Strand - Holiday Crafting and Baking With Kids: Gifts, Sweets, and Treats for the Whole Family

FOR
LUCIAN

Copyright 2011 by Jessica Strand.
Photographs copyright 2011 by Aime Herring.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-4521-1141-4

The Library of Congress previously cataloged this title under:

Strand, Jessica.
Holiday crafting and baking with kids : gifts, sweets, and treats for
the whole family! / Jessica Strand.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-4521-0109-5 (pbk.)
1. Holiday decorationsJuvenile literature. 2. HandicraftJuvenile literature. I. Title.
TT900.H6S77 2011
745.5941dc22
2010044485
Designed and illustrated by Cat Grishaver

Chronicle Books LLC
680 Second Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com

20 Mule Team Borax is a registered trademark of U.S. Borax, Inc.
Brachs is a registered trademark of Farleys & Sathers Candy Company, Inc. Red Hots is a registered trademark of Ferrara Pan Candy Co., Inc. Sharpie is a registered trademark of Sanford, L.P. X-Acto is a registered trademark of Elmers Products, Inc.

A s I began writing this book, I enlisted my ten-year-old son, Lucian, to help me. I knew what I thought would work, but without a kids input, my holiday craft list would merely be an assumption of what kids might find cool or fun to make. We carefully went through the list of ideas I had jotted down for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Years, and Boxing Day. He discarded the ones that had too many steps or looked silly and kept the ones he deemed great. I asked him to ask his friends what they loved to make around the holidays as well.

Within a week or two, we had a list of twenty-five holiday crafts. Some were my favorites, some were his, and some we both loved equally. Of course, Lucian was drawn to the ones that involve candylike the adorable gumdrop elvesbut he also loved the freedom of making his own holiday wrap. Ive always liked the tradition of stuffing stockings, so I had fun with the handmade stockings project, customizing the stocking with ribbon, my favorite color of rickrack, and buttons. Though its a bit more complicated than some of the other crafts, the star garland was a favorite for both of us because it turns out so pretty and festive.

Each of the crafts in this book was created especially for a particular holiday and tradition. And all the projects are simple to put togetheryou dont have to be a crafty person. The step-by-step instructions and materials lists make nearly all the crafts doable for kids aged seven and up, and there are even a few for the really little ones.

I feel that the process of crafting should be enjoyable and worry-freedont try for perfection. Those little flaws add character, especially to holiday crafts that you may use for years to come, when youll reminisce about when you and your kids made them. After all, the most important part of the holidays is spending time with friends and family.

So sit down with your hot chocolate or mulled cider and choose a project. Dig inadd your own flourishes, and dont be shy. Imagine the felt stocking trimmed in a colorful array of sequins or tiny white, red, and green rhinestones; picture the gift jar filled with the layered ingredients of your favorite family recipe for scones, chocolate chip cookies, or seven-layer bars. Over time, having made several gumdrop elves and holly trees, you might be inspired to create a gumdrop Mr. and Mrs. Claus.... The list goes on and on. Whats important is that you and your family make these crafts together, and that they help you to celebrate special occasions.

Enjoy! And happy, happy holidays!

This small list contains the must-haves for creating the crafts within these pages; most projects in this book require at least one of them. (There are other items youll need, but they will vary according to the project.) These are fairly common supplies. Be sure to check around the house before you run out and purchase them.

• X-Acto knife
• Micro-tip scissors and/or utility scissors
• Metal ruler (more versatile than wood or plastic, especially when working with wax)
• Pencil
• -in/6-mm and -in/3-mm hole punches
• Nontoxic glue
• Stapler and staples
• Fabric chalk
• Double-sided tape
• Self-healing cutting mat

• Make sure you have all the tools and equipment for the project before you begin.
• Photocopy or scan the project templates/diagrams so that you have multiples to use while crafting.
• Adult supervision is necessary for the baking and craft recipes in this book.
• Young children need adult assistance in crafts requiring knives, X-Acto knives, sharp scissors, and needles. Use caution.
• Working around a hot stove or oven can be dangerous. Always use oven mitts when handling pans or cookie sheets.
• Keep a stash of multicolored paper on hand so you can mix up the colors of the projects if youd like.
• When crafting with more than one child, make sure theres enough of everything to go around. This will prevent arguments over tools or equipment.
• Use a worktable or cover your table in parchment or butcher paper to protect it from spills, glue, sharp blades, and the like.
• Dont overdo it. Tackling more than a couple of craft projects in a sitting might be pushing it, since children tend to get restless. You want to keep everyone interested and engaged.
• Use your imagination! For example, if you just need a bit of cellophane and you dont want to buy an entire roll, scavenge or buy a cellophane bag and trim it to size.

CHANGING LEAVES

I f you love autumn and the changing colors of leaves, this is the craft for you. You can either go out and gather your own leaves or purchase them at your local florist or craft store. Remember, the more colors, the more beautiful the wreath!