Books : Christmas #1

There are so many Christmas books out there to choose from but I have some favourites that I would like to share with you.

The first go to book each year is Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs.  The book is set up like a cartoon but it is nice to look at with a smaller group of kids and ask them to make up the story or just ask them what they can see.  You can tell them the story as you follow the cartoon strip like story but there isn't much text.

Don't be put off by the above!  It is really a great story and it is really a nice read.  The kids love it especially because Father Christmas isn't a big thing here so they don't know what he actually does.  This book shows a typical Christmas Eve/Day for Santa and a British look at the holiday.

There is also a second part to the story which is actually the prequel.  Father Christmas Goes on Holiday shows you what Santa does the rest of the year.  After all he has a lot of time to waste in between one Christmas and the next.

What I really like about both of these books is the style.  It may not be the best kind of book to read in a group/morning circle situation but it is nice to look at in a small group.  I also love that the pictures really tell the story and the kids know what is happening even if they don't understand the English.  Most books have great illustrations but they don't always tell the story well enough to look at the book without reading.  These two books do.

Another plus is that there is a film of both books (joined together into one piece) and the kids love watching them.  There is more language in the film and the story is changed around a little to make sure both books are fully shown.  If you are lucky you can find a copy of the film which also has The Snowman on it.  Another book/film by this author that is one of my favourites to watch with the kids and is from my childhood.

Christmas Songs #7 : The Snowman Dance

The Snowman Dance actually started out as the Easter Bunny Dance (look out for that version in Spring) but I wrote that song after Easter. However the kids had seen it in my song folder and asked me to play it.  They loved it so much I decided to rewrite it for Winter.

Some of you may recognise the melody.   It is from a famous Elton John song so I have him to thank for the inspiration for this one :)

I am letting my kids sing and dance this one at our Christmas Concert.  The Snowman Dance has got to be the #1 hit this year and as soon as I play the last note they start shouting 'Again!'.

The moves for the Snowman Dance should be self explanatory if you check out the lyrics.  You can find the lyrics complete with the guitar chords here.   You can also listen to a recording of The Snowman Dance below.  A reminder : This is just me being recorded by a phone/computer so it is not the best quality but hopefully enough for you to hear the melody.

Oh and I recommend watching The Snowman (see pic).  One of my fondest christmas memories as a child is watching this when it played on TV for the first time.  I try and watch it every year with my kids at work.  They always enjoy it despite the sad ending.

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Christmas Songs #6 : Christmas Time is Here Again

I know that 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas' is the go to song at this time of year but after all these years it is getting a little boring.  I wanted to show the kids there is more to Christmas than the old traditional song they have sung for the last four years and give them something new to add to their song collection.  After all I am with the pre-schoolers and this is their last Christmas in Kindergarten.

So I wrote a song.  Christmas Time is Here Again!

This is becoming a bit of a habit.  I just hope that other people like my songs too.  The songs are loved by my kids and this new one is no exception.

Christmas Time is Here Again! is simple, it's peppy and you can teach your kids some Christmas words.  I add a sniff at the end of the first verse, a yum yum at the end of the second verse and a Hooray! at the end of the third verse.  I also added an extra chorus at the end so the song could replace 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas'!

The lyrics complete with the guitar chords can be found here.   You can listen to a recording of Christmas Time is Here Again! below.  A reminder : This is just me being recorded by a phone/computer so it is not the best quality but hopefully enough for you to hear the melody.

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Christmas Songs #5 : 5 Little Christmas Trees

If you search for this one online you will find many a different version of this song/finger rhyme.  You will also find some activity worksheets and other resources.

You may be wondering why I am posting about this one.  After all I am trying to post original songs, mostly written by yours truly.  However this is a song/finger rhyme that I have been using for years and it is always a crowd pleaser and the kids love it too.  So I feel I have to add it to my list here as well.

Five Little Christmas Trees is one of those ones you can show off to the parents at the Christmas concert.  Pick five kids to be the trees and get someone to play the ax.  Sing it or just speak it.  There is no wrong way to perform this one.  Make it a little more peppy or change the words a little to suit your needs/tastes.  Just have fun with it!

Here is my printable version of the text.  I hope you and the kids enjoy it! 

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Christmas Songs #4 : Let it Snow

In my last couple of posts about Christmas Songs, I mentioned I had found this great site (with guitar chords) that had a load of Christmas songs that I hadn't even heard of.  However there were also a couple of those songs that I know and love.  I wanted to get the kids interested in the 'original' Christmas songs and decided to rewrite Let it Snow so it would be easier for the kids to learn.

There are only three verses but it is much easier for them to sing and they really love it.  I can't wait to play them the original version over the next few weeks.  

Another great thing about the song Let it Snow  is that the kids want to sing it all the time because they think it will actually snow if we sing it often enough. Cute and funny!  I hope someone finds this song as much fun to sing with their kids as I do.

The lyrics can be found here.  I don't have an audio file for this one because the melody is very well known.  You can find guitar chords on many a website if you want to play along.

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Christmas Arts & Crafts #2

Apologies for the radio silence.  I have been fighting a cough and it has been winning.  I will try and get more Christmas items posted asap because, well, it is nearly here already!

Christmas Trees 

This isn't a hard one but it is a fun one to make.  Nothing special but it gives the kids something to make for Christmas and to take home.

Either collect Ice Lolly sticks or buy them from a craft shop.  If you are lucky they will have coloured ones.  If not then you will just have to get the kids to paint them before hand.

One stick is needed for the 'trunk' of the tree and at least two more to cut/snap as the branches.  Use glitter, stickers, paints, pens....whatever you want to decorate your tree.  Be creative or just let the kids decide from a bunch of different items.

St Nick Sacks

Here in Austria we celebrate St Nikolaus on the 6th of December.  So this is really for this particular fest.  However you could use the same idea for Santa Claus as well.

If you are having a Christmas event where the kids will get to collect sweets & fruit like a stocking then this is a nice craft idea.

The sacks were ordered from a craft catalogue and the rest is just pieces of paper and felt we had left lying around.  Oh and come cotton wool.

This may also be a nice way to pack up presents for the parents or maybe you can think of something else you can use it for.  They definitely look good hanging up around the room before Christmas.

Paper Stars

This is a very easy one but a nice item to make on one of those rainy/snowy Winter days.  They look nice hanging around the room and you can use up your left overs or splash out for some cool shiny paper if you want.

Draw the star on some coloured paper and let the children cut them out themselves.  Wind some glittery thread or ribbon around the star and add some shiny stones or whatever you have lying around.

These are easy and quick to make.  You can make them as simple or as extravagant as you want.  Use your imagination or better yet, make a sample, show the kids and then let them create their own!  You may be surprised at the ideas they have!

Christmas Songs #3 : Christmas Cookies

In my last post about Christmas Songs, I mentioned I had found this great site (with guitar chords) that had a load of Christmas songs that I hadn't even heard of. One of those songs was Christmas Cookies.

Once again the song was a lot longer that I needed for my kids and it was difficult.  However their was that great catchy first verse.  So I just used that one and came up with two other verses of my own! 

This is a great song for the kids because after all, who doesn't like Christmas Cookies?  I have already sung this one with my kids and they love it!  It is nice and repetitive so they don't need to learn too much.  I am sure it is going to be a favourite for years to come because I love playing it on the guitar too ;)

The lyrics can be found here.  I don't have an audio file for this one but if anyone wants to hear my take on the song/my version then please feel free to post in the comments and let me know.

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