Building All Children recently held two Christmas workshops. It was SO much fun! I wanted to share the workshop and all the ideas that we presented! Hoping and praying that your Christmas will be special…that you will be able to slow down and not let the busyness steal your Christmas.
Mason jars filled with salt and a candle stuck in the middle of the salt. When the candles burn it looks very pretty. This is easy and inexpensive.
We encouraged parents to wrap up 25 books and each night the children get to open a book and you read it together. This allows quality time together and it’s fun. If you don’t have enough Christmas books, then just wrap up any children’s book. I even had my children help me wrap.
We discussed the importance of letting children help you decorate. This tree has regular lights on it, but we purchased small styrofoam balls and had the children push the lights into the balls. They loved doing it, and it looks so cool at night. The styrofoam balls light up. We also used some larger styrofoam balls.
Do you like to bake? We discussed baking and how fun baking is during the Holiday season. If baking is something you enjoy doing, then do it! If baking is not your thing, then don’t do it! The season is so busy that we need to do what we enjoy! I explained in my workshop that I don’t enjoy cooking, so I have taught my children the truth…Santa prefers his cookies store-bought! 🙂
We took a strand of Christmas lights and cut material into strips and tied it around the lights. This was so much fun! It did take some time but the kids enjoyed it…my mom and nieces helped us out with this activity. This is one of my favorite things we did this year….I cannot wait to decorate with this garland.
STOCKINGS- These are my family stockings. We didn’t have a mantel so we used an old headboard to hang our stockings. One of the traditions that my husband and I started years ago was a ‘Jesus Stocking.’ We encourage our children to write Jesus a thank you/birthday card. It’s been so fun over the years to see their thoughts and words develop. We keep the letters in the stocking year to year, and pull them out and read them. This is a very special tradition for our family.
Wrapping presents! Why do we make it so stressful?…it’s okay to have your children help you! And it doesn’t have to be perfect with a perfect bow! Here are a few different ways you can have your children decorate the packages. I love the glitter initial package…super easy and the kids will love it! The children loved gluing on the pom-poms, and having them draw pictures on the package is not only special but it keeps them busy!
BELIEVE- We believe that All Children should be able to receive help and encouragement. Here is our Sponsor a Child Tree. You can read more about this on our website buildingallchildren.org
Yes, we discussed the Elf on the Shelf! Oh I struggle with this little guy…I get it! I understand that it’s just a fun little traditional that we do, but I also feel that it takes time away from what is important. I have a page on the Building All Children website called Scripture for my Children You can print out the scripture…roll up the paper…put a bow around it, and each morning your elf on the self will be holding a scripture you can read to your children…TEACHING THEM THE TRUTH!!!!!
The Nativity Scene- We shared a tradition we have had with our children since they were little. On Christmas morning we read the story of Jesus’ birth, and as the story is being read, the children set up the nativity scene. It keeps them interested in the story and helps them understand the Truth! I think it’s important for children to have a nativity scene that they can play with, but it’s also okay for them to have one that is nice and not okay to play with…teaching them rules and respect.
Don’t be afraid to slow down and enjoy Christmas movies with your children. We talked about enjoying the TIME! Time together!!! Fix some hot cocoa, string popcorn, and enjoy movie night! Making memories….
Fun times with these amazing ladies!
I sewed my grandmothers sheet music on some material and use it for a table runner. Don’t be afraid to sew paper:-) We took sheet music and tore it into strips and then sewed the ends together to make a long strip and we put it in our garland. Very special!
We demonstrated how to make table runners by simply adding material at the end of some burlap.
Our old treeskirts were old dresses and skirts that my daughters used to wear…never throw those skirts away:)
We took a yard of lace and cut it into 8 inch strips and sewed the strips together. Then we sewed the sides together making a long cover for a strand of clear Christmas lights. It looks so beautiful in the greenery, and it was super easy to do.
During the workshop, I brought some items that I never have finished. I wanted to express that the things that don’t get done aren’t really important, but we put so much pressure on ourselves to get it all done, and done perfectly! Sometimes I get tired of social media…Pinterest…thinking we have to keep up and do it all. The most important thing you can do during the Holidays is teach your children the Truth! The story of Jesus’ birth. Matthew 1 and Luke 1 and 2 both tell the story of Jesus’ birth.
Let the fest begin!
We closed the workshop with John 16:33. Jesus is talking with his disciples and before he leaves he tells them that he will be going, but that he will see them again…they were so confused, not understanding what Jesus was talking about. They had no idea that Jesus was going to be crucified on a cross and ascend into heaven. Jesus told them in verse 33 that “they may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
I know that the Christmas season is hard on so many…it’s a time when people feel lonely, or may be missing their loved ones. It’s a time when people can’t afford to buy gifts and put pressure on themselves. But the Bible tells us that as long as we believe in Jesus, we will have peace! Building All Children is praying that you have peace this Christmas season!!! Merry Christmas!
