HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN YOUR PART OF THE WORLD?

On this page you will find information about 
how people from around the world celebrate their
holidays and festivals.  YOU WILL FIND A CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD 
AND CHRISTMAS PROJECT SITE FROM THE ART TEACHER ON THE NET AT THE 
LINKS BELOW.
Do you have special traditions or crafts that 
you create?  E-mail them and I will post them
to this site.  It is still under construction so
keep watching.  

Edwina Cowdery from The Girls Software Company
in Australia sent this idea for a Christmas decoration. . .

Edwina wrote. . ."I do this every Christmas for Christmas
decorations.  Take the standard patchwork design of 
six sides and cut out three of them in old cardboard i.e. stockings
come  with just the right size of cardboard of the right
thickness.   Sticky tape fabric, I use silk I get 
from a dressmaker,  as it is of the size that is too small
for her to use and she just throws it out, but any
type of shiny fabric will do.  Then sew two of the six
sided pieces together from top to bottom i.e. three
sides then place the third one and sew this from top
to bottom on the exposed side on one of your already
sewn pieces then sew up the last two sides.  
The cardboard should be bent inwards and will look
like a xmas ball.  The sewing is always on the "right"
side so your stitches have to be small, but if
it is not perfect, covering it up with glitter 
glue will help."

Thank you so much, Edwina.  Anyone else have some
ideas they want to share?  You will find another wonderful idea
sent in below.

Look at this great Spoon Angel Craft ideas sent in by Paula. . .
"As a mother of four, ages 3-10, I know the importance of versatility 
in a project.  Here is a simple project that I came up with that all 
my children enjoy, and make nice gifts from the kids."

SPOON ANGELS

MATERIALS

Plastic Spoons
Paint/Markers (for face-optional)
Raffia, Ribbon, or Lace, etc. (for wings)
Beads, Pipe Cleaner, Metallic Cording, etc. (for halo)
Dried/Silk Flowers, Felt, Scrap Material, Construction Paper etc. (dress)
Cotton Balls, Yarn, etc. (hair)
Fishing Line, Thread, Ribbon etc. (hanger)
Glue (a thick, tacky glue works best, or for older children, hot glue
with supervision)

1.  Draw face on back of bowl of spoon, glue hanger inside of bowl of spoon
2.  Glue hair to top of spoon pulling around to back of head
3.  Tie wings in a bow around base of bowl of spoon (be sure bow is in 
the back)
4.  Glue dress materials down handle of spoon
5.  Glue halo in place and ribbon/flower at neck

When using felt and paper, my kids decorate dress with buttons, bows, etc.

Also before we do any project (especially on rainy days or when kids are
really bored) I send them on a scavenger hunt for new and different
materials that can be substituted on the projects--petals of pinecone for
a ruffled dress or shingles on a house, pine needles for a thatched
roof (I now keep supply that they gather on nice days) shells, potpourri,
etc.  Everything becomes fair game-hair from dolls missing arms and
legs, broken toys etc.  The most creative so far was pencil shavings!
Happy Crafting!  Paula-

Thank you so much Paula for the CREATIVE idea.  I am sure lots of parents
and teachers will be able to use this great idea.

Do you have an idea to add to this or one of the other art idea sites?
Send it to the Art Teacher on the Net and I will post it.  Let me
know if you want me to include your e-mail so others can contact you.
If you do not specify that you want your e-mail posted I will not
post it.  


Art Teacher on the Net

artprojects@teacher.com
Teachers, Group Leaders, and Parents
Share Your Christmas Art Project Ideas/Traditions
Art Teacher on the Net



Christmas and other Holiday Links

Christmas is celebrated all over the World: Find out how. See how to say Merry Christmas in Several Languages.
Christmas Projects Galore : Lots of Links to Christmas Site and Projects
Holiday Net: This Holiday Net site will keep you busy looking at all kinds of different Holiday Celebrations around the World.