Christmas Outreach Party Coming Up!

So I'm planning an outreach party for kids to take place in a few weeks at church. I want to show the newest Veggie Tales Christmas movie on the big screen, crank up our commerical popcorn machine and inflate the bounce house. I also am going to incorporate some of the ideas I posted in my Candy Cane Craze blog, with a few additons with some cute stuff I found on Pinterest. Is anybody else having a Christmas Party for the kids at your church? And what good ideas can you give me. We want to use this as an outreach event as well.

New-Comer Fellowship

New-Comer fellowships or Dinners are events that allow visitors or new attendees to get to know your pastor and your staff better. They are important because they help connect people to other individuals and to leadership. They are generally are in more intimate settings. There are plenty of options when planning a New-Comer Dinner for your church.

How Often?
This depends on the size and type of church you have. If you are in a larger church or have a lot of visitors you need to have them as often as you can. A lot of people slip through the cracks. It’s important to make them feel welcome and a part of your group. Some churches have them once a month. You also could consider once a quarter or once every other month.

What type?
Again, this depends on your church and basically your gifts. We pastored a small church for a few years where it was easier to host small groups in our home. That is a great option for church plants or even small groups. Dinners are always the best option….everybody likes a free meal. Of course, you can always just serve coffee and dessert. Though I prefer appetizers and snacks to solely dessert. If you have staff assign everyone a appetizer, salad, etc. to bring. I’ve given you some menu ideas on down.

The Invitation
Be sure you make announcements and place it in your bulletin. There might be somebody you miss by just a letter or email invitation only. Plus, open it up to newer visitors. Maybe a family is just visiting your church, but wants to learn more about the church. Make it an open invitation. Call, email, send a card, announce it, stick it in the bulletin and make a flyer to hang on your bulletin boards. You’ll get plenty of attention. Most importantly, just ask somebody. We were “pew sitters” during a difficult time in our lives. We would hear of church events and think “that sounds like fun,” but felt so disconnected that we didn’t make the effort. It would have made a big difference for someone to come to us and say, “please would you…” I never knew how much that makes a difference until I was outside of the loop looking in.

The Decor

I could go on and on about this, but make sure you make your event look warm and inviting. Nothing too fancy. You might consider decorating seasonally. For spring you could garden themed table decorations (planters, small clean garden tools, pretty garden gloves & flowers). If it is summertime consider using beach decorations (inflatables, beach towels, sunglasses, sand toys). For fall use scarecrows, pumpkins and mums. In winter decorate with snowmen or snowflakes. If you wish to keep it really simple purchase or make decorations that you can use over and over again. I had some really pretty wooden birdhouses I had purchased on year (Hobby Lobby half-price) for a Home Missions convention. I just added some greenery and we had very cute tables. (For the Home Missions convention I added small American flags)

All About Me
Make out a fun and non-threatening form for people to fill out at your event. You might make this part of your icebreaker game time. It will give people a chance to let you know a little bit more about themselves. Include a section for prayer needs and any area of interest to get involved in. Don’t make it complicated. People don’t want to feel like they are signing away their first born or anything.

Here is a link for some interesting questions to ask.
http://members.tripod.com/~lotsofinfo/

The Games
You need an ice breaker or two to lighten the mood. Keep in mind that these are visitors and might not be comfortable trying to pass an orange along under their chin. Here are a few sites for ice breakers.

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/icebreakers.html - she also has a link at the bottom of the page for other sites

http://www.homefellowshipleaders.com/Homefellowship_Guide/LG/97_icebr1.html

http://training-games.com/pdf/40FreeIceBreakers.pdf

The Food
You should do the best you can. Don’t do potluck. This is an evening just for your guests. They don’t need to stress out about what to bring. If you have a group in your church that does the cooking for functions let them assist you. If you chose to do dessert have your staff bring a dessert or two a piece. Just keep this in mind. You are going to have some folks with health issues. I am diabetic. I cringe every time I am invited to a dessert party. I either don’t get to eat or I spend the night in a sugar coma. I like the snack party idea better if you are not going to serve dinner. Here are some of my favorite menus for a New-Comer Dinner. I have recipes or tips under my recipe label.

Lasagna (save your Spaghetti recipe for an all church event – I have a recipes for both on this site!)
Salad
Garlic Bread
Dessert

Beef Brisket
Smashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Hot Rolls
Dessert

Chicken Cordon Bleu
Smashed Potatoes or Baked Potatoes
Salad
Dessert


The Goodies
Make sure everyone goes home with something. You can either put together a goodie bag or make your own favors. There are plenty of printable templates for candy bar wrappers, etc. Just add your church information.
Here are a list of items you might consider for your goodie bags.

Samples of hand lotion, note pads, candy, bookmarks, calendars, pens, magnets, small devotionals, gum

Here are a few links for printable favors or other favor ideas.
http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/favors.html - love her

http://sawyers-specialties.com/survival-kits/ has survival kit ideas. Really cute!

http://alenkasprintables.com/free_printables.shtml

http://www.primdoodles.com/printables.asp

Door Prizes
Gift certificates from local restaurants, car washes, retail stores, gas stations

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/doorprizes.PDF Once again Julia has some wonderful tips and ideas for door prizes.

The Fellowship
It is so important for your guests to feel comfortable. If you have staff, mix them up in between the guests. If it is just you and your family consider having another church family involved. Encourage your helpers to be friendly and engaging.

Here is a sample event schedule

Opening Prayer
Meal
Ice Breakers
Short Introduction to church, staff, ministries
Open Forum (answer any questions)
Door Prize Giveaway
Closing Prayer

The Follow-Up
Be sure to send a thank-you card to all your guests. If possible, write out a hand-written note. Though for many people now emails are perfectly expectable. Follow-up with any prayer requests, volunteer services, etc. that they might have indicated on their All About Me form.

Tea For You And Me

Nothing like a tea party to make us all feel pretty special. You can have your tea party any time of the year. We've had Christmas Teas, Harvest Teas, Valentine's Teas. But the most favorite time of year for a tea party is around Mother's Day. Here are some of my ideas (and a few of some other folks) to create a nice Tea party for all ages! We have even used our Tea Party as a fundraiser. For years, my parents (in particular, my dad) were collectors of vintage china, especially, Homer Laughlin china (you might be familiar with their Fiesta Line....which I love...especially the red stuff (hint, hint). They searched flea markets everywhere for inexpensive, yet pretty and unique tea cups and saucers. We charged $10 for each ticket for our tea party and one of the take home favors was a cup and saucer set. It was a big hit!

You’re Invited!

*Find some very pretty ceramic tea pots or tea cups at the dollar store. Attach a poem to the handle or make teapot or teacup shapes.

*Or go to one of the following sites and print off tea bag favors. You can include on them the date and time of your tea party. You can purchase a box of herbal tea inexpensively...it makes a nice little treat.

http://alenkasprintables.com/teabags.shtml

http://www.stampin.com/tips/teabag.htm This is a plain template

http://www.jersgirl.com/temps.html more plain templates (in fact, lots and lots of templates!)

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/mpteabagspg1.htm

Tea Poems

A little cup of friendship

With a bag of tea

When you drink this

Think of love from me.

-source unknown

I'm not sure where I got this poem from
Tea pot is on, the cups are waiting,
Favorite chairs anticipating,
No matter what I have to do,

My friend there's always time for you

All the Pretties

Focal Point:
*A small table and set it up for a child’s tea party, complete with stuffed bears and all.

*A nice idea for the serving table is to lay down a white cloth and spread twinkle lights all around. Then cover the table with tulle (in any color) bunched up here and there. (don't spread it out flat...you want it to look like airy fluff). Arrange your food (be sure it is presented very nicely) around the table and poke flowers and greenery sprigs here and there. I also like to set up a few boxes (hiding under more tablecloth) for a tiered effect. Consider using a few porcelain decorations, etc. I have a Precious Moments figurine that is of two little girls having tea. I like using it.

The Tables
*First start by gathering up all the stuff you can find. Tea cups and saucers, linens, anything pretty that you can use.

*Consider assigning each table a theme. You can do so by color, flower, or my favorite, kind of herbal tea, herb or anything in between. Let’s say you have a yellow table cloth, and a few cups and saucers with yellow on them. Stick some fresh lemons in a dish, add a few daisies and call that table The Lemon Drop or something of that nature. Do the same with all your other tables. I have done this on a number of occasions. It is a lot of fun for all the gals attending your party.

*Use a mirrored glass (can be purchased at home improvement stores) for a base in the middle of your table…so pretty!
Purchase some little girl dress up items. Tiaras, boas, jewelry, etc. and arrange them in the middle of the tables.
*Use fresh flowers and candles in simple glass bowls or goblets. I have also used tea cups themselves as candle holders.
*Purchase a set of matching teacups w/ saucers and flipped the cup upside down and placed the saucer on top like a pedestal. Use as a place setting or centerpiece with chocolate kisses. *Another cute idea is to purchase some inexpensive porcelain children's tea sets (the dollar store usually has them). Set up your tea set in the middle of a mirrored tile with bits of ribbon roses or chocolates around it. Give away the tea sets as favors or door prizes.

On the Menu

Here are a few food ideas. I have included a few recipes.
Chicken Salad with Croissants*
Quiche
Cucumber sandwiches without crusts, PBJ cut with flower cookie cutters and deviled ham.
Miniature scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and raspberry tarts (cut pre-rolled pie into circles and pressed into mini muffin pans. Filling was raspberry jello mixed with Cool Whip and topped with a raspberry).
Fresh Fruit & Dip*
Veggies & Dip (display your veggies in a basket and use a hollowed out cabbage to hold your dip. Angel Food Cake
Chocolate Covered Strawberries*
Strawberry & Spinach Salad
Mini Muffins
Lemonade or punch
Bonnet cookies*
Teapot Cake*
And of course, an assortment of herbal teas

Recipes

Bonnets - I think I found this at the Pillsbury website.
Makes: 16 bonnets
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® Create 'n Bake® refrigerated sugar cookies
16 lemon or orange mini muffins (from bakery)
2 cups vanilla creamy ready-to-spread frosting (from two 1-lb containers)
Green and red food color
Heat oven to 350°F. Cut cookie dough into 1/2-inch slices. On ungreased cookie sheet, place slices 2 inches apart. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
If necessary, remove papers from muffins. Cut 3/4-inch slice from bottom of each muffin to use for bonnet. Reserve muffin tops for snacking. Spread cut side of each muffin bottom with frosting; attach to cookie, frosting side down. Place bonnets on rack over 15x10x1-inch pan.
Place 1/2 cup frosting in resealable food storage plastic bag. Add green food color; squeeze bag until well mixed and desired color.
Place remaining frosting in microwavable measuring cup. Microwave on High 30 to 40 seconds or until pourable. DO NOT BOIL. Stir in enough red food color for desired pink color. Pour pink frosting over bonnets in circular motion to cover completely. Reheat frosting as necessary to keep it pourable. Let stand 10 minutes or until set.
With small spatula, remove bonnets from rack, smoothing edges of frosting. Cut tiny hole in corner of bag with green frosting. Pipe ribbon of frosting for hatband; add bow design. Make dots and flower designs on each hat as desired.

Beke’s Famous Chicken Salad
1/2 cups diced and chilled, cooked chicken meat
1 cup chopped apple
1 cup sliced, seedless grapes
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 lemon squeezed
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
DIRECTIONS
In your food processor give the chicken a quick whirl.
Combine meat, celery, grapes, almonds, parsley, salt, and mayonnaise with whipped cream. Chill.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries
INGREDIENTS
16 ounces milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves
DIRECTIONS
Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into Styrofoam for the chocolate to cool

Beke’s Easy Fruit Dip
1 container of marshmallow cream
1 package of cream cheese
a little dash of cinnamon or mint, if desired
Whirl around in your food processor until well blended then chill.

Recipe link for teapot cake
http://www.brightideas.com/birthdays/themes/teaparty/cakestreats/c_p_1368_1.jsp

Entertainment

This is a link for a whole bunch of tea party games. There are organized into types/countries/etc. http://www.child-tea-party-game-ideas.com/tea-party-games.html

*Have a special speaker.

*Play old fashioned Parlor games

*Gather a few craft projects together, such as decorating straw hats or scrapbooking

*Have a mother/daughter fashion show

Some of these ideas, plus more at Creative Ladies Ministries website (link at the end of this post)

Favors and Such

*A special tea gift basket.
*Individual Tea cups - Sprinkle candy inside of the tea cups. Wrap with cellophane tied up with ribbons or raffia.

*Other tea items like tea strainers, special herbal tea or cute little tea spoons

*candy necklaces, jewel ring pops, bead bracelets, hair clips and bands, play tea sets (for the girls)

Tea Cup Refrigerator Magnet

One year I cut out tea cups out of scrapbook paper and glued them together leaving a pocket open. I wrote "My Cup Runneth Over" on them and inserted a folded paper doily and a bag of tea. I then glued a small magnet on the back. Very cute.

Tea Card - I'm not sure where I found this idea...possibly at a craft website?
Materials and Supplies
Medium Weight Card Stock Paper: 8-1/2" x 11"
Envelopes: 4-3/8" x 5-3/4"
Steam-a-Seam sticky back
Holiday or other fabric of choice: 6" x 3-1/2" for each cup
All-purpose glue
Tea bags
Water-soluble pen
All purpose thread or machine embroidery thread
90/14 needle
Open toe foot
Pattern
Important Note: These project instructions are specific to the Brother ULT2001, ULT2002D, ULT2003D sewing machines; however, the project can be adapted for use on other machines.
1. Cut the 8-1/2" x 11" card stock paper in half.
2. Fold each piece in half to form a card.
3. Cut out the oval over the cup area (see pattern).
4. Cut a piece of card stock to 5-1/4" x 4". This will cover the stitches and form the pocket on the inside of the card. Note: If you do not have a paper cutter, a rotary cutter will cut the paper very evenly.
5. Set up the sewing machine for sewing.
6. Select the zigzag stitch (1-10) and set the width to 3.0 and the length to 1.0.
7. Trace the cup and saucer on Steam-a-Seam sticky back and press it to the fabric.
8. Cut out and clip around the cup handle.
9. Place the cup on the card.
10. Press the cup in place with an iron.
11. Draw lines to form a stitch guide for the cup and saucer.
12. Starting at the right hand corner of the cup, sew with a zigzag stitch across the top, down the side, and around the right hand corner of the cup.
13. Stitch around the upper edge of pocket oval.
14. Cut and tie off threads.
15. Place needle at the saucer on the left side, stitch around the saucer and cup handle, and then tie off threads.
16. Use all-purpose glue to secure the 4-3/8" x 5-3/4" piece of card stock to the back of the card.
17. Finally, sign and date your card on the back.
Tip: The needle on the zigzag should be half on the fabric and half on the card. When sewing curves, stop with the needle down and turn the card slowly to obtain a smooth look.

Other Resources

Go to http://www.annieshomepage.com/teatime.html

Julia has some great tea party ideas at:http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/tealinks.html

Some I might even taken from her over the years! She has a little bit of everything.

My one of my favorites artists, Mary Englebreit, has a cute tea party coloring page. Here is the link. http://www.maryengelbreit.com/FreeFromMe/ColoringPages/teawithfriends.PDF

Here are some more of Mary's Coloring Pages.

http://www.maryengelbreit.com/FreeFromMe/ColoringPages.aspx

http://teas2dine4.com/ lots and lots of tea links

Jesus Loves You Snow Much!

One of our family's favorite holiday themes are snowmen. In fact, one of my husband's favorite movies is (shhh! don't tell anybody) "Frosty the Snowman." Why not have a "Jesus Loves You Snow Much" party as an outreach event. You can show Frosty the Snowman if you are so inclined...or just set up a variety of activities...all based on our favorite snowy friend. I apologize once again if I have taken an idea that someone considers an original one. I have had many of these things for several years.

Books

A Snowman Named Just Bob by Mark Kimball Moulton (Author), Karen Hillard Crouch (Illustrator)
A Snowgirl Named Just Sue
by Mark Kimball Moulton and Karen Hillard Good

Movies

Frosty the Snowman (though there is an appearance by Santa Clause...so be considerate of how others might feel)

Games

Ice Breaker Activity: (Hah! get it?)

Half fill a milk carton with colored water. Place in the freezer and when partially frozen, drop in various small toys. After this is frozen add another color of water to fill the carton. Again, let it freeze partially and add more toys. This is one of the best Christmas party ideas and the children love to chip and melt the ice to find the hidden treasure.

Marshmallow Sculptures
Materials: Marshmallows (mini size and large, Toothpicks or pretzels
Create sculptures by using toothpicks or pretzels to hold sculpture in place...have someone judge to see who created the best marshmallow sculpture.

Frosty the Snowman

All you need are two teams and two rolls of toilet paper. Appoint one member of each team to be the snowman. Then see which team can wrap their snowman in toilet paper first.

Look at my Christmas Game Ideas blog. There is a game there for passing the "snowball."

Have a snowball throwing contest. Using marshmallows (or cotton balls for an even more frustrating time) the kids throw "snowballs" to try and hit a premade target. Lot's of posibilities with this!

Bite the bullet and visit Oriental Trading. (I've included a link off to the side) They have lots of games, inflates and more. Lots of time saving help, there.

Crafts

The following links have lots of snowman craft sites. All are really cute and worth taking a look at. You can also look at my favorite snowman craft in my blog post "Christmas Craft Party."

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/snowpeople/ (lots of links)

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/snow-globe.shtml (snowglobe instructions)

http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/christmas/snowball/instr.htm (more snowglobe instructions)

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11298 (snowman hat)

http://crayola.com/ (printable activities)

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/winter/index.html (crafts, printables and more)


Snowman sayings
http://www.craftsayings.com/sayings/snow.shtml

Snowman Bottle:

Fill an empty, clear water bottle with white crepe paper or tissue paper. Replace the top. Cut or gouge out a hole in a styrofoam ball so that the top of the bottle will fit snugly inside. Add a little hot glue, then stick the ball onto the bottle. Cut a hat, mouth, and buttons from black felt. Cut a carrot nose from orange felt. Glue these on as well as two "wiggly" eyes onto the styrofoam ball. Cut out a scarf from red or blue felt. Tie around the neck of the bottle and fringe the ends. If desired, add arms made of brown pipecleaners or real twigs. The pipecleaners can either be glued on, or a tiny hole can be punched in each side and the pipecleaners and /or twigs inserted

Snowman Snacks

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=40573

crunchy snowmen treats

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50093

frosty the cupcake

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=15248
snowman cake

Snowman Rice Crispy Treats

I took this straight from about.com
INGREDIENTS:
3 Tbls Butter or Margarine
4 cups Miniature Marshmallows
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
4 cups Crispy Rice Cereal
Frosting
Decorating Items (listed below)
PREPARATION:
Melt butter or margarine over low heat in a large saucepan or in the microwave in a large bowl. Add vanilla and marshmallows. Pop back in the microwave for 30 second intervals until marshmallow are melted, stir between each interval.
Or, if making it on the stove, keep over low heat, stirring constantly until marshmallows are melted. Bend well.
Add the crispy rice cereal and stir until the cereal is coated.

Line a large cookie sheet with wax paper. As soon as the marshmallow is cool enough to touch, rub a little margarine or butter on your hands and form the cereal mixture into balls. Work quickly so your rice cereal mixture stays warm.

You will need 2 balls for each snowman. Use about 1 cup of the mixture for the body and 3/4 cup for the head balls. Set your larger ball on the wax paper lined cookie sheet. Place the small ball on top of the larger ball. If necessary, use a dab of frosting to help the 2 balls stick together.

Now you are ready to decorate your snowman! Use frosting to help some items stick to the rioce cereal balls better. Here are some suggestions for items to use to give your snowman facial features and more.

Raisins (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.)
Red Hots (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.)
M and M's (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.)
Chocolate Chips (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.)
Tiny Jelly Beans (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, etc.)
Large Gum Drops (hat)
Pretzel Sticks (Arms)

Let the snowmen set for a few hours.

Vanilla Wafer Snowman

Decorate vanilla wafers with frosting and items above for a tasty and simple snowman treat.

Make Snowman Soup

I have done this a number of times as gifts for teachers, neighbors, etc.

The Soup:
1 package hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey Kisses
15 (or so) marshmallows
1 candy cane

Put all the items above in a mug (decorated with a snowman of course!) Wrap with plastic wrap or cellophane and attach the following poem.

The Poem:

Was told you've been real good this year

Always glad to hear it

With freezing weather drawing near

You'll need to warm the spirit

So here's a little Snowman Soup

Complete with stirring stick

Add hot water, sip it slow

It's sure to do the trick!

Here is a printable tag to use with this version.

http://www.countryheartdesigns.com/snowsoup.html

Here is another version. This is a cute one, because it labels the marshmallows as freeze-dried snowballs.

http://www.craftsayings.com/projects/seasonal/winter/snowman_soup/index.shtml

Another poem you can use.

Snowman Soup

When the weather outside is frightful, Snowman Soup can be delightful. May it warm your spirit and your soul. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! When you feel a chill or 'burrrrrr', Use the peppermint stick to stir. Add hot water and sip it slow. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.

Polar Ice Cap

You'll need Blue Kool-Aid (prepare as directed), ginger ale, vanilla ice cream, clear glasses and straws. Refrigerate the Kool-Aid and ginger ale. Fill a glass almost halfway with the blue Kool-Aid. Add ginger ale almost to the top of the glass. Drop in one big snowball (scoop of vanilla ice cream) and let the kids enjoy their "North Pole" drink with a straw!

Craft Recipes

Sparkle Snow Paint

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water

Mix together and put in a squeeze bottle. Squeeze doughy paint out on to black construction paper. Make anything snowy, snowflakes, snowmen, - we made snow covered mountains with the moon and northern lights. Let dry thoroughly and it will sparkle. May also be painted (when dry) and allowed to dry again. This is a great 3 dimensional effect for snow.

Snow Paint
Make snow to paint on pictures with this easy recipe:
Materials
1 cup salt
1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup water
large bowl
Light blue construction paper
paint brushes
Mix all the salt, flour and water in the large bowl. Draw a winter scene on the light blue paper. Then paint the snow on top. When it dries you will see the snow

Snowdough Snowmen: Here's a cool recipe for snowdough: Don't eat it!

1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup water, 2 Tbs. Veg. Oil, 1 Tbs. Cream of tartar, 1/3 cup silver glitter, 1/4 cup white powdered tempera paint.

Mix all ingredients together. Cook over medium heat, stirring until ball is formed. Knead dough until cool. Provide bowls with bits of cloth, paper, beads, pipe cleaners, felt, etc. Have the guests sculpt their own snowdough snowman and decorate it. You can also provide snowflake, snowman and other winter cookie cutters for the kids to experiment with

Links to Cute Snowman Recipes

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=15248 - A cute snowman cake

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=40573 crunchy snowmen treats

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50093frosty the cupcake

Snowy Decorations

Check out my Snowy Evening Christmas Decorating Theme blog post for decorating ideas.

I would create a focal point of some sort. Maybe make a life-sized snowman out of butcher paper, etc. You can make him 3-day by stuffing him with fluff. Put a Christmas tree or two around him and some pillow fluff. Take everyone's picture with your Snowy Friend! Remember to include the caption "Jesus Loves You Snow Much!."

Here are directions for making snowman chair covers. Very cute.

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11264

http://www.shindigz.com/catalog.cfm?pgp=3W007I&AID=811160&PID=1306671 this is a link for a snowflake machine! Absolutely the coolest!

http://www.shindigz.com/catalog.cfm?cat=16699&AID=811160&PID=1306671 All sorts of goodies you can purchase to make your party pretty

You could also use lots of white and pale blue balloons everywhere. And don't forget twinkle lights!

Other Ideas (and links)

Make these favor bags

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11298

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/snowmen.html
Creative Ladies Ministry has a Snow Much Fun page with all sorts of links

http://www.dcrafts.com/cgsnowmanlinks.htm a page with lots of snowman links.

Oriental Trading (again...who can live without them?) have lots of snowman products. They even have ornaments..."Jesus Loves You Snow Much."

You could purchase snowman novelities for your favor bags or give the snowman soup to each visitor.

Be sure to take your visitors picture by your big snowman (or equivilant) and send them a picture as a reminder of their time at your party. Use it to remind them of your church and activities that are coming up.

Have fun!

Christmas Outreach Ideas

Living Nativity – Recruit your folks and some live animals and set up a living navtivity.

The Nativity Story Movie Night - Show The Nativity Story (I own it and recommend it.)

Candy Cane Day – Host a candy cane party for community children. Complete with games, crafts and snacks…plus, the presentation of the Gospel…Check out my Candy Cane Craze Blog for ideas!

Angel Breakfast – Host a breakfast or lunch for young children and their parents. Have an “angel” choir, crafts and stories.

KID'S CHRISTMAS PROJECT DAY! Host a day where kids can come make Christmas gifts for their families.

Singing Up a Storm! Are you having a Christmas musical? Have the members of your choir and/or children's choir walk local neighborhoods caroling and distributing invitations to the event! Or, arrange for your choir or worship team to sing at a local mall or shopping center.

Wrap it up! Set up a free Christmas gift-wrapping station outside a department store. Or give out free things of scotch tape.

Caroling and Candy Canes
Organize a caroling group and go "house to house" in neighborhoods. Take candy canes or a small gift to give as well. For another spin — go with low income areas, especially inner city urban, take hot chocolate and cookies and serve the residents.

Poinsettias — take small poinsettia plants as "house to house" gifts.

Tree Giveaway
A few days before Christmas, lot owners are willing to give the trees away. With pickup trucks, deliver them to financially stretched single parent families.

Candy Giveaway
Give out Christmas candy in front of stores or on busy downtown walkways. Be sure to include a card with your church info on it.

Christmas Tea - Host a Christmas tea. Have area merchants donate gifts. Make gingerbread houses.

We worked with this organization one year to provide Christmas for special kids.

http://www.angeltree.org/contentindex.asp?ID=83

Here are few articles worth reading on Christmas outreach.

http://12mistakes.info/


http://www.pentecostalevangel.ag.org/articles/news_digest/4518_stockings_Index.cfm

Candy Cane Craze

The candy cane has quite a bit of symbolism for the Christian. I have used a variation of things throughout the years. Here are some ideas for your Candy Cane Christmas...use them for Sunday School or Children's Church lesson, Christmas program, family Christmas...anything!

The Meaning of the Candy Cane
The story behind the candy cane ... The birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ are signified through the elements of the candy cane ~

JESUS CHRIST is ....
our Good Shepherd (staff shape) ~ 1 Pt. 5:4
our Rock (hard candy) ~ 1 Cor. 10:4
our Sinless Savior (white) ~ 2 Cor. 5:21
our Sacrifical Lamb (red) ~ Eph. 1:7


The STRIPES symbolize pain inflicted upon Jesus before his death on the cross and a bold stripe to represent the blood he shed for mankind. The three stripes can also represent the power and presence of the Trinity (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

The smell and taste of PEPPERMINT relate to the herb hyssop. Psalm 51:7
"Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

The candy cane is meant to be shared -- broken into pieces for all to share. That reminds us of Jesus' words, "This is my body which is broken for you" (1 Cor. 11:24).





Candy Cane Poems



Look at the Candy Cane

What do you see?

Stripes that are red

Like the blood shed for me

White is for my Savior

Who's sinless and pure!

"J" is for Jesus My Lord, that's for sure!

Turn it around

And a staff you will see

Jesus my shepherd

Was born for Me!





The LEGEND of the Candy Cane

A Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd".

The candymaker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life.

The candy became known as a Candy Cane - a decoration seen at Christmas time. The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures



Candy Cane Books


The Legend of the Candy Cane by Laurie Walberg
The "J" Is For Jesus by Alice Joyce Davidson
J Is for Jesus : The Sweetest Story Ever Told by Crystal BowmanThe Candymaker's Gift : The Legend of the Candy Cane by David Haidel





Candy Cane DVD


The Legend of the Candy Cane with Florence Henderson (books and DVD available at amazon.com)





Candy Cane Games
Play Candyland!

Candy Cane Relay
Divide players into two teams. Give each player a chopstick. (The cheap, disposable wooden ones work fine.) Each team forms a line, and each player holds his or her chopstick in front of him or her. Place a candy cane on the chopstick of the first student. At a given signal, the player must turn and pass the chopstick on to the next player who in turn passes it on down the row. Players may touch the candy cane only with their chopstick. If the candy cane falls to the ground, and players cannot retrieve it with their chopsticks, the player who was passing it may pick it up and put it back on his or her chopstick, but a ten-second penalty will be assessed. When the candy cane reaches the last player, the player must run to the front of the line with the candy cane on his or her chopstick. The first team to get the candy cane back to the front of its line wins.





Candy Cane Crafts (including a playdough recipe)


Peppermint Playdough


2 cups water


2 cups flour


1 cup salt


4 teaspoons cream of tartar


4 tablespoons oil


4 tablespoons peppermint extract


glitter (optional, for sparkly playdough)


Mix all ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Form dough into a ball, sprinkle with glitter, place on waxed paper, and cool completely. Store in Ziploc baggies.





Candy Cane Reindeer
1 12" pipe cleaner
Ribbon - Christmas Color
Wiggle eyes (4mm or 5mm)
1 1/4" red pom-pom
Scissors, glue

Loop the pipe cleaner underneath the curved end of the candy cane. Twist until it's nice and tight. Spread the ends apart to form the antlers. Glue the eyes and nose in place. Decorate with the ribbon around the reindeer's neck.

Candy Cane Candle
1 small round candle
Enough candy canes to go around the candle.
*** Canes need to be same height as candle ***
Glue
Pretty Christmas Ribbon
Glue each of the candy canes to the candle until the candle is completely covered.
Decorate with Christmas ribbon and bow





Candy Cane Recipes


Candy Cane Milkshake
3 scoops vanilla ice cream


1 ½ cups milk (more or less for your taste)


1 candy cane
In a blender, combine all ingredients. Blend until smooth. (You may want to crush the candy cane before putting it in the blender.)



Make Your Own Candy Canes


1 cup sugar


1/4 cup light corn syrup


1/4 cup water


1/8 tsp. cream of tartar


4 drops oil of peppermint or other flavoring


4 drops red or green food coloring
Grease a hard surface.
Simmer the sugar with the corn syrup, water and cream of tartar until the mix reaches a soft crack stage or about 280 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat and add the flavoring.
Divide the syrup in half. Add food coloring to one half; pour out separately onto the greased surfaces. Cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Pull each half separately; roll into 1/2" thick ropes. Twist colored batch around the white batch pulling until the colors adhere. Cut with scissors into 6" long lengths; bend to crook one end.





Candy Cane Cocoa

4 cups milk
3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
1 cup whipped cream
4 small peppermint candy canes

Heat the milk until steaming hot - NOT boiling. Add the chocolate and crushed peppermint candy and allow them to melt and become smooth.

Pour into Christmas mugs and garnish with whipped cream. Add candy cane for a stirring stick.


Candy Cane Fudge

1 package vanilla milk chips
1 can Pillsbury Vanilla Creamy Supreme Icing
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
4 drops of red food coloring
2 Tablespoons of peppermint candy canes (chopped)

Put vanilla chips in pan on the stove at medium heat. Continue stirring until the chips have melted. Add icing to pan and continue stirring. Take off heat and add peppermint extract until dissolved. Pour mixture into a pan. Take food coloring and add one drop in each corner of pan. Take butter knife and begin stirring until the food coloring has been swirled into the fudge. Add chopped peppermint pieces to top of fudge. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until the fudge has harden. Cut into small pieces.

Chocolate Candy Cane Bites

4 3-oz. chocolate bars, 2 semisweet
1 milk & 1 white chocolate
1/2 c Crushed candy canes

Using 3 separate bowls for the 3 different types of chocolate, melt the candy bars. Stir half of the candy into the semisweet chocolate. Set aside a little of the candy for sprinkling and then stir the remaining candy into the other 2 types of chocolate. Drop by teaspoons onto a parchment lined tray. Top each with a drop of the milk and the white chocolates. Sprinkle with the candy and allow time to harden.

Candy Cane Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter - softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup finely crushed candy canes
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, cream the butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and the peppermint and vanilla extracts and beat until well blended. Gradually add the flour and salt; mix well. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour. Coat two baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray. In a shallow bowl, combine the crushed candy canes and the granulated sugar; mix well. Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls then roll each ball in the candy cane mixture; place on the baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until browned. Immediately remove from the baking sheets and place on wire racks to cool.





Candy Cane Gifts


Cane Bath Salts
Makes 12 jars
12 tall jelly (12-ounce) canning jars with lid and rings
2 4-pound cartons Epsom Salts (approximately 16 cups)
4 pounds sea salt or Kosher salt (approximately 6 cups)
1/2 teaspoon glycerin, divided
12 to 15 drops peppermint essential oil
12 to 15 drops red food color
Make your own gift tags

Wash, rinse and dry canning jars.

Empty one carton Epsom Salts into large mixing bowl or batter bowl. Add 3 cups sea salt, stir well. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon glycerin and 6 to 8 drops essential oil. Mix well.

In second large mixing bowl, empty one carton Epsom Salts, and add 3 cups sea salt. Stir well. Add 1/4 teaspoon glycerin, 6 to 8 drops essential oil, and food color. Stir until completely blended. Color should be even.
Layer the salts in jars, alternating white and colored mixtures. You can decorate the them by using candy cane printed fabric or red and white gingham. To give spread out your gift giving you could even use ziplock bags and put them in those inexpensive paper gift bags. Make it cute!

CANDY CANE SWIRL SOAP
1/2 lb. opaque melt & pour soap base
1 tsp. Stearic acid
Red food coloring
Candy Cane (or some sort of pepperiment) fragrance oil
Candy cane cookie cutters – you can find them inexpensively at the dollar store or Wal-mart.
Wax paper lined pan or tray

Melt the soap base and Stearic acid separately. Combine them when they are both liquefied. Whisk well. Add the fragrance oil and pour into a wax paper lined pan or tray. Take a bit of red coloring (just a bit on the tip of the toothpick) and swirl into the soap until it is marbleized. When it is firm enough, take cookie cutter and cut out candy cane shapes.



Candy Cane Links


Here are a few links that might be helpful!





This is a cute recipe for a candy cane cake using M&M's.


http://www.marsbrightideas.com/christmas/recipes/r_1710_1.jsp


cute candy cane wands from Betty Crocker


http://www.bettycrocker.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?recipeId=2112


A page that has the candy cane story.


http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Palace/6475/candycanelane.html
This is a candy cane making factory site.
http://www.spanglercandy.com/spangler/products/canemaking2.php


This has a cute mitton topper pattern for candy canes.


http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/projects/t_mitten-candy-cane-toppers.aspx


This is a skit about the candy cane from Christiancrafters.com


http://www.christiancrafters.com/candy_cane.html


For all your candy cane needs!


http://www.orientaltrading.com/


This has site has some inflatable candy canes for sale.


http://www.ustoy.com/novelty/default.htm


Here is directions for pvc pipe candy canes.


http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/lo_seasonal_decorative/article/0,2041,DIY_14058_3352144,00.html


Here are directions for one of those pony bead candy cane ornaments.


http://crafts.kaboose.com/candy-cane-ornament.html


This is a good site for a variety of crafts, recipes & coloring pages. Just type in candy cane in the search box.


http://www.dltk-kids.com/


Here are a few links for candy cane clipart


http://www.christmas-graphics-plus.com/free/candy-canes.html


http://www.holiday-clipart.com/christmas/christmas_cane01.html


Candy Cane fonts


http://www.dafont.com/candy-cane.font


http://www.acandycanechristmas.com/fonts/index.shtml


http://www.fontspace.com/category/candy+cane


Candy cane animations


http://www.animationlibrary.com/sc/23/Candy_Canes/?page=5

Here is a link on how to make a candy cane tree. Very cute table decoration!

http://craft.dow.com/proj/sweet_tr.htm

Jesus candy cane clipart at billybear4kids.com

Spreading Blessings Around

You can't always get everyone motivated to do a big "Blessing Baskets" project. Maybe your energies are going to a different project for the holidays or maybe you feel as if you have limited resources. I have given you a list of ideas that will allow your congregation to particpate in blessing someone or a group of someones during the Thanksgiving or even Christmas season.




1. Just do turkeys. Purchase turkeys whenever your local grocery stories start marking them way down and deliver them to previously chosen families. If you have someone in your church who owns a turkey fryer you could even fry the turkeys as a special treat before giving them away!


2. Participate in a local food pantry drive. Our local community has a wonderful food pantry called "Least of These." Contact your local organization and get a list of needs. Set out boxes or baskets and let folks bring in the items needed. You can also contact other community organizations like women shelters, etc. to see what they are in need of.


3. Encourage individual familys to do "family blessing baskets." They can choose someone in need and create their own basket to give away.


4. Take a group of church folks and volunteer at your local mission or soup kitchen.


5. Encourage your church folks to invite a "stray" to their homes for Thanksgiving dinner. My parents are pastors and this was a common occurence in my home when I was growing up. Find out who is without family or close to family and adopt them out. I can remember one holiday in which we had not only in-laws and thier friends, but college students, a widow or two and a family lived far away from their own families. Crowded, but lots of fun!

6. Choose one or two of the missionaries that you support that will be far from home on Thanksgiving. Remember...this is an American Holiday! Pack up a care package to send to them.

7. Why not support our troops in a special way? There are plenty of organizations who can hook you up with a service man or woman to send an extra blessing to during the holidays. In fact, most of us know of someone who is either serving right now overseas or has served. You might even take it a step further and bless their families members left at home as well. I know for a fact that there are many organizations dedicated to ministering to failies of service men and women. The military also has a great support system...maybe you can find out a way to help.

The Blessing Baskets

Thanksgiving can be the perfect opportunity for you to share Christ's compassion without strings attached. The food basket at Thanksgiving is not a new idea, but one so simple that it often gets lost in our "big event" planning. Here are few hints and tips.

First of all, decide who you are going to give baskets to. It's fun going all willy nilly, but be thoughtful about it. We had baskets going to families in need not only in our community, but also in our immediate church family also. It might be a single mother, a family who has faced a health or financial crisis or a senior citizen on a fixed income. Maybe it is someone who has just had a particularly hard year. Ask congregation members for names of members of community who they know might need a pick'me'up. Everyone knows someone...a fellow employee...a neighbor...a family member in need...maybe someone at school.

Gathering the items for your Blessings Baskets is as easy as opening your mouth. Most folks are just waiting on ready to help out. We contacted local merchants and received special discounts on turkeys or gift certificates. We also set up boxes in our foyer for canned goods or mixes. We also didn't limit ourselves to just food baskets. Keep in mind that people of food stamps have a certain amount of money a month that is for food purchases only...this cannot be used for household supplies, personal hygiene items, etc. And many families in need are not eligible for food stamps. Be practical in your giving. If you bless a senior citizen please keep in mind that he or she doesn't need a turkey (unless they are having company). Instead, fill their baskets with things that they could easily prepare or store. If you have a family going through a medical crisis bless them with things like gas cards, cash, snack foods that they can carry back and forth with them to the hospital or fully prepared meals at home. I have provided a list of items to consider for your blessing baskets at the end of my ramblings here.

The basket itself doesn't have to be fancy. Wal-mart has relatively inexpensive wicker baskets. Either have folks donate the funds (or they can purchase one themselves to donate) or ask Wal-mart or another retail store for a donation. We used brown paper sacks donated by a local grocery store a lot if we had many baskets to give out. Add special treats to the basket. Candy for the kids, artificial leaves or pumpkins. You can have your children's Sunday school classes decorate the outside of the brown paper bags with blessings and messages of greeting of their own. Be sure to include a brief little "thinking of you" card. You can add a tract or info about your church if you wish, but keep in mind that the thought alone is a testimony.

Delivery day is always fun. Keep in mind that some people are a bit uncomfortable with the idea of "receiving." If that is the case you can always take the "knock and run" approach. We had a few folks in our church that loved, loved deliver day. They would set out with an address list in hand, their back seat filled with baskets and big smiles plastered all over their faces. There is something about blessing someone in need with this kind of surprise.

Don't be afraid to get your whole church involved in The Blessing Basket project. Kids and adults alike need to get into the habit of blessing others. Have fun!

List of Blessing Basket Items

Turkeys or Hams
Fresh vegetables such as potatoes, onions, carrots, winter squash
Fresh fruit
Rice
Dried pasta and sauces
Canned vegetables
Canned fruit
Stuffing mix
Packets or jars of gravy
Pie crust mix
Pie filling
Muffin and/or corn bread mix
Cranberry sauce
Hot or cold cereal
Cookie, brownie or cake mixes
Fresh baked goods
Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, tissues, etc.)
Gas or gift cards
Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex)
Household products (laundry detergent, dish soap)