A Holiday Craft That'll Grow With Your Kids

by Lois Scamihorn

Here's a fun activity that could be the beginning of a new tradition for your family. Have fun!

The Family Christmas Tree Skirt

Materials A large piece of fabric, anything you want: Felt, cloth, velvet, flannel, etc. Just remember you want it to last for a long time. I recommend Felt or even Canvas. If you have a large tree, get 2 to 4 yards in length (and as wide as you can) at a fabric store. Tell your local fabric store employee what you need it for and ask what they think would be best.

Directions

Step 1: The Outer Circle Open the material, fold it in the middle, and cut out a half circle as large as you wish.

Step 2: The Inner Circle Find the center of the circle by folding the folded half circle in half, then in half again, and then mark it. Now, unfold the fabric to your folded half circle and measure along the fold from the center point to 5 inches in both directions. Use these two outer points to draw another half circle around the center point. It doesn't have to be perfect. Cut out the center circle and save the material for a future project.

Step 3: Open The Skirt Up You should now have a large circle with a smaller circle in the center. Along the crease of the original fold, cut from the outer edge to the inner circle. This is your opening for the tree.

Step 4: Have Fun Decorating!!!!!

Suggested ideas:

1) Watch Your Kids Grow! Make hands prints of just the kids or the whole family. Write their names under the prints and the date. You can add their hands every year until the skirt is full.

2) Make Picture Pockets! Take clear transparences and cut down to just a little bit larger than a 3x5 photo. Glue three sides to the skirt, leaving the fourth open to slip pictures in and out of, and decorate the outer edges as you wish. This is a great idea because you can change the pictures every year as your children get older. Then, when you have grandchildren, you can put their pictures in the skirt.

3) Decorate with snowmen, Santa, reindeer, whatever you wish! Just get some construction paper, non-toxic glue, paint, glitter, and anything else you and the kids want, and let your imaginations go wild!

Lois Scamihorn is Mom to two beautiful boys, Jonathon (7) and Andrew (3). She has been working with children in various disciplines (mostly theatre) since the early '90s and has worked professionally as a costume designer since 1995. If you'd like some thoughts or suggestions for your next child party or have any craft questions for Lois, please email her at lois@familymagazinegroup.com. holiday craft