Christmas Crafts and Recipes from Craft + Boogie by cratejoy

from your friends at

Dear friends, The countdown to Christmas is on! Every December, my family and I count down to the big day with simple activities and acts of kindness—from baking cookies for neighbors, to donating toys to kids in needs, to bundling up and admiring lights with cocoa in hand. We have a whole Advent calendar dedicated to this tradition and it’s absolutely magical. I hope the activities in this kit help you and your family experience a similar magic this month. The kit has everything you need to celebrate and play while making a difference in the lives of children in need—your purchase helped fund craft kits for kids in foster care, patients in children’s hospitals, and students in low-income schools. In 2020, thanks to the help of our subscribers and supporters, our nonprofit was able to make 1,000 boxes filled with 4,680 craft projects for 1,560 kids in need across the country. Just this week we shipped Christmas craft kits to 360 children in foster care, at absolutely no cost to their families. You can learn more about how we give at cbcollective.org. I hope you and your family have a very crafty Christmas! Remember to show me your creations by tagging @craftandboogie on Instagram or Facebook. I love nothing more than connecting with you there. Stay healthy, happy, and safe,

Meghan McCloskey Founder | Craft + Boogie

CRAFTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Christmas Countdown Clock “Tie Dye” Snowflakes Cardboard Christmas Tree Marbled Clay Ornament

SNACK RECIPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Chocolate Banana Santa Pops “Your Heart’s an Empty Hole” Fudge Dairy-Free, No-Egg Nog Rudolph Cracker Snacks

DÉCOR . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Boogi e to Christ our mas playlis t craft + as you celebr ate! C

L I CK H

ERE

PLAY + LEARN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Write a Letter to Santa 2 Christmas Games 12 Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer Wonderful Winter Facts

EXCLUSIVE COLORING PAGES . . . . . . 30

CRAFTS Print craft instructions on standard white copy paper, or simply refer to your device as you craft. Print pp. 6, 10 on heavy card stock, and p. 9 on lightweight green paper.

christmas COUNTDOWN CLOCK

you’ll need: Cotton balls; googly eyes; twine; brad; black card stock; clock template (p. 6); red foam; white copy paper; glue stick; scissors.

1. CRAFT #1

Print the clock template (p. 6) and cut along the dotted lines.

2. Glue the googly eyes to the clock face. 3. Cut out an arrow shape from your black construction paper. 4. With a pen or pencil, poke a small hole through the word “brad” and another through the paper arrow. Attach the arrow to the clock face with the brad. 5. Cut out a hat shape from the red foam. Glue the clock face to the foam hat. 6. Glue on the cotton balls, as shown. Next, glue the hat to the “Days Till Christmas” sign. 7. Cut your white paper into strips of different lengths and widths. Curl the paper strips around a pencil, then glue them to the backside of the clock face. 8. Use a pencil to poke a hole through the “Days Till Christmas” sign and thread the twine through it. Tie a knot in the twine, and hang your clock somewhere central in your home.

Eye

Brad

20 7

e hav You ugh eno als to ! eri mat 2 sets e k ma

“tie dye” SNOWFLAKES you’ll need: Coffee filters; markers; spray bottle; scissors.

1. Color your coffee filters with your markers, experimenting with different shapes and patterns. Try not to leave any white space. 2. Fill your spray bottle with water. Spritz your coffee filters until the colors start to run together. When you’re happy with the way they look, set them aside to dry. 3. Fold a colorful coffee filter in half many times, then cut out shapes on the folded edge. Try cutting triangles, squares, circles, and squiggles of all sizes. 4. Unfold your coffee filter. If you’re happy with the “snowflake” design, set it aside. If not, fold it up again and keep cutting! 5. Repeat steps 3-4 to make more snowflakes.

cardboard CHRISTMAS TREE

you’ll need: Empty cardboard box; tree template (p. 9); star template (p. 10); dot stickers; glitter glue; curling ribbon; glue stick; scissors.

1. Print two copies of the tree template (p. 9) and cut out the big triangles. Do not cut on the

dotted lines yet.

2. Cut a large piece off your cardboard box. Trace one big triangle onto your box. Cut out the cardboard triangle.

HOW TO MAKE A TREE STAND Cut a strip of cardboard into two pieces of equal size. Cut a deep slit in each piece and slide your tree into them. Experiment with spacing until your tree stands up on its own. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD. This kit calls for small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

3. Now cut your green paper triangles into thirds, along the dotted lines. Next, cut thin slits in the bottom of each piece. Glue the three tiers to the front and back of your cardboard triangle. 4. Make a stand for your tree! 5. Decorate your tree with dot stickers (“ornaments”), glitter glue (“lights”), and curling ribbon (“tinsel”). 6. Print the star template (p. 10) and cut on the dotted lines. Slide two stars into each other to create one 3D star. Glue the 3D star to your tree.

marbled CLAY ORNAMENT you’ll need: 3 pieces of polymer clay; ribbon. BAKING SHOULD BE DONE BY AN ADULT.

1. Preheat oven according to clay package instructions. Tear off three pieces of clay. 2. Roll three pieces into long, skinny “snakes” of equal length. Then twist the snakes together. 3. Roll that into an even longer snake. Then fold the snake in half, as shown in the third photo. 4. Twist as shown in the fourth photo, then roll into another snake. 5. Twist and roll once or twice more. 6. Squish your clay into a ball. 7. Flatten the ball with a rolling pin or the side of a drinking glass, until the clay is very thin. 8. Grown-up: Use a butter knife to trace around the bottom of a drinking glass and cut out a clay circle. Smooth out the edge of the clay circle with your fingers. 9. Push a pen or pencil through the top to create a hole. 10. Place on a baking sheet and bake according to package instructions. 11. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Thread ribbon through the hole and hang your ornament!

CHRISTMAS

RECIPES for kids

DAIRY-FREE, NO-EGG NOG INGREDIENTS

• • • • • • •

3 c. almond milk 1 c. cashews 4 T. maple syrup 1 T. cinnamon 1 ½ t. vanilla ¼ t. nutmeg Pinch of ground cloves

TIP: If you don’t have a high-speed blender, soak cashews in cold water for a couple hours before blending.

METHOD Put everything in a high-speed blender and blend until cashews are super smooth, about 5 minutes. Add more spices or syrup to taste. Serve over ice or top with whipped cream for a festive treat.

RUDOLPH CRACKER SNACKS INGREDIENTS

• • • • •

Large round crackers Nut butter Pretzel twists Candy eyes Red M&M’s

METHOD

1. Spread nut butter over crackers. 2. Add pretzels, candy eyes, and M&M noses. 3. Serve and enjoy at snack time!

e hav “YOUR HEART’S AN EMPTY HOLE” You ugh o

GRINCHY GREEN FUDGE en als to ! eri mat 2 sets e k a m

INGREDIENTS

• 3 c. white chocolate chips • 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk • Green food coloring • Candy hearts METHOD

1. Combine white chocolate chips and condensed milk. 2. Heat the mixture in a double boiler. Alternatively, heat it in the microwave at medium power, stopping to stir every 30 seconds to avoid overheating the chocolate. 3. When the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth, remove it from the heat and quickly stir in the food coloring. 4. Pour green mixture into a greased square or rectangular pan. 5. Sprinkle with red candy hearts. 6. Let fudge harden in the fridge for a couple hours. 7. Cut into squares and serve.

CHOCOLATE BANANA

SANTA POPS

METHOD INGREDIENTS

• Bananas • Strawberries • Large marshmallows • White or brown chocolate chips • Candy eyes • Red M&M’s • Small marshmallows

1. Peel bananas and cut them in half. Cut off any ends that are very curved. 2. Slide skewers into bananas. 3. Cut tops off strawberries. Cut large marshmallows in half. Set aside. 4. Melt chocolate according to package instructions. 5. Dip bananas in melted chocolate and place on wax paper. 6. Add candy eyes and M&M noses. 7. Push skewers up through the tops of the bananas so there’s room to add the Santa hats. 8. Slide marshmallows and strawberries onto skewers, creating the look of hats, using the photo as a guide. 9. Let cool and serve.

DĂ&#x2030;COR Print the black and white flags on pp. 17-19 on colored cardstock, and/or print the colored flags on pp. 20-22 on white cardstock. Cut on the dotted lines. Glue flags to ribbon, or hole-punch the flags and slide ribbon through holes. Hang + admire!

PLAY + LEARN Print the postcards on pp. 24-25 double-sided (select the long-edge binding option in your print settings). Print pp. 26-27 on standard white copy paper, and p. 28-29 on card stock. Cut bookmarks on the dotted lines and place in your favorite winter books!

CHRISTMAS QUESTIONS SETUP: Carefully cut out the rectangles and put them in a bowl or hat. Designate one person as the guesser. HOW TO PLAY: Draw one strip from the bowl without showing the guesser. Let the guesser ask yes or no questions until s/he figures out what is on the piece of paper. For example: Can you eat it? Is it bigger than our dog? Is it cold? Does it have wheels? Is it alive? Is it a place? Can it fly? Do I wear it? When the guesser guesses correctly, everyone cheers (yay!), and someone else takes a turn as the guesser.

Santa

Candy cane

Snowman

Eggnog

Present

Ornament

Stocking

Polar bear

Turkey

Tree

Ice skates

Fire

Chimney

Carols

Angel

Coal

Elf

North Pole

Gingerbread

Clock

Reindeer

Hot chocolate

Icicle

King

Mistletoe

Lights

Nutcracker

Pie

Mittens

Popcorn

Ribbon

Sleigh bells

Sled

Toys

Sweater

Mrs. Claus

Manger

Holly

Cider

Goose

Coat

Bird

Blizzard

Greeting card

Fruitcake

Boots

Pinecone

Poinsettia

Star

Mr. Scrooge

Workshop

Music

Nightgown

Wreath

The Grinch

Wise Men

Chestnut

Candle

Blanket

Fudge

Rooftop

Skis

Tinsel

CHRISTMAS COUNTING YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL NEED: 1-2 dice; small items such as pom-poms, dimes, Cheerios, or chocolate chips. HOW TO PLAY: Roll a die, then add that number of pom-poms to the tree. The player to put the final pompom on the tree is the winner! If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re playing with older kids, use two dice and subtract the numbers for a challenging twist.

12 WAYS TO SPREAD

HOLIDAY CHEER

Decorate a Christmas tree.

Choose 4 cans of food from your pantry to donate to a food bank.

3 Have a Family Grinch Night! Watch

4 Tell everyone in your home five

5 Bring coffee, a handwritten letter, or

6 Video chat with a relative you haven’t

7 Hide $1 bills in the toy section of your

8 Deliver Christmas cookies to your

9 Choose 4-6 of your unused toys to

10 Smile at every single person you see

11 Draw a Christmas picture for someone

12 Decorate a special jar and add coins to it

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” while wearing green clothes, eating green snacks, and drinking green drinks. reasons why you love them.

another treat to your teacher.

spoken with in a while to say happy holidays.

local Dollar Store. Attach anonymous notes to them wishing the finder a merry Christmas. neighbors.

donate to children in need.

today. Tonight at dinner, talk with your family about how it went. special, then mail it to him or her.

all month. After Christmas, give the money you saved to your favorite charity.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” while wearing green clothes, eating green snacks, and drinking green drinks. reasons why you love them.

another treat to your teacher.

spoken with in a while to say happy holidays.

local Dollar Store. Attach anonymous notes to them wishing the finder a merry Christmas. neighbors.

donate to children in need.

today. Tonight at dinner, talk with your family about how it went. special, then mail it to him or her.

all month. After Christmas, give the money you saved to your favorite charity.

The first day of winter is December 21, known as the winter solstice. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the day with the shortest period of daylight.

In the Northern half of the world, where we live, winter is the coldest time of year.

Millions of Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico in the winter to escape the cold!

Other animals, such as bears, hibernate in the winter. Black bears can go up to 100 days without eating or drinking during hibernation!

Some winter holidays include Hanukkah (Jewish celebration), Kwanzaa (pan-African celebration), Boxing Day (celebrated in Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and some European countries), Three Kings Day , and of course, Christmas.

More than 2 billion people in 160+ countries celebrate Christmas!

In the 1800s, instead of putting presents under the tree, families put presents inside the tree, on the branches.

Nowadays, 25-30 million Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. every year!

The Christmas wreath is a symbol of love and eternal life.

Most people celebrate Christmas with family, food, and giving and receiving gifts. How are you celebrating this year?

CRAFT+BOOGIE

COLORING PAGES For best results, print pp. 31-35 on standard white copy paper.

ENTER THE COLORING CONTEST!

Snap a photo of any coloring page and send it to customercare@craftandboogie.com along with your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and age for a chance to win a holiday-themed book and certificate! DEADLINE 12/20.

CRAFT+BOOGIE

Find a tree and bring it home.

Put lights on the tree.

Decorate the tree with ornaments.

CRAFT+BOOGIE

Place presents under the tree.

In which order does your family typically complete these activities? Write 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the circles, then color the pictures.

PUT THE EVENTS IN ORDER

CRAFT+BOOGIE

UPGRADE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION

Want us to prep, print, cut and ship everything to you in a pretty package your kids will squeal over? Shoot us an email and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start sending Craft + Boogie kits to your doorstep every month.

customercare@craftandboogie.com