In "The Polar Express." the first gift of Christmas is a bell from Santa's sleigh. It is special because only those who believe can hear its jingle. Have preschool children bring in a gift that is special to them and have a circle time activity. Give each child the opportunity to share his item with the group. Each child can tell everyone who gave the gift to him and why it is special.
"The Polar Express" is a train that brings children to the North Pole to visit Santa before he sets off on Christmas Eve. Have each child, using crayons and construction paper, make a part of the train that she can call her own. Once all parts of the train are done, post it on the wall for all to see.
Santa would be nothing without his reindeer carrying him through the night sky on Christmas Eve. Preschoolers can make their own reindeer with a few supplies. All you need is three popsicle sticks, two googly eyes, two brown pipe cleaners, one small red pompom, eight inches of yarn (any color) and glue. Form a triangle with the popsicle sticks, gluing at each end. Glue eyes on the two top sides. Use the pipe cleaners to form antlers and the red pompom for the nose. Tie the yarn as a hanger for the tree.
All the children in "The Polar Express" have wishes for Christmas and wrote letters to Santa telling him what they want. Have the children either write letters or draw pictures for Santa of what they want for Christmas. Place the letters and drawings in envelopes and show the children that these are going to be mailed to Santa, or have them take their envelope home to leave with milk and cookies for Santa.