Making tree decorations

Ok, so being that we are moving not long after Christmas, I did not want to pull out all the elaborate decorations. Although I am a very matchy matchy big full tree person, I decided to have a family night where we made all the decorations for the tree. We still have to make a star for the top of the tree but for the most part it is complete. This has really been useful in talking with the kids about the meaning behind every thing we do. I NEVER want my kids to think we do all of this for tradition. They need to know that the tree is what the cross what made from. And even on the celebration of his birth we can discuss the redemption story. As I have stated in previous posts, we do not celebrate Santa in our house. My children know that we buy them presents. This year we are not buying very much. Our children are getting older and we are working our way out of worldly tradition. Jesus was the perfect GIFT... Why do we always need more?

On the tree, we made popsicle stick snowflakes and gold crosses. Then we took styrofoam craft balls and glued different candy on them. We have a gum drop one, a skittles one, and a hershey kiss one. Then we made hearts from candy canes. We also made garland of construction paper and another one of fruit loops. I must say I surprised myself with how cute this stuff turned out.