A humble woman prays

I had a wonderful day today, being Santa’s helper. We visited with our friends and parishioners in nursing homes. The gift receivers were thrilled and reminded that they are not alone during this holiday season. Our arms were full of trees and bags of candy and cookies, oh let me tell you about the cookies.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and many, many elves too! There are still groups of elves across the world, who gather together to bring, bake and collect cookies for others during the Christmas season. There were over a dozen working elves in attendance Saturday to make the Christmas Holiday a good one for others. We had a wonderful mixed group of Children, Moms, Dads, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and friends gathered in our fellowship hall working like , well, like elves.

We had multiple tables loaded with dough, icing, sprinkles, construction paper, creativity, crayons, glue, glitter-lots of glitter!, old magazines, candy, music, gift bags, Christmas coloring sheets, cans of spray paint, craft supplies, markers, old newspapers, trays, pans, gingerbread walls and roofs, patience, laughter, love and many hearts feeling the magic of Christmas to help Santa.

We ended up with hundreds and hundreds of cookies, lots of candy, fruit, children made handmade Christmas cards (misspelling and all), colored Christmas art, little gifts that came from stores or homemade by individuals, and miniature Christmas Trees made from old magazines!

Do you remember making Christmas trees from magazines when you were a child. We did those this year. Oh my goodness, it takes time to fold each page in the magazine. We had one helper who shared tips to make the trees even nicer.

Activities to Complete the Christmas Cookie Workshop

Table 1 – Magazine folding magic. See instructions below!

Table 2- (Outside ) Spray painting station. FYI- keep the table far, far away from cars and church building! In the western mountains of NC, the wind likes to help spread the paint.

Table 3 – Crafty elves to construct Christmas cards, add tree decorations and spread some glue.

Table 4- Hold the candy and fruit to stuff the gift bags.

Table 5- Christmas bags for the homebound friends and the gifts for each friend.

Table 6- Station for elves and supplies to build and decorate Gingerbread houses!

Table 7- Christmas coloring sheets and crayons for children and adult artistic elves.

Table 8- Cookie Decoration Station- Creativity galore!

Double tables to hold all cookies for gifting to our home bound friends and for the next night’s “Cookies and Carols” event.

We worked hard but loved every minute. And to know the love and Christmas cheer that we put in the goodies, would be felt by every receiver! Priceless!

Of course we had to feed the elves with cookies, donuts, hot chocolate and hot cider. Fruit and water was available for Mr. Grinch!

You don’t have to have a big group to make a difference and you definitely don’t need to do all of these activities to share the love at Christmas. Our time is the most precious gift that we can give! Give time for Christmas!

Help to make miniature Christmas tree!

Fold the page at an angle then hold it again. (see the video)

Once you get all of the pages folded then you cut the bottom flap off or fold it in to make the tree stand. (Hopefully)

Take the tree outside to lightly spray it with your choice of spray paint. Sprinkle glitter on it while still wet.

Once the tree dried it came back to the elf table to have candy canes, ornaments, stars, yarn balls and more glued on.

Click here for more help! Thanks Mommycraftsalot!

Let us give a prayer of gratitude!

Our hearts are full of joy and cheer due to your love and compassion being shared in all of our hearts. Thank you Heavenly Father! Amen