Make a Nutcracker Christmas Card

 "Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man ? and then he will spoil his house." Matthew 12:29

This Christmas card only requires a bit of printing,
 folding and pasting. I chose a traditional red and
 green plaid paper for the card, printed out the
 graphic below and pasted a few little corners
 onto the edges of the graphic to hold it onto the
 front of my card.

Description: Nutcrackers in the form of wooden carvings of a soldier, knight, king, or other profession have existed since at least the 15th century. These nutcrackers portray a person with a large mouth which the operator opens by lifting a lever in the back of the figurine. Originally one could insert a nut in the big-toothed mouth, press down and thereby crack the nut. Modern nutcrackers in this style serve mostly for decoration, mainly at Christmas time, a season of which they have long been a traditional symbol. The ballet The Nutcracker derives its name from this festive holiday decoration. The original nutcrackers were first seen in Germany and were thought to have guardian-like properties because of their strong appearance.

Supplies:

• decorative red and green plaid paper
• corner punch
• graphic of two nutcrackers by Kathy Grimm
• glue
• scissors 
• heavier white cardstock

Directions:

1.  Print the nutcracker graphic out to the size that you prefer.
2. Mount the graphic with glue on top of the decorative plaid paper.
3. Punch four embossed corners from either white, red, or green solid colored paper and then glue these at the four corners of your printed graphic.
4. Glue the picture on top of a folded sheet of heavier cardstock.
5. Below is one of many Christmas themed graphics I have produced in color pastel pencils, German nutcrackers are some of my favorite subjects to draw for holiday greetings. These two nutcrackers are very traditional, a soldier and a beer drinker dressed up in lederhosen.

Nutcrackers dressed as a soldier
and one in lederhosen.

What kinds of written things might I include along with the card? Quotes:

"Of all the toys available, none is better designed than the owner himself. A large multipurpose plaything, its parts can be made to move in almost any direction. It comes completely assembled, and it make a sound when you jump on it." by Stephen Baker

"The creative process is like music which takes root with extraordinary force and rapidity" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Illustration:  Playfulness is a more important consideration than play. The former is an attitude of mind; the latter is a passing outward manifestation if this attitude. When things are treated simply as vehicles of suggestion, what is suggested overrides the thing. Hence the playful attitude is one of freedom. The person is not bound to the physical traits of things, nor does he care whether a thing really means (as we say) what he takes it to represent. When the child plays horse with a broom and cars with chairs, the fact that the broom does not really represent a horse, or a chair a locomotive, is of no account. In order, then, that playfulness may not terminate in arbitrary fancifulness and in building up an imaginary world alongside the world of actual things, it is necessary that the play attitude should gradually pass into a work attitude. -- John Dewey, "How We Think."

More Nutcracker Links:

• The above nutcrackers in red or green monochrome graphics
• Three nutcrackers: smoker, baker and a drummer graphics here
• See hand painted wooden nutcracker ornaments here
• Nutcracker Dolls at our Doll Coloring and Crafts Blog
• Learn about the history of the Nutcracker Ballet

Poetry:

He begged me for the little toys at night,

That I had taken, lest he play too long,

The little broken toys-his sole delight.

I held him close in wiser arms and strong,

And sang with trembling voice the even-

song.

Reluctantly the drowsy lids drooped low,

The while he pleaded for the boon denied.

Then, when he slept, sweet dream, content

to know,

I mended then and laid them by his side

That he might find them in the early light,

And wake the gladder for this joyous sight.

So, Lord, like children, at the even fall

We weep for broken playthings, loath to

part,

While Thou, unmoved, because Thou know-

est all,

Dost fold us from the treasures of out

heart;

And we shall find them at the morning-tide

Awaiting us, unbroke and beautiful.

--Ainslee's Magazine.

Wow, that's a lot of nutcrackers! They are the 

Defenders of the home and hearth from 

mice, burglars and such . . .  at Christmas time.

"Star of Wonder" Christmas Card

 "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult." Numbers 24:17

An example card design for the 
clipart.

Description: Strange as though it may seem to some of you who live far away, stars and snowflakes are traditional decorations used by folks here, during Christmas in the Midwestern United States. This is because Christians celebrate the Savior's birth during the colder months, even though Christ was actually born sometime during our summer according to many bible scholars.

Supplies:

• snowflake themed paper
• snowflake paper punch
• graphic of a Mexican folk nativity
• pale blue, white and gold tissue papers
• glue
• scissors

Directions:

1. Cut the snowflake themed paper to match the size of any envelopes you may have on hand.
2. Then punch a selection of snowflakes from the white and gold tissue papers.
3. Print out the star graphic provided below.
4. Type and print inside of a WordDocument, "Star of Wonder" and then print this out in blue ink onto pale blue paper.
5. Glue the printed Mexican folk star on top of gold tissue paper and then cut a little fringe around the outside edge of the star.
6. Glue down these elements in a pleasing design on top of the fancy snowflake paper.
7. Glue this entire picture on top of an additional sheet of pale blue paper to make your finished Christmas card.

Printable Star of Bethlehem.

Quotes:

• "Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love." by Lucinda Franks
• "Selfishness makes Christmas a burden, love makes it a delight." Unknown
• "Take Christ out of Christmas, and December becomes the bleakest and most colorless month of the year." by A. F. Wells

Illustration:   There once lived a family in the South whose rigid rule sent the children to bed at sundown and made them rise after daylight. One of the boys grew to the age of seven years before he ever saw the stars, and when he was carried out one dark night and caught a glimpse of the glorious constellations, he exclaimed rapturously to his mother: "Look! Look! Did you ever see anything so beautiful?"

       The return of Christmas brings into view the Star of Bethlehem. How many human eyes have never yet seen this Star!

Poetry:

Hymns of the Feast

Your birth, O Christ our God,

dawned the light of knowledge upon the earth.

For by Your birth those who adored stars

were taught by a star

to worship You, the Sun of Justice,

and to know You, Orient from on High.

O Lord, glory to You.

"Star of Wonder" by SarahZunigaMusic

Letter From Denmark

 A Letter from Denmark Christmas Eve in the Country Long Ago 
ERIK AND ELSE BY MARTHA C. MOLLER

"Oh, Christmas dear! thy starlight

 Can reach the poorest place,

 And the eyes of little children

 Reflect its gentle rays!"

       Mother was singing this verse behind that shut, mysterious door to the room where just now she had finished the decking of the Christmas tree; while the children were in the dining room in the twilight, listening and waiting. "Else, I say, it will really be Christmas Eve now, in a moment, won't it?" Erik said, and he added, "for-tu-nate-ly it will!" with a funny, emphatic stress on that long word, his byword at the time. Erik used it, differently accentuated, on all occasions, both when things were really all right as when he had got into some scrape or other and had barely managed to slink through. Boys are sure to get into a fix sometimes, are not they?

       Darkness came on still more. The children, leaning against the window sill, were intently watching "Hans Cowman," the old herdsman, who passed the yard with his swinging lantern that seemed to jerk along the barns, disappearing at last through the stable door.

       According to old customs all the cattle of the farm were to have an ample extra supply on Christmas Eve, so that every crib could be full on that holy night.

       At length Hans and his lantern vanished into the groom's chamber, through the pane of which the children could see him stand before a broken bit of looking-glass water combing his hair energetically, as the most festive preparation he could think of.

       The children's clear-sighted eyes could still discern the "bird's sheaf" on its high pole in the center of the yard. It was an old custom that the birdies should also have their feast during merry Christmas time; and the children were always eager to have that sheaf raised, so that they might run out in o the yard and sing a little verse they knew by heart, intending it to be a kind invitation to the birdies:

"Joy is a guest on earth to-day

With the new-born King from above!

Fly down from the roof, little Sparrow gray,

To a Christmas feast with the Dove!"

       But no pressing was needed, for all day long one heard a twitter and a rush of busy, flapping wings, birds flying gladly to and fro. Also the children had been very busy all day long. They had to help their mother in dealing out goods to some poor women who were accustomed to come with their baskets on Christmas Eve and fetch their portions of pork, grits, coffee and white bread. And to the old and sick ones, lying in their beds at home, Else and Erik had taken good parcels and had been recompensed by small bits of sugar candy or some spice nuts, as nobody was allowed to go fasting or empty handed out of any house, lest he should carry Christmas itself out of the house."

       Having come back from this round the children had found it most entertaining to stay for awhile in the kitchen, watching Ann, the cook, who was baking quantities of a sort of "apple dumplings," solid and roundish like little balls. Light brown and hot she piled them on earthenware dishes. Heaps of them were required, "for Christmas lasts long.' Besides, each of the servants was entitled to have plenty of his own, the more so as they used them as a sort of "play money," staking them when playing at cards. Nor were the men servants over-particular in the handling of these dear dumplings. For when they had "kept accounts," writing with a piece of chalk on the table top, they would simply wipe it out again with the dumplings, to put them gladly into their trousers' pockets at last.

       But the children thought that the servants' hall was a "funny" place, where they liked to go and have a jolly time.

       Then Ann began to prepare the festive supper. While the goose was roasting in the oven she cooked the rice pudding, and now came an exciting moment! For the children were allowed themselves to "plum the three almonds into the pudding," and the lucky one who found an almond in his portion while eating it would win the nicest of marcipan things, or even a real present! For last year Else had had a small cup and saucer.

       The pudding being done Ann filled an earthen dish from the big pot and made a large butter hole in the center. That was to be supper for "the brownie, "- -on Christmas Eve he must not be forgotten. "And last year he ate up every bit of it!" Ann was most positive about that. Erik ran after Ann to see her place the dish at the hayloft; but, oh, look! what's that? A pair of yellow eyes are shining out from that dark nook near the chaff bin! Erik felt just a bit creepy, but he was comforted by seeing a stiff, gray tail sticking out near the eyes. Aha! it was only Pussy!

        Indeed, there was no doubt about that porridge being eaten up, "every bit of it."

       There was still another thing which on Christmas Eve ought never to be forgotten, the placing of a burning candle on the window sill of the lobby. For nobody must be out of doors, poor and forsaken, on this holy night; nobody must walk his lonely way home- less and sorrowful! Therefore lights are burning behind clear panes in the scattered houses; starlike they are shining out brightly into the darkness, as a kind welcome to every wanderer.

       All these things came into the children's mind again, while waiting; but just when they were beginning to feel almost a little sad, a lamp was brought in and the maidservants entered, so nice and smart in their clean, white aprons. The coachman, Jens, and the water-combed Hans were following sedately.

        At this very moment the doors to the big room flew open and there it stood, that wonderful Christmas tree! It was illuminated with lights, hung with tiny red apples, and its branches were covered with sparkling silver threads!

       A joyful yet solemn feeling reigned in the room at first, while mother played the hymns and all the others sang them, walking around the tree.

       Father then made the children look at the golden star at the top of the tree, which was to remind us, he said, of the Bethlehem star leading people to find the sweet Christ-child. And then the children's exultant joy broke forth irresistibly, and each ran to find his own gifts. Erik's eyes grew bigger and bigger at the sight of a veritable rocking-horse.

       "Hurrah! fortunately I have got it!" he cried. Be sure he was in the saddle at once, and how glad he felt you will see from the picture! Little Else had the sweetest baby doll, with a cherry mouth, oh, such a dear! And so very convenient that the baby brought its own bottle and bag.

       Also Hans Andersen's fairy tales with their funny pictures were there, and heaps of other lovely things. They laughed and chatted and made such a noise!

       Baby sister only sat perfectly still, near mother; she stared incessantly at the tree, the lights of which were reflected in her big, blue eyes.

       At last the Christmas candles burned down and the happiest night of all the year had come to an end.

       The children were about to go to bed. The horse had been stabled for the night close to Erik's bed, so near that his hand could hold the rein. Else, on her bare feet, stole to the window once more to stare out into the darkness, a habit dear to her as to most true coun- try children. There was a star gleaming faintly above the big old lime tree, and Erik, from his bed, suggested it might even be "the Beth- lehem star itself." "No," Else said, "I think that one was greater and far more radiant, to guide the shepherds. Mind, father said one day that all children might come to see it!"

       Yes, for-tu-nate-ly," it came in a sleepy voice from the trellis bed; and shortly after- wards Erik was sound asleep, his brown little fist squeezing the rein of the rocking-horse.

       At daybreak on Christmas Day all the church bells were ringing, and the organ was playing while people sang the old hymn:

"All bells on Christmas morning blest

Are chiming for the Royal Guest,

Who would on men, so poor and low,

His gifts of peace and joy bestow!"

This is a DoJi Film: A Modern Christmas in Denmark.

Color all of the Christmas gifts beneath the tree . . .

Description of Coloring Page: Christmas tree, dolls, candles, baubles, barrel stand, star, ark, horse on wheels, top balloon, toy animals, toy cars

• Color a Christmas tree for your dolls now . . . 
• Here is another Christmas tree you can color too!

       Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

Make a fishy walnut ornament...

A walnut goldfish swimming between
the branches of a Christmas tree.

        This sweet little goldfish was made by using a half walnut shell. Goldfish come in all shapes and colors so, naturally you may wish to customize your own version. 

• Watch these goldfish to get ideas about how to paint them... and Frankie and French Fry here
• See our goldfish shaped Easter eggs with craft instructions here
• Read about how we made an entire school of "Rainbow Fish"

Supply List:

• one white bead for the fish eye
• scrap cardboard
• tacky white glue
• acrylic paints - black, white, orange, yellow
• wire hook for hanging on the tree

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. First you will need to break a walnut in half and this should be done in advance of making this ornament craft with little ones. Go here to read how it is done.
2. Trace around the half shell on top of a scrap piece of thin cardboard. 
3. Remove the shell and draw the fins and tail for the fish directly on the tracing of the walnut half.
4. Cut out the drawing with it's fins and tail.
5. Glue the half shell back on top of the cardboard cut-out using tacky white glue. Let dry.
6. Paint on the colors you wish for your fish to have.
7. Glue on the white bead for it's eye.
8. Glue a black pupil on top of the bead.
9. Coat the entire fish with Mod Podge to preserve the painted surface.
10. You may wish to glue a layer of decorative paper on the backside of the fish to finish it neatly.