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Christmas Crafts Around the World

	Take a brightly colored construction paper and cut it into 4 equal parts.  Each piece will make a lantern.
	Take one of the pieces of cut construction paper and fold it in half.
	Using a ruler, lightly trace a line along the two edges (not the folded end) about 1" from the bottom.  This is your cut to line.
	Now lightly trace lines from the fold down to the cut line.  You can cut these lines anywhere from 1/4 inch apart to about an inch apart.  The smaller the cut the more slits your paper lantern will have.
	Now cut these lines from the folded edge down to your cut to line.  Do not go past your cut line.
	Now unfold your paper and glue the two sides together where the fold will be in the middle of your lantern (see picture).
	Using the hole punch, punch several holes along the top only.  Thread your string or ribbon through the holes and bunch up the top a bit and tie off.  Leave enough string or ribbon to use for hanging on your Christmas tree.

You have now created a Christmas craft around the world.  If you want to try another traditional Christmas craft from China, try making a paper chain. This craft is easy and has been a traditional craft here in the Americas as well for many years.   To make the chain, cut several strips of different colored construction paper. Loop the first strip into a chain and glue it.  Slip the second strip through the first loop and glue it into a loop.  Keep repeating this until you have the length of chain you want.

	Take your cardboad box and cut off the top flaps.  Save two of the flaps for the roof of the manger. Tip:  You can use a shoebox and then you won't have any flaps to cut off.
	Tape the two flaps together.  Form them into a peak for the manger and place two sided tape on each side where you want it to connect to the box.  Tape it to the box. Tip:  You can use regular tape.  Just roll the tape so you have a sticky side on both sides.
	Poke a hole in the side of each toilet paper roll (about where arms would go). Thread a pipe cleaner through the holes.  Bend and shape into arms.   Tip:  You can bring the two ends together to make it look as if their hands are clasped into prayer or simply bend it back into the hole to fashion arms.
	Cut out some construction paper or wrapping paper slightly wider than the width of the toilet paper roll.  For Mary, I like to make her head covering a little bit longer, so determine how long your paper needs to be. Simply drape the paper over the toilet paper roll.  If the paper sticks out too much, simply put some folds in the paper to help it hang closer to the roll.  Now secure the paper in place with a rubber band.  Repeat for Joseph's head covering.  You can top off their head coverings with a colored pipe cleaner. Simply wrap it around where the forehead is and twist it together in the back. Using a black marker, make some eyes, nose and mouth for Mary and Joseph.
	Using colored construction paper (I like baby blue), fold into the shape of a wrapped baby blanket and glue or tape together.  Now fold a tan or peach colored construction paper into a shape of a head.  Draw closed eyes, a nose and mouth.  Tuck baby Jesus' head into the wrapped blanket. Tip:  You can use cotton balls to give it a filled in look.  Simply wrap the paper around the cotton balls and glue or tape together.
	To make the craddle, cut a toilet paper roll in half lengthwise.  Now unroll this so that it is open at the top (like a craddle).  Glue two pieces of brown construction paper on each side slightly larger than the opening.   Fill the craddle with some cotton balls or gold or tan ribbon, string or hay. Place baby Jesus in the craddle with Mary and Joseph by his side.
	The last step is to make the North Star.  To do this you need 2 white pipe cleaners cut in half.  Take one of the pieces of pipe cleaners and twist together to form a cross.  Now take the remaining pieces and bend around the middle (to form the remaining points of the star).   Poke a hole through the top of the manger and place one tip of the star into the hole to hold it up.   Tip:  You may need some glue or tape to help hold the star in place.

In Germany, the Christmas celebrations include lighting a candle each Sunday 4 weeks prior to Christmas.  These advent wreaths generally have 3 purple candles and one pink (or sometimes 4 purple candles).  These advent wreaths will sometimes include a fifth candle for lighting on Christmas day.

Supplies

	Cut out a hole in the center of your plate to form the wreath.
	Using the green construction, trace and cut out several hand prints (enough to go around the plate).  Glue the handprints around the plate.
	Using the purple construction paper, cut the paper in half lengthwise.  Then cut several strips wide enough to overlap and glue. Roll the purple paper and glue the ends.  Make three of these for the 3 purple candles.  Repeat this once for using the pink construction paper.
	With the yellow construction paper, cut out four flames.  Glue these to the insides of your candles.
	Now glue each candle to your wreath. Tip:  You may have to hold these in place for awhile until the glue dries a bit.

Supplies

	Using a pipe cleaner, bend into the shape of a harp.  Twist the two ends together to hold in place. Tip:  I like to use Christmas colors to add to the colors of the tree, but any color you want to use is fine.
	Now using several white pipe cleaners, bend around the top to the bottom of the harp to make the strings.  Cut the pipe cleaners to size and bend over the harp to hold in place.
	Lastly, wrap a pipe cleaner around the base of the harp.  If you like, you can tie a colorful ribbon to the top for hanging on the tree. Tip:  As you wrap the pipe cleaners for the strings, your harp can get a bit out of shape.  Simply reshape the pipe cleaner once all the pieces are on to get back the proper shape.