Christmas Crafts for the Whole Family

If you have children then you know how important the holidays are to them. This year spend more quality time together and try to come up with new activities each Christmas. Here are a few ideas to help get you started.

1. Christmas Photo Book
Create a Christmas themed photo book. Include pictures of everyone in a Santa hat, the family putting up the Christmas tree, putting up lights indoors and outdoors and all the fun you have together. Takes tons of pictures letting each person have there turn with the camera. When you have the photo book complete put it away until next year so you can remember all the fun you had. Create a new book each year.

2. Homemade Christmas Cups
Buy a white, red or green colored mug or cup for each person in your family. Use paint that won't wash off to decorate the outside. You can draw ornaments, snow flakes, snowmen and anything else you can think of. Each person should write their name on their own cup. After the cups have been washed sit down and enjoy some hot chocolate with the entire family...using your cups of course.

3. Christmas Aprons
If your children like to help in the kitchen then let them have their own aprons. You can buy blank ones at Wal-Mart and most craft stores. Get an apron for every member of the family and decorate them together.

4. Pinecone Bird Feeders
Some birds hang around throughout the winter. This doesn't have to be done around Christmas (any time in the winter will do) but its a great winter time family project. Collect or buy plain (and unscented if bought) pine cones. Use peanut butter to cover the outside then roll the pinecones in birdseed. The birdseed should have no problem sticking to the peanut butter. Go outside and tie each one to a branch on a tree in your yard. To add a Christmas touch, tie red or green bows to each string.

5. Christmas DVD
This isn't really a craft but its still fun to do. You will need a video camera with at least 3 hours of recording time. Each day appoint someone new to take a few seconds or minutes of footage. Film all the fun activities you do together and don't forget to capture things like snow falling and the Christmas tree. If you can connect your video camera to your computer have someone edit the footage. Try adding Christmas background music.