WHOSE?
Sung to: "Mary Had a Little Lamb"
Guess whose beard is long and white?
Long and white? Long and white?
Guess whose beard is long and white?
It's Dear old Santa.
Guess whose suit is red and white?
Red and white? Red and white?
Guess whose Suit is red and white?
it's Dear old San-ta!
Guess who comes on Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve? Christmas Eve?
Guess who comes on Christmas Eve?
It's Dear old San-ta!
HEAR HIS BELLS
Sung to: "Are You Sleeping?"
Are you sleeping?
No more peeking,
Or I'll tell, or I'll tell.
Santa Claus is coming.
Santa Claus is cowing.
Hear his bells.
Hear his bells.
FIVE LITTLE BELLS
Five little bells hanging in a row.
The first one said, "Ring me slow."
The second one said, "Ring me fast."
The third one said, "Ring me last."
The fourth one said, "I'm a chime."
The fifth one said, "Ring me at Christmas time."
The sixth one said, "Ring me with the others."
The seventh one said, "Ring me for the mothers."
The eighth one said, "Ring me with a song."
The ninth one said, "Ring me all day long."
5 LITTLE CHIRSTMAS TREES
5 little Christmas Trees
Standing all alone
Their heart were very sad
'Cause they hadn't found a home.
Then chop went the ax
And down fell the tree
And off they went with a happy family!
(continue from 4-1 Christmas Trees)
No little Christmas Trees
Standing all alone
Their hearts were very happy
'Cause they all found a home!!!
SANTA CLAUS
Sung to: "Are You Sleeping?"
Santa Claus, Santa Claus,
Ho, ho, ho.
Ho, ho, ho.
Where is Santa?
Where is Santa?
I don't know.
Do you know?
SANTA'S WORKSHOP
Here is a great big Christmas tree Trimmed with lights and balls.
(Put tips of fingers of both hands together, palms apart)
Here are Santa's little elves.
They run when Santa calls.
(Hold up ten fingers and wiggle them)
This is Santa's workshop,
Filled with gifts and toys
(Use both hands to form a house)
The elves and helpers fill the sleigh,
For all good girls and boys.
HERE IS THE CHIMNEY
Here is the chimney
(Make fist, enclose thumb)
Here is the top.
(Palm of hand on top of fist)
Open the lid.
(Remove hand quickly)
And out Santa will pop.
(Pop up thumb)
CHRISTMAS POEM
This is pine tree happy.
This is pine tree sad.
This is pine tree sleepy.
This is pine tree mad.
This is pine tree standing tall.
As a Christmas tree, it's best of all!
You can change it to "with shining lights it's best of all" if that
is more acceptable with your school population.
DECEMBER POEM
It's December.
It's December.
Trim the tree.
Trim the tree.
Mistletoe and holly.
Santa Claus so jolly.
Ring the bells.
Christmas bells.
TREE TOPPER
Every year, we make a "tree topper" for our parents. I cut a Large
star shape out of cardboard (from old boxes--poster board is too thin).
Then the children glue small elbow pasta to decorate them on ONE side.
Some children will cover the entire star, others make a design around
the edge and in the center--some are just random "hit and miss." It
is truly their creation. The only thing I really stress is how to use
the glue-i.e.it's easier to put a small amount of glue at the time
for their design and then stick the pasta on rather than trying to
put glue on each piece of pasta, etc. After the stars dry, I hot glue
an empty toilet paper roll to the back--be careful with this because
you have to "balance the star." (The toilet paper roll slips over the
top of the tree) The toilet paper roll should be showing between to
points of the star and should be "even" with their tips. Then, I spray
the entire thing gold. The children are amazed at how they look! The
great thing--if they say they already have a tree topper OR they have
a sister or brother that has done this before---if you are careful
in the balancing when you glue the roll on---the toilet paper roll
allows the star to "free stand," so it can be used as a table decoration,
too.
This could be adjusted for other decorations or ideas also. My son made this
in second grade--and we still use his on the top of our tree nine years later.
I love it---and my children are so proud to create a "special" gift for their
parents. Their is a lot of prep work--cutting shapes ahead...but it's worth
it.
CHRISTMAS GIFT
You need: a kitchen whisk
Hershey's
Kisses
cellophane
wrap
curling
ribbon
You separate the bottom of the whisk, fill it with kisses, then wrap
it it
cellophane wrap, tie it the top with cruling ribbon and attach this saying: I
"whisk" you a Merry "Kiss" mas.
HOLIDAY SONGS
5 Little Snowmen - tune - 5 little ducks
5 little snowmen made in a row (show 5 fingers)
5 little snowmen made of snow
Out came the sun and shone all day (Hands over head forming a sun)
1 little snowman melted away. (Show 1 finger and do a wiggle as you
go down
towards the ground - not falling)
Continue from 4 - 2, last verse is slightly different.
1 little snowman all alone
1 little snowman made of snow
Out came the sun and shone all day
1 little snowman melted away.
Paint or design 5 snowmen and have children hold them and take them away to
the verses of the song.
SANTA - tune - BINGO
There is a man his beard is white and Santa is his name
S A N T A
S A N T A
S A N T A
And Santa is his name.
Verse repeats replacing letters with claps.
The Christmas Tree Song - tune - Wheels on the bus
The balls on the tree are green and red (left then right hand out front
palm
up)
Green and red, green and red (same actions)
The balls on the tree are green and red (same action)
On Christmas day.
Other verses same format
The lights on the tree go on and off (open and shut hands)
The tinsel on the tree goes up and down (point up and down)
The popcorn on the tree is good to eat (rub tummy)
The star on the tree is up on top (reach hand up to place star)
TEDDY BEAR ORNAMENTS
Teddy Bear Ornaments
Precut teddy bear from poster board. Have parents save used
tea bags. Let children open the dried bags and shake the dried
tea over the bear that has been covered with glue. I
used a tub to lay the bear in first (said they
needed to lie down in their bed) so they excess tea doesn't get all over.
When they dry they look like fuzzy bears. We stapled on Christmas
plaid bows as well.
SONGS
Use Santa finger puppets (plastic store bought or kid made) to act
out this simple fingerplay:
(Tune: Where is Thumbkin?)
Where is Santa? Where is Santa?
Here Iam! Here Iam!
Merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry Christmas
Ho, ho, ho! Ho, ho ho!
Here's one for stick puppets. Make one little tree and one big
tree; make them double-sided. Decorate one side of the big tree
puppet. Use them to act out this fingerplay/song:
(Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little pine tree, as you see
Al the others are bigger than me
Maybe when Igrow up, Then I'll be
Agreat big merry Christmas tree
SANTA CLAUS SANTA CLAUS WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Take off on the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?
Each child makes a Santa Claus, Santa Claus What Do You See? Book.
After completion, we practice reading it before they take it home.Make
as many or few pages as you prefer or in any order. I use 9X11
size white construction paper for each page. Students either
use paint, crayons, colored pencils, etc for each page. I have
the words already printed on each page or you could have children write
the sentences on the pages.
Title Page Santa Claus, Santa Claus what do you see? And
then their names.
Have a pre made santa face on page or students could draw their
own Santa face. Students put cotton balls on for Santa's beard
and one for the tip of his hat. Following pages have question written
at top of page. Answer written on bottom of page.
Page 1 Santa Claus, Santa Claus what do you see? (top of
page)
I see a Christmas Bell looking at me. (bottom of page)
Have a pre-made santa face on page or students could draw their own
Santa face. Students put cotton balls on for Santa's beard and one for
the tip of his hat.
Page 2 Christmas Bell, Christmas Bell what do you see? (top
of page)
I see a golden star looking at me. (bottom of page)
I have a bell stencil for them to trace and glitter/paint/color yellow. Using
narrow ribbon or yarn, thread onto a small bell. Glue onto bottom of bell.
Page 3 Golden star, Golden star what do you see? (top of
page)
I see a candy cane looking at me. (bottom of page)
I have a star stencil for them to trace and then glitter or trace star
onto golden foil wrapping paper and glue onto page.
Page 4 Candy cane, Candy cane what do you see? (top of page)
I see Rudolph looking at me. (bottom of page)
I have the students make a patterned candy cane from those small beads
onto a pipe cleaner. Hot glue it to page. Also, put some peppermint
oil on the page for smell.
Page 5 Rudolph, Rudolph what do you see? (top of page)
I see a gingerbread boy/girl/baby looking at me. (bottom of page)
I have a reindeer stencil for the students to trace onto brown furry material
and cut out. Then they glue a tiny, red pom pom on for his nose.
Page 6 Gingerbread boy/girl/baby, gingerbread boy/girl/baby what
do you see? (top of page)
I see a Christmas ornament looking at me. (bottom of page)
I have the students make their own gingerbread boy/girl/baby. Rub
glue onto it and sprinkle with cinnamon or whatever spice you like.
After dry, decorate with red hots, rick rack, buttons, puff paint, etc.
Page 7 Christmas ornament, Christmas ornament what do you
see? (top of page)
I see a present looking at me. (bottom of page)
I have the students make whatever shape they want. Cover it with
colored cellophane paper.
Page 8 Present, present what do you see? (top of page)
I see my family looking at me. (bottom of page)
I have the children make squares out of wrapping paper and glue ribbon
or yarn on for a bow.
Page 9 Last page I have the students draw a picture of themselves.
GROOVY CHRISTMAS
Have your kiddos make a paper chain and extend them from the ceiling
to the
floor and tape to the floor in a Christmas tree shape.
The kids can also make ornaments that can attach. Add a lava
lamp underneath
and you too will have a groovy Christmas!
CHRISTMAS WREATHS
Pretzel Wreath
You'll Need:
Little Pretzels
Curling Ribbon
Glue
String the curling ribbon through the pretzels.
Use an over-under /under- over pattern so that the pretzels will
lay flat.
Apply glue to secure each pretzel as you form a circle. Add another layer of
pretzels onto the top. Glue on a Sprig of pine or holly and this makes a beautiful
gift.
Tip: Consider gluing the wreath onto a paper plate or a circle of cardboard
for extra security.
Cinnamon Cut Outs
Mix 3/4-1 cup applesauce with one 4.12-oz. bottle ground cinnamon to
form a stiff dough. Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with cookie
cutter. Make hole for ribbon. Carefully put on rack to dry. Let air
dry several days, turning occasionally. Makes 12 sweet smelling ornaments.
Pasta Christmas Wreaths
You'll Need:
Small Paper Plates
A Variety of Different Pasta
Glue
Silver or Gold Spray Paint
Bow
Cut center out of the paper plate. Glue pasta noodles around the outer
ring, completely cover the paper plate. Let glue dry and then spray
paint the
desired color. Use a Glue gun to add the bow!
SANTA COUNTDOWN
To help children wait for the big day we do the following calendar
activity:
take a photo copy of Santa's face and hat and glue to the top part of a white
paper plate.
I draw 25 circles to make the beard. In each circle I put a number in the middle
of the circle(1-24) on as his beard.
Each day starting Dec. 1, we glue on one cotton ball in the number for that
day.
At the end of the month you will have filled in the entire beard and Christmas
is here!
ELF DAY
I have centers set up around the room for the children to go to.
-Cooking center - they make reindeer sandwiches.
Cut bread diagonally, spread with peanut butter. Add two M&Ms for
eyes (or raisins), use a cherry for the nose on the corner of the bread,
and use 2 curly pretzels for the antlers.
-Gift center - here they mix food coloring in with
the white playdough to make red or green playdough.
-Gift Bag Center - here they dip a tree shape cut from
a sponge (or candy cane shape) +-9*into paint and stamp it on a white paper bag.
-Reindeer Game Center - I have reindeer and feed buckets
here with the reindeer names on them for them to match up bucket to reindeer.
-Wrapping Center - I have many different types of
wrapping paper samples laminsted here and they must match up to 2 that are
alike.
-Gift wrapping center - I have small boxes and extra
paper and tape in this center for them to wrap the boxes up.
-Santa's list - I have the children's names and pictures
in my pocket chart and there are clip boards here with fancy paper decorated
with a Santa and lines for them to make Santa's list of good boys and girls
(copying the names from the pocket chart).
ORNAMENT
Collect the small clear plastic balls that knee-hi's come in. At
Christmas, I use a woodburning tool (or
something that will drill a SMALL hole) to put several small holes
in the "globe", including one exactly in the top center. I let
children fill these
globes with highly scented potpourri, small bits of colorful ribbon, small
pine cones, anything that is colorful and Christmasy. I put a piece of
ribbon in the centered hole, and knot it from the outside and inside (this
is the hanger, and is done before the children fill the globe). Snap
the bottom
back on, and there is a beautiful ornament to put on their tree at home!
AOL CD ORNAMENT
I use free AOL disks (they can be found in many stores)
Cover the label with felt
Have children decorate the shiny side using glue, glitter, confetti
pieces,
tissue paper scraps, etc.
You can write a message/date on the felt side or add child's photo.
Put yarn or ribbon through the hold for hanging.
CARD
This is a cute card I made last year with my kids. Paint one of their
feet white and stamp it on blue paper. Then get yellow paint (we
have paint that has glitter in it which works nicely) and paint both
of their hands -- using the heel of the foot as the "head", stamp
one hand on either side of the foot. Cut out an oval big enough to
be a head, and use a pipe cleaner formed into a small circle for
a halo. Glue these onto your body. You have an angel! I wrote "Happy
Holidays from your little angel" on the side.
STAND ALONE STAR
This three dimensional star decoration is made from two paper stars
that are interlaced. These stars stand by themselves on a table and
make a great decoration.
you will need stiff paper, crayons, scissors
Two paper stars are needed to make one dimensional star. Draw two identical
stars on a piece of stiff paper . decorate the two stars on both sides and
cut them out. Make one slit in each star, on one star the slit goes from an
inner point to the centre point, and the other slit goes from the outer point
to the centre. Slip the two stars together through the slits you have just
cut.For stability you may have to tape the two stars where they meet at the
slits
SONGS
We Wish You A Merry Christmas !
We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas, chorus
We wish
you a Merry Christmas, And a Happy New Year.
Now let's all do a little clapping, (have children clap hands) Now let's all
do a little clapping, Now let's all do a little clapping, And spread
Christmas cheer !
Now let's all do a little jumping (have children jump) Now let's all do a
little jumping, Now let's all do a little jumping, And spread Christmas cheer
!
Now let's all do a little waving (have children wave) Now let's all do a
little waving, Now let's all do a little waving, And spread Christmas cheer
!
Repeat Chorus.
The Lights on the Tree
(Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)
Vs. 1 The lights on the tree go blink, blink, blink, Blink, blink,
blink,
blink, blink, blink. The lights on the tree go blink, blink, blink All
Christmas Day.
Vs. 2 The presents at the house go rattle, rattle, rattle, etc.
Vs. 3 The mom at the house goes bake, bake, bake, etc.
Vs. 4 The dad at the house goes snore, snore, snore, etc.
Vs. 5 The grandma at the house goes hug, hug, hug, etc.
Vs. 6 The grandpa at the house goes kiss, kiss, kiss, etc.
Ring Those Bells
(Tune: Jimmy Crack Corn) Give each child a jingle bell to play.
Vs. 1 Ring those bells and turn around, Ring those bells and turn around,
Ring those bells and turn around, Christmas time is here!
Vs. 2 Ring those bells and stomp your feet, etc.
Vs. 3 Ring those bells and jump up high, etc.
Santa Claus
Here is the chimney (make fist, enclose thumb)
Here is the top (place palm on top of fist)
Open the lid (remove top hand)
and out Santa will pop. (pop up thumb)
Where is Santa?
Sung to the tune: Are you sleeping?
Where is Santa? Where is Santa? (hands behind back)
Here I am! Here I am! (arms out in front making a belly shape!)
Merry, Merry Christmas! Merry, Merry, Christmas!
(keep arms up through the rest of the song!)
Ho! Ho! Ho!, Ho! Ho! Ho!
AN EASY CHRISTMAS PLAY
Night of the Christmas toys
I wrote this play a number of years ago and have used it three times. Get
large boxes (large enough for children to hide inside) and wrap
them with the bottom open. Watch what the children wear for Halloween,
you may be able to use the costumes. I dress them up as toys
based on what I can pull together as costumes. We have had sugar
plum fairies, toy soldiers, teddy bears, raggedy ann and andy.
I pull together about 1 ½ minute of tape per character group. For
soldiers I use a march, for the ballerinas/fairies I use the dance of the sugarplum
fairies from the nutcracker, raggedy ann I use a ragtime song, teddy bears
I use the teddy bears picnic. I string the songs together on a tape fading
each one out. The last song is the march of the Christmas Toys from Babes
in Toyland. I start the narration. "It is not just the children who are
excited on Christmas eve". Each group comes out of their box and dances
appropriately for their character for the duration of the music then returns
to their box. All of the children come out for the march of the Christmas
toys as the finale. It has gone over so well each time I have done it
and it doesn't take much practice as the children only have to dance.
CHRISTMAS GAME
This is a Christmas game like "Hot Potato". Wrap a small box
with
Christmas wrap. Place enough small prizes (like stickers or M&M's)
in
the box. Pass the box around the circle until the music stops. That
child gets to open the box and get his/her prize. Continue until all
children have gotten their Christmas present.
Ice Cream Cone Ornament
Materials Needed to Make One Ornament
1 glass ball ornament
(I'm not sure of the size, but I buy the boxes of ornaments from Wal-Mart
in
a package of 12)
1 ice cream cone
iridescent glitter
ornament hooks
clear acrylic spray
Elmer's glue
Directions:
Hot glue the ornament ball to the ice cream cone with the part you
hang on the tree facing up, not down inside the cone. Squirt glue
around the top of the ball. Allow the glue to drip and run down the
ornament a little. Sprinkle glitter on the glue. After the glue has
dried, spray the ornaments with the clear acrylic spray to help the
cone last longer. Allow it to dry. Use an ornament hook to hang it
on the Christmas tree.
EASY ORNAMENTS
Here are a couple of cute, really easy ornaments to make with your
kids. Buy the regular size holiday foil cupcake liner papers Some
have paper inside which come right out and you don't need for this
project, and some are just foil on the outside. They
come in gold, silver, red and green.
The kids made them as flat as they could, drizzled glue all over them and glittered
them. I then made 2 holes (using a hole puncher) one right next
to the other and hung them with Christmas colored yarn (If you make 2 holes
instead of one it will hand on their tree with the decorated part facing the
front. If you have the time, let them do both sides and just make one
hole.
To make the other ornament I used tag board and cut ball shape ornaments.
I did one fat and round and one long and round so the look like real
ornaments. Then I cut a circle out of the center of the "ball". The
kids picked what they wanted to cover the back of the hole....I had
colored cellophane, pieces of shiny wrapping paper, and foil that
I had gotten from a local florist that they use during Christmas..it's
green, or red, or gold, or silver and if the kids make it very
flat it's beautiful. Then, again they drizzled glue and glittered
them. They were just beautiful and because of their shape,
looked just like ball shaped ornaments. Easy, cheap, fun....but pretty
messy with all the glitter...so I made sure I put down my handy dandy plastic
tablecloth from the roll, and each ornament sat in a foam meat container
while they glittered them
Santa Lollipops
This is a simple ornament to produce en masse for classmates or to
hang on your Christmas tree. My kids continued playing with the tiny
paper
Santa hats long after the lollipops were history.
MATERIALS
Lollipop (the kind wrapped in plastic)
White and red paper
Hole punch
Glue
Red pompon
Googly eyes
Cotton balls
Thread and tape
1. First, turn your lollipop upside down, then decorate one side
of it as Santa's face. Here, we glued on a white paper beard (with a
punched hole
for Santa's mouth), a red pompon nose and two googly eyes.
2. To make the hat, cut a red paper semicircle, roll it up, and tape it
to form a cone (you may need to experiment to get the right size). Glue
cotton ball trim around the hat's bottom.
3. Tape a loop of thread to the lollipop stick, then pull the thread through
the top of the hat so that it sits on Santa's head. Add a bit of
cotton for a pompon.
ANGELS theme
Angels:
Need: Blue, white, and various flesh color construction paper,
White paint, Markers, and collage material (glitter, sequins, pearls,
yarn, ribbon, etc)
Paint the children's hands white and have them pres them onto the blue paper. Set
aside to dry. (I sprinkle them lightly with clear glitter).
Have the child cut a circle from the flesh paper for the face of their angel. Next
they need to cut a triangular shape from the white paper. Glue the face
at the top of the triangle. Use the markers to draw a face.
Decorate the white dress of the angel with the collage materials. When
the hands are dry, cut around them and glue them to the back of the angel to
become wings. You could also twist a pipe cleaner into a loop and attach
it behind the angel's head to give it a halo.
Footprint angel
We use that new "foamy board" stuff, but used just poster board before
that was available. Trace each of your children's foot once, using
white (for dress) and both hands (using yellow for wings). Cut out
each part (Make sure they're labeled who they belong to somewhere).
Let the children glitter and glue the hands to make wings sparkle. Take
each child's picture focusing on their head and face. Help the children
glue hands (wings) to the feet (body). Cut their face from picture
and glue to body. Add string to make it hang. Add a piece of the sparkly
pipe cleaner for a halo. Using a paint pen, date the bottom The
tag reads as follows:
This little angel is special you see;
Because she is a part of me!!
Her wings are my hands,
Her body my feet!
And on our tree she'll look very sweet!!!!
Flying Angel:
This one also uses the children's handprints. Paint just the
fingers of the child's hand with a gold or metallic color. Press
them down on the paper-be sure the fingers are spread apart and extending
upward. These are the angel's wings. Next paint the entire
RIGHT hand with a white or light pastel color. Position this
hand so that the thumb is on the bottom. Line up the side of
the hand with the gold fingers so there is no gap. Press down. Now
you should have the wings and the flying body of the angel. Next
either paint a head, halo, eyes, etc or have the children cut one from
construction paper. Personalize, laminate, attach Velcro to the
back and
you have "heavenly helpers" tags.
Ten Little Angels
(Tune: "Ten Little Indians")
1 little, 2 little, 3 little Angels
4 little, 5 little, 6 little Angels
7 little, 8 little, 9 little Angels
10 little Angels in the band.
Wasn't that a band on Christmas morning
Wasn't that a band on Christmas morning
Wasn't that a band on Christmas morning
Christmas morning coming soon.
Hat, Whiskers, Belt and Boots
(sung to the tune: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes)
Submitted by Wendy
Hat, whiskers, belt and boots
Belt and boots.
Hat, whiskers, belt and boots
Belt and boots.
Twinkling eyes and a little cherry nose.
Hat, whiskers, belt and boots
Belt and boots.
CHRISTMAS TREES
Submitted by Kelly
i did this project with my preschool class and it worked prettty
well with the older ones. First you have the children trace and cut
out there hand prints 2-3 will do. Then let them glue the hands together
upside down. You can punch holes in the finger tips and give them
a bunch of small square tissue papers and let them cover the holes
with this. it makes an awesome x-mas tree
HOLIDAY NECKLACES
After you have trimmed the tree, trim yourself with these easy-to-make
holiday necklaces. Simply restring the novelty beads from wooden
or plastic tree garlands onto dental floss. (Check after-Christmas
sales for great buys on these garlands for next year.) String small
ornaments along with the beads to create a truly unique necklace.
Since each garland can provide a large quantity of beads, consider
making several necklaces similar to your own to place in your class
dress-up area. You're sure to receive compliments from admiring students
and adults when you accessorize with these seasonal necklaces.
JINGLE BELL WREATHS
Need:
small jingle bells (any color)
pipe cleaners
ribbon
This is an easy and cute craft for little ones to make! Take out a
pipe
cleaner and start threading the bells onto it. If you are using several
colors - thread the bells on in a pattern. Leave about 1/2 inch
on each
end. Take the two ends and twist them together and bend them down. Form
the wreath into a circle. Tie a ribbon hanger on the top and enjoy. You
can hang these on your doorknob, in a window, on the tree, etc.!
CHRISTMAS GIFT _ FOAM MAGNETS
Get a sheet of Fun Foam, a package of Christmas stickers, & a strip
of self-
adhesive magnet. Cut the Fun Foam in squares bigger than the sticker, & the
magnet in about 1/2" pieces. Give each child a piece of foam, a sticker, & a
magnet. Put the sticker on the foam, trim around it as desired (leave some
color from the foam showing as a border) & stick the magnet on the back.
These are great for any holiday/occasion. A variation is to hot-glue a pin
back to it instead of the magnet.
CHRISTMAS ROCK CANDY
1 scant c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
3 eggs
1 scant tsp. soda, dissolved in about 2 tbsp. hot water
1 lb. nuts, broken in pieces (English walnuts)
1 lb. raisins
1 lb. dates, chopped
1/2 c. green cherries
1/2 c. red cherries
3 c. flour
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together. Drop with teaspoon on buttered pan. I
bake at 350 degrees about 15 minutes or until slightly browned. If
you double recipe, use only 5 eggs.
SHY SANTA
Isn't it the strangest thing,
That Santa is so shy? (hide
face with hands)
We can never, never catch him, (make fingers run)
No matter how we try.
It isn't any use to watch, (hold hand to eyes
and look)
Because my parents said,
"Santa Claus will only come
When children are in bed!" (shake finger)
POINTSETTA
POINSETTIA
Cut out 5 leaf shapes using red construct. paper.Glue the leaf shapes
in a circle onto green paper.In the center of the flower put some glue & add
some uncooked popcorn for the flower center.
SANTA SANTA YOUR PRESENT IS GONE - GAME
Materials:
Present: a sm. box wrapped up
Santa's hat: it is big enough to fit over the eyes & works like
a blindfold.
Procedure:
1.Select one child to be Santa & ask her to wear the hat.
2.Show the children the "present" & tell them that"this present fell off
Santa's sled & they have to look for it."
3.While Santa is blindfolded & seated,place the gift somewhere in the room.
4.Remove the hat from Santa & ask the child to search for the lost present.As
Santa gets close to the present,have the children say,"Happy Holidays."
5.Once the present is found,let another child have a turn at playing Santa.
Ways to extend:
*Put a snack of peanuts,raisins,carob chips etc...in the decorated box.When
the game is concluded,open the present & share the snack.
SNUGGLE SOCK
Materials:
tube sock
fabric paint
rice
What to Do:
Fill a tube sock (white) with rice with a cute face fabric painted
on
the end and tied on the other end. With it came this cute poem:
A Gift For You!
This is called a "snuggle sock".
We made it just for you.
It's good for all your aches and pains,
Cause it makes you feel brand new.
Just pop it in the microwave,
And turn it up to one,
And then before you know it,
Your "Snuggle Sock"
is done.
Now take it to the Living Room,
And lay down on the couch,
And press your toasty "Snuggle Sock",
On the nagging little "ouch".
SIMPLE CHRISTMAS CARD
This is very basic so it can be easily adapted to any age. My children
loved it. I pre-cut the shape for the young ones and had the older
ones use a template to trace theirs.
Materials:
Construction paper - yellow and green or red
Yarn
Glue
Tape
One Jingle Bell
Have the children cut a bell shape out of the yellow construction paper. Thread
the yarn (about four inches) through the hole in the bell. With the bell hanging
down, tape the yarn to a piece of construction paperfolded like a card. (It
will need to be toward the bottom of the card.) Gluethe bell shape over the
yarn, leaving the jingle bell hanging out to be the"dinger." Decorate as the
children wish - of course glitter is a favorite.
SANTA FINGER PLAY
Here is the chimney (make fist, enclose
thumb)
Here is the top (place
palm on top of fist)
Open the lid (remove
top hand)
and out Santa will pop. (pop up thumb)
GLUE ORNAMENTS
Materials:
Glue
Glitter
Paper
Wax Paper
Tape
What to Do:
Draw a Christmas shape -such as a bell- onto the paper; tape the paper
onto the table. Lay wax paper over the design, and tape it to the table.
Trace design with glue, you will want it to be kind of thick. Sprinkle
glitter over glue. Allow to dry over night and then peel off of wax
paper.
CARD HOLDER
Materials:
Gallon Milk Jug
Brown Paper - can use paper grocery bags
Glue
Crayons
Large Red Pom Pom - optional
What to Do:
Take the gallon milk jug and cut off the top section, just below the
handle. Cover with brown paper. Trace the childs hand on another piece
of brown paper, cut them out, and glue on as antlers. Draw eyes and
mouth,
and attach the big red pom pom for the nose.
MILK AND COOKIES PLACEMAT
Submitted by Diane
One of my favorite projects is a placemat for Santa. Take a
sheet of white paper 8 1/2 x 11, in the upper left hand corner print
boldly, DEAR SANTA. I then draw a large tree in the middle,
a carrot on the right above which I write FOR RUDOLPH and on the
bottom I print LOVE. Obviously you could use any Christmas
design you wish, the tree just looks pretty. The children color
the tree and the carrot and we encourage them to do their best work. Amazing
how you can see the maturity in their coloring. I then print
their name in pencil and they trace it as best they can. I
add the following poem which I have printed up and just glue it on
in place. I also add somewhere on the mat the date. I
then round off the corners and laminate them for the parents to keep. Always
a bit hit.
Here's some milk and cookies
That I have left for you
There's something for Rudolph
I hope he likes it too.
I hope you know I love you
I would tell you if I could
Please leave a little something
Because I've really been so good!
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
Submitted by Peg
Use 20 red felt mini stockings which have been tied to a longer
piece of string and hang them from end to end. Each mini stocking
is numbered from 1 to 20.
In each stocking goes a tiny slip of paper stating what that days special activity
(or letter of week or color of day or special poem song to be learned that
day) will be, starting on Dec. 1. Each day start with one child reaching into
the stocking and seeing what activity is planned for that day.
Filling each slip of paper and each stocking with ideas does take
some planning but it does make each day fun gives the kids something
to look forward to as they do not know what is planned for each day.
This is Christmas
sung to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'
What is Christmas? We'll tell you.
It's putting love in all we do;
In our work, and in our play.
In our living every day.
It is showing love for others,
Father, Mother, Sisters, Brothers.
SNOWBALL TREE
Materials:
Styrofoam cone
green construction paper
cotton balls
toothpicks or straight pins
glue
glitter
possibly clear tape
Take a styrofoam cone and wrap it in the paper. Tape it together. Stick
the cotton balls onto the cone with the pins or toothpicks. Lightly
dab some glue onto the edge of the cotton balls. Sprinkle glitter over
the glue. Let your tree dry completely before moving it.
"Hand-y" Holiday Prints
Whether its reindeer or jolly old you-know-who--this idea will come
in "hand-y." To make a Santa, assist each youngster in painting the
palm of his hand with a selected skin tone of washable paint, and
his fingers and thumb with white paint. Then have him press his hand
onto a sheet of construction paper. When the paint dries have him
use fabric paint to add eyes, a nose, a mouth, a mustache, and a
hat.
To make a reindeer, assist each child in painting his hand, but not his thumb,
brown. Then have him press his hand onto a sheet of construction paper. Direct
him to use his finger to spread the paint to "draw" antlers. When the paint
dries, have him use fabric paint to make eyes and a nose on the reindeer face.
Mount these cheerful holiday works of art individually or attach them to a
larger sheet of bulletin board paper to resemble a quilt.
Sugar Christmas Tree Cones
1. Place a sugar cone upside down on a paper plate and cover it with
dark green frosting.
2. Add assorted small candies such as red hots, miniature MM's, skittles, chocolate
chips, etc.
3. Add different colored sprinkles.
4. Sprinkle on confectioners sugar so it looks like your christmas tree is
covered in snow.
PASS THE PRESENT
Youngsters will love this musical game that develops timing and hand-eye
coordination. After all, Christmas is a time for giving, and giving,
and giving! To prepare for play, gift wrap a small box for every
two students. Pair students, and then have them sit facing each other.
Give one child in each pair a present. Have the children practice
passing the gift back and forth. Next, have them pass the gift each
time you play a note on a set of bells. Have them continue to pass
the gift as you play a steady beat on the bells. As a challenge,
increase the tempo of your steady beat. As a variation for older
preschoolers, have youngsters pass one gift around a group circle
as you play a steady beat.
WINDOW WONDERS
In advance, cut construction paper outlines of holiday or seasonal
shapes. Have a child choose a shape and then squeeze a line of glue
around it. Next, have the child select a sheet of tissue paper and
place it over the glued outline. When the glue dries, help the child
trim off the excess tissue paper. Display the finished projects in
a sunny classroom window.
THREE LITTLE TREES _ - A STORY
Three Little Trees (Anonymous)
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what
they wanted to become when they grew up.
The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to
hold treasure. It want to be covered with gold and filled with precious
stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world."
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by
on s way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying
powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world."
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy
men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain
top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at
me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be
the tallest tree in the world."
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew
tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter
looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect
for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. "Now
I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the
first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree
is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe,
the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters" thought the
second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings."
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked
her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven.
But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do
for me." He muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree
fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's
shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals.
The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure.
She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard,
but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead, the once strong
tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too
small an too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river instead she
was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong
beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened," The once tall
tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and
point to God...
Many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.
But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young
woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. I wish I could make
a cradle for him." her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand
and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. "This
manger is beautiful." she said. And, suddenly, the first tree knew
he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old
fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly railed
out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose.
The Little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength
to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain.
The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The
storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And, suddenly, the second
tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were
yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried
through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed
a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But, on Sunday
morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath
her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It
had made the third tree strong. And, every time people thought of the
third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the
tallest tree in the world.
So, next time you feel down because you didn't get what you want,
just sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better
to give you.
10 LITTLE ELVES
10 Little Elves
Jumping in the slay
One falls off and.... slides away
Santa calls the reindeer and the reindeer say
"No more jumping in Santa's slay
9 little elves
jumping in the slay
etc.
TEN LITTLE CHRISTMAS ELVES
Ten little Christmas elves,
Busy making lovely toys ,
Helping Santa fill his list,
For all good girls and boys.
The first elf painted a bright red truck;
The second elf added a quack to a duck.
the third elf dressed a pretty baby doll;
The fourth elf mad a round orange ball,
The fifth elf stuffed a teddy bear;
The sixth elf sewed a funny hat to wear.
The seventh elf put the wheel on a train;
the eighth elf wrapped up a candy cane.
The ninth elf drew pretty pictures in a book;
The tenth elf made gingerbread people to cook.
Ten little Christmas elves,
Busy making lovely toys ,
Helping Santa fill his list,
For all good girls and boys.
Peppermint Cookies
1 1/4 c. crushed peppermints
1 1/3 c. sugar, divided (1/3 c. for topping, 1 c. for dough)
3/4 c. butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. peppermint extract
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
Grind peppermint candies in 1/3 c. sugar until powdery with a few larger
chunks of candies. (This is best done with a food processor.) Mix flour
and salt in a small bowl. Mix butter, eggs and sugar together in a
separate, larger bowl. Add vanilla and peppermint extracts. Add flour
mixture in 3 parts to sugar mixture until well mixed. Form dough into
small balls, about 1 inch wide.
Roll dough balls in crushed candy mixture and place on an ungreased baking
sheet.
Bake for 8 minutes in preheated 350-degree oven. Remove cookies from oven and
let cool on baking sheet for 1 minute, then remove them and roll them in the
mixture once more before placing them on a sheet of wax paper to cool.
SANTA CLAUSE PUNCH
1 qt. cranberry juice
2 pkg. raspberry Kool-Aid
2 c. sugar
4 qt. water
2 (6 oz.) cans frozen lemonade
2 (10 oz.) bottles 7-Up or ginger ale
Mix Kool-Aid, sugar and water. Add cranberry juice and lemonade (undiluted).
Chill. Pour over ice in punch bowl. Just before serving pour 7-Up in
edge of bowl.
FLOWER POT BELLS
buy any size you wish - terra cotta flower pots (small)
have the children paint designs on them
buy large colored beads
nylon cording
bells
curtain rings
tie bell to inside bottom of pot. string nylon cord through the hole
of the npot then string a colored bead and knot then tie
a knot at the top about two inches from top of string then tie on the
curtain ring it is so cute a big hit and not very expensive to do
ANGEL PICTURES
Submitted by Darlene
Make Angel pictures for parents at christmas time. First paint child's
foot white and place it on construction paper. Second, paint their
hand gold and place in middle outside of foot print. Then paint their
palm a beigh color or color to match their skin and place it at heel
of the foot. Allow to dry and then add a face. I wrote " Our Little
Angel" on the top of the construction paper. You can even paint on
slate and give as a present.
I'm a Little Reindeer
(Tune I'm a little teapot)
I’m a little reindeer, ready to fly.
I’ll pull Santa’s sleigh up in the sky.
Christmas is here; we can’t be late.
All the children just cannot wait!
Ring-a-ling-a-ling
(sung to the tune of “If You ’re Happy and You Know It ”)
If it ’s Christmas and you know it,[ring a bell ]!
If it ’s Christmas and you know it,[ring a bell ]!
If it ’s Christmas and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it!
If it ’s Christmas and you know it,
[ring a bell ]!
Sing additional verses,replacing the
underlined phrase with trim a tree,
wrap a gift,and say “Ho!Ho!Ho!” in turn.
CD ORNAMENTS
Submitted by Claire
I made holiday ornaments out of the CD's. The children painted the
CD, (the side with the writing on it) in acrylic paint (red, green
or blue) for the December holidays. It took two coats on some of
the CD's depending on what color they were. Left the other side clean,
looks like a rainbow.When the paint was dry pretty beads were glued
on using tacky glue. After the glue was dry, I sprayed them with
an acrylic sealer. We hung the CD's on the tree with a pipe cleaner
through the center hole. Used the metallic ones, looked really pretty.
The children wrapped them and gave them to the parents. Also VERY
important... I stressed to the children not to paint mommy and daddy's
CD's at home!
PINE CONE CHRISTMAS TREE
Submitted by Dawn
Take a pine cone and put it in some water then roll it in potting
soil and sprinkle it with grass seed. Place in a sunny window
and water regularly, and watch your pine cone turn into a mini Christmas
tree.
EASY ORNAMENT
One clear round ornament per child Different acrylic colored paints
with the flip top lids
Just squirt some paint into the top of the ornament (can put a couple
different colors in it ) then let the children roll the ball around
in their hands being careful that they don't roll the opening upside
down so the paint does not pour out.
When you can not see in the ornament any more it is done. Place
it upside down to get all the extra paint out
and to dry on some paper towels. Put lid/top back o ornament and it is
done.
We just finished making these as parents gifts this year. I
also added the words "Christmas 2000" and the child's names to the
outside with a gold pen. They turned out beautiful and even my toddlers
could do them. :-)
CHRISTMAS TREES
Submitted by Lisa
Two years now we have made really cute Christmas trees out of popsicle
sticks. I spray painted one side of them green (that is enough- you
could do both if you REALLY wanted to!) Then I used one whole one
upright as the trunk, cut one in half for the middle, and cut one
about 1/3 of the way along to make one short piece for the top and
one long one for the bottom. this gives you 3 cross branches that
the kids glue on. We then glued buttons on as the ornaments. I glue
gunned a string to hang it with. I hope this makes sense, they look
really cute!
Note: I found it was easy enough to cut the sticks with heavy duty
kitchen shears
CHRISTMAS PRESENT SONG
Submitted by LeeAnn
Collect boxes in a variety of shapes such as square, circle, triangle,
rectangle, cylinder, tall, small, etc., and wrap them in festive
holiday wrapping paper. Then collect items around your classroom
which are the shapes of the boxes. (There can be more than
one object per box shape. Maybe you could have enough objects
so that each student may have one object to hold. Have the
children match their shaped object to the similar shaped box.)
Hold up one box at a time and sing this song about it's shape.
(tune: I'm a Little Teapot")
I'm a [circle] present
Just for you.
Because you are special,
Yes, it's is true.
What do you think can fit inside?
Look at the shape and then decide.
Then children find (or bring up) all the items that match the box
shape.
ORNAMENT
Submitted by MaryAnne
These are very easy for young children to make and they are beautiful
hanging
from the tree.
Cover toilet paper rolls with aluminum foil. Cut small squares (about
an inch or so) out of red, green and white tissue paper. Have children
scrunch the squares and glue them all around the roll. They don't need
to cover the roll entirely because the silver paper underneath looks nice. Add
yarn to hang the ornament.
CHRISTMAS PIN
Christmas Pins
1 cup flour 1
cups warm water
1/4 cup salt 2
tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. oil Food
coloring of your choosing
Mix together the flour, water, salt, cream of tartar, oil, and food
coloring.
Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan and knead
until blended smooth. Place in plastic bag or airtight container when
cooled. Will last for a long time. To make brooch(es), use cookie cutters
that are Christmas-shapes
(stars, snowmen, etc.) Before they are totally dry, press pins into backs of
brooches (buy the pins at a craft store). When they are dry, paint them with
your favorite Christmas colors.
CHRISTMAS CONCENTRATION
Cut rectangular "cards" out of red construction paper, then cut slightly
smaller rectangles from wrapping paper (two from each kind) and
glue to construction paper. Laminate and play Memory/Concentration.
You can also use pairs of Christmas stickers.
GIFT
Submitted by Verlona
As a parent gift we made hand print wreaths on muslin and added a
dowel to make it a wall hanging.
You cut a 15" X 15" piece of muslin. Paint the child's hand green and make
a circle for the wreath. Use their thumb to add red berries. Add their name
in the center and the year. The parents loved them!
CHRISTMAS CENTERPIECE
Submitted by Verlona
We made the cutest center pieces for our Christmas luncheon with
the senior citizens. They are very simple.
You take a large red apple and core the top part out. Use an ice pick and poke
holes around the top outer edge. Have the children poke long pine needles in
the holes and stick a 5" candle in the center. They look great and the
moisture from the apple keeps the pine needles fresh for a few days.Hint: be
sure to get apples that stand up straight.
RECYCLED CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
Submitted by Terri
Materials needed: shredded newspaper
water
electric blender
cookie cutter (open on both sides)
wax paper
a fine mesh, metal or
plastic strainer
large bowl
yarn (any color)
paint
glitter (etc.)
Shred newspaper as needed. Have students cut the paper into finger-size
strips. (I found unprinted newspaper on discarded rolls at the local
printing office.) Soak in bowl of water for a couple of hours.
Put in blender with plenty of water (half water and half paper). Liquefy
the mulsh of water and paper.
Pour into strainer and press with fingers to strain as much water as possible. Take
the wet, paper and put into the cookie cutter that is placed on wax paper. Fill
in all areas using a utensil to press mulsh in every crevice of the shape. Remove
cookie cutter leaving the wet paper in the shape of the cutter. The mulch
should be pressed to form a solid figured-shape. Attach a 2 inch piece
of yarn at the top corner looping, and using a tablespoon full of mulch to
press it onto the cookie. This is the hanger. According to the humidity
in your area the cardboard cookie will dry at its on pace. Once dried
you can hang it, glitter it, paint it, or decorate anyway you choose.
This makes a great Recylcling Science lesson for fourth graders. Plus,
they get to decorate their ornaments as gifts.
For my cookie cutter, I used a 10 inch gingerbread man. It really turned
out to be a cute gift for the students.
CHRISTMAS FLANNED BOARD STORY
Submitted by Jan
The Little Blue Dishes:
Long ago in Germany there lived 3 children. Hans was the oldest.
Peter was next. And Gretchen, who was five, was their younger sister.
On Christmas Eve, Hans went out to play, leaving Peter & Gretchen
inside. It was almost Gretchen's bedtime, so Peter helped her hang
her stocking.
"Do you know what you want for Christmas, Gretchen?" asked Peter. "Oh yes,"said
Gretchen. "What I want most of all is a set of little blue dishes!" Then she
gave Peter a hug and went to bed. Peter shook his money jar and out came
a penny.
He put the penny in his pocket and ran to the toy stop. "I want to buy a set
of little blue dishes ,"he said to the shopkeeper. "I have one penny."
"The set of little blue dishes costs 10 pennies,"said the shopkeeper. "But you
can buy this red candy heart for 1 penny."
So Peter bought the red candy heart and brought it home and put it in Gretchen's
stocking. Then he went to bed too.
Later, Hans came home. He reached into Gretchen's stocking and took out the
candy heart. "Oh, this looks good!" he said. And in the wink of an eye , he
ate it all up.
"Now I must buy something for Gretchen,"said Hans. He opened his money jar and
counted out 10 pennies. Then he took his money to the toy shop. "What can I buy
for 10 pennies?"asked Hans. "You can buy these little blue dishes."said the shopkeeper. "There
is only one set left." Hans gave the shopkeeper his 10 pennies and ran home with
the little blue dishes. He put them in Gretchen's stocking and went to bed. On
Christmas morning Gretchen opened her stocking. How happy she was to find the
set of little blue dishes! But Peter was very surprised. He didn't know how his
red candy heart had turned into a set of little blue dishes.
Do you?
Felt Board props:
a green stocking, 11 pennies, a set of little blue dishes and
a red heart.
PINE CONE CHRISTMAS TREE
Submitted by David
Take a pine cone and put it in some water then roll it in potting
soil and sprinkle it with grass seed. Place in a sunny window
and water regularly, and watch your pine cone turn into a mini Christmas
tree.
ORNAMANETS
Submitted by Jamie
Here's another idea that we are doing...we have a Christmas tree
shape traced on a green sheet of paper, with hole-punch holes on
the tree. They have to cut out the tree on the black line.
Then we have them glue small colored tissue squares on the back so
that it covers the holes. When they turn it over and hang it in a
window, VOILA! Ornaments!
CHRISTMAS SUN CATCHERS
Cover an old CD in glue and then with Christmas type collage items.
When dry tie a ribbon to it for hanging through the hole. Great Christmas
sun catchers.
CHRISTMAS COLLAGE
Give the children large Christmas shapes cut out of heavy paper. Provide
them with glue and items such as the following: glitter, sequins,
red and green paper chips, aluminium foil, coloured foil and bits
of tinsel. Then let them glue as they like.
CHRSTMAS SONGS
Submitted by Renate
Sing a Song of Christmas
(Tune of: Sing a Song of Sixpence)
Sing a song of winter,
Frost is in the air.
Sing a song of winter,
Snowflakes everywhere.
Sing a song of winter,
Hear the sleighbells chime.
Can you think of anything,
As nice as Christmas time?
Ring the Bells It's Christmas Time
(Tune of: London Bridges)
Ring the bells it's Christmas time,
Christmas time,
Christmas time.
Ring the bells it's Christmas time,
Merry Christmas time!
*Play the drums it's Christmas time
*Tap the sticks it's Christmas time
*Clap your hands it's Christmas time
Reindeer Pokey
(Tune of: Hokey Pokey)
You put your antlers in,
You put your antlers out.
You put your antlers in,
And you shake them all about.
You do the reindeer pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!
*You put your right hoof (hand) in
*You put your left hoof (hand) in
*You put your hind legs in
*You put your tail in
Here's Our Little Pine Tree
(Tune of: I'm a Little Teapot)
Here's our little pine tree,
Tall and straight.
Let's find the things
So we can decorate.
First we want to put
A star on top!
Then we must be careful
The balls don't drop.
Hang on all the tinsel
Shiny and bright
Put on the canes
And hook them just right.
Finally put some presents
For you and for me.
And we'll be ready
With our Christmas tree.
Here is the Chimney
Here is the chimney, (make fist with thumb inside)
Here is the top. (cover fist with palm of other hand)
Open the lid, (lift palm like a box lid)
Out Santa will pop! (pop thumb up!)
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
(traditional--with a twist)
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!
(Hold hands and walk around in a circle as you
sing this part. We do a little step-together, step-together
dance step at this time)
*Do actions as indicated in each verse!
Let's all do a little clapping,
Let's all do a little clapping,
Let's all do a little clapping,
To spread Christmas cheer!
Repeat "We wish you a Merry Christmas" chorus
Let's all do a little hopping
Chorus
Let's all do a little twirling
Chorus
Let's all do a little stomping
Chorus
Let's all do a little snapping
Chorus
SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENT
Submitted by Verlona
We made snowflake ornaments out of the bottoms of strawberry baskets.
You cut the bottom out of the basket, dip it in glue and then glitter. Tie
a string on for hanging
The children love doing them and the parents love them.
SNOWFLAKE STAMPING ART
Submitted by Marilyn
Take the bottom of the baskets and dip them into white paint
that has white glue added to it. Then stamp print with the
paint covered bottoms of the basket onto blue/light blue construction
paper. Have the children sprinkle a good amount of silver glitter
onto the construction paper and shake off. This is a very nice
snowflake design art project.
WHERE IS SANTA?
Submitted by Kim
(Sung to the tune: Are you sleeping?)
Where is Santa? Where is Santa?
(hands behind back)
Here I am! Here I am!
(arms out in front making a belly shape!)
Merry, Merry Christmas!
Merry, Merry, Christmas!
(keep arms up through the rest of the song!)
Ho! Ho! Ho!, Ho! Ho! Ho!
Santa Snowball Toss
Submitted by Kim
Cover the bottom and sides of a rectangular cardboard box with
construction paper. On a piece of paper, draw a Santa face
with a large mouth. Paint or color the face with markers. Glue
it to the box and cut out the large mouth. Cover six large
marshmallows (or use cotton balls) with plastic wrap. To play
- Place Santa against a wall. Give each player six tries at
throwing marshmallows into Santa's mouth. See who feeds Santa
the most.
Holiday Trees Cones
Submitted by Sue
*cone shaped ice cream cones
*1/2 c margarine
*2 c confectioners sugar
*2 tsp milk
*green food coloring
*decorations (candy, raisins, dried fruit)
1. Combine sugar, margarine and milk in a bowl, blend well.
2. Add food coloring to tint the frosting green.
3. Cover the cone with the frosting.
4. Use the decorations to "trim" the tree!
Glittery Christmas Ornaments
Submitted by Sue
Materials Needed: Wax paper, glue, glitter, yarn (various colors)
1. Cut yarn into various lengths.
2. Dip yarn in glue and lay on wax paper, over lapping each piece.
3. Let dry.
4. Pull yarn off wax paper, attach a string to the top, apply glue
and add
glitter.
5. Hang to dry.
Santa Claus Scramble
Submitted by Kim
Write the letters S-A-N-T-A C-L-A-U-S on individual index cards. Do
this four times, making four sets, or forty cards. Place the
cards in a brown paper bag. To play - have the players
divide into two teams on opposite sides of the room.
Pass the bag that contains the letters. The teams alternate in picking
a letter. The first team to combine their letters to spell SANTA CLAUS wins!
DOUGH RECIPE FOR MAKING ORNAMANTS
The one I use is 2 C. flour, 1 C. Salt. - Add water to desired thickness.(Like
playdough).Roll dough about 1/4" thick and cut out ornaments.
You can bake these at 200 degrees for 1 hr. on each side. It speeds
up the drying time. Or you can let air dry, but keep turning over
to dry totally. Then paint when totally dry. They paint nice.
SCENTED ORNAMNET RECIPE
Submitted by Barb
You mix equal amounts of applesauce and Cinnamon. It forms
a dough. Make sure you put the whole for hanging in before
it dries. These take several days to dry but they smell fantastic. I
pulled mine out from last year and the scent was still strong. Yum!!!
RED NOSE
Submitted by Cari
Tune --Up on the house top
Where did you get that little red nose? (point to nose)
Jack frost kissed it I suppose (kissing noise)
He kissed it once ( hold up one finger)
And he kissed it twice ( hold up 2 fingers)
Poor little nose is cold as ice! (pretend to shiver)
Xmas Poems
Submitted by Sigrid
Rudolph! Rudolph!
What will you do?
You can't guide Santa
If your nose is blue.
Rudolph! Rudolph!
You are such a silly fellow.
Who will know it is you
If your nose is yellow?
Rudolph! Rudolph!
Your way cannot been seen
Through the winter weather
If your nose is green!
Rudolph! Rudolph!
Santa has his sack
But you're not ready
If you nose is black!
Rudolph! Rudolph!
Santa gave a wink
But what will Santa think
If your nose is pink?
Rudolph! Rudolph!
The children are in bed.
And now you know you're ready
Cause your nose is red!!!
Reindeer Pokey
You put your antlers in, you put your antlers out.
You put your antlers in and shake them all about.
You do the Reindeer Pokey and turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about.
Continue with:
You put your hooves in...
You put your red nose in...
You put your fluffly tail in...
You put your reindeer body in..
Santa Claus
Here is the chimney (make fist, enclose
thumb)
Here is the top (place
palm on top of fist)
Open the lid (remove
top hand)
and out Santa will pop. (pop up thumb)
Gingerbread Man
Stir a bowl of gingerbread (stir as in bowl)
Smooth and spicy brown
Roll it with a rolling pin
up and up and down (Pretend
to roll)
With a cookie cutter, (
pretend to cut out)
make some little men.
Put them in the oven (
place in oven)
till half past ten!
A Shy Santa
Isn't it the strangest thing,
That Santa is so shy? (hide
face with hands)
We can never, never catch him, (make fingers run)
No matter how we try.
It isn't any use to watch, (hold hand to eyes
and look)
Because my parents said,
"Santa Claus will only come
When children are in bed!" (shake finger)
Song:
Galloping Reindeer (Tune: 10 little Indians)
Galloping, galloping galloping reindeer,
Galloping, galloping, galloping reindeer
Gallopping, gallopping, galloping reindeer,
galloping all around.
This Little Present
This little present goes to Mary (thumb)
This little present goes to Ned (pointer)
This little present goes to Harry (middle finger)
And this little present goes to Ted. (ring finger)
This little present cried "Boo Hoo Hoo." (little finger)
Please put me in a Christmas stocking too!
HERE IS THE CHIMNEY
Here is the chimney (Make fist, enclose thumb)
Here is the top. (Palm of hand on top of fist)
Open the lid. (Remove hand quickly)
And out Santa will pop. (Pop up thumb)
Santa
When Santa comes down the chimney (downward motion with hands)
I should like to peek (Peek through fingers)
But he'll never come, no never (Shake head)
Until I'm fast asleep. (Palms together beside head.)
Five Little Christmas Trees
5 little Christmas Trees
Standing all alone
Their heart were very sad
'Cause they hadn't found a home.
Then chop went the axe
And down fell the tree
And off they went with a happy family!
(continue from 4-1 Christmas Trees)
No little Christmas Trees
Standing all alone
Christmas Math
Submitted by Sigrid
The dollar shops often sell the seasonal metallic confetti that you
place inside greeting cards. Use it in your class for a fun
math readiness activity. Tape a few short rows of scotch tape
(sticky side up) onto a small
square of paper. The children then place the seasonal shapes onto the
tape and form patterns. They "read" them to the class when they are
done..."Snowflake, snowflake, holly, snowflake, snowflake, holly..." Well,
you get the idea!
Branch Art
Submitted by Marilyn
have one large sheet of white tissue paper for each child. Using
soft and firm needled pine branches, have the child dip the branches
into a variety of shades of green paint. then brush the branches
across the tissue paper. After they are dry, dot on red or
purple paint (looks like berries) with wine corks. These turn out
quite pretty. They make nice wrapping paper, or a hanging in
the window.
Candles
Sumitted by Margie
MATERIALS: TP tubes, white glue, paint (whatever color you
would like your candles to be), gold celephane paper/orange or yellow
construction paper.
PROCEDURE:
1. Sit TP Tube up on end on your workspace. Apply glue to rim of
tube so that the glue will drip down the sides of the TP tube and dry.
2. When glue dries, paint the entire TP tube. This will dry looking
like candle wax has dripped. The glue drippings are colored w/the tube. Hope
this sounds clear.
3. Now cut a flame shape and glue to the inner edge of the top of the
tube using the gold celephane paper, yellow or orange construction paper...or
paper of your choice.
Do a few of these and use TP tubes cut to different sizes too. Affix
them in some garland or such for a pretty candle centerpiece/arrangement/etc.
Christmas Wreath
Submitted by Kris
Depending on the size, place 6 - 8 pretzels in a circle on a piece
of wax paper or foil. (Label foil or wax paper with child's name
for easy identification.) Next you make a second row that overlaps
the first, but these pretzels you dip in glue first. (Top row
should be 1/2 on one pretzel and 1/2 on the next.) Adjust the
shape if you need to, then set aside to dry -- at least one day.
Older children should be able to lace a ribbon in and out of the pretzel holes,
for my pre-K we just add a bow at the bottom. Also glue "red hots" candies
for berries. Let dry.
Trim a photograph to fit, then glue the wreath on the photo. Be sure
to date it! Add a loop for hanging on the top.
You can also spray pretzel wreath and berries with acrylic spray before adding
bow and photo.
Handprint Keepsake
Submitted by Carol
This method of making a hanprint keepsake for your parents works wonderfully. Just
like the kits that you buy at the store. The best part is that
the plumbers putty can be reused! It peels out of the hardened
plaster very easily.
Plaster of paris
plumbers putty
oval plastic cover for aluminum pan
Knead the putty til nice and smooth and place in the center of the oval cover
Press child's hand into putty
Pour in prepared plaster of paris
Let dry
We found out that all plumbers putty are not created equal. The brand
that worked for us was manufactured by a company called Hercules.
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