Sunday, November 11, 2007

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."












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






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.




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



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





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://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://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!
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