The Young Women have been asked to provide a craft for our upcoming Ward Christmas party. We have several ideas floating around that we may use, but one of my favorites is this Santa’s beard advent calendar. I found the original idea here on Pinterest, and just slightly changed it up.
It’s great because it’s cheap, easy to reproduce, and a unique way to count down to Christmas – just snip off a line of Santa’s beard every day until you get to the top. I used college-lined filler paper for the beard, a 3/4″ circle punch for the nose and hat top, a 1″ punch for the cheeks and mustache (cut in half), and a standard hole punch for the eyes. I free-handed the hat and it’s trim. Then it’s just a matter of writing in the numbers and sticking it all together.
I would assemble in this order:
1. number the beard
2. Attach hat, then trim and top
3. Adhere eyes, then cheeks, mustache, then nose
I don’t mean to rain on the parade or anything, because I think this is a darling craft, but did it get approved by your bishop? I just wonder how it is for the ‘church’ to promote santa. I know some wards used to have santa come in the past, but i thought now they are trying to make it Christ centered. I’m sure you could find a darling natvity type craft or something. Just food for thought. I do think it is cute though.
B. – we are working on a variety of crafts, including a nativity to color, a Hershey kiss mouse, and pipe cleaner candy canes. I don’t think we are necessarily “promoting Santa” – I believe we can enjoy all the fun aspects of Christmas while still focusing on the Savior.
That is just adorable! I wouldn’t think that would be a problem at all. I know the church stopped having Santa Claus actually visit the ward parties, but a craft? Come on…we still do Halloween parties at church…so why should a Santa craft be outlawed?!
Super cute! I’d love to make these with my kids. We are having Santa come to our ward party, so I am sure it’s not a worldwide church ban on Santa. Just up to your leaders and their preferences. I don’t see anything wrong with this craft for a ward party.
Hi… I had to put these sites on here to back the use of Santa with church events or teachings. Pres. Faust commented on Santa as an example of what Jesus taught all of us.
http://www.simplyfreshdesigns.com/2010/12/believe-james-e-faust-on-santa-claus/
It was presented in the 1998 LDS Christmas Devotional.
http://www.byub.org/talks/transcripts/fpcd/1998/12/fpcd1998126-2671.pdf
Blessing to all of us who like to make others “Happy”!
Thanks, Suzanne. Those links are great.
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