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Here are some fabulous, yet easy, activity ideas to keep the kids busy in the days before Christmas. There's nothing nicer than opening up the decorations box and finding the things they made when they were younger. The things they make might not be perfect, but keep them safe - they won't be so cute for long!

Decorate Wrapping paper
Home-made wrapping paper is easy to do and really cute. Either use a simple printing technique, like potato printing, or use bought sponges in Christmas shapes, or just let them draw with pens. Use big sheets of brown parcel paper for a natural look, and tie the presents with raffia, adding a matching tag. You could also use the big rolls of lining paper you get from DIY stores. Alternatively, use sheets of jewel-colored tissue paper and let the kids draw on them using gold or silver pens. You will have to use several thicknesses of paper at once, and make sure the kids don't press too hard. This is really a better idea for older children. Again, make matching tags.

Labels for presents
Buy a big roll of 2" labels and get the kids to decorate them with ordinary felt-tip pens. Make sure they leave enough room for the name of the recipient!

Salt Dough tree decorations.
Make up a big batch of salt dough and fashion some tree decorations. Choose a theme, eg teddies, hearts or snowmen, and make a range of matching decorations. When they are finished and painted add a matching hanging loop. Obviously, they are great on the tree, but I also use them to hand on wreaths and along swags.

Christmas cards.
I keep the best ones I receive so that we can copy the ideas next year! I scour the sales for cut-price decorations that can be cut up and used on cards. My favorite designs are a) silver or gold thread wrapped around the front of the card and decorated with tiny stars (simply but effective) and b) layers of squares built up in different sizes but in matching colors and added to the cards in sets of threes. I use wavy scissors to cut off a bit of the front of the card and add a strip of wrapping paper on the inside edge so that it just peeps out. Photocopy some Christmas pictures onto card for the kids to color in and layer them up on cards with contrasting paper behind. Add glitter for extra Christmas sparkle.

Decorated oranges.
Oranges are fab to look at when decorated and also make the room smell nice. Press cloves in all over for a great smell. Decorate with ribbon first if you want to hang them up and press the cloves in the gaps. Alternatively,

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