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 A collection of tunes and stories that promote the season of hope, love and charity through Santa Claus, St. Nick, and Kris Kringle.
Reindeer Poky (sung to the tune of "The Hokey Poky")
You put your antlers in. You put your antlers out.
You put you antlers in and you shake them all about.
You do the Reindeer Poky and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!
You put your hooves in....
You put your red nose in....
You put your fluffy tail in...
You put your reindeer body in...
A Christmas Lullaby
(The children are seated in little rocking-chairs, each holding a doll dressed in a long white gown. They rock slowly in time to the music. The words are adapted to the music of the familiar hymn. "Silent Night.")
At first:
1. "hushaby" they raise forefinger of right hand, as if to insure silence.
2. Kiss dolls.
3. Very softly.
4. Lay dolls in small cradles, standing near.
5. At "hush" raise forefinger of right hand warningly.
6. Very softly.
7. Rock cradles slowly in time to music, children kneeling on floor.
8. Turn toward audience.
9. Very softly.
Hushaby, hushaby, (1)
Christmas stars are in the sky;
Sweet the bells of Christmas eve,—
Babies, each a kiss receive,—(2)
Hushaby, good-night,
Hushaby, good-night! (3)
Lullaby, lullaby,
Babies in their cradles lie; (4)
Every one in white is gowned,
Hush, make not a single sound! (5)
Lullaby, good-night,
Lullaby, good-night! (6)
Rockaby, rockaby,
Christmas-tide draweth nigh; (7)
Quiet now the tiny feet,
Babies sleep so still and sweet,—
Sweetest dreams, good-night, (8)
Sweetest dreams, good-night! (9)
Dance Like Snowflakes (sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques")
Dance like snowflakes,
Dance like snowflakes,
In the air.
In the air.
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes,
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes,
Here and there.
Here and there.
Here's a little Candle (sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
Here's a little candle dressed in white,
Wearing a hat of yellow light.
When the night is dark, then you will see
Just how bright this light can be.
Here's a little candle straight and tall,
Shining it's light upon us all.
When the night is dark, then you will see
Just how bright this light can be.
Here's a little candle burning bright.
Keeping us safe all through the night.
When the night is dark, then you will see
Just how bright this light can be!
Where is Santa? (Sung to the tune: Are you sleeping?)
Where is Santa? Where is Santa? (hands behind back)
Here I am! Here I am! (arms out in front making a belly shape!)
Merry, Merry Christmas! Merry, Merry, Christmas!
(keep arms up through the rest of the song!)
Ho! Ho! Ho!, Ho! Ho! Ho!
Let's All Do a Little Clapping (Sing to: We Wish You A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year!)
Let's all do a little clapping, let's all do a little clapping, let's all do a little clapping, and spread Christmas cheer. You can change the clapping to other activities.
2.Jumping
3.Twirling
4.Stretching
5.Bending
6.Ask the kids for other ideas.
This is Christmas (sung to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star')
What is Christmas? We'll tell you.
It's putting love in all we do;
In our work, and in our play.
In our living every day.
It is showing love for others,
Father, Mother, Sisters, Brothers.
Old St. Nicholas (tune Old McDonald had a farm)
Old St. Nicholas had a tree (form tree with arms)
Ho, ho ho ho ho!
And on that tree he had some horns (blow horns)
Ho ho ho ho ho
With a toot toot here and a toot toot there
Here a toot There a toot Every where a toot toot
continue....
lights-------flash flash
candy canes-------yum-yum
drums-------boom-boom
bells---------ring ring
birds------peep peep
stars------twinkle twinkle
snowflakes-------flutter flutter
This is a good one to use on a flannel board
Christmas Story-Time
Legend of the Christmas Spider
Once upon a time, long ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year..... the day on which the Christ child come to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner in the ceiling to avoid the housewife's busy cleaning. They finally fled to the furthest corner of the attic. T'was Christmas eve at last! The tree was decorated and waiting for the children to see it. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, not be present for the Christ child's visit.But the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could peep through the crack in the door to see him. Silently, they crept out of their attic, down the stairs, and across the floor to wait in the crack in the threshold. Suddenly, the door opened a wee bit and quickly the spiders scurried into the room. They must see the tree closely, since their eyes weren't accustomed to the brightness of the room. So they crept all over the tree, up and down, over every branch and twig and saw everyone of the pretty things. At last they satisfied themselves completely of the Christmas tree's beauty. But alas! Everywhere they went had left their webs, and when the little Christ child came to bless the house he was dismayed. He loved the little spiders, for they were God's creatures too. But he knew the mother, who had trimmed the tree for little children, wouldn't feel the same, so he touched the webs and they all turned to sparkling,shimmering silver and gold. Ever since that time, we have hung tinsel on our Christmas trees and according to the legend, it has become a custom to put a spider among the decorations on the tree........ This legend is found in both Germany an in the Ukraine.
To do the spider, you can make them out of many different things.......For children the easiest would be take a round styrofoam ball for the body and a smaller one for the head.........Use glue and put either gold or silver glitter all over it and use the same color chenille stems for the legs.....Make a hanger to hang to the tree........Also can make them out of gold or silver pom poms (two different sizes one for body and one for head and add the same color chenille stems for the legs.........Can cut the stems in half and make two out of one..........
A Shy Santa
Isn't it the strangest thing,
That Santa is so shy? (hide face with hands)
We can never, never catch him, (make fingers run)
No matter how we try.
It isn't any use to watch, (hold hand to eyes and look)
Because my parents said,
"Santa Claus will only come
When children are in bed!" (shake finger)
Santa Claus
Here is the chimney (make fist, enclose thumb)
Here is the top (place palm on top of fist)
Open the lid (remove top hand)
and out Santa will pop. (pop up thumb)
Gingerbread Man
Stir a bowl of gingerbread (stir as in bowl)
Smooth and spicy brown
Roll it with a rolling pin
up and up and down (Pretend to roll)
With a cookie cutter, ( pretend to cut out)
make some little men.
Put them in the oven ( place in oven)
till half past ten!
Reindeer Poop (use small, round chocolate like cranberries, blueberries or sultanas coated in organic chocolate )
I woke up with such a scare when I heard Santa call...
"Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!
I ran to the lawn and in the snowy white drifts,
those nasty reindeer had left "little gifts".
I got an old shovel and started to scoop
neat little piles of "reindeer poop".
But to throw them away, seemed such a waste,
So I saved them, thinking ~ you might like a taste!
As I finished my task, which took quite awhile,
Old Santa passed by and he sheepishly smiled.
And I heard him exclaim as he rose in the sky ~
"Well, they're not potty trained, but at least they can fly!"
Christmas/Hanukkah story.
Props: Hanukkah Candle Puppet
Supplies: empty toilet paper roll, yellow construction paper, glue, popsicle stick, non-toxic paint, markers or crayon, glue, scissors.
Allow the children to color or paint the toilet paper roll. Help them cut out a small flame from the yellow construction paper. Let them draw a face on the flame and glue it to one end of the popsicle stick. Place the popsicle stick inside the empty toilet paper roll and control the puppet by moving the stick up and down.
Christmas Star Puppet
Ordinary glove, sequins, glitter, glue
Allow the children to decorate an ordinary glove with sequins and glitter, creating a sparkling effect. Put the glove on and use as a Christmas star.
Story by Holly McDonough-Abunassar copyright 1996
Child Care Provider Magazine childfun.com
When the Hanukkah Candle Met the Christmas Star
The cold winds were beginning to blow, nipping at the heels of shoppers filling the streets in search of the perfect gift. There seemed to be a certain joy in the air - the holiday season was here.
The clerk at the corner gift shop was putting the final touches on the window decorations. She placed a Hanukkah candle in the Menorah and lit the Christmas star atop the tree. She stood back for a moment, admiring her handy work. Then she hurried off to tend to her chores.
All was quiet in the front window, but not for long. "Excuse me," said a voice. "Huh?" said another. "It's me - over here." It was the Hanukkah candle. "Why are you always here?" he asked the Christmas star. "I was just about to ask you the same question!" replied the star. "Every year it's the same thing. They unpack us from the box and put us in this window," continued the star. "Some stop to look at me and others admire you. But you can't hang from a tree like the other ornaments. You don't sparkle like tinsel. And I don't see how you could sit atop this tree - like me."
"Of course not," chuckled the candle. "I don't belong on your tree. I am a candle - a symbol of hope. People sing songs and celebrate when they light me each evening. You see, many, many years ago, a frightening King ruled the land. He wouldn't allow the people to pray and he put out the candle burning in their temple. One family used the last of their oil - just one day's supply - to keep that light aglow. Much to everyone's surprise, the candle stayed lit for 8 days until more oil arrived. Now people light me every year as a symbol of hope - remembering those who fought to keep me lit all throughout the year."
"I see," said the star. "And why do you sit perched on top of that tree year after year?" asked the candle. "As it turns out," replied the star in surprise, "I too am a symbol of hope to all who light me. Many, many years ago, a baby was born and laid in a manger in a stable. This baby brought eternal hope to the people who traveled from far-off lands to visit him, bringing gifts. A star was shining bright in the sky, leading them to where the baby lay. Now, I am a symbol of hope, reminding people of the baby's birth. Every year, people place me on the tree and celebrate with songs and gifts and the most delicious smelling foods."
The two were quiet for a moment, both deep in thought. Just then, a man stopped to admire the Hanukkah candle and the Menorah. All at once the star stretched out its points as wide as he could to shine a little extra light on the candle. The man moved on. A few minutes later, a child ran to the window to point to the star perched on the tree. Without even thinking, the Hanukkah candle straightened up as tall as he could and cast a glow over the star.
From that day on, the star and the candle had a new understanding of each other.
Different, but alike, each bring celebration to the season.
Now when the candle and the star sit side by side in the gift shop window, each works hard to help the other shine a little brighter - bringing hope to all who stop to visit.
Three Bear Story
We adapted a Christmas version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and acted it out. Goldilocks was invited to stay to celebrate Christmas with the Three Bears.
Candy Cane Story
Jesus Gentle Shepherd, this cane of red and white proclaims the sweet love story, born on Christmas night
This cane, you see, when turned around begins your name of Love and now becomes a symbol of peace proclaimed above The lively peppermint flavor is the regal gift of spice
The white is your purity and the red your sacrifice
And so this cane reminds us of just how much you care and like your Christmas Gift to us it's meant for all to share
Childfun.com
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