Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve are all wonderful winter holidays. Not only are they perfect time to celebrate with friends and family but they are perfect for getting creative. Christmas time is a wonderful time to encourage kids to get busy crafting by having them pack gifts for friends and family. Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and snowy winter weather also offer lots of opportunity to spend time with the scissor and glue. But before you embark on your craft projects for the winter season you will want to prepare by stocking up on some basic arts and crafts supplies. Here are some suggestions for the craft closet.
Holiday Supplies
Many types of supplies are only found certain times of year and you have to buy them early on to get them. Christmas colored pom-poms, ribbon, lace and holiday craft kits sell out really fast, often long before December arrives, so start stocking up as soon as they hit the stores.
Another way to stock up for the holidays is to plan way ahead of time. When Christmas and Thanksgiving items go on clearance sale buy big for next year. This is the time to buy the more expensive items -- miniature scarecrows, mini plastic pumpkins, lace and ribbon -- will come in handy for next year.
Basic Craft Supplies
There are some things that are a necessity for crafting, no matter what time of year it is. You will want a good quality craft glue such as Aleene's Tacky Glue. Hot glue guns are a good idea for heavy duty crafting but should never be used by children alone. Construction paper in holiday colors, as well as the basic colors, chenille stems, wiggly eyes, scissors, rulers, markers, crayons, colored pencils and card stock are all essentials.
Fun Extras for the Craft Closet
You will want to include some fun extras as well. Fun foam, stamps, glue dots, stencils and decorative scissors can add creativity to kid's crafts. Pre-cut foam shapes and even craft kits allow kids to get right into their projects without a lot of preparation time.
Recycle Items
You can use quite a few things from around the house for making seasonal crafts too. Canning rings, clean juice lids, milk jug tops - these are just a few things you can use to make Christmas tree ornaments. Egg cartons, baby food jars, Pringle potato chips cans, styrofoam meat trays (well washed) -- all are great for making one of a kind craft ideas for gifts and decorations.
Spending time with the kids making crafts for the holiday season is easy when you stock up early and prepare. By being prepared for the upcoming season, with a well stocked craft closet, you can spend more time doing the things you like and adding a personal touch to the holidays.
