A kids’ Christmas craft party

“You have to have kids around at Christmas,” said my friend Wanda many years ago when I dropped my three little girls off at her home. They spent a day with her teens during her annual gingerbread bake.

Now that my three girls are teens (and we have three little girls behind them), they still celebrate wide eyes and clumsy little hands at our annual Christmas craft party. Glue, beads and glitter still have the power to please.

We meet early in Advent at a retreat house run by retired teaching sisters. A mom named Jeanne brings a large basket for each family to toss in a donation and/or a treat as a way of saying thank you to the sisters.

The crafty moms among us lay out tables, each with all the supplies to make a different craft, and a couple of samples to show the kids what the final product should look like. Sponge-painted wrapping paper is a perennial favorite.

Moms Donna and Mary lay out large sheets of white freezer paper.

Then the kids go to town, dipping tree-, snowman-, or star-shaped sponges into shallow tubs of quick-drying, washable paint in red, green and gold. With the help of crooked tape and a lopsided bow, these will likely contain the other treasures the kids will make that day to give to Grandma on Christmas morning, exclaiming, “I made it myself, just for you!”

Here are a few easy samples that have worked over the years. Your local craft store or a catalog such as Current has more ideas. Plan on about six to eight crafts for the party. Each should take no more than 15 minutes. Choose things that little kids can make with minimal help. Big kids can lend a hand with cutting or using the glue gun — that is, if they are not too busy applying just the right amount of glitter to their own.

Not crafty? Don’t worry. Other moms bring treats for the whole gang to share throughout the day. It’s a great way to enjoy a taste of Christmas joys to come.

You have to have kids around at Christmas. Not only to initiate them in the joys of the season, but to experience them yourself. To become like a little child — that’s what the Kingdom of heaven is all about.

Edible Ornaments

When I introduced these, most were eaten on the spot, and many more were brought home for “baby brother” whose teeth hadn’t come in yet. … Wrap Tootsie Pops in glitzy tissue paper or wrapping paper, and tie with curly ribbon. Poke thin, bendable wire through the top for hanging on the tree or hot glue a ribbon loop instead. Or just use as a stocking stuffer.

Peppermint Wreaths

Twist thick, bendable wire into a closed circle. Add peppermints all around with a glue gun. Curl red, green, gold or silver ribbon and tie in lengths all around. Little girls love to wear this creation; little boys love to eat it.

Doorknob Décor

Fun foam comes in many colors in doorknob hanger shapes at your local craft store. But it is expensive if you have a large group. In past years we’ve had 60 children! Instead, try colorful, thin, easy-to-cut poster board or thick felt. Bring a couple of forms so older kids can help younger ones trace and cut out. Have a few containers of jingle bells, candies, sequins and ribbon to add using a glue gun.

Little Bag of Cheer

You can find small Christmas print goodie bags at a craft store or in catalogs like Current. Or you can let the kids make them with wrapping paper. Cut a square of wrapping paper large enough to fill with a packet of hot chocolate mix, marshmallows and a peppermint stick. Tie ends with curly ribbon. Have “To” and “From” tags ready to attach. We sent our photographer home with one for himself and one for his wife.

Stained-Glass Windows

Using an iron on a low setting, have a big kid melt crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper. Place two identically sized pieces of black construction paper together and trace and cut out a hole or trace window lines and cut around lines (as shown). You may shape the hole as a pointed Gothic church window or a round rosette. Glue your wax paper “glass” in between the two black-paper window outlines. Punch a hole in the top and thread a ribbon through for hanging. 

Holy Pine Cones, Batman!

Gather pine cones (if climate permits). This is a great way to recycle last year’s cards or depopulate your ever-multiplying holy card drawer. (Holy cards have no natural predators.) Cut out images of the Madonna and Child or the Holy Family, punch a hole and loop a ribbon through. Attach to the pine cone with hot glue. Using a glue gun, top the cone with a red, ready-made (try the dollar store) bow.

This story was reprinted from the Advent/Christmas issue of Faith & Family magazine.