This post was sent in by Cathy at NurtureStore, she originally sent it to me before Christmas but when I got so many guest posts sent in I ear marked it for the new year. Making wishes is a great way to introduce children to resolutions and goals for the new year in a gentle and generous way. I love this craft and know you all will too!
Here’s my idea for a wishing tree I made today with my children aged 3 and 6. It’s a simple craft activity which creates a beautiful centerpiece and also encourages children to think of others by making wishes for them – perfect for this time of year. As the tree uses star symbols it’s suitable for Christian or Jewish celebrations.
You’ll need: paint, card, glitter, a star shaped cookie cutter, scissors, hole punch, glue – and a tree!
1. Pour some glue into a shallow dish and dip in the cookie cutter.
2. Press the cookie cutter, paint side down, on to some card. (You can give the cutter a little wiggle if you want a thicker outline)
3. Carefully lift off the cookie cutter to leave a star-shaped outline.
4. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle the star with glitter. My daughter says the more sparkles you use, the more the wish comes true. Leave the star to dry and then gently shake off any excess glitter.
5. Cut around the star with some scissors.
6. Punch a hole in the star and thread on a ribbon. Write ‘I wish…’ on the glitter side.
Then for the magical part – ask each child to think of a wish they could make to bring someone else some joy. It’s easy for children to see this time of year as all about them getting presents so this is a way for them to do some giving too. They might like to wish something for a special person – perhaps for a sick relative to get better – or something more general. You might be surprised how thoughtful or creative your children are. My daughter wished for angels to appear in the sky for everyone to see.
7. Once you’ve helped them to write their wish on their star you can hang the wishes on your special wishing tree. We use some twisted branches in vase for our tree, but a Christmas tree or one growing in your garden (or even your community) would work just as well. You might like to make some extra stars so family and friends can add their wishes o
ver the season too.
Then wait and see which ones come true.
EntertainingMom says
I love this… similar to the Thankful trees…with a twist!
.-= EntertainingMom´s last blog ..Update from The Entertaining House: It’s been a good year so far! =-.
Melissa says
Great site! Found it through twitter moms. 🙂
pchanner says
That is a nice idea. I can see us using that for an Im Thankful tree also. Thanks
.-= pchanner´s last blog ..Getting Fit After the Holidays =-.
Cathy at nurturestore says
Thanks for posting this Allie, I hope your readers like the idea. Happy New year!
.-= Cathy at nurturestore´s last blog ..Let’s play….pirates! =-.
Lisa D. says
I was a kindergarten teacher,back in the day,and we used this activity for all kinds of themes…letters,shapes,numbers,animals. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of this great idea. I will be passing it along in my blog!
.-= Lisa D.´s last blog ..New Year,New You! Family First! =-.
rori says
Hahaha, I love that, “the more sparkles you use, the more your wishes come true.” So true, so true.
Amber says
I love this craft. And I love your daughter’s take on the sparkles, I’m sure my own daughter would share it. Although I’m not sure I would find it as charming at clean-up time. 😉
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Second Babies are Easier =-.
Dara says
What a neat child-friendly craft! I have never thought of using cookie cutters as stamps before – the possibilities are endless!
Thanks so much, I’ll be sharing with the moms on my facebook group.
admin says
Oh Cookie cutters are great for little fumbly hands!
Beverly says
love this idea! we will have to try this one out.
.-= Beverly´s last blog ..New Years Eve =-.
cathy june says
I love that it’s thought provoking as well as beautiful!
angee says
I love this!! What a sweet post and a fun idea!! I love your daughter’s perspective on things, especially the glitter part.
I also love that it would make a great decoration for your house. So cute and classy. I’m thinking centerpiece for my now empty kitchen table…
And I love that you posted this after the new year. I think it fits perfectly! Can’t say enough good things about this! My kids will enjoy doing this!
Melodie says
We made this yesterday using yellow paint and gold glitter. It was really hard trying to get any of the kids to think of something to wish for for other people though. I look after kids 2 to 5 and it was like a belated Xmas wish list. But it was still fun. We hung them on fallen fir branches that we put in a vase and left outside for everyone who comes to the door to see. It’s like a Xmas tree for the New Year!
.-= Melodie´s last blog ..Who’s Breasts Are They Anyway? =-.
Lenetta @ Nettacow says
This is so sweet! I linked to it on my weekly roundup, post is under my name. Thanks!
.-= Lenetta @ Nettacow´s last blog ..Link Roundup – Happy Birthday Hubs Edition =-.
Ann W. says
I love reading your blog. Your posts are excellent! Have you considered compiling your ideas and writing a book?
Deb Chitwood @ Living Montessori Now says
This is such a lovely craft and way to think of others in the New Year! I featured your post at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page and in my post at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/12/30/starting-and-nurturing-new-years-traditions/
Kathy says
Love this idea for new years. I’ve shared it over at Cafemom in my group Holiday and Party Crafts, our Moms are going to love it.
Yolanda Crisostomo says
I Love this craft and I Love this blog! I will bookmark this blog. My grandson will be homeschooled and so this blog has a lot of great ideas! Also, this craft was shared with our group members at CafeMom – Holiday and Party Crafts – with a link back to this tutorial. Thanks so much!
Sonnet O'kane says
Love the wishing tree idea. I included this on my blog today along with 17 other kids activities! Happy new year! http://www.sohosonnet.com/crafts-and-diy/diy-holiday/new-years-eve-countdown-activities-for-kids/
sara says
Great job!! i love it.
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