These two crafts can be made with kids and being together, making memories is what bonds families during the holidays...

Rice Sack Pillows: (All Ages)

1. Get a medium sized rubbermaid tub or similar and pour half of a 10 or 25 pound bag of rice in it, depending on how many you plan to make and the size of the pillows. Add to this as you run out. (One large bag is much less expensive than buying many small bags and you can store what you don't use in gallon ziploc bags.)

2. Sew pieces of fabric together, in whatever size, shape you wish, leaving one end open. Hearts, moons, gingerbread men and spirals are fun alternatives to the usual rectangle.

3. You can have your child place some cloves, cinnamon sticks and anise seeds inside before placing rice in it, if you wish to give off a wonderful, warming holiday scent when the sack is heated.

Lavendar is also a nice addition on it's own for a relaxing soothing scent. Rose petals work well. You might also use your favorite essential oil combination, just use 2-3 drops of each scent, MAX or it will be overwhelming. Keep in mind, the smell of the rice will mix with the scents you add to the rice sack.

4. Hand the sacks to the littlest children and have them scoop rice into it, holding the bags over the edge of the rubbermaid tub.

5. Older children or parents can then hand-stitch, straight or blanket stitch the open end closed.

6. Decorate with ribbon embroidery or sew buttons on the hand-stitched edge for a more home-spun look. (I think local midwife Kim Garrett carries a circular rice pack with her that has a quilt block top. That's another great idea if you're into quilting.)

Keep a couple for your own home, to snuggle up with when kids are feeling ill.

Toss one into the microwave for 1-3 minutes depending on how large the pillow is and enjoy the fruits of your efforts.

Beeswax candles: (All Ages)

1. Have child measure and cut wicking to 2 inches longer than the beeswax sheet.

2. set blow dryer to low, and have child blow the beeswax till it warms up and is bendable, but not too warm or it will melt and lose it's pretty honeycomb texture.

3. Lay wick on one end of the wax sheet. Press it into the wax and fold edge over onto wick, holding it in place

4. Help child to roll wax around wicking and keep rolling. If wax becomes too stiff in any spot, use blow dryer again.

5. Carefully roll last layer around to preserve the pretty comb design

6. warm bottom of candle. Tap on table to flatten the end that it will stand on.

7. Tie raffia or other pretty ribbon on with charms if you wish to decorate.

You can also buy those candle stands that have a nail-poker type base to stand the candle up and use as part of the gift, either assembled or not.

Hope those ideas are helpful to you for enjoying the holidays with your children.

They'll get loving time with you, and learn about giving, finishing products and hard work. Talk about each person you are giving to as you create their gift, talk about what you like about them, and how your life is blessed because they are in it. Then, write a short note in their card about how you created it for them and include one or two of the things you thought about them, as you made the gift.

Happy Holidays!

Hugs,

Chris Anne Johnson

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