True Symbols of Christmas

Here is an idea sent in from one of our readers.  Thanks so much for sharing!  

"I wanted to teach the girls the true symbols of Christmas in the context of an advent calendar. Having twelve girls (and they all come, yeah!) I need to be economical with supplies, so using my geometry compass I cut 7 1/2in circles out of cardboard cereal boxes. Then cut a 4in hole in the center of each to make a wreath.


These I painted green, giving a second coat to the colorful cereal box side.









Once dry I glued on 2" x 2" coin envelopes that I purchased on-line ($6.75 per 100).




I let the girls cut and paste the symbols onto the envelopes (just some clip art I found, I was able to fit three sets on one page) then they cut and inserted a quick blurb on each symbol along with one or two scriptures to read that day. I could only fit nine envelopes per wreath even though I had ten symbols to work with. I left out the wreath symbol but kept the info about it on the paper so they could still have it, perhaps they can glue it to the back since the whole thing is a wreath? Last of all they used my hole punch so they could attach a ribbon and hang up their project. Those who wanted wrote the nine days leading up to Christmas so they could remember which envelop to open each day.

Thanks for sharing, Laura!  I realize this is after the fact, but hopefully it will help out some of you for next year!  Or, you could adapt it for other holidays/projects.  

Halloween Ideas 2013

There are some great Halloween posts on here already, but I thought I would offer a couple of more ideas.  I love this healthy and so cute snack!  This one was found HERE, although you can find similar versions all over the web.


This is an adorable craft/activity that I found on somewhat simple...It could even serve as the treat!  You could make and give them away, so they could be a service project, too.  Lots of options with this one.  You can find it HERE.

I absolutely adore this 13 days of Halloween service project from the crafting chicks.  It is like the 12 days of Christmas, and of course it would be ridiculously ambitious to do this for activity days!  But I like the concept of the countdown, and maybe you could adapt it to be the 3 days of Halloween and just pick one family in your ward to serve?  Or the bishopric?  Anyway, just trying to get the inspiration wheels turning!  You can find this HERE.

And since time is of the essence when it comes to activity days, how about a pumpkin that doesn't have to be carved?  This adorable one is decorated with washi tape!  This would be a perfect, super fast craft to make and give away to someone who wouldn't have a pumpkin-elderly people in the ward, maybe?  This little beauty is from i heart naptime and can be found    HERE.