Changing Perspective at Christmas: From Inward to Out
Let’s shift the focus from what they can get, to what they can give.
The ‘Christmas Season’ is being increasingly brought forward in arenas such as the retail sector, meaning that children’s ideas of Christmas and egocentric thinking are being shaped daily by advertisements, shopping catalogues and blatant grabs for their attention wherever they go.
As parents and carers, we have an opportunity to help our children begin to look beyond themselves and shape what this season CAN be about - more than just what can be materially gained on Christmas Day.
Often Christmas can become about the busyness of the season, but it is important for children to be able to slow down and experience the moments presented to them - moments of creating/making and connection with others through simple acts of kindness.
Here are some fun ways to get that happening…
Make
Do
Give / Be kind
MAKE.
MAKE: A bush decoration from something you find outside
Here are some ideas from NITV
https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/fun-australian-christmas-activities-for-kids/wy9m2d3ff
MAKE: A newspaper pot to plant a seed in
Sometimes seeds need to grow in a little pot of their own before being planted in the garden. This is called growing a seedling! It can then be planted when it is a little bit bigger and stronger.
Check out these newspaper pots you can make here https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+make+a+newspaper+seedling+pot&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU962AU962&oq=how+to+make+a+newspaper+seedling+pot&aqs=chrome.0.0i512j0i22i30l4j0i15i22i30j0i390l3.4428j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_12VoY9-WEMis4-EPrr-GsA4_25
These are great as they can be planted right into the ground! You can go to your local newsagents to get old newspapers
MAKE: A bird seed star to hang in the garden for the birds to nibble
Who can we help outside? Let’s make something for the birds!
You can find a recipe to make these for native Australian birds here from Kidspot 16a7e3694c0a737d0bbb1d4a5c0d6ef0
MAKE: An Edible Santa Sleigh
It’s lots of fun to make a sleigh!
You can find one here from Bake, Play Smile tiny-teddy-christmas-candy-cane-sleighs
MAKE: A plate of food for Santa and his reindeer
This could be made out of playdough/clay or made for real the night before Christmas.
Think about things like, What does Santa like to eat?
Perhaps you could try some cookies and a glass of milk for Santa, some carrots for the reindeer.
MAKE: Christmas cookies to share
You could try making:
Gingerbread from Donna Hay - find a recipe here plain-gingerbread-dough
Shortbread from Bake, Play Smile - the-famous-3-ingredient-shortbread-recipe
No time to bake? Here’s a quick idea for decorating some biscuits for Christmas from Bake, Play, Smile christmas-bauble-cookies
MAKE: A homemade Christmas decoration someone special
Here are lots of easy and simple ideas from goodhousekeeping.com christmas-crafts-for-kids
MAKE: A popstick star
Here’s a simple one from littlebinsforlittlehands popsicle-stick-star
MAKE: Jelly (or something special to eat) for holiday celebrations or Christmas Day
Grab a couple of packets in your next shop and follow the instructions on the box!
For a fancier Christmas jelly, try layering different colours in a glass jar, cup or bowl! Just be sure to let each layer set before adding the next.
MAKE: A craft project
There are lots of great craft projects to embark on in the Christmas season. You can find some here christmas-crafts-for-kids
Lots of our favourites are found in DK books too.
MAKE: A pop up card
There is nothing quite like receiving a pop up card!
Have a go at making one of these, from Red Ted Art. Watch the tutorials for 5 ideas here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGujUeAdtNc
MAKE: A giant ginger bread person made from tracing your body on a big piece of paper
Got a roll of paper? Why not get your child to lie down, trace their body and decorate with paints, collage materials etc!? This can be an individual or group activity. Cut them out when finished and hang on the wall for a life-sized gingerman surprise!
Check out this example from Happytoddlerplaytime https://happytoddlerplaytime.com/giant-gingerbread-man/
MAKE: A Christmas picture (directed drawing) or freestyle
Create your own Christmas picture or learn to draw something following a directed drawing like this one from Art for Kids Hub https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v1VKULPvRI
DO
DO Create a Christmas Show
You can create a Christmas show by yourself, with people in your family, or with a friend!
You might like to dress up or create a special space/stage for your performance.
You might like to act out a Christmas book/story or perform a Christmas Carol.
Don’t forget to make some tickets for your audience to come to the show!
DO Watch a Christmas movie with a friend or your family
A great list of Holiday/Christmas movies that are age-appropriate can be found at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-holiday-movies-for-kids
DO Play a Game
Find a board game that you haven’t played for a while.
Some favourites might be: Snakes and Ladders, UNO or Guess Who?
Don’t have any board games? Have a play of ‘Eye Spy’ using initial sounds or colours as clues.
DO Play ball with someone outside:
Invite a friend or family member to throw or kick a ball with you outside.
Ball activities for 3-6 year olds can be found here:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/activity-guides/movement/playing-with-balls-activity
DO Create and perform a puppet show
Do you like to make puppets? There are so many different kinds! You could make a shadow puppet show using paper or card, pop sticks and baking paper within a cardboard frame. Don’t forget a lamp or torch behind to light up your Christmas characters!
Here is a free printable https://www.twinkl.com.au/resource/christmas-shadow-puppets-cut-outs-t-tp-2681932
or here are some fun paper puppets to make and decorate How to make a hand puppet from one sheet of paper | Animal hand puppets DIY | Maison Zizou
Or perhaps you’d like to make a wooden spoon puppet! Check these clever Christmas characters out for inspiration https://babyology.com.au/occasions/christmas/craft/make-santa-and-rudolph-wooden-spoons/
DO Learn ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ song
This is an oldie but a goodie!
Check out a karaoke version here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyEyMjdD2uk
Instrumental only version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH8WuUdFyX0
DO Write a letter to Santa
We all have a Christmas List, why not write a letter to Santa and post it at your local post office?
Australia post has some helpful tips and a template to write here
https://auspost.com.au/about-us/supporting-communities/literacy-education/santa-mail
DO Read a Christmas book (borrow one from your local library if you don’t own one)
Here’s a list of some great Christmas books to look out for! https://www.booktopia.com.au/books-online/booktopia-gift-guide/just-for-kids/christmas-books-for-kids/c53EK-p1.html
Remember, you can read a book more than once - there is always more to find in both the pictures and the story.
DO Plant a seed and water it each day - watch it grow!
There is nothing quite like planting a seed, watering it and watching it grow!
A simple search can lead you to the seeds that should be planted at this time of the year.
For those in Australia, here’s a list of things you could sow (plant)
https://www.theseedcollection.com.au/what-to-sow-now/
GIVE
GIVE Bake the neighbours some cookies or a Christmas treat and take them over with Mum, Dad or a Grown up.
Here are some great Christmas cookies and treats from bakeplaysmile - you could even just decorate some sweet biscuits or buy some from the shops to take https://bakeplaysmile.com/#search/q=christmas
GIVE Shop/contribute to a Christmas hamper for those in need
BE KIND
BE KIND Do a job around the house
Needing some ideas? Here are some jobs Kidspot have listed by age at https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/home/36-easy-jobs-you-can-start-your-kids-on-today/news-story/131b1faeaf488151db4378b2a82cf98a
BE KIND Weed and water the garden
BE KIND Help pack things away (without being asked to)
Some ideas include clearing the table after a meal, getting your things out of your school bag AND putting your bag away, pack away craft supplies after a making session
BE KIND Help unpack the clean dishes from the sink or dishwasher
BE KIND Video call someone in your family
BE KIND Smile at someone new
BE KIND Post a Christmas card to a Grandparent or family member
BE KIND Tell someone that you love them and why you do
BE KIND Give to a local charity collecting food items for families in need. Not sure where to look? Ask your local community group like a church, preschool or council. C3 Cares at C3 Church Ryde collects these each year to distribute at a community afternoon tea in mid-December.
Enjoy cultivating a new culture of preparing for Christmas in your family - from inward, to out!