I need,,, want,,, would like,,, some

[CW]

Ideas,,, that's what I am after.

This year I am decorating a house with young children living here. My g/f has two young 'uns that are aged 5 and 7,,, it's been a long time since I decorated with kids in mind, and I'd like to do something that will be special for them,,, something outside of the normal decorations that I do.

Understand? I hope so,,, cause I think I just confused myself.

As a normal thing, I hang white lights along the gutter and on one tree in the yard. Then everything else that I do tends to be made of greenery of various sorts in a Colonial Williamsburg style.

The Christmas tree is already a 'kids' tree with a mish-mish of ornaments from my kids when they were younger,,, and I have purchased stuff for the girls to help make their own ornaments for the tree.

I guess what I want to do is something that will surprise them. Perhaps something that they can help with.

I am drawing a blank.

HELP!! please.

 

[Ksss]

It's been along time since I had little ones in my home at Christmas time also. But Here goes, perhaps you can purchase some of the large suncatchers with a Christmas theme, the kids can paint these themselves. Also some craft stores have paint by number or color by number posters which you could hang. If you are into carpentry you could make cutouts of Christmas characters for the front yard which would require painting. If you have a staircase with railings in your home you can have them decorate the stairwell with garland or swigs of pine, hanging decorations they have made from it. Search thru your craft books or magazines, some have great ideas for making gingerbread villages. Hope this helps to give you some ideas you can expand on, good luck!

 

[Merelan]

Remember paper garlands? The loop kind? They are easy for kids to make and you can put them all over the house....you can use all those catalogs that are coming into the house right now for the paper.
also the paper snowflakes that appear by magic when you unfold the paper....after cutting wierd things into it...
or have them organize a treasure hunt for their Mommy. We did that one year when we were broke. The prize at the end was coupons from us for one free day with none of us around. A neighbor a couple miles away babysat and with 10-13 of us there at a time it was a blessed relief. Though she said she missed us and hated it. I believed her then, now I think she lied.
If you are religious have them create a creche and nativity scene using their dolls and a big cardboard box.

 

[Cheri]

How about an advent calendar, I saw one in a Eddie Bauer catalog that had pockets to hold the days gifts. I looked easy enough to make though, just a fabric calendar with squares of fabric sewn into each day. Or better yet, head to a large craft store like Davids or Hobby Lobby and check out there holiday crafts. How about making your Christmas cards with stamps and glitter, or making their own gift wrap, or even doing the paper garland idea but using scapbook papers (found at hobby stores for usually 10 sheets for $1) to make it even more decorative. Would they like to make a gingerbread house decorate small Christmas trees for their rooms? How about cookie ornaments.
If I racked my brain, I could probably come up with more, let me know if you'd like them.

 

[Cheyenne]

You're getting a lot of good ideas- I'm not that creative and have no kids, either. But may I say that I think you're a wonderful person for wanting to make Christmas special for the kids? They'll remember the things you do together long after the toys are broken and gone.

 

[forgetunome]

CW...

Have them decorate a gingerbread house...

Gingerbread boys/girls

Decorate pine cones by painting them gold/silver/red with glitter...of course where they can't get paint on things you don't want paint on!

Cranberry/popcorn garlands....

Or yard ornament candy canes & reindeer to put in the yard...may not be your taste...but...they will like it.

Or here's a link to a site that might give you several ideas? Good luck sweetie!

http://www.childfun.com/christmas/

[Edited by forgetunome on 11-26-2000 at 08:35 AM]

 

[Skitten]

I do have young kids, ages 7 and 11 some ideas that we have done in the past. They always enjoyed making ornaments for the tree and a lot of them are quite easy with beads and strofam. I know they enjoy seeing them year after year seeing them on the tree. Also a paper chain which they can do pretty much themselves with a little help, but it is nothing real hard to do.

If you are wanting to decorate outside for them there are light up deers and santas and angels that are nice and the ki9ds love seeing them. Hope this helps.

 

[Juliangel]

My boys make little houses out of lego's to go with the trains set that I put around the base of the tree.

They also make paper snow flakes to put on the windows.

 

[Guest]

 

[CW]

You folks are indeed awesome

I want to think ya'll for the ideas. A lot of what has been suggested is what I have some vague memories of doing as a young lad. I just wasn't sure that what I used to do would be interesting enough for today's children. It appears that the concept of Christmas fun is ageless,,, and in spite of modern wiss-boom products, hand made is still the best.


You are a great bunch of folks !

Thank you,

CW

 

[jcgirl]

Don't forget to string popcorn! Kids love that! Just make sure you make enough for them to eat as much as they string. lol