A Christmas Trio: Wreath, Christmas Bell, and Reindeer Headband

At this time of year we often need simple activities that can be put together quickly when the weather is bad or the excitement reaches fever pitch.  These three simple projects can be done with young and older children and adapted to their levels.

On a personal note, this is my last column for Mothering Matters.  I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing activities and would like to thank all the staff involved for making it such a wonderful experience.

To make a wreath you need:

• A paper plate
• Green tissue paper
• Red tissue paper or pompoms
• Ribbon
• Glue

1)      Cut out the centre of the paper plate and keep the outside circle.

2)      Cut or tear the green paper into small pieces and stick them all round the circle.

3)      Scrunch the red tissue paper into small dots and use as holly berries to decorate the wreath. Alternatively, glue on red pompoms.

4)      Tie the ribbon into a bow and stick it at the top of the wreath.

To make a Christmas bell you need:

• A clean yogurt pot
• Ribbon or string
• Stickers or glitter glue

1)      Make a small hole in the bottom of the yogurt pot.  Thread the ribbon through the hole and tie it so you have a loop to hang on the tree.

2)      Use the glitter glue and stickers to decorate the bell.

To make a reindeer headband you need:

• A long strip of card or paper (long enough to go round your child’s head)
• a short, thin strip of paper (to attach the nose)
• A4 piece of paper or card (for antlers)
• A piece of red card
• Glue/stapler

1)      Make the headband by wrapping the long strip of card round your child’s head and gluing or stapling it together.

2)      Fold the A4 paper in half and cut out an antler shape.  You can draw round your child’s hand to make the shape.  Stick the antlers to the top of the headband.

3)      Cut a large circle out of the red paper to make your reindeer’s nose.

4)      Fasten one end of the thin strip to the headband between the antlers so the long strip is hanging down.

5)      Attach the red nose to the end of the strip, adjusting the strip so that the nose sits over your child’s nose.

Photos and text by Karen Clayton

Karen is originally from Scotland and now lives in Zurich with her husband and two sons.  She is a qualified primary school teacher and now runs her own tutoring business, Smart Owls, offering English tuition for children from 4 – 12 years old.  More information can be found at   smartowls.wordpress.com