🤶 🦌 Tis The Season 🎄 🎅

 Christmas is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of the year, especially for children. It’s a time for sharing, giving, and gathering with family and friends. Make it a handmade affair, and here are some suggestions to get you started.

🎄 Christmas Crafts

Make decorating the Christmas tree a family affair by encouraging children to create their own decorations. Here are some child-friendly and practical decoration ideas.

·       Handmade Christmas wrapping paper using your child’s artwork.

·       Use cut-out shapes of your hands to form a shape of a wreath or Christmas tree.

·       Create your own snow globe using an old jar and a special family photo.

🎄 Baking

Everybody enjoys receiving yummy Christmas treats.  Here are some fail-proof and easy recipe ideas.

·       Make salt dough decorations for the Christmas tree

·       Christmas shortbread           

·       Bliss balls

·       Strawberry Santas

🎄 Giving

This time of year is a perfect time to teach children about the spirit of giving.  Whether it’s thanking the postman, baking for a neighbour or generally giving in some way, it is the little warm fuzzies that mean a lot.

·       Cookie mixture in a jar (this is all the ingredients and a recipe in one)

·       Homemade Christmas decorations

·       Create your own calendar with personalised photos

·       Make salt playdough decorations for the Christmas tree

🎄 Children’s Christmas Stories

We all know how much children love listening to stories, and what better time to treat your child to a new Christmas story?  After collecting a new book each year, it won’t be long before you have your own library of Christmas books.

·       Slinky Malinki – Christmas Cracker

·       A Pukeko in a Punga tree

·       A Kiwi Jingle bells

·       All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth

🎄 Christmas events happening in Howick and East Auckland this festive season:

There are many places to visit around Auckland, and here are a few that the family might enjoy:

·       Stockade Hill Howick, Christmas Lights: Sunday, 30 November, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

·       Howick Village Christmas Fair: Friday 5^th December

·       Twilight Christmas @ Howick Historical Villag; Saturday 6^th December 7.00pm – 11.30pm)

·       Howick Santa Parade; Sunday 7^th December 2.30pm – 3.30pm

We hope your holiday season is fun and festive, and your house will now be filled with many exciting new homemade Christmas treasures.