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 suebrookie@aol.com or beth_4orli@hotmail.co.uk.

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 Feliz Natal Norway Sheng Dan Kuai Le Wales Glædelig Jul China Hyvaa Joulua Turkey Mele Kalikimaka Vietnam Buone Feste Natalizie Brazil God Jul Finland Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun Italy Chuc Mung Giang Sinh Denmark 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 1 packet small marshmallows 6 cups Rice Krispies 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 dash of salt 2 tsp sugar ¾ cup of milk Vanilla extract - Beat egg; add sugar, salt, milk and flavouring. - Blend thoroughly and serve. 3) Peppermint Creams You will need: White from 2 small eggs 8oz icing sugar Food colouring (optional) 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 Cupcakes Raisins Cherries Curly Wurly - 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 4tbs desiccated coconut 1 mango 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 Cotton wool/straw Glue Paint Ready-made icing 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 Glue Pipe cleaners/wool 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 Sinterklaas Denmark Julemanden France Père Noël Germany Weinachtsmann Norway Julenissen Switzerland Samichlaus America Santa Claus China 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 Glue or needle & thread

Bell 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 Wool or string Cotton wool - 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 - Feliz Natal China - Sheng Dan Kuai Le Denmark - Glædelig Jul Finland - Hyvaa Joulua Hawaii - Mele Kalikimaka Italy - Buone Feste Natalizie Norway - God Jul Turkey - Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun Vietnam - Chuc Mung Giang Sinh Wales - 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: suebrookie@aol.com Badges will be posted as soon as they are available, please allow up to 14 days for delivery.