Reading books can be a wonderful way to prepare your child for a particular event or occasion. Decorating the Christmas Tree can be a highly anticipated and exciting activity for families. Below we share some ideal books and suggested activities to share with your children as you prepare to decorate your tree.
Our background story:
I just love the Christmas season, but I’m a stickler for waiting until December 1 to start any Christmas cooking and decorating. When the first weekend in December finally arrives, it’s all about the tree. It was a tradition in my family to make a big deal about the tree, and I want it to be a tradition with the family I have created.
We still have to wait a few more days until the weekend, so while we wait anxiously for our beautiful, fragrant tree we will be preparing with some special stories and craft activities.
The Book (Other suitable books are listed at the end of the post)
Slinky Malinki’s Christmas Crackers [Board book]
Lynley Dodd
EAN:978-0143504627
Format: Board Books
Publisher: Penguin Group (NZ)
Published in: New Zealand
Published: October 2010
Although there are many beautiful books about Christmas trees, this is the perfect book to read with my daughter (Cam) this year as we prepare to decorate our Christmas tree. Cam is 17 months so her busy little hands and inquisitive little mind are bound to make their way over to the tree, just like Slinky Malinki-the mischievous little cat. Cam just loves looking for Slinky Malinki on each page. I’m sure your child will too!
This is a simple, funny, and cheeky story that is suitable for all ages. The illustrations are large, bright, and full of Christmas colors. This board book version means this durable book is great for little hands.
With a long list of decorations, this book is a wonderful prelude to trimming your Christmas tree, and lends itself perfectly to making your own Christmas Tree decorations:
- Trinket and Tinsel
- with baubles and bows
- Reindeer and ribbons,
- a silvery bell,
- glittering stars
- and a Santa as well
The Activity: Stamped Clay Decorations
Make the cutest Christmas tree decorations. These stamped clay decorations are very affordable and super easy. Thanks to Home Beautiful Magazine for the inspiration- and it’s so kid friendly. I just love it when I stumble upon an activity that is suitable for toddlers too. Children can help to make these decorations on a range of levels. School-aged children will be able to make the decorations independently; so could pre-schoolers with a parent by their side. Even toddlers can help with the rolling pin and cookie cutters.
You will need:
- Baking Paper
- White Air Dry Clay
- Rolling pin
- Christmas-themed cookie cutters
- Alphabet letter stamps or Christmas stamps
- Skewer
- Ribbon
Our approach
1. Once you have your supplies ready, roll out the clay onto some baking paper
2. Use the cookie cutters to cut out your desired Christmas shapes
3. Gently press the Christmas stamps onto the clay (or you can use the letter stamps to create a word)
