A Family, Christ-Centered, Christmas Chain-The Red Headed Hostess

 

 

As a kid, I remember loving to make paper chains.

I think I liked it because it is so simple and immediate!  So, if you have kids – here is a fun (and meaningful) Christmas chain project:

1–  Gather a stack of white paper, markers and scissors.

2–  Sit down as a family and make a list of ideas that would help you individually and as a family have a Christ-centered Christmas.  So… anything that would help bring you closer to Him and become more like Him (there are some examples below).

3–  Make and decorate a poster or paper with the list of all the things your family came up with.

4–  Explain that each time you do one of those things, you get to add to the Family Christmas chain.  So each time you do something on the list, you get to have a paper link, write your name on it and what you did, and then staple, glue, or tape it onto the chain.

5–  As a family, while some of you are making the poster, have the others make the paper for the paper chain.  You know all that cute patterned paper you can buy at the scrapbook store?  Why not have your kids make their own?  Give them the white paper and have them color Christmas patterns all over it (red and green polka dots, candy cane stripes, Christmas trees, stars, snowflakes, etc.), then use their papers as the links for the chains.  I have found that when they make the paper themselves, they are far more interested in the activity, because they are invested in it from the very beginning.

6–  Cut the paper into strips.  I have discovered that the best size of link is 1 1/2 inches wide.  So if the paper is on the table in front of you “portrait” style (not “landscape”, so just like you were going to write a letter), cut it across the middle.  Then cut the halves in half.  and then the halves in half again.  You should get 8 links per paper.  So, each link should be 8.5 x 1.5  inches.

7–  Variety:

– You could assign different #’s of links for each thing on the list.  For example:
For every 5 minutes of personal scripture study = 1 link  (so for 20 minutes, they get 4 links)
each personal prayer = 2 links
Help mom with dishes = 2 links
Shovel neighbor’s driveway = 3 links
Baptisms for the dead = 1 link for each name
Do a secret act of service for someone in the family = 2 links
Share your testimony with someone = 5 links
Make dinner for family = 3 links
Help with Family Home Evening = 2 links
Tell everyone everyday that you love them = 2 links
When you pray at family prayer = 2 links
Go to church = 3 links (1 for each meeting)
Go to mutual = 2 links
Read an article in a Church magazine = 2 links
Memorize a scripture mastery scripture = 2 links
Do a meaningful act of service for someone in need = 3 links

– You could have prizes determined.  For example:  When we have 50 links we will make chocolate chip cookies.  When we have 100 we will order pizza from your favorite pizza place.  At 200 links we will… (you know your family best and what a good prize is to them)

– You could have extra special links that your family can earn for extra special tihngs, like when they do a meaningful act of service for someone in need.  You can make them extra special simply by getting some metallic paper, or adding glitter to some of the links.

– On Christmas morning, you could decorate the room where all the presents are with the chain you have made.  You could talk as a family, how that is your best gift to each other as a family, and also your gift to Heavenly Father for Christmas (especially when you have served others).