A fun project for kids: Make your own Christmas ornaments

Instructions: Paste each picture onto cardboard and cut out along the dotted lines (always use safety scissors so you don’t cut yourself). Color with plain or glitter crayons,  with paint or felt-tip markers – whatever you’ve got. Punch out the black dots and string with bright ribbon, then hang them on the tree, over the [...]

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Chocolate-frosted marshmallows/fruit on a stick

Your kids will enjoy helping with this recipe – and they’ll be more than happy to eat the product of their labors afterwards. This is a great item for a kids’ Christmas party, as well. Ingredients: 15-20 large marshmallows 6 oz. semisweet chocolate red and green sugars waxed paper toothpicks cookie sheet or platter Preparation: [...]

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The Christmas Workshop 2008 is Open!

Over the next couple of months visitors to Simplify Christmas (yes, visits have remained consistently high, even through the spring and summer months of 2008) will notice some fairly dramatic changes in the organization and appearance of the site as I prepare for the official start-up date of November 1st. The first big change is [...]

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Name that Christmas Tune

These are riddles, of a sort. Based on the description given of a song, you must guess its real title. For the answers, click on “read more” at the bottom of this post. Can you name these Christmas songs? 1. Oh member of the Round Table with circular missing areas. 2. Boulder of the tinkling [...]

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Jingle Bell ROCK: Aly & AJ

Here’s a rather less “sedate” version of Jingle Bell rock than Brenda Lee, from teen pop duo Aly & AJ – who, incidentally, spent part of their childhood in Seattle–

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“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” Music + Lyrics

I couldn’t find an online karaoke for this classic song, but I can provide you with both the song, via YouTube, and the lyrics– You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus. You’re as charming as an eel. Mr. Grinch! You’re a bad banana with a [...]

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Whatcom Children’s Museum: “Wonder Workshop”

Where: Children’s Museum, 227 Prospect Street, Bellingham When: Saturday, Dec. 22, 1:00 – 3:00 PM What: Make a beautiful lantern on the first day of winter! Cost: The workshop is free with $3.50 admission For more information: 733-8769

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Tinsel Toons, #2

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Seattle Aquarium: Winter Break “Fantastic Fishtival” for Kids

Where: Seattle Aquarium, Pier 59, 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle (get directions) When: Dec. 28, 2007 – Jan 6, 2008. All day event. What: hands-on arts and crafts, storytelling, and opportunities to learn more about the care and feeding of the Aquarium’s fish, birds, tidepool animals and marine mammals. Cost: Included with aquarium admission. For more [...]

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Sumas: Kids Party at the Sumas Library Tomorrow, 12-12

A little slow on the uptake for this one – my apologies. Where: Sumas Library, 451 2nd St., Sumas (map and directions) When: 3:30 PM What: Stories, ornament-making, refreshments and more. Cost: Free For more information: 360-988-2501

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