A Christmas cookie-decorating activity for kids!

 

 Like most people, I've decorated Christmas cookies with kids or grandkids over the years.  This activity is a little different.  It was an outreach of our church to the community.  The town had an outdoor Christmas event on the common last Saturday afternoon/evening.

Last year, our church participated with a choir chime bell concert in a beautifully decorated gazebo.  They were invited to come back again this year, and we decided to expand our presence a bit and offer this cookie decorating opportunity for the kids.

We have never done an activity like this before, so we were just putting an idea together and hoping it would work.  In this post I want to detail what worked and what didn't, so we can refer to it next time.  

My hubby volunteered to bake cookies.  He made three batches of these: 

CHRISTMAS CUT-OUT COOKIES

1 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. almond extract
3/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. orange extract
2 unbeaten eggs
2 1/2 cups flour

Combine all but the flour and beat thoroughly. Add flour and mix well. Chill dough thoroughly.

Roll small portions of dough 1/4-inch thick and cut out. [Edited to add: decorate cookies before baking with sprinkles and colored sugars; or, bake the cookies plain and frost when cool.]

Bake for 8-10 minutes in 375º oven.

 He ended up with about 10 dozen cookies or a few more, and froze them all ahead of time, then thawed them out the day of the activity. 

Two of our granddaughters made the sign at top, which we attached to the top of our pop-up canopy.

Briefly -- I will go into more details below -- we used purchased tubs of white icing, and let the kids use plastic knives to spread the icing, then we provided sprinkles, colored sugars, small cinnamon candies, and gumdrops for decorating.  We provided a place for the cookies to dry and asked the kids to come back in a few minutes to get them.  When they did, we placed each cookie into a glassine bag labeled with their name and with a church invitation taped to the back.

So, the details:

1.  The first stop was for each child to give their first name, which a volunteer wrote on a label and stuck to a glassine bag.  While the names were being written, the kids got to choose what shape cookie they wanted.  We had stars, bells, Christmas trees, hearts, and round shapes.  The bags then got shuttled up to the drying area to await the cookies.  

2.  Next step was spreading icing on the cookies.  We bought plenty of plastic knives so they could be thrown away after each use.

3.  Next came sprinkling on the toppings.  

4.  Then the cookies were placed atop the appropriate, labeled bags in the drying area.

5.  When the kids came back, we placed each cookie in its labeled bag and handed it over.  In some cases, they were handed to grandparents or parents who wanted the kids to wait until after supper to eat their cookies.

Was it a success?  I'd say it was a huge success.  We did have cookies left over, but only a couple dozen, I think.

Did we learn some lessons?  Oh, yes!

1.  Bring tape to hold the tablecloth in place.  It was very windy that evening and the tablecloth was blowing everywhere.  Metal picnic tablecloth clamps would work too.  We brought tape but not for this purpose, and we ran out and had to buy more at a nearby dollar store.

2.  Have a trash can behind the table.  We had a bag for trash, but we needed something larger and more sturdy.

3.  Have the labels already in place on the bags so the volunteer has only to add the names.  And use bigger bags, like the wax paper sandwich bags.

4.  Swap out the shaker tops on some of the sprinkles for ones with smaller holes.  Some of them came with very large holes -- especially, inexplicably, the sanding sugars -- and we lost a lot of toppings that way.  Alternatively, place larger sprinkles in a cup and have the kids use a tiny spoon.

5.  Divide our team of volunteers -- we had four adults and several teen/college age helpers this time --  into two or three groups so that one group can be taking advantage of seeing the other booths at the event and also taking opportunities to get warm, while the other works the cookie booth.  Next year we won't be winging it,  so we will know exactly what we will be doing before we begin.

6.  Buy less sprinkles and more gumdrops.  I had chosen gumdrops as less pricey than the tiny M&Ms which could also have added color.  I was very surprised at how many kids like gumdrops -- and they did look very festive on the cookies.

7.  We had an L- shaped table area.  At one point we had to start a line at each end.  So  next year, we will do that from the get-go and have the drying area at a midpoint.

We also did many things right, not the least of which was remembering to bring a camping lantern we could hang from the canopy when darkness fell.  

All in all, a fun activity and one we will repeat next year, Lord willing.  And our sign-makers who labored long and hard on the posterboard sign have instructed us to save it, as "it was a lot of work!"  We plan to do just that!

A simple craft project

 

The other day when four of our local grandkids came over to make candy, I suggested maybe we would do a simple craft as well.  I was thinking that when we came to parts of recipes where things needed to chill or set for awhile, a little craft might be a good way to pass the time.  

Some years ago, I received this gift tag as a tuck-in in a Christmas card exchange:

Front of tag

Back of tag

 
As you can see, it's creatively made from a game card; a Dutch Blitz card, to be specific.

I didn't use it, but held onto it thinking I might like to use the idea to make some tags of my own.  From what I can tell, the creator of this tag stamped the snowman motif onto a small tag shape made from white card stock, then glued it to the Dutch Blitz card and punched a hole through both layers to add the striped twine.  There's a strip of washi tape along the bottom of the tag.  The back simply looks as if it has been scuffed up with sandpaper and "to" and "from" added with alphabet stamps.

I decided to try this project with the grands.  I'm pretty sure that I have some Dutch Blitz cards found at the homestead, but couldn't find them so used Uno cards (from the same source, set aside for the purpose) instead.  

 I then put out washi tape, card stock and scrapbook paper, rubber stamps and stamp pads, hole punch and twine, along with glue sticks and old Christmas cards.  And also, very important, the transfer art images shown at the top of the post.  The kids had a blast with this idea and produced some very creative tags.

Below are some of the tags they ended up with.  I was especially taken with the red-and-green striped tag.  Printed cardboard from an old candy cane box was glued to a red Uno card and details added with the paint transfer rub-ons.  "Open" was stamped on using alphabet stamps, and "Dec 25" was added using a library card-type stamp.  They are all great, though, and are different on both sides.  They would even make fun ornaments or would look nice as part of a garland or banner.

I'm impressed with their creativity using very simple materials.  Now I can't wait to try this project for myself, as I didn't have time to do so that day.

A sweet ornament to make using a pine cone

 

I have always loved crafting Christmas ornaments.  From my very first attempts as a child, to helping my own kids make ornaments, and now as a grandmother, I have just so enjoyed this process.  I like using natural materials too, like the tiny hemlock cones in the ornament above.

Well, here is an adorable ornament to make from a pine cone!  This cute idea is from Debbie Chapman at One Little Project.  Debbie says that other than the pine cone, she found nearly all the materials she needed at the dollar store.

Here is the link to the tutorial: Pinecone Snowman Ornaments. 

Photo by Debbie at One Little Project

The materials include paint, styrofoam balls, chenille stems, ribbon, and a few other odds and ends that most crafters will have on hand.  

This could be a really fun project to do with kids or grandkids this summer!  All that "snow" on the pine cone just might make us feel cooler ...

A fun Christmas baking idea to file away

Earlier I mentioned the December 1962 issue of Woman's Day magazine, where I found a lovely poem.  Today I'm back with a smaller snippet from that magazine.  It's a helpful hint having to do with family baking at Christmas time.

I've mentioned before how my local daughter Carrie has a cookie-baking day with all four of her kids at some point during each Christmas season.  This is a tradition that I love so much, and I know that the kids do also.  The photo at top, though it's a few years old now, seemed to me the perfect illustration for this post with its simple idea.  (I loved this photo so much, in fact, that I had a Shutterfly ornament made from it and gifted the ornament to my daughter and hubby.)

One of my very favorite parts of Woman's Day magazine was always their Neighbors feature, where readers sent in ideas, hints, tips, etc. to share with others.  I've found many an inspiring idea there over the years.  This idea from December 1962 was so much fun I just wanted to share it.

A Woman's Day reader named Agnes Listinsky, the mother of seven children ages 2 through 13, wrote about their family baking traditions:

"Before Christmas last year, all the children helped make the cookies, 160 dozen, 18 varieties.  Though I mixed and rolled, the kids cut, trimmed, put them on and took them off the tins, licked and taste-tested.  Ours may not have been the most beautiful cookies, but none were given as gifts or passed to guests with more pride.

"The fruitcake is a special family project.  Even Daddy gets in on it ... We make the no-bake kind of cake.  Around the table we set out the proper equipment for each different task: rolling graham crackers, cutting dates and marshmallows, grinding nuts, etc.  Each child selects a job and the oldest selects a song.  On completion of the song, they all shift to the left and another song is begun, and so on.  This way, we have fun, and Mother gets her baking accomplished with a minimum of effort!"

Sounds like a really nifty idea for those who like to bake any kitchen gifts that require a number of different steps or tasks in the preparation.  I might have thought of singing Christmas songs while the kids work, but I would not have thought of rotating the tasks with each song.  File this one away for use with kids or grands in December!

Jack and Jill, December 1959

Who remembers Jack and Jill,  the children's magazine of years gone by?  I came upon this -- one of many issues of Jack and Jill -- at the old homestead I am clearing out.  This will go in my Etsy shop (link in sidebar), but first I wanted to share it with all of you here in my Christmas kitchen.  I love how the letters in the magazine title look as if they are topped with snow!

Here are some of the 68 pages inside this vintage magazine:

This one is an exciting fiction story titled Snowstorm on the Turnpike.  There are lots of other stories as well, several in the category of "read-along stories".  In addition there are poems galore and even a table grace.

The above page included craft ideas for how kids could "help Santa trim the tree!"

The issue included a sweet idea for a Christmas song!

The true story of Christmas was prominently featured in this issue.

 This maze, titled "Gathering Greens" was the last page of the magazine.  There are loads of other fun activities, including a crossword puzzle, a coloring page, a dot-to-dot and more.

 Two pages of Gifts to Make for the Family help satisfy a child's need to create and also their slim budget for family gifts.  I recognized a couple of these as items I tried to make, back in the day.

Even a few recipes for Holiday Goodies are included!

There is even a Grownups' Page with lots of interesting ideas; sort of a little mini-almanac with a recipe or two, reminders, ideas for family activities and really some wonderful ideas for Christmas reading.  I found that Home Book of Christmas on Thriftbooks, a like-new copy for only $5 or so, and I think I'm going to get it.  It could provide some great blog fodder, I'm thinking!

The back of the magazine features an order form for those who would like to subscribe for themselves or as a gift.  I love the vintage-y goodness of this advertisement!  A 1-year subscription could be had for $3.50 -- or $3 if you gave two or more gift subscriptions!  There's another subscription ad inside the magazine, and that has such a fun vintage look also.

 Hope you've enjoyed this peek into Christmas 1959!

[Edited to add: I now find that I wrote a post about this magazine last December!  What a short memory I have (or maybe the coronavirus has affected it)!  I do apologize, but since the posts are slightly different -- the December post discussed a surprise I found within the pages of the magazine, and today's post features a few more of the pages -- I'm going to keep them both.]

A few photos from yesterday

I will take just a moment tonight to share a few photos from our annual outing with several of our local grands.  I can't take time for a long post, as I am trying to finish up the local Christmas cards. 

We always begin our day with breakfast or brunch at a diner or, often,  McDonalds.  Yesterday it was a diner.  The older kids all ordered biscuits and gravy ("almost as good as Mommy's" was the verdict!) and Mr. T and I had omelets.   Little Arielle had a pancake and some bacon and apple juice.

Then we go shopping at Ocean State Job Lot where the kids buy gifts for their parents and sometimes for each other.  Photo below from a previous year ...

Lastly, we end up at Kellerhaus for the ice cream buffet, browsing the toys and other rooms, and getting a small amount of candy to take home.

This year the five-year-old joined us:

A highlight is always the player piano.  25¢ plays one of a marvelous lineup of Christmas carols and songs.

 Photo below is also from a previous year.  The kids love to see the piano play.  Sadly, last year it was not working, so this year I didn't even think to bring quarters.  But we got a dollar bill changed so they could have the fun of seeing it again.

A fun time together, as always.  Lots of memories made every year.  Two of the kids are teenagers now, but in no way do they seem too old for this sweet tradition.

A vintage Christmas magazine for kids

Here's a find I recently came across at my childhood home.  There was a stash of Jack and Jill magazines, and a couple of them were Christmas issues.  This one, from 1959, is in the best shape.  I'll probably list it in my Etsy shop eventually, but for now I want to share it with all of you.  I'll just share some scans from its pages and a special surprise that I found within them.

The back cover.  A subscription was only $3.50 for 12 issues!  Quite a deal!

An exciting (and very good) story titled Snowstorm on the Turnpike

A Christmas song.  There are several songs in this magazine.

The Christmas Story

Ideas for making Christmas trims and decorations.  This would have been right up my alley as a kid.

And now for the surprise that I got while leafing through this old magazine.
 
Yes, it's a partial sheet of stencils.  Did you ever get and use those at Christmas time?  It seems we got a new stencil book every year or two.  We had friends who used stencils like this with glass wax to make frosty designs on their home's windows, but we never did that.   Instead, we used the stencils to make cards, ornaments, and Christmas scenes using paper, crayons and colored pencils.  Apparently, some child (more than likely me) was making something, maybe even using an idea from this magazine, and stuck the stencil in the magazine to mark a place,  or just for a safe place to put it.  So much fun from something so simple.  Today's kids are missing so much!

Memory games -- a great Christmas gift for young children

Photo by Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe

Can't we all use more creative ideas as gifts for kids?  I know that I can!  And sometimes when I come across a new idea, I think of projects I've made before and put them together in my mind to create something really special.  That just happened today when I spotted this Holiday Memory Matching Game for kids from Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe.

She designed the bags seen above to contain holiday Scrabble tiles to use as a memory matching game.  Young kids enjoy memory games and they are such a great tool to help them learn.

My own idea would involve using larger bags.  Kelly used the 3x5-inch size of muslin bags, but I saw 4x6 and 5x7-inch bags on Etsy, where she purchased hers.

So here's my idea.  I guess it was the title of Kelly's post -- "Holiday Memory Matching Game" -- that got me thinking.  In the past, I have made a couple different memory games using photos and Shutterfly offers. Here are screenshots of the front and back of a card from each game I made with Shutterfly.

 

 The Christmas season one was made for a little girl to see her faraway cousins' holiday traditions.

The logging equipment game was made for a little boy to see the machines Grampa works with.

Each memory game from Shutterfly has 12 scenes on it with 2 of each card -- so, 24 cards.  The game cards are 3 inches square.

So I thought, wouldn't it be nifty to combine my idea with Kelly's idea and make holiday memory games -- and then make decorated drawstring bags to put them in?  This would not only make a really nice gift presentation, but would provide a great way to store the game between uses.  I think I'll order some of the plain muslin bags (or, alternatively, make up a few) and have them ready for the next Shutterfly memory game I make!

Crocheted scarf for kids

I thought for sure I had posted about this scarf before, but I have not, apparently.  So right now, in July, would be a good time to whip up a bunch of these easy scarves for the kids in your life.  Here's the link, from Design Adventures: Child’s Textured Scarf.

A few years ago (it was 2013, actually -- I had to look it up!)  I made a number of these simple scarves.  My grandchildren, who had asked for scarves, loved them.  Apparently I was too busy to take photos of these at the time, however.  The photos in this post are from this past Christmas, when my daughter in Nevada asked if I would make scarves for her three youngest children who did not have them. 

It worked out perfectly, because I was at the point of wanting to make a few very simple handmade gifts again.  These scarves are so fast that I could easily get them done in time to send out west.

I do apologize for the quality of these photos.  I snapped them quickly -- just before wrapping and packing them, I would guess.  But you get the idea.  This is a nice textured pattern and so easy to do.  The kids in my life really like them.  So if you need a quick handmade gift for a child (especially one who likes to play outdoors in winter) this might be just the thing!

Sweet little wooden sled ornaments to craft

Photo from Clean & Scentsible

Time for another craft, since the popsicle sticks and paint are likely still out from the last project!

Over the years, I've seen lots of these little sled ornaments made from popsicle sticks.  But these Popsicle Stick Sleds, from Jenn at Clean & Scentsible, are definitely a cut above the ordinary.

This project uses both the regular and mini sizes of craft sticks.  The regular size sticks, stained brown, become the sled's runners.  Most of these sleds that I have seen use paper clips for the runners, which is of course more realistic.  But I really like the look of these stained brown runners.

I also love the embellishments Jenn chose to use.  The natural looking greenery, along with the jingle bells, is such a classic woodsy look.  I have some tiny hemlock cones in my crafting stash, and I think some of those would work beautifully with the faux greenery to trim these sleds.

Yes, I'm planning to craft some of these.  How about you?

Mini Pallet Sign Ornaments from The Crafted Sparrow

Photo from The Crafted Sparrow

Popsicle stick crafts are absolutely perfect for Christmas in July!  Kids enjoy working with this simple crafting medium, and so will you.  These Mini Pallet Sign Christmas Ornaments by Rebecca at The Crafted Sparrow look quite simple to put together.

 You build the little pallets first using popsicle sticks and a glue gun.  Then you whitewash them, let them dry, and stencil your holiday designs on them using acrylic craft paint.  Jute is added later as a hanger.

Rebecca used a Cricut machine to design and cut her stencils, but I wouldn't let the lack of a Cricut keep me from crafting these sweet ornaments.  I have many, many stencils on hand in my craft closet, and I plan to use some of them to make some of these mini pallets.

Candy Cane ornaments made with perler beads!

Photo from Thirty Handmade Days

By now the kids have been out of school for several weeks.  They just might be looking for a project to do on a rainy day, or on a day when it's just too hot to play outside.  Why not give this idea a try: Perler Bead Candy Cane Ornaments? 

These fun and easy ornaments are from Mique at Thirty Handmade Days.  They are made with a heart template that you only use part of, to create the candy cane.  No ornament hook is needed either, since the crook of the candy cane fits right over a branch.

My grandkids love perler beads, and I'm sure they're going to want to give these a try.  Hope the kids in your life enjoy this idea as well!

A fun project using old Christmas cards

Still looking for ways to repurpose some of your old Christmas cards?  Or do you need a project to keep the kids or grandkids busy or even to calm yourself? 

Here's an idea I plan to try: Mason Jar Ring Shadowbox from Kimberly at Serendipity Refined.

Photo by Kimberly at Serendipity Refined

I've made ornaments with mason jar lids before -- see the ornament at the top of the post -- but Kimberly's is several cuts (literally) above mine.  You might  say she has "refined" the basic idea.  She adds a number of delightful little extras, not the least of which is a circle of clear acetate or transparency film to hold everything in place and make it look even more shadowbox-like.  Head on over to Serendipity Refined to get the details.  This is a project which looks to me as if it could be addictive!