Mrs. Wheeler's First Grade Tidbits: Christmas Ideas

Hi, friends! If you're on winter break, I hope you are enjoying it so far. If you have to work this upcoming week, I am SO SORRY!! Your break will be here soon! This post is a bit late, but managing teaching, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of myself this year is about all I can manage. Blogging and creating new products have taken a back seat. Today's post is about my favorite time of year....CHRISTMAS! I'll be sharing some tried and true crafts/projects in case you are in need of things to get you through this week. If not, pin the ideas to your Pinterest boards for next year!

This first reindeer craft is from First and Kinder Blue Skies. I love the simplicity of it! You can make them as a glyph if you want!

A favorite holiday book of mine is Santa's Stuck. This Santa craft by Crafty Bee Creations is perfect to go with it. It also comes with an optional writing page.

Also by Crafty Bee Creations are these gingerbread people. The patterns make large gingerbread people and they are super cute! The best part? This craft is FREE!

I haven't made these for years, because they are a bit intricate for first graders, but they are definitely fun and hip! These techy Santa's are by Tunstall's Teaching. I love the iPad Christmas list that accompanies the craft.

This next reindeer craft is one of my favorites! I started doing it with my class a few years back. Unfortunately, I can't find the digital version of this. Also, I have no idea who made it. If it's your creation, let me know so I can give you credit! All I can seem to find are the patterns in my December box.

These paper plate wreaths are fun and festive and make such a cute display! To make, cut the center of a paper plate out. Use green tissue paper squares and cover all of the remaining plate. Trace the kids' hands and form a "bow" with them. Use hot glue to add "berries" with pom poms.

The Grinch is a great craft to do before/after reading the book or watching the movie! I got this many years ago from a seller who had to pull it down due to copyright issues, but I am sure you can find a similar craft on Pinterest.

My kids always make an ornament to take home. I often have them make craft stick ornaments because they are fairly simple and the pieces are easy to manage. The year, we made Christmas trees again. To make, have the kids paint craft sticks green. Once dry, hot glue them in a triangle. Add a trunk. *I used copper glitter foam that I found at Michael's. Add a star. I used silver and gold foam stars from Michael's. Create a loop with a small piece of ribbon and hot glue it to the top. Use craft glue or hot glue and have kids add mini pop poms. Write each child's name and the year on the back with a Sharpie.

Another fun and classic ornament is a craft stick reindeer!

Speaking of reindeer, these handprint reindeer are a cute idea for an ornament, magnet, or decoration. I haven't done them in several years, but they are on my list of great crafts!