The Best Birthday Party

A few years ago I was thoroughly sick of the commercialism of the Christmas season and the “gimme gimme” attitude I feared was beginning to affect my grandchildren. I wanted to think of a way to really put Christ back in Christmas, in a way they would understand. 

Our family along with a few close friends traditionally goes out for dinner on Christmas eve and then returns home to unwrap the presents under the tree. When I asked myself what we were celebrating, an idea came to me that we have continued as a family tradition. 

We decided to have a birthday party for Baby Jesus! The children and I made a birthday cake complete with candles. We tied balloons to the large manger. After our dinner, we returned home and the children lit the candles on the cake and sang the birthday song to the babe in his crib. The first time we did this, Victoria was only about six years old. As the song finished, she leaned over and kissed the image of Jesus, singing in her high little voice “and many moooore.” Trust me, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

I had carefully explained to the children that the reason we celebrate Christmas was the birth of the Christ child. I told them that they received presents because He was sharing his day with them. Their presents are much like the favors at a birthday party. Since He is in Heaven, he doesn’t need the toys they receive. All He wants is their love. So this year, we are going to add decorative paper hearts the children make to the scene. 

To encourage the children even further in the spirit of giving, not just “getting”, I help the children make presents for everyone. They take turns passing out the gifts and I feel they enjoy this as much as they do receiving and opening their own presents.

This year, we had a few new ideas for presents for them to make. Perhaps you, too, might want to help your children make presents for the others among your family and friends. Instructions are below.

Enjoy yourselves, and may you all keep the spirit of Christmas in your hearts all year through.

- Ann

As always, a parent or grandparent must help the children for safety’s sake!

Brenden’s Flavored Toothpicks

You will need:

Toothpicks
Small containers
Cooking oils - we used orange, spearmint, and peppermint
A large jar with a lid
Colorful stickers

Put the toothpicks in the large jar. Drop in several drops of the oil. Shake, shake, shake the jar to distribute the oil. Let them sit overnight. Package in the small containers. Add stickers for decoration.

Brenden made his own wrap by using rubber stamps to put a design on lunch sacks and tying them with sissal.

Tori’s Chocolate Spoons

You will need:

Plastic spoons
Chocolate candy melts
Cooking oils: cinnamon and orange
Box of cinnamon imperial candies
Plastic sandwich bags, fold over type
Cookie sheets
Waxed paper
Double boiler
Metallic chenille sticks to tie
Card
Hole punch

Follow the direction on the package of candy melts to melt the chocolate. Basically, you bring the water in your double boiler to a boil, add the candy melts and immediately remove it from the heat. Stir until it is melted and smooth. Add a few drops of oil.

Dip the bowl of each spoon carefully in the chocolate and set on a waxed paper covered cookie sheet. When the sheet is full, place in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes while the chocolate hardens. Carefully remove each spoon and wrap bowl of spoon in waxed paper. Then place 3 to 6 spoons in a baggie. Tie the baggie with a twist of half a chenille stick and attached card by punching a hole in the card and threading it on the chenille.

The cards instruct the receiver to put the spoon in their cup and add hot coffee for a rich and flavorful new taste. The chocolate on the spoons could also be eaten by children, just as they are.

Max and Austin’s Spicy Closet Sachets

You will need:

Stick cinnamon
Whole cloves
Dried citrus peel
Whole star anise
Any other sweet smelling spices you may have in your pantry
Filler – we used flax seed but you can use cotton balls, dried corn husk pieces, jibbled up paper or anything without an odor.
Oils: orange and cinnamon
Small drawstring bags*
Cards
Hole Punch

In a large bowl, break the spices and citrus peel into small pieces. Drop in a few drops of each oil and stir to distribute the oil. Layer the filler and the spices in the sacks. Tie the strings tightly and thread on a card.

The card reads:

Three wise men came, bringing the child rich spices from the East and adoring the newborn king. The wise men adored the king; wise men still do! May our gift of rich spices from the East scent your closet and lighten your hear all year through as we adore our King, Jesus Christ. This sachet was made especially for you by ______________.


*We bought our bags and our oils in a large chain food store; the bags are used as tea bags. Or you can sew simple cloth bags from fabric or felt scraps.