Candy Stockings and Saint Nicholas

Day 6 of 24 Things to make before Christmas...

Candy Stockings :D

Tomorrow being St. Nicolas Day in Germany, we made Candy Stockings for my nephews in Kansas. Although we don't celebrate Saints, I believe it is important for my children to see and study real instances of people being like Jesus. This man was definitely one to be remembered, a pleasant part of history to study!

First I cut out the stocking shape from craft foam, and let the kids decorate them.



Then I cut out the same shape from a clear plastic page protector, and then punched holes all the way around. Then the kids "sowed" the two together with ribbon, leaving the top open.




Then they filled them with candy, and finished sowing closed. After making their cards for their cousins, I attached the cards at the corner, and with the left over ribbon made the hanging loop :D



I thought I would share our Saint Nicholas lapbook with you...

Swept Away in Christ!

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews: for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." ~Matthew 2:1-2

"Those who should have welcomed the Messiah missed their opportunity, while foreigners traveled far to honor the king of the Jews.

That was long ago. Today, church and culture have combined to create an entire season of the year in which Jesus Christ is supposed to be honored. But if some dusty strangers arrived at your holiday party wishing to find the Christ, where would you r direct their search, and would you go along with them in hope of finding the Lord?" ~The Wonder of Christmas

This made me stop and think. Of course this is the season to honor Christ... suppose to be... but how many times do I stop to share the hope for which I have? More than gift giving, and pleasant smiles, and collecting can goods for the Christian Service Center. How many times to I actually share the hope?

Lord, help me! Grant me grace, to share You! You are my hope! Let me not get swept away in the saga of christmas, but be swept away in You! Yearning, seeking and sharing You! You, You, You! Christ!

Paper Towel Ball Ornaments

You can make these ball ornaments from paper towel rolls, ribbon, and glitter :D You can make them as fancy or simply as you like...

Holly Printed Wrapping Paper

Day 5 of 24 Things to make before Christmas:

Homemade Wrapping Paper



Holly symbolizes peace and happiness, appropriate for the Christmas season ;D The holly leaf and berry are favorite designs for Christmas, and lend themselves well to printing. You can print wrapping paper with a holly pattern, using only paints and an ordinary potato!



Then use the end of a pencil for perfect round red holly berries :D



The kids added in some Christmas stamps also...



This is a beautiful handmade wrapping, and they are very proud of their work!

Homes-Cool Week 16

This week at Hearts in Training we have had so much fun!

We joined in with Raising Rockstars, N is for Nativity, this was also Noah's main focus for preschool.

We did a Christmas 2009 Lapbook... All the children had something to do in it :D



We had our 4-H Christmas party... lots of fun ;D



We started our 24 Things to make before Christmas. We will make a different thing everyday, until Christmas. We got started early, the excitement was too grand :D And of course coupled with our Christmas Activity Chain, it will end up being far more than 24 things, but who's counting...



We've made Christmas cookies, paper & bead garland, an Advent wreath and banner, put up our Christmas decor, paper stars, and more. Just click on the links in the above paragraph to see more.


We have read from our Christmas Countdown Scripture Calendar. This has gone nicely with our Advent Banner.



And Halea decorated the box for our canned food drive at church :D




The month of December I schedule a lighter schedule and take the time to focus on the season.

That's about it for us, but make sure to head over to WUH and find out what others have been up to :D

The Real Santa and the Spirit of CHRISTmas!

The Spirit of Christmas
By the magical light of a small Christmas candle
A little old man tries to carefully handle

The small porcelain manger which serves as a bed
For the wee Baby Jesus to lay down His head.

In wonder he brings the manger up to his view,
Smiles at the baby and whispers, “I love you!

I love you for bringing this season of joy,
I love you for growing to a man from a boy;

For being our light and leading the way,
For being the spirit which makes Christmas Day!

You’ve been my mentor, my model, my hero and guide,
Please continue to help me and stay by my side.

I’ve tried to follow your teachings and give as you gave,
Reminding all to be kind and that it’s wise to behave.

Help me to serve others and bring them your light,
Especially the children, please bless them tonight!

Some have so very little, scarce food for their table,
You know how it feels - you were born in a stable!

Bless all their mothers and fathers with a knowledge that’s sure,
The best gift they can give is their love, strong and pure.

That’s the Spirit of Christmas when all’s said and done,
God’s gift of love, that came as His Son!”

Then back to His mother the child is returned
The Nativity glows as the candle is burned.

In a wink the little old man slips quietly away
Some say he goes up the chimney and climbs in a sleigh.

Whatever the case, His mission is clear -
Give unto others, bringing love and good cheer.

He flies into the night and bids us adieu
Doing for others what Jesus would do!

Greg Olsen - 2009


I just love this poem and picture! What a great reminder of what CHRISTmas is truly about :D

Christmas Bells

Day 4 of 24 Things to make before Christmas!

Christmas Bells

Bells have been used since ancient times to announce both happy and sad news. Many religions and many cultures have used bells for various reasons, and certainly bells have become especially associated with Christmas. In the sixth century, Christian churches began to rung bells to celebrate Christ's birthday.

Here is Noah's Christmas Bell :D

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This is Halea's Bell Angel...



And this is Jacob's Bell Angel. You can find the printable here :D

Fuzzy Ornaments and Paper Beaded Garland

Here Halea is working on fuzzy ball ornaments. Simply gluing fuzzies to cardboard shapes.


The candy cane turned out nicely :D



This is our homemade garland. I glued magazine pages to straws. (I found tacky spray glue works best, also wrap in a diagonal pattern.) When they were dry, I let Jacob cut into strips. Then Noah and I strung them on string :D



Jacob is pretty proud of this :D

Paintable Clay Advent Wreath

Day 3 of 24 things to make before Christmas.

Our Advent Wreath

We made an Advent Wreath that can be used year after year. It is made out of painted clay. This is how we did it:

What you need:
1 c. cornstarch
2 c. baking soda
1 1/4 c. cold water

Mix the cornstarch and baking soda in a saucepan. Add the water slowly mixing well. Bring to boil and cook slowly for few, stirring. (It will be like mushy potatoes) I thought about adding green food coloring, but did not, since my children love to paint. And in case there was extra, we could make ornaments :D

Scoop mixture out on a plate covered with foil, and cover with a couple of damp paper towels (to keep from drying) as it cools. When cool, knead lumps of clay (like you would bread dough.)

First make four 2-inch balls of clay and mold each around the base of each candle, shaping so candle will stand up straight.

Then make the curved part to connect each "candle holder". We decided to use toothpicks to make it look like "evergreen branches". The dough should shrink less if it is made in parts instead of a whole.

Store left over clay in wax paper.

When parts are dry, paint them green. I plan to use Christmas ribbon to make criss-crosses, before putting our candles in place.

You can roll the remaining dough out into 1/4 inch, and use cookies cutters to make ornaments and paint them for your tree :D (We did not have any extra... we may have to make more later for ornaments ;o)

Stay tuned for final pics :D

Since all the crafts we will be doing for the 24 Things to make before Christmas have to do with counting down the days until we celebrate the wonderous day when Christ came to save man, I have to share this video with you. My children have really enjoyed this:

Paper Stars

Some say the first Christmas tree was the inspiration of Martin Luther, the sixteenth-century leader of the Reformation in Germany. The story goes that he was walking in the woods one snowy Christmas Eve, under a sky full of brightly shining stars. He cut down one of the small fir trees in the forest and took it home, where he set small candles on its branches, saying the flames reminded him of the stars in the heavens. The idea spread quickly, and other kinds of decorations were added to the candle glow. Two centuries after Marin Luther's tree was lighted, Hessian soldiers brought the custom of the Christmas tree from Germany to America during the Revolution.


Day 2 of 24 Things to make before Christmas: Paper Stars



I think they made an wonderful addition to our Christmas tree :D
Like the stars in the sky!