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When I was a kid every holiday season we would sit down to make a batch of homemade cinnamon applesauce holiday ornaments. They’re easy-to-make and add a country-touch or primitive flair to your Christmas tree. Use them as holiday ornaments, package tie-ons, napkin rings, hang …
Last weekend the grandchildren came over for a Crafting with Nanny play date. We sat down and decided to make these adorable Christmas refrigerator magnets from upcycled puzzle pieces! Don’t throw those old puzzles out, they can be used in all kinds of different craft …
Christmas is supposed to be a time of merriment and togetherness. Although, for many foster children, it can be difficult because they have limited time with their birth families or don’t know them at all. However, Christmas is the perfect time to make your foster child feel loved and improve your bond. There are plenty of activities you can schedule over the holidays in an attempt to bring out their Christmas spirit – continue reading for our top five choices.
Festive Crafts
Foster children benefit significantly from having one on one time, and what better way to spend that than making festive crafts? You can make tree decorations, Christmas cards, or try your hand at baking. Taking part in craft-making and enjoying a Christmas-related activity will help lift preconceptions and may entice the holiday spirit to make an appearance.
If your foster child’s birth parents are still on the scene, you can make them feel involved by creating personalised crafts as a gift.
Decorate Your Home
There isn’t a better way to fill your home with Christmas spirit than bringing out the decorations. Having a warm and inviting home full of festive decorations will help provide a positive experience of Christmas and take your foster child’s mind off any challenges around their birth family. You can easily blend Christmas decorations with craft-making activities by making decorations for the tree.
Visit Christmas Markets
Many cities host Christmas markets during November and December. There’s something magical about walking around the market to look at all the lights, steal a bargain, and enjoy a warming hot chocolate.
As a foster parent, you will be eligible for a fostering allowance to cover costs, as explained on fosterplus.co.uk, which can help fund trips out.
While you may need permission to take a foster child on holiday, if you like the idea of visiting an overseas Christmas market, holidays are a great chance for you and your foster children to build a closer bond and make some fun new memories together.
Read Them Books About Santa Clause
Depending on your foster child’s background, they may not have much insight into the origins of Santa Claus and what he represents. You can educate them by reading about his history. For example, Santa Claus’ name comes from a real person – St. Nicholas. Explaining the Santa Claus story may help your foster children to better understand the meaning behind Christmas traditions.
Throw a Movie Night
There’s nothing better than getting together at Christmas to watch a festive movie and enjoy a mug of warm cocoa on the sofa. Put your foster child in control by letting them choose the film. You can ask questions throughout to make sure any hidden messages are understood. If you’ve got Netflix, there are plenty of festive films accessible on the “Kids” account page, but there’s nothing quite like the Christmas classics.
There are plenty of ways to encourage foster children to get into the festive spirit, you just need to be there to lend a helping hand. The activities outlined above always go down a treat during the holidays, so why not give them a go and see if they work for your foster child?
Looking for a fun way to upcycle those used compact discs? If so, we’ve got the perfect project for you! These Snowman ornaments can be completed in one day and then used to decorate the Christmas tree, as package tie-ons, holiday party favors, and more! …
Have you started your Christmas and holiday shopping yet? I admit, I start early and started back in late June. I always start early and try to finish before Thanksgiving arrives! Typically the only things I pick up after Turkey day are edible gifts or …
A new addition to our Countdown to Christmas craft project series! This upcycled CD Disc Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Ornament is easy to make! You only need a few supplies to make it. We were able to complete several of them in just one weekend. You can find our complete list of Countdown to Christmas Craft Projects HERE.
We did this craft project with a group of kids age 8 through 13 years of age. Adults could make fancier ones if desired but keep it simple when working with kids. If you’re working with older children you can use a hot glue gun instead of craft glue or have an adult do the gluing. The one shown in our photograph was made by a 12 year old.
Upcycled CD Disc Rudolph Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Ornament
Compact Disc (Computer, DVD, Music CD)
Brown, Tan, White Acrylic Craft Paint
Black Acrylic Paint Pen – Medium Tip
Red Pom-Pom
2 Metallic Red Pipe Cleaners
All Purpose Craft Glue
Scrap Satin Ribbon for the Hanging Loop
Scissors
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towels
Paint the silver side of the CD with 2-3 coats of brown acrylic craft paint allowing for 20-40 minutes of drying time between coats. Drying time depends on weather and temperatures. Warmer days they will dry much faster. Set aside while the paint is drying.
Use scissors to cut the metallic red pipe cleaner to your desired length. Some kids made really long antlers while others made them shorter. Start with just the straight piece. Then cut a piece about 3″ long and twist it around the one end of the straight piece to make the antler portion. It should be near the top. Use scissors to trim to desired length. Cut a 6″ long piece of 1/8″ wide satin ribbon. Make a hanging loop by knotting the two ends together.
Tan paint was used for the nose area and done in a circular-triangular shape. The disc hole should be in the center of the tan area with tan colored paint peeking out on all sides. Apply generously so that you won’t need 2 coats of paint. Use white paint to make 2 medium sized ovals to serve as eyes. Again, be generous with the paint. Let dry until it’s no longer tacky.
Use a black paint pen with a medium-tip to make the inner eyes, outline the eyes, the eyebrows, outline th enose and to add the mouth. Once the black is dry (eye area) add the white inner eye. Let dry.
Finishing up – Use glue to add the red pom-pom for the nose, glue the red antlers on the back of the disc along with the satin ribbon hanging loop. Let everything dry until set.
Variations: You can use large wiggle eyes if you don’t want to paint on the eyes. You can use brown or gold metallic pipe cleaners for the antlers. You can vary the facial features to make him look happy, surprised, excited, etc. A lot of great “eye templates” can be found on Google. You can use a tan colored pom-pom to make the other reindeers for the nose.
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This Grinch storage container was made by recycling a plastic Gain laundry pod container. Those containers are lime green in color. You can use your new container to store small christmas balls, ornaments, ornament hooks, and other small items that need to be kept protected. …
If you’re just learning how to crochet or have years of experience these mini mittens make cute Christmas tree ornaments or glue a magnet on the back to turn them into holiday refrigerator magnets. This project is a great way to use up some of …