Holiday Helping Hands Tree

December is a magical time for children. Festive decorations and homemade treats are only part of what makes it so special. What makes this holiday so magical for eveyone isn't the prospect of presents. It's the memories that are made and the love that is shared. So many of us tend to loose sight of what really matters. Finding perfect gift">the perfect gift for someone is a noble venture, but don't let it consume you this holiday season. Especially in concerns to your children. The best present you can give to your children is your time and attention. Following is a craft that you and your little ones will enjoy making together.

Holiday Helping Hands Tree:
The items you'll need... construction paper, glue, glitter, scissors, and poster paper.

*The first thing you do is have the children trace their hands on different shades of green construction paper. Also trace each of their feet. When finished, you should have two feet and several hands.

*If the children are too young to use scissors, then you can cut the hands and feet out for them.

*Proceed to gluing the hand prints on the poster paper, to form the shape of a christmas tree. The footprints should be placed at the bottom to form the bottom of the tree.

*Then, the children could make a few ornaments out of colored paper. They can decorate them using markers, crayons, string, and/or glitter. When finished, wait until all the glue is dry and then attach the ornaments to the tree (usuing glue as well). If you're working with smaller children, they could omit making the ornaments sepretly and draw them directly onto the tree.

*The last thing left to do is to cut out a star out of yellow construction paper and glue to the top of the tree. Have them write their names really big on the poster paper, underneath the tree.

In my home we have an ART WALL. This is one wall dedicated to the master peices created by our children. During the holidays it displays all theircreative works that we make together, such as the 'Holiday Helping Hands Tree'. My children are home schooled, but your children would probably enjoy having their art from school included as well.