Jingle Bells

The woman who cooks the lunch at our center gave me a couple bags of little plastic cups (like the kind you might put ketchup in), thinking I could use them for something. I knew I would think of something eventually, so I put them in a drawer for a few months. And then it hit me! Jingle bells! This wouldn't even put a dent in the stack she gave me (seriously, it's hundreds),

but it turned out to be a very quick and fun craft!

We used the same technique that we use for all our stained-glass crafts. First the kids painted the outside of the cups with watered-down glue.

Then they applied tissue paper squares. I decided to put out a bunch of colors instead of just "christmasy" ones.

Then they applied a second coat of the glue mixture just to keep everything smooth and shiny.

When they were dry, I poked holes in the tops with scissors.

I stuck silver pipe cleaners through the holes (both ends into the same hole) and strung on two jingle bells, then bent the ends of the pipe cleaners so the bells wouldn't fall off.

That's it!

The kids can hang them on the tree or a doorknob, or just carry them around! At the end of the day we used our bells when we sang Jingle Bells!

And now I'm sitting here waiting for the snow to begin. Schools have already been closed for tomorrow because of an expected blizzard. I will spend my snow day doing last-minute Christmas things, like making caramel corn and finishing up some crafts. And probably staying in my pajamas!

Snow Globes {Holiday Class Display}

We made very simple snow globes today. Earlier in the week I took pictures of the kids in all of their winter gear. I told them to pretend they were in a snow globe -- what would they do? As soon as one kid mentioned "throw a snowball," most of the class wanted to do that as well. But there were a few kids who wanted to do something different. So they picked a pose and I snapped their picture. I printed them all out as wallet sizes and then cut out their bodies. Today they colored a snow globe scene on a white circle.

Then I glued it to a base and glued on their picture.

I was originally going to use cotton balls and little pom poms to make the snowballs, but decided to just use white paint mixed with glue and then sprinkle on my Martha Stewart glitter (the same that I used for yesterday's snowmen). I also made some snowflakes on the globe.

Can you see the snowball in his hand? I like this next one. He drew a snowman and a reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh!

This little girl wanted to catch snowflakes on her tongue!

And this next boy wanted to be rolling a big pile of snow to make a snowman.

I put them up in the hallway with the title Season's Greetings (in snow-capped letters) and added one more snow globe:

If you can't read it, it says "and a wish for peace around the globe." I stole that saying from a holiday greeting card I sent out years and years ago. I loved it and it has always stuck with me. And it works perfectly with the snow globes.

I really wish I could get a nice head-on shot, but our hallways are very narrow.

I still have three more kiddos to make one. They were all out sick today. Uh-oh! Hope I don't catch it!

Glittery Snowmen

I have a very cute snowman project to share with you today! And it all started when my husband washed some jello cups. I asked him why and he said, "I thought you could use them for a craft." (Ahhh, be still my heart.) So I noticed the size, then looked over to the K-Cups, which were a little smaller. Aha! With one more circular object, we could make a snowman! I found styrofoam cups in our closet and the three went together perfectly.

The jello cup was Temptations Strawberry Cheesecake, in case you are wondering! Mmmmm....

As you can see, I also used Martha Stewart's coarse glitter. Normally I would never use such expensive glitter on a kid's project, but I already had it and it really was exactly what I needed. But I think any glitter would work just fine.
I put a bunch of glue onto 3 paper plates and added the cups upside down.

The kids stamped the cups onto white paper, from biggest to smallest.

Then I added the glitter.

Yes, I did that part. Because it was mine from home, I didn't want it wasted. And you know kids use way too much and get it everywhere!! I shook off the extra glitter (and put it back in the bottle, of course!) and we waited for the glue to dry.

I'm sure you could also use white paint instead of glue, but I love the way it dried. Nothing but glitter! In the afternoon, the kids added hats and carrot noses which I had cut from craft foam. They also drew faces and stick arms.

I had bought a bag of buttons from Oriental Trading and had to laugh when I saw the warning label:

Not for children under 14?! I guess there are a lot of 13-year-olds putting buttons in their mouths! So anyway, the kids also added some buttons to their snowmen (as I watched them like a hawk -- not one child tried to eat them). A couple kids chose to have a button nose instead of a carrot, which was cute. But the snowmen seemed a little lonely.

So I dug out some snowflake stamps and ink pads and the kids added some snow.

Now they seem happier, right?

I love the way they turned out!

They each have their own personality! So forgive me if I show you pictures of each and every one. I couldn't leave any out!

Aren't they adorable?

Jingle Bell Painting

We are discussing music this week, and with the holidays right around the corner I thought it would be fun to make some art with jingle bells! We did it the same way we marble paint. I put some jingle bells into red and green paint.

The kids scooped the bells out with a spoon and plopped them in a box that had a piece of paper in it. Then they rolled that jingle bell all around!

To keep the red and green from mixing too much (and ending up brown), we kept this activity very short.

I will be honest with you, though. At first there isn't much of a jingle sound but as the thick paint wears off, you can hear those little bells ringing! And the kids loved it!

Stained-Glass Candy Canes

We made these beautiful candy canes the same way as our ornaments from last year. I traced a candy-cane shape onto white construction paper.

The kids painted it with watered-down glue.

Then they applied tissue paper squares.

And finally they applied another layer of the glue.

When they were dry, I cut them out.

And I hung them in the window to catch some sun.

I only wish I had remembered to flip my template over for half of them so they wouldn't all be facing the same way. Oops! I do love how they make a shadow on our wall, though!

So fun!