos game for this challenging treat Cut gingerbread while its warm; after it cools, decorate with royal icing. Wrap pieces with a note Dont cheat Solve the puzzle before you eat.

Give old cards more hang time by making a garland of disks cut from them.Use craft punches (or trace a round object and cut out). Attach to heavy thread with stickers; rub with craft stick to secure.

Household materials make for inexpensive and delightful homemade gift wrap. Bows can be crafted from found items, too, such as thread or rickrack.
1. Childs art with ribbon bow
2. Calendar page with ribbon bow
3. Shopping bag with yarn bow
4. Kids homework with ribbon bow
5. Magazine page with thread bow
6. Paper towel with rickrack bow
7. Phone book page with rubber band bow
8. White kraft paper with hand drawn bow

Almost any jar works for this project Baby food, pimiento, and olive jars are good choices. Look for plastic or ceramic figurines (metal ones are prone to rust) at flea markets and hobby or model railroad shops. Synthetic evergreen tips are available at many floral supply stores.

To make a reindeers head, turn a gingerbread man on his. Add a face, ears, and antlers with melted chocolate chips, sanding sugar, gumdrops, and other candy.

Button shapes resemble many seasonal things, as on these simple cards made of folded card stock. Construction paper cut outs and a snip of ribbon help turn green buttons into a wreath, tiny red ones into holly berries, and white ones into a friendly snowman. (When theyre turned vertically, the holes in the snowmans belly button look like buttons themselves.)