Thrifty, Nifty Christmas Crafts

The shopping is winding down, and thoughts tend toward hearth and home 2 days before Christmas.  Wrapping presents, snuggling on the couch with popcorn and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and of course, Christmas crafts.  Here are some cute ideas of things to do with the kids (or just a friend) that are fairly easy and won't cost you much if anything:

1. )  Pop-Tarts Gingerbread House:

This one is fairly self-explanatory, you build a house using pop-tarts and then let their imagination go wild! Get instructions HERE at the "Sprinklings" website.  (While you're there, join Sprinklings to get free Pop-Tart coupons in the mail.) -Thanks, PinkCouponCafe!

2. ) Paper Snowflakes & "Virtual" Paper Snowflakes

This one's a classic, but not often done well.  Here's a site that tells you the right way to fold those triangles to cut out great snowflakes!  And for those wanting an even easier snowflake project, check out this Make-A-Flake website - it's pretty cool for the kiddos!

-Thanks, ChattanoogaCheapskate!


3. ) Home-Made Wrapping Paper

My kids have drawn each other's names out of a hat, and later today we'll be going to the Dollar Tree to let them pick out a couple little items for each other (Yes, we ARE that classy.)
One way to keep them busy and make some fun is to do home-made wrapping paper together.

I like the potato-stamped paper (or cut out sponge-stamps) the best. But just coloring/painting on a brown grocery bag, newspaper, or regular paper works fine too!