What is your Christmas message this year?

Mini Ornament Tree

Well, it seems that everywhere everyone is talking fearfully about this terrible economy, and I'm no exception.  Many people have said that they're cutting back for Christmas this year (and again, I'm no exception).  But it seems like the parking lots at retail outlets are as packed as I've ever seen them at the holidays, and the tensions are just as palpable (there was plenty of honking in the Target parking lot today).

So I have been thinking, rather than grouse about the economy or, for that matter, the angry shoppers at Big Box stores, why not think up some creative, fun ways to make the holidays festive?  The tree in this photo is an example of making the holidays fun with kids without enlisting the help of a game console or a trip to the mall.  My 9 year old had a sleepover last night, so I consoled 6 year old Nature Kid by promising some fun crafts this morning.   

All I did was put 1 cup of cinnamon, a cup of natural applesauce, and a squirt (oh, maybe a Tablespoon) of white Elmer's glue in a gallon zipper bag (you can put the ingredients in a mixing bowl if your child will tolerate hand mixing; mine will not).  Then my daughter got to squish and mush and have a great time mixing up the ingredients.  We popped the mixture in the fridge for about half an hour, then made it into a ball and rolled it out between two sheets of parchment paper like rolled cookie dough.  She selected her favorites out of our cookie cutter collection and proceeded to roll, cut, and set out to dry her creations.  These really required almost no help from me.  You can either dry them by leaving them out for a day or two, or pop them in a 200 degree oven for a couple of hours.  Then they're ready to decorate.

Nature Kid decided she wanted to make them into ornaments.  We then decided that, since it was her Aunt's birthday, she should make an ornament for each member of Auntie's family (uncle and 3 cousins).  Eventually the ornaments she chose for them got holes put in them (while still wet) with a skewer (toothpicks or straws work just as well) and, once dry, wrapping paper ribbon we had in the closet.  For a final touch I wrote the first initial of each person in gold pen.  While we were out at Target we saw the little trees on an endcap and decided one would be a great present to also showcase the ornaments for Auntie.  Sure, it's artificial, but on the up side she will be able to use it for many years and can put her own decorations on it or incorporate it into her holiday decor as she wishes...or pass it along to someone else!  With more time and forethought they could easily be incorporated into a natural wreath, door swag, or mini tree or rosemary bush.

Since completing that set, we've had a bunch of great ideas: Nature Kid 1 came home and wanted to help, so her little sister let her help by putting Elmer's glue on the remaining dried cookies with a paintbrush, and then sprinkling glitter on them to make them extra fancy.  In fact, the larger star Nature Kid 2 made will grace the top of our tree this year!

Here's what I am taking away from this little craft: that Christmas is not just about buying stuff and throwing it at already overpriveleged children, but it's also about sitting down and sharing time and creativity with those children.  I was thrilled to see how excited my daughter was to make all these ornaments and, even more so, that it was entirely her idea to make them for other people.  She chose each ornament for each cousin or aunt or uncle based on what she thought each would like.  She got to make something almost entirely on her own and really enjoy the experience.  As an added bonus, my house smells like cinnamon, which feels very nourishing and comforting.

Next post: ideas for a greener, more meaningful holiday season.  Send me yours!