Remember when you were a kid and you just could not wait for Christmas? What are some of the things you remember most? I remember traveling to my Grandparents house and the way my Grandmothers house smelled of gingerbread, pies, turkey and all the other special things she would make. I remember going to buy the Christmas tree and how the lot smelled of fresh pine needles. My favorite memories are of my brothers and sister and I making paper chains, snowflakes, gingerbread man cutout garlands and various other ornaments and decorations which we were allowed to hang around the living room and add to the Christmas tree. My job in decorating the tree was a very special one. I got to put the tinsel on after everything else was in place. I loved being able to help decorate our Christmas tree. Being the youngest and smallest it made me feel big.

Goodie Baskets.

Christmas is such a special time of year, especially for children. It is a time when they can learn to give to others from their hearts. There are many activities that can help children feel part of Christmas. One really fun activity that can involve the whole family is to pick a neighbor or friend to give a goodie basket to. The kids can make special ornaments and help decorate gingerbread or sugar cookies. Then put them in a basket or nicely wrapped box and leave it on a friend or neighbors doorstep, ring the bell and run. There are poems you can add that tell them to reciprocate with another family that you can find online, print out and add to the basket or box or you can write your own. Be the first to get this started and watch your children and neighbors all get the Christmas Spirit. You can find lots of ideas for other activities online and in books like the Gooseberry Patch Christmas Books.

Decorations Children Can Make.

Here are some easy and fun decorations that children can make.

Paper Snowflakes;

Fold the paper in half, then in half twice more. Cut out small shapes and notches around the edges. Unfold and round the corners. The smaller the paper you use the smaller the snowflakes will be. Also the more times you fold the paper the lacy the snowflake will be. These can be decorated with glitter.

Felt Ornaments;

Use cookie cutters to trace shapes onto felt squares. Cut them out and decorate with sequins, beads, buttons, fabric trims, glitter, craft paints. You can use cardboard or stiff plastic for a backing if you like. This can also be done with shapes cut from wood.

Letter To Santa Ornaments;

Have your children write a short letter to Santa. Glue it to colored paper, decorate the edges and add cardboard or stiff plastic backing. Punch two holes at the top and tie ribbon or twine loops for hanging.

Gingerbread Man Garland;

Use a Gingerbread Man Cookie cutter to trace onto brown paper bags. Cut them out and decorate with markers or craft paints; puff paints are good for these. Then punch holes in there hands and use ribbon or twine to connect them. Let your children decorate their room with them or even their own small Christmas tree.