Are you having a family Christmas party?  Need some ideas for activities?  Or do you just want some activities to do with a grandchild on a snowy December afternoon?

I’m not very crafty.  It’s just not in my genes.  So, if I ever do some craft projects with my grandchildren, it will have to be REALLY simple and easy.  And, if it’s easy for me, it will be easy for them.  Hopefully.

Here are a few ideas that I recently came across.

Reindeer Pots — These terra cotta pots make cute reindeer.

Candy Cane Mouse – This is an activity that you can do with fairly small grandchildren. You can make them and put them beside the plates at your family Christmas dinner.

Decoupage Candle Holders — Older granddaughters will enjoy making these candle holders which could be given as gifts to other family members.

Holiday Votive Holders — Here are more ideas of decorating glass candle holders. Some are extremely simple and easy. Some are a tad harder. All are beautiful.  (I think even I could make some of these. . .)

Here’s hoping that you have fun making these crafts with your grandchildren!
DigiGram

Grandma Ideas

There isn’t any better time of year than Christmas to establish fun traditions with your grandchildren.  And these fun traditions will strengthen and build good relationships – as long as Grandma doesn’t get stressed out thinking that everything has to be perfect!

Making gingerbread houses has been a Christmas tradition with my children that I would like to carry on with my grandchildren.  I’m including a pattern here for a simple gingerbread house, directions on making the gingerbread, the frosting, and constructing the house.

Here are two pictures of my son, Tyler, my daughter, Christi, and my niece, Emily, with their completed gingerbread houses.  These pictures were taken back in 1999 when the Y2K scare was high.  Notice on the back side of one of the houses (the picture of the back side of the houses and the back side of the kids!) that they drew ‘Y2K’ in frosting!

If you don’t have the time (or the desire) to make the gingerbread for your house, graham crackers will work just fine!  Use the frosting recipe (included in the directions) that I share with you here because it will harden and hold your house together – whether it’s graham cracker or gingerbread!

Here are the patterns:
Gingerbread House Recipe and Directions.
Gingerbread House front/back pattern,
Gingerbread House roof pattern,
Gingerbread House sides pattern

These patterns are PDF files that you can download, print, and then use to help you cut out your homemade gingerbread.

Have fun making a gingerbread house with the grandkids!
Digi-Gram

Grandma Ideas