December ushers in a month-long season of Christmas cheer. Are you looking to put extra merriment in the holiday season? Drawing is a superb creative outlet to add to this magical time of year.
25 Drawing Prompts for Christmas
Christmas tree and gifts
Self-Portrait with a Christmas Theme
Christmas Tree
Christmas Gifts, Wrapping Paper, Ribbons, & Bows
Christmas Cards
Santa & Mrs. Claus
Elves
North Pole & Santa’s Workshop
Santa’s Sleigh & Reindeer (Don’t forget Rudolph)
The Grinch
Christmas Ornaments & Tree Topper
Christmas Stockings
Mistle Toe
Nativity
Mary, Joseph, & Baby Jesus
Christmas Star
Angels
Letters to Santa
Gingerbread House
Christmas Sweater
Candy Cane and Christmas Sweets
Christmas Bells
Christmas Wreath
Nutcracker
Peace On Earth
Merry Christmas
Get the most out of your Christmas drawing prompts by turning your creations into ornaments. Consider using small notecards which can easily be laminated. Next, punch a hole in the top to add ribbon to hang on your Christmas tree.
December is a busy month. The holiday season always adds extra commitments to your busy schedule. Remember to take time for yourself. Engaging in self-care is a necessity for your overall well-being. If you need suggestions, check out the following list for self-care ideas for December.
Are you trying to get into the holiday spirit? If you are looking for extra inspiration for the Christmas season, check out the following photo prompts.
Colorful lights, Santa & Mrs. Claus, flame-throwing juggler, Christmas music, and a roaring steam engine, what else do you need on a chilly evening? I went to watch the beautiful Pere Marquette aka the Polar Express thunder into Ashley, Michigan. Carrying passengers to visit a small town completely decked out for Christmas fun.
Where: The train comes from Owosso to arrive in the small Village of Ashley, Michigan. The passengers enjoy about a 1 hour 15-minute ride, stay in Ashley for a couple of hours, then return to Owosso. The public is welcome to enjoy the small town and view the train coming into town.
When: The Polar Express comes into town twice a day every weekend until Christmas.
This is the official pamphlet from the Village of Ashley Country Christmas 2021.
What You View: The town is set up with a variety of little Christmas shops, food, hot cocoa, and activities for the entire family to enjoy. For example Penny Lane has handcrafted gifts to wear. The handmade hats are beautiful and warm.
The lists of little shops and activities within in the town.
Will I Go Again? Most definitely, yes. I would love to see the train arrive after a heavy snowfall. Hopefully Mother Nature and my schedule allow me to do it. Who knows maybe one of these times, I will actually ride the train.
Is this the first time hearing the word Christingle? Are you asking yourself, “what exactly is a Christingle?” Well, before you start searching, continue reading about the long-standing history of Christingle.
Christingle is a symbolic way to celebrate the Christian faith. Dating back to the mid-1700s, Christingle was part of a German worship service. Representing Jesus bringing light to the world, John de Watteville, a minister, gave each child a lighted candle with a red ribbon.
In the late 1960s, Christingles became popular in England. Generally, Christingle services are held the week before or part of Christmas Eve services. Due to the pandemic, Christmas 2020 is going to be different. But you and your family can try new things. Making a Christingle is a wonderful new tradition to begin.
How to Make a Christingle
Are you wondering how to make a Christingle? The activity is simple; however, each piece has a specific meaning.
List of Needed Items
I used the candy that I had on hand.
Orange: The base of the Christingle is an orange or tangerine representing the whole world.
White Candle: Standing tall and straight, the white candle represents God giving light to the world.
Red Ribbon: Tying the ribbon around the orange represents the blood of Jesus and dying on the cross.
Four Skewers or Toothpicks: The four toothpicks represent North, South, East, and West. They also represent the four changing seasons. If you use skewers, you can fit more pieces of fruit and candy on to your stick.
Pieces of Dried Fruits: In addition to dried fruit, you can use nuts, miniature marshmallows, and sweets. The items represent the fruits of the Earth.
In addition to the list above, you will need tin foil. The tinfoil is a precautionary measure to prevent the dripping candle wax from getting into the orange’s interior.
Next, you start the task of creating your own Christingle. Younger children will need help with the first step. Slicing the top of your orange makes a hole large enough to fit your white candle’s base. Before pushing the candle down into the orange, cover the opening with foil.
When your base is complete, set aside. Now begin to place the dried fruits or other sweets onto the skewers. Repeat this step four times.
Place the candy, dried fruits, marshmallows, or nuts on to the skewers.
Now, push the four skewers into the orange. Place the skewers on each side to create a balanced appearance. Finally, wrap your piece of red ribbon around the orange and tie it into a bow. Congratulations on finishing your first Christingle.
I sat my Christingle on top of a Mason jar while I worked on it.
Staying close to home for the holidays is the time to do family crafts. Have fun making Christingles. Light the candles to take a photo in front of your tree on Christmas Eve. (Always practice safety procedures when using candles).
Make extras to give away. Just remember, do not cut the hole into the orange until you are ready to give your Christingle to the intended person.
Are you celebrating your baby’s first Christmas this year? Due to the pandemic, numerous Christmas events are canceled, including visits with Santa Claus. But staying close to home doesn’t mean your precious little one’s first Christmas will be unmemorable.
Have fun! Enjoy! Your baby’s first Christmas is the perfect time to start new traditions or revisit old ones. Celebrate every moment. Check out the following list of ways to celebrate your baby’s first Christmas at home.
Write a Yearly Christmas Letter
Write a letter to your baby. Detail all your activities and feelings surrounding your baby’s first Christmas. Next, you can place the letter in an envelope to store in a shoebox or use a journal to make your entry.
Each year, add a letter or entry. When your child becomes an adult, give the letters or journal as part of Christmas gifts. The memories instantly turn into a lasting treasure.
Are you wondering what to write? Consider adding some of these details to your baby’s first Christmas letter.
Your baby’s age
Date of the letter
Favorite new toy
Reaction to the Christmas tree
Favorite Christmas song
Who was there on Christmas
Send a Christmas Card
Unless you want the post date, you do not technically need to send the Christmas card. Similar to the letter-writing activity, give your child a Christmas card each year. Write a small note inside the card.
Ask your friends or family to send your baby a Christmas card. Request your loved ones to write a small note, favorite Bible verse, Christmas tradition, or other activities.
Christmas Ornaments
Buy or make your baby’s first Christmas ornament. The new ornament does not need to be expensive. A plain ornament from your local dollar store is perfect. But remember to add a date. Buying an ornament for your child each year is a beautiful tradition. When your child is an adult, the decorations turn into a treasured gift.
Christmas Season Photos
Get camera happy! Taking lots of photos is one of the best ways to celebrate and remember your baby’s first Christmas.
Family Photo: Set your timer or do a selfie to take a family photo to celebrate your baby’s first Christmas. The picture can be casual or dress up in your good clothes for a more formal appearance.
Pajama Photo: Buy matching pajamas, strike a pose, and take fun photos.
Sibling Photo: Snap a photo of your new little one with older siblings. (Yes, your dog or cat can be part of the picture if your new baby is your first).
By the Tree: Hold your little one up to the Christmas tree to hang an ornament. (Depending on the age of your baby, you may have to perform the actual holding on to the ornament.) This simple task is a perfect picture to use your baby’s first ornament.
Make a Christmas Scrapbook
Print out all your photos from the holiday season, save the Christmas cards and other memorabilia to make a scrapbook. Add stickers, photo details, and other embellishments to make the scrapbook a long-lasting treasure.
Observing your baby’s first Christmas is a memorable event. Celebrate every moment of the holiday season with your new little one. Enjoy the Christmas season. Small activities can easily turn into long-lasting memories.
Are you looking to start a new Christmas tradition? How about making handmade Christmas wrapping paper for all of your gifts? Doing Christmas crafts as a family activity is a great way to celebrate the holiday season. Best of all, making homemade gift wrap is an easy project for all ages.
Materials Needed:
Sponges of any size and shape
Scissors
Butcher paper, newsprint, or other types of packing paper (You can purchase rolls of brown shipping paper at your local dollar store).
Paint
Containers for paint
Markers
Instructions:
Cut sponges into various shapes, for example, Christmas trees, gift boxes, stars, candy canes, and ornaments. (Help younger children cut the sponges into shapes.)
Spread your choice of paper on a flat surface.
Squirt small amounts of paint in your container.
Dip your cut sponge into the paint.
Make certain the paint covers the entire sponge for a clear shape.
Press sponge on to the paper. When you are finished, simply rinse the sponges of the entire paint residue. You can use the sponges more than once.
Continue the process until you reach your desired design.
Allow the paint shapes to dry.
Use markers to add outlines, Christmas songs, Bible verses, names, or other designs to your gift wrap.
Now, wrap your Christmas gifts and enjoy it.
Homemade gift wrap is an excellent way to provide a personalized touch to your presents. Use your imagination to create numerous sheets of wrapping paper. Set the mood for family fun by playing Christmas music, drinking hot chocolate, and eating snacks.
Let’s face it, the Christmas season can get busy quickly. Spending high-quality family time together is essential to enjoy the holidays. When you are you looking for fun, family activities to celebrate Christmas, consider making plaster ornaments.
Plaster ornaments are simple to make. You can hang them on your own tree. Or share them with family members as gifts. Kids will love making an ornament for grandma, grandpa, a favorite aunt or uncle.
Materials Needed:
Christmas themed molds or pans (The plaster does not harm them, just wash thoroughly after use.)
Plaster
Throw away containers for mixing plaster. (Remember not to pour remaining plaster down the sink.)
Water
Paint in various colors
Paintbrushes
Instructions:
Place newspapers or other protective materials on your counter.
Mix plaster as directed. Always add the plaster mixture to the water for a smooth and consistent mixture. (Keep in mind, the plaster hardens quickly. You need to have your molds ready to go. You can add a little extra water to provide a bit more time).
Fill the molds completely.
Place hangers into your mold. (Paper clips or pop can tab work great for an instant, inexpensive hanger).
Allow your ornaments to dry completely.
Gently remove the ornaments from the molds. You may need to tap on the mold to loosen the ornament.
Paint the ornaments. (You can also personalize the ornaments with names).
Even younger children can help with the painting process. Just do not forget to add the date on the back. The Christmas ornaments can quickly turn into a lasting treasure.
Are you looking for another simple way to celebrate the Christmas season? Baking during the holidays is a long-standing tradition. Sugar cookies are a tasty treat to decorate, share, and eat. Helping to reduce the stress of the holiday mad-dash of baking, sugar cookies can be frozen to decorate later.
Dig out your favorite sugar cookie recipe, find a new one on Pinterest, or grab a tube of dough at your local store. Regardless of your method, sugar cookies are a fun way to celebrate the Christmas season.
Bake your cookies from the method of choice.
Allow your batch of sugar cookies to cool.
Frost cookies.
Decorate
Do you want to get the kids involved in making sugar cookies to celebrate the Christmas season? Set out different types of holiday sprinkles, marshmallows, nuts, and other toppings. Then, ask your children to help decorate the cookies. Making up new designs and colors provides added fun. Enjoy the creative process going into each cookie.
Finally, time to eat the cookies! Put a plate of cookies out as part of family night. Share a batch with a neighbor.
You can always add a nice cup of hot chocolate or milk to the celebration. Now, the next challenge, who gets to pick the Christmas movie for family night?
Is the hustle and bustle of the holiday season keeping you busy? Do you need a quick and easy snack for a holiday gathering or family movie night? Chocolate covered pretzel treats are a fun way to celebrate Christmas. The pretzel treats are an easy make-ahead snack.
Materials Needed:
Dipping chocolate (For added Christmas fun, purchase red or green colored dipping cholate)
Melt dipping chocolate as directed. You can melt the chocolate in the microwave or use a double boiler pan.
Melt chocolate to desired consistency. Smooth, well-heated chocolate is easy to apply to pretzels.
Dip pretzels in chocolate.
Add sprinkles. For extra fun, allow your children to help decorate with the sprinkles. Creating their own snacks is a great way to get everyone involved.
Allow the chocolate to harden.
You can store the pretzels in a plastic bag or airtight container.
Then, ask your children to help decorate the cookies. Making up new designs and colors provides added fun. Enjoy the creative process going into each cookie.
Now, the next challenge, who gets to pick the Christmas movie for family night?
