Let’s Celebrate
Christmas Again!!!
Challenge
Newport Girlguiding
Hi!!!!
We’d like to thank to everyone who took part in the first ‘Let’s Celebrate
Christmas’ Challenge we hope you enjoyed the resource.
Welcome to the ‘Let’s Celebrate Christmas Again!’ Challenge Badge. With
the festive period fast approaching why not work towards a badge as well.
We recommend to gain the badge do 1 activity from each section as well
as:
Rainbows - 1 other activity
Brownies - 2 other activities
Guides/Senior Section/Adult members - 3 other activities
Feel free to use any of the activities and resources included in this
challenge and adapt them to suit your unit.
You can also use some of the activities from the first challenge if you
wish.
Reminder:
- As some challenges involve food, check that none of your girls are
allergic to anything.
- Remember the safety aspect particularly if it involve’s the use of
candles, berries etc.
- Please be mindful that we are not encouraging girls to go door to
door caroling.
Any questions please email [email protected] or
[email protected].
Enjoy and Happy Christmas!!
SECTION 1
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
Christmas isn’t just celebrated in the UK, it’s celebrated all over the
world and different countries have their own celebrations for the festive
season.
1) Pick a Country
Choose any country and learn about how the people there celebrate
Christmas.
You may find this website of use:
www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas
2) ‘Happy Christmas’
Can you match the country with the way in which they say ‘Happy
Christmas’ there? (answers at the back)
Hawaii
Norway
Wales
China
Turkey
Vietnam
Brazil
Finland
Italy
Denmark
Feliz Natal
Sheng Dan Kuai Le
Glædelig Jul
Hyvaa Joulua
Mele Kalikimaka
Buone Feste Natalizie
God Jul
Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
Nadolig Llawen
3) Capture the Star
In Alaska they play a game where they dress up as the three kings and
carry a star from house to house singing carols. Other children dress up
as Herod’s soldiers and try to capture the star.
Play a similar game in your unit by hiding 1 or 2 stars
underneath pictures (one for each player) of a king. Then
ask the girls to each stand by a picture. The one(s) that
have a star then get to hide the stars for the next game.
4) Julklapp
This is Swedish, meaning Christmas present. It is a game where
people go to different houses leaving presents before being
recognized. Sometimes the gift is hidden and the receiver has to
try and guess where their present is or who the giver is.
Try doing a secret Santa with your unit.
5) Australia
In Australia on Christmas day they have cold turkey and salad or a
barbeque on the beach.
Why not have your own Christmas barbeque or try an indoor barbeque.
6) International Feasts
Try some Christmas food from other countries. Below are a few ideas:
Jamaica - chicken, rice, red beans
Poland - Beetroot soup, cheesecake
America - cold buffet, sea food, salad
Finland - rice pudding with a lucky hidden almond
France - Treize deserts - 13 dishes of oranges, walnuts,
almonds etc
Spain - Almond soup
Czechoslovakia - chocolate nuts
Italy - panettone
Germany - stollen cake
7) Operation Christmas Child
This is a charity run project where you can fill a shoebox with gifts and
they get sent to a child in another country.
www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk
Collect and send some shoeboxes with your unit.
8) St Lucy’s Day
On the 13th December in Sweden they celebrate St Lucy’s Day or the
festival of light.
Learn about St Lucy’s Day or make some Pepparkakor biscuits. (Recipe
over the page)
You will need:
-
1½ tsp ground ginger, ground cloves & cinnamon
400g plain flour
1 tsp bicarb of soda
230g margarine
230g dark brown sugar
2 egg whites
Sift flour, spices and soda.
Cream butter and sugar until very fluffy and beat in egg whites.
Slowly work in dry ingredients.
Wrap and chill for 12 hours.
Heat oven to 350°C.
Roll out dough to ½cm thick on lightly floured board.
Cut into any shape you like using cutters.
Place on un-greased baking sheet leaving spaces in between.
Cook for 10-12 minutes until light brown around edge. Cool on wire rack.
Decorate as you wish.
9) Mexico
In Mexican celebrations they fill a piñata with sweets and take turns to
hit it until the sweets fall.
Make a piñata or get one for your own Christmas celebrations.
SECTION 2
CHRISTMAS FUN
1) Acrostic Poems
Make up a poem using a Christmassy word running down the page and the
first letter of each line coming from that word.
You could use MERRY CHRISTMAS, FATHER CHRISTMAS or anything
else you can think of.
2) Chinese Whispers
Play Chinese whispers with a Christmas message.
3) Treasure Hunt
Design a hunt for Christmas objects like mince pies or
decorations.
4) Charades
This game was played on Christmas day in Victorian times and is still
played today; try playing it in your unit.
5) Pass the Parcel
Play this game with a Christmas gift or using Christmas wrapping paper
and music.
6) Pin the hat on Santa or Pin the nose on Rudolph
7) Santa says
Christmas themed Simon says.
8) ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’
This is a well known story by Clement Clarke Moore, read
this story in your unit. You could also play a Christmas
ladders game whilst reading the story, naming each pair
after characters in the story, such as St Nicholas, Toys,
Sleigh etc.
9) Quiz
Try doing the quiz at the back of the challenge. Alternatively find a
Christmas word search or crossword to do.
SECTION 3
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
1) Carol Singing
Go singing as a unit, for example, at a concert or at an elderly home.
2) Round Song
Everyone knows ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas,’ but can you do it in a
circle? Sit in a circle and take turns in singing a verse of the song. Each
person had to add a new line and remember all that went before. When
someone makes a mistake they are out. Keep going on and on, until there
is one person left.
3) Instruments
Make some musical instruments and play along with your favourite
Christmas songs. Shakers or something with bells work well!!
4) Christmas Bells are Ringing (Tune: For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow)
The Christmas bells are ringing,
The children all are singing,
And Santa soon will be bringing
His sleigh of Christmas cheer.
His sleigh of Christmas cheer
Pulled by his eight reindeer;
The Christmas bells are ringing
The children all are singing,
And Santa soon will be bringing
His sleigh of Christmas cheer.
5) I’ve Been Working in the Workshop (Tune: I’ve Been Working on the Railroad)
I’ve been working in the workshop
All the livelong day;
I’ve been working in the workshop
Making toys for Christmas day.
Can’t you hear the little hammers
Making all that noise?
Can’t you hear old Santa shouting,
“Finish up those toys!”
6) The Lights on the Tree (Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)
The lights on the tree
Are twinkling bright,
Twinkling bright,
Twinkling bright.
The popcorn strings
Are long and white.
Come see our tree!
The baubles on the tree
Are bright and round,
Bright and round,
Bright and round.
The bells on the tree
Don’t make a sound.
Come see our tree!
The gifts on the tree
Are large and small,
Large and small,
Large and small.
The smell of the tree
Is best of all!
Come see our tree!
7) Fill the Blanks
Can you complete these phrases from well known Christmas Songs.
(Answers at the back)
“______ through the snow, in a one ______ open sleigh”
“______ in a ______, no crib for a bed”
“ Chestnuts roasting on an ______ ______”
“______ the halls with boughs of ______”
“______ the snowman was a ______ happy soul”
“Good ______ Wenceslas looked out on the _____ of Stephen”
“Hark the ______ angels sing ‘Glory to the ______ king’”
“Have ______ a merry ______ Christmas”
“It’s ______ to look a lot like Christmas, ______ you go”
“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell ______, jingle bells ______ and jingle
bells ______”
SECTION 4
CHRISTMAS COOKING
1) Crunchy Snowballs
You will need:
¼ cup butter
6 cups Rice Krispies
1 packet small marshmallows
Powdered sugar
- Melt butter in a pan, add marshmallows and stir until melted.
- Remove pan from heat, stir in the cereal and allow to cool.
- Shape into balls, put into a plastic bag with the sugar and shake.
2) Eggnog
You will need:
1 egg
2 tsp sugar
Vanilla extract
dash of salt
¾ cup of milk
- Beat egg; add sugar, salt, milk and flavouring.
- Blend thoroughly and serve.
3) Peppermint Creams
You will need:
White from 2 small eggs
Food colouring (optional)
-
8oz icing sugar
Peppermint essence
Beat the egg white and sieve in 6oz of icing sugar, mix well.
Sieve in more icing sugar, a little at a time, until you have a stiff paste.
Shake a little icing sugar on the work top and empty the paste onto it.
Add a few drops of peppermint and colouring, if using, and knead to mix.
Sprinkle icing sugar over a rolling pin and roll the paste to ½cm thick.
Cut out individual creams in a shape of your choice.
Leave to cool.
4) Rudolph Cakes
You will need:
Chocolate butter cream
Raisins
Curly Wurly
Cupcakes
Cherries
- Top a cupcake with the butter cream.
- Add 2 raisins for eyes and ½ cherry for a nose.
- Cut the Curly Wurly in half and position at the top of the
cake to make antlers.
5) Sandwich Yule Log
You will need:
Bread
-
Filling
Remove the crust from a slice of bread and flatten.
Spread bread with the filling of your choice, jam, choco spread, etc.
Roll into a log.
You could decorate your log with chocolate butter cream.
6) Mince Pies
Try different mince pies from different shops. Which ones
taste best?
7) Gingerbread
Experiment!! Make your own whether paper or biscuit, men or a house,
individual or a chain!!
8) Stained Glass Cookies
You will need:
Cookie dough
-
Hard boiled sweets
Remove the wrappers from the sweets and separate by colour into bags.
Roll out the cookie dough and use cutters to cut into desired shapes.
Cut shapes into the centre of each cookie.
Sprinkle the broken sweets into the centres.
If hanging the cookies poke a hole near the top for thread.
Bake until the sweets have melted.
Allow to cool completely before moving off the baking tray.
9) White Christmas
You will need:
500ml milk
1 mango
4tbs desiccated coconut
1 banana
- Heat milk to boiling with half the coconut. Leave to cool for 10 minutes.
Toast the remaining coconut.
- Slice the mango and banana into chunks. Liquidize half the banana and
half the mango with the coconut milk and some ice cubes.
- Cut the remaining banana slices and mango into small pieces, coat banana
with toasted coconut and thread onto cocktail sticks.
10) Chocolate Nativity
The well known Christmas story with a chocolate twist. There is a copy of
this story at the back of the challenge.
SECTION 5
CHRISTMAS CRAFT
1) Make a Manger
You can do this however you want, one idea is below:
You will need:
Toilet roll
Glue
Ready-made icing
Cotton wool/straw
Paint
Red Colouring
- Cut the cardboard roll in half, and in half again lengthways. This will
make 2 cradles.
- Put a line of strong glue on the rounded side of 1
half and stick to the rounded side if the other half(as
in the picture).
- Paint the cradle brown and when dry place some
cotton wool or straw in the top portion.
- To make the baby shape a piece of icing into a sausage shape to look like
a baby wrapped in blankets.
- Take a smaller piece of icing and mix with a little red colouring to make
a flesh colour.
- Shape this piece into a ball for the head and stick to the top of the
other shaped icing.
- With a cocktail stick draw on eyes, a nose and a mouth and place the
baby in the manger.
2) Pinecone Trees
You will need:
Pinecones
Green paint
Mini-pots
Stars/sequins/glitter etc
Glue
- Paint the pinecones green and allow to dry.
- Glue the pinecones into the mini-pots so they stand on their own.
- Decorate the trees however you wish.
3) Paper Chains
Make some colourful paper chains and use them to decorate your meeting
place.
4) Wreath
You could make these however you want, there are 2 ideas over the page:
Handprint Wreath - Cut handprints out of green paper and arrange in a
circle. Finish with some ribbon at the bottom, or
decorate with some glitter or sequins.
Jingle Bell Wreath - Shape some craft wire into a circle and fill with as
many small bells as you can fit on. Twist the 2 ends of
wire together to join the circle. Place some ribbon over
the ends and form a bow to hide the join. Tie some
thread on the top of the wreath to use as a hanger.
5) Pin Badges
Make pin badges by threading beads onto safety pins. This website has
some really good instructions if you’re struggling:
ideas4kids.org/media/pdf/2010/05/22/ukbeadedflag.pdf
This website has a number of different Christmas patterns:
familycrafts.about.com/od/miscchristmas/ig/Christmas-Safety-Pins/
6) Make a Stocking
This could be a big stocking to hang up or a small one to hang on the
tree.
7) Candy Cane
You will need:
Red/white pipe cleaner
Red & white beads
- Thread the red and white beads onto the pipe cleaner alternatively.
- Bend the ends of the pipe cleaner so the beads don’t fall off.
- Curve the one end into the shape of a candy cane.
8) Sleigh
You will need:
-
Lollipop sticks
Pipe cleaners/wool
Glue
Decorations
Lay 5 lollipop sticks side by side.
Glue 4 sticks on top, crosswise, 2 near the top, 2 near the bottom.
Cut the pipe cleaner/wool to the desired length and glue to the sleigh*.
Decorate with glitter, pom-poms, sequins etc.
*You can use a peg to hold the pipe cleaner/wool in place whilst the glue is
drying.
SECTION 6
FATHER CHRISTMAS
1) Father Christmas around the World
In different countries Father Christmas is known by different names,
how many can you learn? There are a few below to get you started:
Belgium
Denmark
France
Germany
Norway
Switzerland
America
China
Sinterklaas
Julemanden
Père Noël
Weinachtsmann
Julenissen
Samichlaus
Santa Claus
Che Dun Lao Ren
2) Send a letter to Father Christmas
His address is:
Father Christmas
Santa’s Grotto
Reindeerland
SAN TA1
Remember to include a name and address so he can write back and don’t
forget to put a stamp on the envelope.
3) Reindeer Food
Make some magic food to sprinkle in your garden on Christmas Eve for
Father Christmas’ reindeer’s to find.
You will need:
Small plastic bag
Porridge oats
Tags printed onto card (Template at the back)
Glitter
Ribbon
Colouring pens/pencils
- Place a small amount of porridge oats into the plastic bag and
sprinkle some glitter in.
-Tie some ribbon around the top of the bag to seal and curl the
ends.
- Colour in a tag and attach to the ribbon. (Tag template at the
back)
4) Father Christmas’ Map
Father Christmas is very busy on Christmas Eve as he has to travel
around the world. Colour in his map. (at the back of booklet)
You could also learn about one of the countries he visits.
5) Elf Hat
The elves help to make toys in Father Christmas’ workshop. Make this hat
to hang on your tree.
You will need:
Red and green felt
Bell
Glue or needle & thread
Ribbon
- Cut a quarter of a circle of green felt and sew/glue the sides to
make a cone.
- Cut a strip of red felt with a zigzag along one side, sew/glue the
straight head to the bottom of the hat.
- Sew the bell to the point of the hat.
- Sew/glue a loop of ribbon to the base of the hat to hang it.
- You can now fill with sweets if you want.
6) Santa’s Sack
You will need:
-
Brown felt
Cotton wool
Wool or string
Cut a rectangle out of the felt.
Place some cotton wool into the centre of the felt.
Pull the sides together and tie with wool/string to shape the sack.
If you wish to hang the sack on a tree attach a loop of wool/string.
7) Magic Key
No chimney for Santa to come down? Make this magic key for him
instead.
You will need:
Template printed onto card (at back of booklet)
Ribbon
Scissors
Coloured pens
Decorations
- Cut out and colour the key and poem on the template.
- Decorate with glitter, sequins etc.
- Attach the poem to the key with a loop of ribbon
Chocolate Nativity
* You can use this however you want, whether reading to your unit and
letting them eat the chocolate as you go along or it can be used as part of
a service. If using in a service we‘ve included some hymns and readings.*
Joseph and Mary travelled to Bethlehem along a ROCKY road. They
became tired on their journey and needed a BOOST. Joseph was
worried about Mary so decided to have a PICNIC.
They didn’t reach Bethlehem until the evening. The town was full
of people and all the rooms were taken. At last an innkeeper said
you can use my stable, but the stable was full of furry
ANIMALS.
Reading: Luke 2 1-7
Hymn: See him lying on a bed of straw
That night on the hillside above the town, some shepherds were looking
after their sheep. It was so cold the ground was CRUNCHIE. As
they were watching the sky they had a KINDER SURPRISE, it was
filled with light and an angel appeared.
Reading: Luke 2 8-20
Hymn: While Shepherds Watched
Meanwhile in the East, there were some wise men who were studying
the MILKY WAY. There were lots of PLANETS including MARS.
The wise men set off on their journey to present their BOUNTY of
gold, frankincense and myrrh to the new born king. That night an
angel appeared to the wise men in a DREAM. King Herod was up to his
old TWIX he warned.
Reading: Matthew 2 1-12
Hymn: We Three Kings
Christmas is more than Santa, reindeers and SNOWFLAKES and
more than all the food for us to CHOMP. We can all get into so
much of a TWIRL. This Christmas we need to take a TIME OUT.
The best thing about Christmas is Jesus.
Hymn: In the Bleak mid Winter
Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Reindeer Food Tags
Magic Key Template
Christmas Quiz
1. Which of these was once a popular Christmas food?
(a) Roast peacock
(b) Roast Pelican
(c) Roast ostrich
2. Can you rearrange these letters to make a famous book written by
Charles Dickens?
CLASS TO ARMCHAIR
3. When does advent begin?
4. Give 2 more names by which St Nicholas is known.
5. When should Christmas decorations be taken down?
(a) Twelfth of January
(b) Twelfth night
(c) Twelfth of August
6. From which country is the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree a gift?
(a) Germany
(b) Norway
(c) Austria
7. Originally, mince pies were oval shaped to symbolize Christ’s Manger?
TRUE or FALSE
8. How many leaping Lords were there in the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’?
(a) 7
(b) 10
(c) 11
9. Which pantomime character had ugly sisters?
10. In which country is ‘Grand Father Frost’ well known?
(a) Russia
(b) America
(c) Iceland
(d) Greenland
11. Complete this song title ‘The Holly and the ______.’
(a) Mistletoe
(b) Berries
(c) Ivy
12. Who gives a traditional Christmas message broadcast on television on
Christmas day?
ANSWERS
‘Happy Christmas’ -
Brazil China Denmark Finland Hawaii Italy Norway Turkey Vietnam Wales -
Feliz Natal
Sheng Dan Kuai Le
Glædelig Jul
Hyvaa Joulua
Mele Kalikimaka
Buone Feste Natalizie
God Jul
Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
Nadolig Llawen
‘Fill the Blanks’
“Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh”
“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed”
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”
“Deck the halls with boughs of holly”
“Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul”
“Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen”
“Hark the herald angels sing ‘Glory to the newborn king’”
“Have yourself a merry little Christmas”
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go”
“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock, jingle bells swing and jingle bells
ring”
‘Christmas Quiz’ -
1. (a) Roast peacock
2. A Christmas Carol
3. Fourth Sunday before Christmas
4. Santa Claus, Father Christmas
5. (b) Twelfth night
6. (b) Norway
7. True
8. (c) 11
9. Cinderella
10. (a) Russia
11. (c) Ivy
12. The Queen
Badge Order Form
Badges cost £1.00 each.
You will need to add postage and packaging onto this price.
P+P:
up to 10 badges = 60p
11 - 50 badges = £1.00
51 - 75 badges = £1.50
76 - 100 badges = £2.00
More than 100 badges = £2.50
Please include payment with this form.
Name _________________________
Unit __________________________
Address to send badges: _________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Telephone or email: ______________________________________
Number of badges required: ______
Total cost = no. of badges x £1.00 + P+P = _______
Please make cheques payable to: Sue Chappell
Please Return to: Let’s Celebrate Christmas Again,
5 Cader Idris Close,
Risca,
South Wales,
NP11 6RP
Or email: [email protected]
Badges will be posted as soon as they are available, please allow up to 14
days for delivery.