VideoJam: Make a FREE Personalized Video Message from Santa!

Today, I witnessed the magic of Christmas in my son's eyes as he watched his very own video message from the Man in Red himself, Santa Claus!  Parents, it only takes a few minutes to enter your child's information and upload a couple of pictures to make this wonderful Christmas keepsake.

Visit http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home to make your child's free personalized video message from Santa!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Craft Jam: "Christmas is Love" Soup in a Jar.

Three years ago, I received one of the best Christmas gifts from one of my KinderJammers and her Grandmother.  They gave me soup in a jar.  I really appreciated the adorably packaged gift and gave my usual thank you.  However later that week when I was looking for something to cook for my family for dinner, I decided to make the soup in the jar.  It was so yummy and my family absolutely loved it.  The next time I saw the Grandmother, I told her how wonderful the soup was and she shared the recipe.  That year, my three year old and I made an assembly line and made all of his teachers and our friends and loved ones "Christmas is Love" Soup in Jar.  Not only is the soup in a jar an economical gift choice, but it also provides my family with a wonderful activity that we can do together during the holidays.  The thing I love most about this gift is that it gives the recipient a gift twice; once when they receive the pretty package and again when it gives their family a warm and yummy hug at dinnertime.

"Christmas is Love" Soup in a Jar

Layers for a 16oz. Jar:

• 2 tsp. salt
• 3 tsp.  dried minced onion
• 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice 
• 1/4 cup dry green split peas 
• 1/4 cup pearl barley
• 1/4 cup dry yellow split peas 
• 2 tsp.  dried parsley
• 1/4 cup dry lentils 
• Then add tri-colored pasta up to the mouth of the jar and pack tightly.  Then seal the jar.

Items for Packaging:

• 7"x7" square of fabric
• small rubber band
• ribbon
• gift tag/soup directions

Directions for Packaging:

1. After the jar is tightly sealed, place your 7"x7" square of fabric over the top of the jar and place a small over the fabric, under the lid of the jar.  Trim fabric for neatness if necessary.
2. Punch a hole in the corner of your gift tag/soup directions and insert your ribbon through the hole.
3. Tie your ribbon tightly under the lid of the jar. Then tie a bow.

Gift Tag/Soup Directions Reads:

“Christmas is Love” Soup

1. Pour the contents of this jar and 8 cups of your favorite broth into a pot.
2. Chop one stalk of celery. Slice one carrot. Add to the pot.
3. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until the vegetables are tender (about an hour).
4. Before serving, and one cup of diced tomatoes.
From our family to yours, Enjoy!!!!

*This is a great idea for teacher, command, or FRG gifts.  You can select fabric the base on the occasion of the gift.

 Printable Gift Tags:

For PC: Right click on the image below and select "Print Picture".

For Mac: Right click on the image below and select "Open in New Window". Click on the image to zoom out. Then print

Craft Jam: Candy Cane Reindeer

Create Santa's reindeer with this sweet candy cane ornament craft for you and your little one.

Supplies:

• Low temp hot glue gun
• Ribbons  
• 1 wrapped candy cane 
• 1 tiny pom-pom for the nose
• 2 little wiggle eyes (or paper eyes drawn and cut out)
• Brown pipe cleaners for the antlers

Instructions:

1. Make antlers out of pipe cleaners, wrap them around the candy cane on the curve.
2. Add two wiggle eyes and a pom-pom nose and ribbon bow tie.
3. You're done!

Tips:

The reindeer can be hung on trees, tied to packages, given in ornament exchanges, or used as table decorations.

Craft Jam: Hands and Feet Reindeer

An easy to make reindeer craft for classrooms, a Christmas party, or with your little one at home.

Hands and Feet Reindeer

 

Materials:

• Large plastic eyes
• Large red pom-poms (glitter pom-poms are a fun addition!)
• Brown construction paper, craft foam or cardstock paper
• Lighter brown or tan paper for the ears (optional)
• Construction paper in any color; optional if you would like to glue the reindeer onto another piece of paper.

Directions:

1. First, with one shade of brown, cut the antlers and reindeer, using your child's handprint and shoeprint as a pattern.
2. Then, cut the ears with the other brown. You can use a lighter shade of brown to add yet another layer to the ears but that's not necessary.
3. Glue the antlers together at a slight angle.
4. Then add the ears,
5. Glue the head on last.
6. Glue the eyes and nose the the head and add a smile with a marker.

It's that simple!

 

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