Well, it’s almost here! Less than a week away! School will be out, at some point you will finish your last minute Christmas shopping, and you will settle in to enjoy the time with your family. While there are enough Christmas movies on television to keep us busy every hour of the day…at some point you will have some bored kiddos. OR maybe you just need something to keep from more fights breaking out. And maybe you’re burnt out on the idea of making gingerbread houses. I for sure am! Here’s a few little ideas to keep you in the spirit the next few days. Fun things that you can do using whatever you have at home. Enjoy!
1. HOLIDAY PLAY DOUGH
SNOW: I am by no means Martha Stewart, but I can whip up some play dough. And if I can do it, you can too. At our house we make “snow” play dough, which is great because you don’t have to use food coloring. Just leave it white and let the kids add white glitter, or whatever color glitter you have on hand. Because I know you all stay fully stocked with glitter. However, my favorite part of “snow” play dough…add some peppermint extract. It just adds a little Christmas to the whole thing!
GINGERBREAD: At Vera’s house they make gingerbread play dough. Which sounds absolutely wonderful. We haven’t tried it yet, but we just might over the break. Either way, break out all your old cookie cutters and keep them busy for a while!
2. MAKE HOMEMADE ORNAMENTS
You’ve all seen the ornaments we made at our Camp Christmas event last weekend. Well, you can make your own. It’s not all that hard. I used mason jar lids because I had a whole stash that I wasn’t going to use. However, any kind of tiny container, box, Altoid tin, whatever you have will work. You can make a Jesus out of yarn or use any leftover Christmassy tidbits you have laying around. You can use pieces from old ornaments or cut up old Christmas cards. Grab some wrapping paper, fabric, ribbon, burlap, and go to town! Allow your kids to just do whatever they want. Don’t have any Christmas stuff laying around? There’s plenty of adorable printable things on Pinterest. You could create just about anything you want. What I like about this craft is that everyone can create their very own interpretation of Christmas! To add that finishing touch to your edges…just put glue around your edges and dip it in glitter, sea salt, or even sugar. It’s that easy!
3. POLAR EXPRESS
Yes, I know, I’ve seen this movie way too many times also. It wears me out. I’m not sure I can watch it again. However, you can create your own Polar Express! This is a great way to surprise your kids. Our kids loved it. And they thought we were the coolest parents EVER. It’s super cheesy…but you’ll get over it. And no one else will see you (unless you get out of the car at the most awesomely insane inflatables house in NLR, which who wouldn’t). Don’t worry.
So do this…find a printable ticket somewhere and print it off. My husband made ours with their names on them, but you can find some here. Get your kids all ready for bed. Have your significant other secretly make hot chocolate and gather up cookies or whatever snacks you want to take. I found some old battery powered Christmas lights and strung them up inside the car. Did I mention this was classy? Then announce to everyone that you’re going on the Polar Express and line them up. Extra points if your husband acts like the conductor and punches their ticket with a hole punch. Then load up, turn on some Christmas music and hit every tacky Christmas light display in town you can find! All the while sipping on hot chocolate and eating more sugar…right before bed. Yeah I know, that part is ridiculous. But it’s Christmas people! They will love you forever, I promise.
Happy Christmas Friends!!
