Bible Activities / Crafts / 10 – 12 years Christmas Around the World MARBLED PAPER In Japan, paper was decorated by floating ink on water and applying it to the paper. This technique is called suminagashi and was only used by the imperial household. This technique is also called marbling because the swirls of paint sometimes resemble marbled stone. Children can use this technique to make beautiful wrapping paper for Christmas gifts. ALERT: Requires close adult supervision. MATERIALS large sheets of white 20-lb. paper a large shallow tray water eye dropper oil paints mineral turpentine a skewer or toothpick newspaper rubber gloves Fill the tray with 1 inch of water. Thin the oil paints with turpentine. Use the eye dropper to drop paint onto the water in the tray. Swirl the paint with a skewer or a toothpick. Lay a large sheet of paper on top of the water. Lift the paper, rinse it briefly under cold water, and lay it with the painted side up on newspaper to dry. Once the paper is dry, children can use the paper to wrap presents. SPINNING TOPS In Poland, there's a long-standing tradition of cutting and combining paper pieces as artwork. This paper appliqué technique layers paper over paper to create a scene. Your kids can make paper appliqué tops as gifts for friends, brothers, or sisters. MATERIALS white card stock different colors of card stock a 3-inch cardboard circle template a pencil scissors glue a 2x1/4-inch dowel a pencil sharpener Use the circle template to draw and cut out a circle on the white card stock. Then cut out small squares, circles, and triangles from the colored card stock. Glue them to one side of the white circle for a confetti effect. Use the pencil sharpener to make a dull point at one end of the 2-inch dowel. Pierce the center of the circle with the dowel and push it through the center and 3/4 inch away from the dowel's point. More Activities and Ideas Take a look at these three books for more ideas on customs, crafts, snacks, and activities for Advent and Epiphany: Christmas Customs Around the World-by Herbert Wernecke ($13, The Westminster Press, 800-227-2872, [502] 569-5000) explores the origins, legends, and customs of Christmas from places such as Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. Includes a section on how to say "Merry Christmas" in 33 languages and recipes from around the world. Before and After Christmas-by Debbie Trafton O'Neal ($10.00, Augsburg Fortress, 800-328-4649, 800-661-8379) is intended for families, but is useful to anyone who works with children. Explains the history and traditions for each day of Advent and Epiphany, plus craft ideas, supply lists, activities, and Scriptures. Christmas Around the World-by Mary Lankford ($16, Morrow Junior Books, 800-237-0657, [973] 227-7200) explores Christmas traditions in Australia, Greece, Sweden, the Philippines, and eight other countries, and provides craft ideas. Page 123 Previous | Print Article Pin It Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related articles Fa-La-La-La-La Festival Celebrate Christ's birth with 22 Christmas ideas, activities, and resources. Kids love Christmas more than any other time of year -- and who can blame them? Adults can get just as... Keepsakes for Christmas Parents never tire of seeing their child's picture, and they'll love to receive these Christmastime photo keepsakes. Take a picture of each baby or toddler, and get the film... Let There Be Life Children's Ministry Magazine Christmas is the celebration of Christ coming to earth as a baby. And then there was light! Easter is the realization of why Christ came. It's a time of reflection on the death of...
