*Hand and Foot Reindeer* Trace your child's hand prints on the tan construction paper. Trace one foot, with shoe on, onto the brown construction paper. Cut out each hand/foot print. Glue the handprints on each side of the top of the foot print as antlers. Then glue Reindeer onto another sheet of paper. Glue wiggly eyes on. Glue on a pom pom for the nose, and you're done! Make one each year to keep track of how your child is growing. ************************************************************************* *Dipped Marshmallows* Need: 1 bag large marshmallows 1 cup milk chocolate chips 2 tsp vegetable oil assorted sprinkles colored sugar shredded coconut crushed nuts Melt chocolate chips and oil together over low heat (about 1 min. in microwave). Have your child dip each marshmallow into the chocolate (so about half of it is covered), then dip and roll in the sprinkles. Place on a cookie sheet to harden. Give away as gifts (if you know anyone who actually might enjoy eating something like this!) or enjoy yourselves. ************************************************************************* *Visiting A Nursing Home* As the Holiday Season is upon us, everyone is full of the giving spirit. Practice some holiday carols - including some of the fun songs below. Then take a group of children to a local nursing home and share some holiday happiness. You may want to make a few "favors" to leave the crowd, such as Reindeer Candy Canes*. *Directions below. Have Fun! ************************************************************************* *Reindeer Pokey* (sung to the tune of Hokey Pokey) You put your antlers in. You put your antlers out. You put you 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 hooves in.... You put your red nose in.... You put your fluffy tail in... You put your reindeer body in... (Have the children make antlers, red on their noses, and bell bracelets) Isn't this a cute song? :) ************************************************************************* *Reindeer Candy Canes* Take a candy cane and wrap a brown pipe cleaner around the top of the cane to form the antlers. Take two wiggly eyes and a small red pompom and glue them onto the front of the rounded part of the cane. You can add a ribbon bow around the cane for an added decoration. You can also add a tag to the ribbon bow and place the Reindeer Candy Canes as the name tags on Christmas presents! ************************************************************************* RECIPE AND IDEAS FOR HOT CHOCOLATE SPOONS/STIRRERS...These are quick and inexpensive...kids love to help make these too! Here's what you need: Colored plastic spoons, long cinnamon sticks or peppermint candy sticks. Dark, semisweet, milk or white chocolate A variety of decorative candy sprinkles, and miniature marshmallows Place about 2 ounces of chopped chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Micro-cook on 100% or high power for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring once or twice until melted (it won't seem melted completely until it is stirred). Dip spoons into mixture to coat. I like to let them cool just a touch, then re-dip several times for a nice thick coating. Sprinkle with candies, or a few marshmellows. Place on waxed paper to set up, chill if necessary. Wrap each individually in clear cellophane or plastic wrap and tie with a bow. Bundle several together for gift giving, along with serving instructions. A few tucked into a mug look cute, or they make fun place setting favors, etc. These make an ordinary cup of cocoa extra yummy and special....just stir into hot cocoa (extra chocolatey) or hot milk. Variations are dipping cinnamon sticks or peppermint sticks into the chocolate...adds just enough flavor for a change of pace. Raspberry or cherry flavored candy sticks are yummy too. ************************************************************************* I have a yummy drink mix recipe that I like to make up and keep on hand for neighbors, teachers, visitors, etc. around the holidays. It's a spicy orange hot drink and is a nice change from hot chocolate or cider. The recipe is as follows: 2 cups of TANG 1 large package of powdered pre-sweetened lemonade mix 1 1/3 cups sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cloves Stir until well-blended, store in an airtight container. Give with serving instructions. To serve, stir 3 teaspoons of drink mix into 6 ounce cup of hot water. I usually double or triple the recipe so I have plenty on hand. ************************************************************************** For gift giving, I like to sew small bags out of fabric...a green homespun is cute...I measure out the mix into ziplock bags, before putting the mix into the gift sacks. I like to tie them with a jute bow and along with the serving instructions, I will usually attach a copy of the recipe. Another cute idea is to use small paper sacks, and put your rubber stamps, paper edgers and punches to use. Fold the top edge of the sack and use a hole punch to punch two evenly spaced holes. Tie with colored raffia and a little homespun bow. I have also tied a little tin star, dried orange or apple slice, a long cinnamon stick or big button for a little extra decoration. ************************************************************************** Another tasty treat you can whip up ahead of time and use is this recipe for SWEET CHEESE BALL... 1 12 ounce package of semisweet chocolate chips 2 cups chopped pecans 1 cup 1 inch diameter peppermint candies (about 36 candies or 7 oz) In a blender or food processor, finely grind all ingrediaents. Measure about 1 1/2 cups of the mix into ziplock bags. Give with recipe for making cheese ball. To make cheese ball, stir 1 1/2 cups mix into one 8 ounce package softened cream cheese. Shape into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm. To serve, let stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes or until softened. This is delicious served with chocolate wafer cookies...you know like vanilla wafers, but chocolate flavored. I like to put the mix in a decorated brown paper sack with the cookies wrapped in plastic with a raffia bow. ************************************************************************* When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney. When Santa got stuck up the chimney, He began to shout. 'You girls and boys, Won't get any toys, If you don't pull me out. There soot on my back, And my sack is all black, My nose is ticklely too', When Santa got stuck up the chimney, Achoo, achoo, achoo. Twas on the eve before Christmas Day, When Santa Claus arrived on his sleigh, Into the chimney he climbed with his sack, But he was so fat.......he couldn't get back. Oh what a terrible plight, gangway! He stayed up there all night. When Santa got stuck up the chimney, He began to yell, 'Oh hurry please, It's all such a squeeze, The reindeer's stuck as well. His head's up there in the cold night air, Now Rudolph's nose is blue'. When Santa got stuck up the chimney, Achoo, achoo, achoo, achoo, achoo, ACHOO!!!!!!! .......................................................................... Sing a song of Christmas, Old Santa's on his way, He's coming to ............... (we sing Australia here!) I hope he knows the way. His bag is overflowing, With presents bright and gay, He'll call to all the ............( we sing kangaroos here) 'Tomorrow's Christmas Day!!' ............................................................................ . My favourite.............. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun Christmas is, the Australian way. Oh jungle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun Christmas is, the Australian way. Dashing through the sand, in our bathers and our thongs. Laughing as we go, singing Christmas songs. Playing with our friends, all happy and feel gay. Swatting flies, and eating pies. On a sunny Christmas Day. (repeat chorus here) ........................................................................ Have also done another item whereby we had groups of three or four kids decked out and they sang 'their'verse..... to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot.... we had presents - painted boxes, cut out bottom, plus neck and arm holes, tied ribbon around box as if gift wrapping, however the large bow went on head. words went something like.. I'm a little present, Under the tree I have a bow and paper you see. Now I wonder can you guess what's inside. A doll, some blocks, or a bike to ride. Stars - large cardboard stars were made with a hole cut out in the middle, sprayed silver and covered with glitter while still wet. (star was large enough to cover whole kid from knees up - we attached plastic tubing handles before painting that we covered with masking tape on outside and painted over) I'm the little star on top of the tree I'm so pretty, don't you agree? I'm shine and sparkle in the light, The prettiest sight on Christmas Night! Angels - long white nighties on, with tinsel halo on head and wings attached to back. I'm a Christmas Angel, dressed in white Can you see my halo so golden bright. I have little wings to fly around and they keep my off the ground. Bells - made the same as the stars, painted various colours and small jingle type bells attached. I'm a little Christmas bell look at me I'll make you happy just wait and see. If you shake me gently then I'll sing tinkle - tinkle ding a ling a ling! Christmas Tree - tree cut from heavy card to again cover kids from ankles to above head - hole cut out for face, handles attached before painting them green - tree, that is, not handles! (LOL) - we them decorated them for Christmas. I'm a Christmas Tree with lights so bright To shine for everyone On Christmas night. Along comes Santa without any noise, Leaving gifts for good girls and boys. Last verse all sing...... Here comes Father Christmas Ho Ho Ho Look at his beard as white as snow He has a red hat on his head and he brings your presents when you're in bed. (Father Christmas walked out on stage as kids started this verse and he did the ho ho ho solo.) After this Santa walked off and we manipulated the large box out with new Santa down in it - he popped out and they sang When Santa got stuck up the chimney....only difference between the Santas..this one had a black beard!!!!! ************************************************************************* CINNAMON ORNAMENTS 1 c. cinnamon 1 t. cloves 1 c. applesauce 1 t. ground allspice 1 t. nutmeg Mix dry ingredients and add applesauce to consistency of play-dough. Roll to 1/4" thick on cinnamon base. Use sharp cookie cutters, poke hole (for hanger) with small straw or sucker stick. Dries in 4-5 days on waxed paper. ************************************************************************** Candy Cane Candle Supplies: 1 small, round candle Candy canes (as many as you need to go around the candle) at the height of the candle Masking tape or Elmer's glue (I suggest the glue.) Red or green ribbon Directions: If you are using masking tape, put the sticky side up around the candle. Make sure the ends are long enough so that they overlap each other. (The tape must be the width of the candle.) Put the candy canes all around the candle. Glue them on if you are using glue, stick them on if you are using the masking tape. Once you have finished that, tie the ribbon around the candle, and finish with a bow. ************************************************************************** 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 pot 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 ************************************************************************* Tune: B I N G O 1. There is a jolly bearded man and Santa is his name-o S-A-N-T-A ......... 2. His sleigh is drawn by eight reindeer and Santa is his name-o S-A-N-T-A..... 3. He comes down chimneys with his sack and Santa.......... 4. He's dressed in red and brings us gifts and Santa...... 5. He'll come again another year and Santa......... ************************************************************************** *Reindeer Candy Canes* Take a candy cane and wrap a brown pipe cleaner around the top of the cane to form the antlers. Take two wiggly eyes and a small red pompom and glue them onto the front of the rounded part of the cane. You can add a ribbon bow around the cane for an added decoration. You can also add a tag to the ribbon bow and place the Reindeer Candy Canes as the name tags on Christmas presents! ************************************************************************* *Reindeer Pokey*(sung to the tune of Hokey Pokey) You put your antlers in. You put your antlers out. You put you 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 hooves in.... You put your red nose in....You put your fluffy tail in... You put your reindeer body in... (Have the children make antlers, red on their noses, and bell bracelets) **************************************************************************