Here are a couple of fun and simple last minute Christmas projects to try this week (in your spare time).
Cinnamon Smelly Ornaments
This recipe makes 7-10 ornaments; I usually double or triple the recipe and make a bunch. Your house will smell so good while these dry in the oven!
Ingredients and Supplies:
8 Tablespoons cinnamon
6 Tablespoons applesauce (get a big cheap jar at Aldi's)
spoon
bowl
wax paper
rolling pin
cookie cutters
toothpicks
cooling racks and cookie trays
narrow ribbon
Directions:
(Note: Remind children not to rub their eyes when working with cinnamon!)
1. Mix cinnamon and applesauce in bowl with spoon.
2. Knead the dough and form 2 balls. (If it seems too dry, add more applesauce.)
3. Roll dough out 1/4 inch thick on wax paper sprinkled with cinnamon.
4. Cut out shapes from the dough with cookie cutters.
5. Make a hole in the top of each shape with a toothpick so that the narrow ribbon can be threaded through it.
6. Place shapes on cooling racks placed on cookie trays. Dry the shapes 3-4 hours in a 150 degree oven. (I'm thinking I've just put mine directly onto cookie sheets in the past, but I don't remember. If you try this project this year, let me know how you do it.)
7. When cool, add a ribbon for hanging.
These make great ornaments, package toppers and simple gifts for friends and neighbors!
HERE'S ANOTHER IDEA JUST FOR FUN! AND IT'S SO SIMPLE!
Bag of Reindeer Noses
Supplies:
Red Hot Candies, Red M&M's or other round, red candy
Small snack sized baggies
copies of poem
optional picture of Rudolph for kids to color
stapler
Directions:
1. Fill baggie with red candies.
2. If desired, print off and have your kids color small pictures of Rudolph to attach to bags. (see DLTK.com or educpics.com for pictures).
3. Copy the poem below and attach to the back of the pictures. Staple a picture/poem to each bag.
The poem:
I wanted the perfect gift for you,
But couldn't decide just what to do!
I almost sent you a dozen roses-
Instead here's a bag of reindeer noses!
All of your kids' friends will think this is so fun, and Grandmas will get a kick out of it, too.
Have fun this week! Don't worry if you don't get a lot of "school" work done. I can tell you from experience that the kids in private or public schools won't be getting much done this week, either.
Happy Home Schooling!
Mrs. Sherry
