The Legend of the Christmas Tree

We read The Legend of the Christmas Tree written by Rick Osborne today.  It is a story about a family that goes to cut down their own tree for Christmas.  They come across a tree farm that has 3 beautiful trees and a special box that sat beneath one of them.  This family learns about the legend of the Christmas tree through the retelling of the farmer.  They also start a new tradition of their own.

I highly recommend reading this book, because doesn't everyone wonder why we put trees inside our house at Christmas?  After reading this book we made these trees.

The supplies that you need for making these trees are:

1. hot glue gun
2. styrofoam cones
3. pipe cleaners (red and white)
4. ribbon in different colors
5. sequins of different sizes
6. small beads
7. straight pins with balls on the end
8. green felt
9. gold plastic stars
   

1. Cut the felt in a triangle shape, large enough to cover the styrofoam cone.  
2. Hot glue the felt to the cone, folding the bottom and top edge over.
3. Hot glue or pin ribbons or twisted red and white pipe cleaners for garland.
4. Make ornaments by sticking a straight pin through a bead, then a sequin, then a slighly larger sequin.
5. Glue a star to the top.  (or in our case we had to pin ours through a hole in the bottom of the star)
   

Isn't our forest pretty?  And look, it snowed.

Hand-made gifts for Christmas

I have come across some wonderful hand-made gifting ideas for this Christmas.  I'm going to try to make these this month, at least they are marked on the calendar to do!  I love hand-made gift giving.  It's nice to weave a little love into a gift right before you give it.

Felt Cookies with Sprinkles
First of all, a woman that never ceases to amaze me with the thoughtful ideas that she comes up with is Angie at Many Little Blessings. I absolutely fell in love with these hand made felt cookies, and I think they should be a staple in every little girl's play kitchen.

Modge Podge Jars

A great craft for kids to make are these tissue paper and modge podge jars.  When they dry, they are so colorful.  I think grandmas everywhere should have one.  Let's Explore gives easy step-by-step instructions on how to make these little treasures.

 

Apple Juice Jar Terrariums

Thanks to a friend of mine that made gorgeous terrariums with her daughters, we've been looking out for just the right glass jars.  I can handle these mini apple juice jar terrariums.  They are cute and un-intimidating.  Go here for step-by-step video instructions on building your own terrarium.

Salt Dough Ornaments

These are so Martha Stuartesque that I have to try these.  Aren't they delightful?  Almost pretty enough to eat.  Please visit Stephanie's step-by-step instructions on how to make these.  All you need is salt, flour, water, rolling pin, a red pen and cookie cutters.  How cheap, yet satisfying.

Wagon Wheel Snowflake Ornament

These snowflakes might remind you of something you made as a child.  You know throw the macaroni in a bag with food coloring?  Well, adapted for a little older age group would be these sparkling ornaments.  If you're afraid of glitter, just skip on past this one at Even Cleveland.

Child-art Placemats

If you are a little handy with a sewing machine, these are darling little canvas' to grace the table of relatives or friends that adore your children.  To see how easy these are visit this blog.

A few extras:

A home-made memory game for kids

Flower holiday hairpins for girls

Nature prints in Sculpey for nature lovers

This post was written for Works for Me Wednesday and I'm also participating in the 2009 Virtual Advent Tour.  If you'd like to follow the tour visit:  http://adventblogtour.blogspot.com/