Candy Cane Mice

Handprint Santa

Pine Cone Basket Ornament Glue or wire a piece of grapevine as a "handle" to a pine cone.  Glue small dried or silk flowers between the pine cone petals.

Ice Cream Spoon Reindeer Materials:  (5) ice cream spoons, (4) 1" tan poms, (1) 1/4" tan pom, (1) 1/4" white pom, (1) tiny red pom, (2) small wiggle eyes, (1) brown chenille stem, scrap of fur, scrap red felt, red ribbon bow, black paint, 1/8" pom (optional) and (2) sequin leaves (optional) Instructions:  Cut one ice cream spoon in half.   Paint tips of small ends of four ice cream spoons black for hooves.  Glue two tan 1" poms to inside top of two of the spoons (one to each with hooves to outside).   Lie on table with poms facing up.  Glue the cut spoon (head) at an angle as shown to one of the poms.  Glue remaining two spoons to other side of poms so that spoons sit in a "V" with hooves showing.  Glue tan 1" pom to

Plastic Art Chip Wreath:  Use a gallon milk jug top to draw a circle in the middle of a plastic butter lid.  (This is the working surface with a pattern for middle circle of wreath.)  Add a glob of white tacky glue to about 1/4 cup of plastic art chips.  Arrange chips into a circle around the hole drawn on the plastic surface using a toothpick or craft stick.  Tuck ends of a gold string hanger among chips.   (Or let wreath dry and glue the ends of string to the back of wreath.)  Let dry completely before peeling wreath from the plastic surface.  Glue on clusters of red plastic art chips for berries.  Add a bow.  Experiment!  Use gold beads for berries or make a white wreath instead of green.  These little wreaths are very elegant.

Rhonda, a reader, asked if I had a candy wreath poem.  I didn't, but made up the following one which she liked so she sent me the directions for the wreath.  Hope you will enjoy making and giving this yummy wreath as much as others enjoy receiving and eating it!  Thanks Rhonda! Candy Friendship Wreath:  Cut pieces of curling ribbon into approximately 12" pieces.  Tie a piece to a wire ring (kind used for macramé).  Any size can be used, but of course a bigger ring will use more candy and take more time.  Make a loop on one side of curling ribbon close to ring, as if tying a bow.  Slip in the cellophane end of a piece of candy and pull tight.  Do same on other side of curling ribbon.  Curl ends of ribbon with scissors.  (Wreath in picture has green and red striped peppermints tied on with red, green and gold curling ribbon.)  Continue all the way around, pushing candy together and leaving a space for the bow at the top. Tie a pair of scissors to the bottom of ring and attach the following poem.

Cinnamon/Applesauce Dough:   Combine 1 cup ground cinnamon with 1 cup applesauce and 2 Tbsp. white glue.  If desired add spices such as nutmeg and ground cloves for scent.  Knead into a dough, adding more cinnamon or applesauce as needed.   Dust with extra cinnamon and roll to desired thickness.  Cut out with cookie cutters and let air dry for 2 to 3 days or until completely dry. Cinnamon Hat Ornament:  Make dough using above recipe.  Cut  one circle from juice glass and another circle using a large pill cap.  Punch hole in large circle with drinking straw.  Let dry and glue small circle onto the large circle to form the hat.  Glue ribbon and a bow around the top circle of hat.  Glue flowers to the brim.  Insert ribbon through hole and tie for hanger.

Snowman Poop:  Put white packing foam chips or marshmallows in a zip lock baggie or small stocking and attach this poem.

Snowman Poop

You've been naughty
and here's the scoop.
Coal's so expensive. . .
you're getting snowman poop!

Traditions

Little ones love traditions.  Here are two easy ones that will be lovingly passed onto their children!

Santa's Key:   Tie a skeleton key to a pretty bow and add glitter.  Attach the following poem.  (This version was written by me).  Place outside near front door on Christmas Eve for Santa to find.  Most likely, after Santa makes his rounds, he will leave it near his empty plate at your house for safe keeping so that you can put it out again next year!

Santa's Key

Santa, this old key is a magical kind
And we're leaving it out for you to find.
Cause just for you, tonight, it will open any door,
So you won't have to slide down chimneys anymore!

Reindeer Dust:  Combine 1 cup oats, lots of glitter and heaping heartfuls of love.  Put in a zip lock baggie with poem (following version was written by me) and have children sprinkle in front yard on Christmas Eve.   The smell of the oats and the reflection of the glitter will be sure to guide Santa and his reindeer to your home.   You can also read the poem or leave for Santa.   A great yearly tradition at any age!  My children have done this for years and now my grandson comes over Christmas Eve and joins his aunts and uncles on the front lawn for "throwing the dust".  Of course he takes some home for his yard too!

Reindeer Dust

Santa, may the magic glitter catch the moonlight
And guide you safely through the night.
May the smell of oats delight your reindeer
And have them fly you here, bringing good cheer!

Reindeer Ornament Materials:  Brown felt, 1/2" red pom, (2) 17 mm wiggle eyes, (2) small fake or real candy canes, gold thread, glue sticks Instructions:  Cut two head shapes from pattern using pinking shears.   Glue candy cane ears between the two head shapes.  Cut two ears and glue to head.  (See picture for placement.)  Glue on two wiggle eyes and nose.  Sew or glue thread to top of head. Contributed by Linda Maretich at taury@worldnet.att.net.  Thanks Linda!   Linda makes and sells wonderful crafts.  Contact her for this reindeer and other small gifts you may need.

Pop Top Gift Package or Candle:   Open a pop top can with a "lift off top" type can opener.  Clean can.  Insert a wick and pour in wax.  Let cool and glue top back on.  After lifting the top, the recipient will wonder how you got that candle in there!  Or insert a small gift rather than candle for a unique gift presentation.

Gingerbread Craft Dough

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat shortening and sugar together.  Stir in molasses.  Mix dry ingredients.  Stir dry mixture into shortening mixture in thirds, alternating with 1/4 cup water each time.  Dough should be stiff.  Add more water or flour if needed.  Refrigerate until cold.  Roll 1/3 of dough until 1/4" thick.  Cut out with cookie cutter.  Use straw or tooth pick to make a hole for hanger..  Bake on cookie sheet for 20 minutes.   Turn oven off and let cool in oven.  Dry on rack for 3 or more days to harden completely.  Seal with three coats of acrylic sealer.  If desired sprinkle on glitter while the last coat is still wet.  Decorate with beading, ric rac, dimensional paints or whatever odds and ends you have on hand.

Recipes

Kid's Shake It Punch:  Mix 2 packages unsweetened Kool Aid, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 cups water and 2 cups ginger ale in a pitcher.  Pour a 46 ounce can of pineapple juice into a clean gallon milk jug.  Pour mixture from pitcher into the gallon jug.  Finish filling jug with water leaving about 2" headroom and shake.  Finish filling with water and gently shake again.

Snowman Oreo Pops:  Insert a lollipop stick (available from Wal-Mart or craft stores) into a double-stuffed Oreo cookie.  Dip Oreo into melted white chocolate.   Let harden on wax paper.  (If not completely covered, let harden and dip a second time.)  Lay on wax paper.  Arrange chocolate chips on cookie for eyes, nose and mouth to make a snowman face.  When hardened, wrap with a square of plastic wrap and tie a bow at neck with red yarn or ribbon.  These are nice in a basket with other goodies.

Christmas Salad from The Peach Kitty Studio:  Mix 1 package chopped/diced cranberries and 2 cups sugar in large bowl and let stand overnight; then DRAIN!  Add 1 large can crushed pineapple, well drained.  Add approximately 1 pound of seedless green grapes.  Add 1 cup of walnut pieces or halves.  Fold in small container of Cool Whip and CHILL!

Eggnog:  To prevent the possibility of food-borne illness the Virginia Egg Council advises to toss away your old eggnog recipe using uncooked eggs and treat family and friends to this cooked version.

Makes 10 servings.  In large saucepan, beat together eggs, sugar and salt.  Stir in 2 cups of the milk.  Cook over low heat (or medium heat over a double boiler) stirring constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon with a thin film and reaches at least 160 degrees.  Remove from heat.  Stir in remaining 2 cups milk and vanilla.  Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, several hours or overnight.  Just before serving, pour into bowl or pitcher.  Add stir-ins.  Serve immediately.  (For faster preparation, heat milk until very warm before adding to eggs and sugar.)  Stir-ins:  Plain brandy, rum or whiskey, sherbet, ice cream or whipping cream.  Garnishes:   Ground nutmeg, chocolate curls, peppermint or cinnamon sticks.  Thank you to the Virginia Egg Council for this recipe.

Red Heel Sock Monkey & Elephant:  Pam at Pam1655@aol.com forwarded these original Red Heel Sock Monkey & Red Heel Sock Elephant patterns and I received permission from Eugene Oeschger at Fox River Mills, Inc. to post them.  Thanks Pam!  Pam said she makes slippers, photo albums, baby sweater sets, baby afghans and other items for sale and likes to share things on the web.   You may contact Fox River Mills at 1-800-247-1815 for your nearest retail source of Red Heel Socks and kits.  Take a trip down Nostalgia Lane and make these for the children in your life!

Gift Tags:  Kim of Creative Investments by Kim submitted this suggestion.  For gift tags, write "TO:" with the name in glitter on a large Christmas bulb.  Then attached to the bow on the present.  Looks beautiful, serves as a gift tag and the person has a keepsake ornament to remember you by!  She also says "Hang a wreath on the inside of your door so that you can enjoy one too."  Wreaths on bedroom doors are pretty also. 

Christmas Luminaries:  Kim of Creative Investments by Kim also submitted this suggestion.   Fill a clay pot with sand.  Insert a stout pillar candle into the sand.   Cover the candle with a hurricane globe to keep the flame from blowing out.   Tuck greenery and berries around the globe to hide the sand.  Line your walkway and you have lovely Christmas luminaries to greet your guests.

States Ornaments:  Pennie of Pennies from Heaven submitted this cute idea.  Cut states from a large United States map (or use countries from a World map).  Glue to foam core board and cut out the state shape.   Hang with fishing line.  These also make a cute mobile for children just learning their states.

Kids Business Cards:   Pennie also submitted this great idea for children's stocking stuffers.  Make them their own personalized business cards that they will love!  Add clip art depicting their personality and interests.  The web is full of clip art free for personal use.  Print them on cardstock and cut apart or buy the special perforated  business cards that can be laser printed and punched out.

Last Minute Saver:  Always wrap a few extra ornaments or small generic gifts to keep by the door for unexpected visitors or someone you may have forgotten.  Candy, a small basket of gourmet treats, or a cheese log make great gifts and if you don't give them out, YOU get an after Christmas treat!

Footprints and One Solitary Life are sentimental classic poems that everyone loves.  Print them out and incorporate into your gift giving.

It's Nearly Christmas
By Susan Young, The Peach Kitty Studio

The children are out in mittens and boots.
I'm making cookies and Santa Claus suits.
It's nearly Christmas.  Time's flown away.
Must wrap the presents; attend the school play.
The mantle is ready; lights twinkle there,
Nestled 'mid pine boughs, and angels' hair.
It's nearly Christmas; how the tree glitters!
I must feed the birds, and other small critters.
The front door says welcome; the fireplace is glowing.
It's nearly Christmas.  It's snowing.  Love's flowing.

Christmas Gifts
By Susan Young, The Peach Kitty Studio

The sky was lit up in a magical way;
I listened to Mama and heard her say,
"Come on, children, and off to your beds;
"So visions of Santa can dance in your heads".
Dreaming on my pillow, I saw mountains of toys,
Waiting for all of the good girls and boys;
Stacked under a tree a hundred feet tall,
With a million tree lights twinkling for all;
And all of the presents in a great pile.
Reading the gift tags, I started to smile,
For all I had  wished for awaited me
Under the boughs of that hundred-foot tree!
And amid the toys, the very best gift
Was found to give our spirits a lift.
And we unwrapped LOVE and PEACE and JOY;
The real meaning of Christmas for each girl and boy.

On Cupid, On Donder, On Blitzen, On VISA!
STRESSED is DESSERTS spelled backwards!
The only thing one can do on a shoe string these days is trip!
Home is where you hang wet mittens.

Dear Santa:  Please bring me a hunk.
Don't get your tinsel in a tangle!
Three little words fathers love to hear at Christmas:  No Assembly Required!
Isn't it a shame Christmas comes at the time of year when the stores are so crowded!
When you stop believing is when you start getting underwear for Christmas.
Santa's List:  Happiness, good health, friends and a winning lottery ticket
All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth straightened, a liposuction, a fanny tuck, a face lift. . . a new body will do!

What letter is missing from the Christmas alphabet?
There is "No - L"