Christmas Family Activity, Wreath making kids can do

Here is just a fun activity to do with your kids this month. It's also a great way to welcome guests into your home this holiday.

You will need Green Foam, about 8-10 pieces per wreath(if you want it to last for years to come). A less expensive option is construction paper, but this will not last as long, and the foam is stiffer and makes a better overall project. My suggestion is to make one out of foam as a family, and let younger children make their own out of construction paper.
Red Foam, One sheet per wreath.
Scissors and Glue

Here's what you do:
Trace your child's hands onto the foam. You should be able to do two hands per sheet.
Cut out the hand shapes
Lay the green hands overlapping slightly in a circle with the fingers pointing outward, creating a wreath shape.
Glue all of the pieces into place. Craft glue works here, but for speed and durability, I love to work with a glue gun - this would require adult supervision during the entire process.
The red hands are added to the bottom of the wreath, end to end with the fingers pointing out, making sort of a ribbon.
Cut tiny circles out of the remaining red foam and glue on for berries.

This creates a very basic wreath. Once this is finished, you can either hang it on the front door to greet your guests, or get creative with odds and ends you have around your house, and embellish to your hearts content.

Fitting this activity into homeschooling: How to make it educational? Here is a bit of history from the Catholic Education Resource Center.
The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns, and one English legend tells of how the cross was made of holly. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.

I hope you enjoyed this activity and accompanying lesson. Please check back for more ideas on fun and educational activities to do with your family. If you would like a whole book full of fun & educational lessons, visit our website at www.vacationeducationbooks.net