Let's face it, December can be tough on teachers. If you blink, it's the day before the break and you realize that you need more time to finish the cards and you forgot the wrapping paper for the family gift. So what happens next? You run to the store during lunch and hope you don't get stuck behind a shopper with 672 items who needs a price check.
If you've been teaching awhile, you've been there. But, you won't have to be anymore! I'm going to share with you two adorable crafts that will work in a pinch saving you not only time and money, but anxiety too!
Adorable Holiday Craft #1 --> Snow Family Handprint Card or Ornament
This one is so easy it's ridiculous. The best part is that it looks a bit elaborate and makes for a wonderful holiday keepsake.
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| Handprint Holiday Card |
Materials:
- Blue Construction Paper (cut big enough for a handprint)
- White Paint
- Brushes
- Permanent Markers
To Make the Craft:
- Write each child's name on the back of the paper.
- Paint their hand white and "stamp" it on the blue paper. Be careful to use the "right amount" of paint or you will end up with a globby mess; too little paint and you won't get a complete print. Make sure the students' fingers are spread a bit to make room for the drawings later.
- Let the handprints dry. If you paint them in the morning, they will dry by afternoon.
- Have students use permanent markers to decorate their stamped fingers to look like snowman. Demonstrate a few different ideas to dress the snowman: top hat, ear muffs, scarves, etc... Also, demonstrate drawing the faces, the buttons and adding a carrot nose.
- Encourage students to add a message and the date. Write some suggestions on the board to guide them:
- Love Never Melts
- Let It Snow
- Winter Wonderland
- Hello, Winter!
- Frosty Friends Make Winter Warm
- Have a Cool Yule!
- Warm Winter Wishes
- Winter Magic
- Laminate for durability.
Options:
- add a magnet to the back so they can be displayed on family refrigerators
- add/tape/hot glue a ribbon to the back so students can hang it on their tree
- cut the paper to a size that could fit into a frame and frame the art
These handprints cards could be used as the family gift itself or as a card to decorate the exterior of a package. They are easy enough to make that you could craft a few extra for staff members in your building as a thank you: secretary, nurse, custodian, etc...
Adorable Holiday Craft #2 --> Brown Lunch Sack Gift Bags
Sometimes you do forget the wrapping paper...these things happen in the hustle and bustle of December. If you find yourself lacking in festive wrap you can still salvage the family gift by placing the items in a brown lunch sack. If you do not have at least one package of brown bags sitting in storage at the ready, I recommend you get some. Their versatility is limitless.
Happily, I always have some in my cupboard and we were able to make these:
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| Brown Lunch Sack Gift Bags |
Materials:
- Brown Lunch Sacks (you can use the standard size or a larger bag depending on what you need to place inside).
- Gingerbread House Pieces Clip Art
- Coloring Utensils
- Scissors
- Glue
To Make the Craft:
- Have students set their bag down and fold down the base flap so they have a flat face on both sides of their bag.
- Ask students to figure out a "fold line". That's where you will fold and staple the bag when it is done. It's important to know where the fold line will be so students decorate their brown bag accordingly.
- Pass out the copies.
- Have students color, cut, glue, and decorate! If you're really brave you can add glitter and/or cotton for snow.
Once the bags are done, place your gifts inside, fold it on the line and you're done! It is faster and easier than hand wrapping 24 gifts; no measuring or wrestling with tape!
I did a quick google search for gingerbread house clip art.
These two crafts will work in a short amount of time and are easy to do (not to mention highly economical)! I may have more than enough time and wrapping paper to spare, but I love these crafts so much I do them year after year.