A good way to use a puzzle that is missing some pieces is to make a Christmas wreath ornament. Cheap puzzles are available at garage sales and discount stores. Use middle puzzle pieces with no edge pieces, dark green spray paint, white glue, different-colored buttons, small red cinnamon disc candies, and a thin piece of white or gold ribbon. Spray paint both sides of the puzzle pieces in advance. Lay a single layer of puzzle pieces out in the shape of the wreath. Glue another layer of puzzle pieces on top overlapping to make the wreath stronger. Once dry, glue buttons and cinnamon candy on. Cut a 3-inch piece of ribbon, tie forming a loop, and glue on the back top of the wreath.
Children like enjoy making a Christmas tree using their handprints. Make these out of construction paper, scrapbook paper, or card stock. You will also need glue, scissors, crayons, markers and green and multiple colors of glitter glue. Trace at least 10 of the child's handprints. Cut out and glue together with fingerprints facing downward to make the tree. Draw a trunk out of brown paper, cut, and glue on. Draw or make ornaments out of construction paper, glue on, and add glitter glue.
Decorated brown paper bags are enjoyable to create and they make nice Christmas gifts. Purchase one inexpensive plain brown paper bag with handles per child. The students can make one with a word like JOY, NOEL, or make a snowman. To make a bag with the words JOY use Christmas-themed wrapping or scrapbook paper, glue, pencil and scissors. Trace the letters of the word JOY in thick lettering, cut out, and glue on. For the snowman, trace three different-size circles on white construction paper and cut out. Make a paper hat out of black construction paper. Glue the circles, hat, and the orange pompom nose on and draw on mouth and eyes. Tie a piece of raffia or ribbon on the handle.
This Santa is easy and enjoyable to make. You will need a small empty baby food or glass jar with the label removed, red construction paper, glue, scissors, tape, cotton balls, and wiggly eyes or handmade eyes. Cut a circle out of red paper in advance twice the size of the jar. Draw a dot in the center and cut a line from the dot to the outer edge of the circle. Overlap the edges of the circle to make a cone shape and tape. Glue or tape the cone on the jar lid. Stretch some of the cotton balls out to make Santa's beard and glue around the edge of the face. Glue more stretched cotton around the bottom and point of the hat, then glue on eyes. Fill with your favorite candy.