by Jamie Mcgillian

Created on: December 08, 2009

Don't you just love Christmastime?  I do, but my kids just go bananas over every little holiday detail.  They want to see decorations outside the house and in almost every room of the house!They want the house to smell like Christmas two weeks before December 25th and at least two weeks after. It's a lot of work for me, I tell you.  Don't get me wrong, I love it.  But this year, it's a very big challenge with our budget being so tight.  If you find yourself in the same boat, try creating homemade ornaments.  They may not look store-bought, but they will be beautiful. What's more, your children made them.  Here are some fun ideas for making  ornaments. While you make these, play holiday music, serve hot cider, and call it a party.

Picture Perfect

Using a digital camera, a disposable one, or even a Polaroid, take a photo of your child dressed in her holiday splendor. Take group shots or singles, and don't forget to include the family pet. Using colored construction, frame each photo. Then write the year on the frame, sprinkle it with glitter, and punch a hole at the top.  Tie red and green ribbon through the hole and you have a very special ornament.

Snowmen

Gather children around your table.  Put out  a bowl of large marshmallows, as well as mini ones.  Also, have a supply of tiny pretzel sticks, gum drops, chocolate chips, peanuts, and tiny nerds.  Have children make miniature snowmen using the big marshmallows as the body.  Get creative and add other materials, just be sure that if you add something inedible, the children won't eat it.   Hang these snowmen on the tree. On Christmas Day, your children can eat them off the tree!

For this, you will need a selection of small gift boxes, wrapping paper, and bows.  Give each child paper and a pencil, and ask them to write a letter about their hopes and dreams for this holiday and this year. Ask them what the best present in the world would be.  Then have them do their writing alone so nobody can see their work. For the younger children, have them draw a picture of the best present in the world.  Try not to look. When they are done with their letters or artwork, have them fold it and place it in a gift box.  Then have them decorate the boxes with wrapping paper and bows. On Christmas Day, your children will have an instant gift for  you.  You can open it and share it with the family.

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