Make Gifts and Cards for Teachers
Well, it was mainly a card making exercise as I have been having problems figuring out what to give approx 10 teachers that isn't just junk for them to surreptitiously dispose of. Having said that, I think we are about 75% of the way there now.
First off the rank today was the fairly boring job of designing the cards. I got the kids to choose some graphics and frames from the same sources as mentioned in this post. They then chose the colours for the frames. At that point they went stir crazy waiting for me to print and cut or trim the various bits and pieces. Due to some very poor organisation on my part, when I was finally ready for them to resume doing their bit, I was unable to locate the very important double-sided foam dots for layering the images. If the activity was to be finished today, we were now required to go to the local crafting superstore.
Before leaving on our expedition, the kids completed one other task - making the artwork for some of our gift packaging (thanks, Aunty Jane, for the clever idea).
While out at the shops, I decided to pick up some "Merry Christmas" stickers to add to the cards as well as procuring the all important foam dots. Once home, it was a hive of industry as the children engaged in some elementary paper tole. I was impressed at how accurate their placement was given their diminutive size.
Applying the "Merry Christmas" stickers was not quite as impressive, but that was one of those things that I tried to let go of (not 100% successfully I might add). I should have realised that if some wonkily (yes, that is a word in my world, I think) placed stickers were bothering me, letting the kids write in the cards was just asking for trouble. My inner-control-freak had a really hard time letting go of the wrongly placed words, even though I know that is what makes a handmade card from a child worthwhile. I ended up hurting my son's feelings and I am not feeling the best about today's efforts.
I am glad that today's activity is over. I think the kids are too. These Countdown Activities are supposed to be fun and this one turned bad in the end. I hope the teachers like their gifts anyway, because even though my mood spoiled the fun, the children still made them with affection.
Finally, there is no Christmas Song today. After a long and inspiring life, one of this generation's "greats" achieved his final freedom today.
RIP Nelson Mandela - thank you for all that you have given humanity.
First off the rank today was the fairly boring job of designing the cards. I got the kids to choose some graphics and frames from the same sources as mentioned in this post. They then chose the colours for the frames. At that point they went stir crazy waiting for me to print and cut or trim the various bits and pieces. Due to some very poor organisation on my part, when I was finally ready for them to resume doing their bit, I was unable to locate the very important double-sided foam dots for layering the images. If the activity was to be finished today, we were now required to go to the local crafting superstore.
Before leaving on our expedition, the kids completed one other task - making the artwork for some of our gift packaging (thanks, Aunty Jane, for the clever idea).
While out at the shops, I decided to pick up some "Merry Christmas" stickers to add to the cards as well as procuring the all important foam dots. Once home, it was a hive of industry as the children engaged in some elementary paper tole. I was impressed at how accurate their placement was given their diminutive size.
Applying the "Merry Christmas" stickers was not quite as impressive, but that was one of those things that I tried to let go of (not 100% successfully I might add). I should have realised that if some wonkily (yes, that is a word in my world, I think) placed stickers were bothering me, letting the kids write in the cards was just asking for trouble. My inner-control-freak had a really hard time letting go of the wrongly placed words, even though I know that is what makes a handmade card from a child worthwhile. I ended up hurting my son's feelings and I am not feeling the best about today's efforts.
I am glad that today's activity is over. I think the kids are too. These Countdown Activities are supposed to be fun and this one turned bad in the end. I hope the teachers like their gifts anyway, because even though my mood spoiled the fun, the children still made them with affection.
Finally, there is no Christmas Song today. After a long and inspiring life, one of this generation's "greats" achieved his final freedom today.
RIP Nelson Mandela - thank you for all that you have given humanity.
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