Reindeer FoodThis file includes card ideas, games, humor and Gift Ideas. Also see Christmas Humor, Christmas and Winter.
English - Merry Christmas
French - Joyeux Noël
German - Frohe Weihnachten
Italian - Buon Natale
Spanish - Feliz Navidad
Many people drive or walk around in December looking at Christmas lights and decorations. You can add to the fun by having a scavenger hunt (not to bring things home but to check them off a list if you are the first one to see them.)
Some ideas are: red, white and blue lights on the same house; an inflatable snow globe; icicle lights, a train, giant presents, three inflatables in the same yard, a Christmas tree in a window, a Disney character, reindeer on a roof, a sleigh on a roof, Mrs. Clause, Santa Claus, a star, a poinsettia, a nutcracker, purple lights, orange lights, a snowman, snowflakes, or carolers.
Let everyone look at lists for a few minutes before you go so they are familiar with it and for safety the driver should not participate.
Make some elf donuts to leave with Santa's cookies. Line Cheerios up in a small box like donuts. You could dip some in powdered sugar, or frost the top of some and add sprinkles.
(author unknown)
It's Christmas Eve, time for bed.
But not an eye will close.
Too much excitement in the air,
To let you even doze.
So make a magic potion
To help you fall asleep:
Then Santa and his helpers
Can down the chimney creep.
Pour this cocoa in a mug,
And with hot water mix:
Then drop in the magic kiss,
And stir with the candy stick!
Add a few marshmallows,
And sip it slowly down.
Crawl into bed and snuggle in-
The 'magic sleep' will come!
Note: Type this poem on a piece of paper. Attach it to a Ziploc bag that contains an envelope of hot cocoa mix, a candy cane, a chocolate Hershey's kiss, and a handful of mini marshmallows. It also makes a good idea for something different as a treat for kindergartners (either from a room mother at a party or as a gift from the teacher).
What do you call it when your Christmas tree explodes?
A tannen-bomb. (Tannenbaum)
(author unknown)
(get an old key and paint it gold, add some gems and attach the poem to it)
This key is very special, you see,
It won't work for you or me.
Hang it just outside your door,
Go to bed and worry no more.
Close your eyes and close them tight,
'Cause Santa Claus is coming tonight.
(alternate version)
Dear Santa,
We don't have a chimney
for you to come in through
And if you miss our house
I don't know what I'll do.
Mom says you work magic
and can use just any old key
If we just hang it outside
in a place you're sure to see.
So I'm placing this old key
right beside our door
Say my prayer and jump in bed
and I won't worry anymore.
Get your relatives speaking to you and to each other by sending a Christmas card and a picture of your family with an extra child nobody knows. If you don't have an extra child handy for the photo, either you or one of your friends can photo-shop one in.
Reindeer FoodTis the night before Christmas
and since every year,
You feed Santa Claus,
Now feed his reindeer!
Instructions:
1. Wait until Christmas Eve.
2. Open bag and sprinkle Reindeer Food on the lawn.
3. Hop into bed!
4. Shhhhh!!! Listen for Santa!
5. Close your eyes tight! Watch the sugarplums dance!
Contents:
Enough Reindeer food for eight tiny reindeer!
(mix a little glitter with oats or oatmeal to make the magic reindeer food)
There are several ways to use this list. You could divide people in groups and see who figures out the most in a set amount of time. Another idea is to had the list to everyone and when someone figures out a carol they can sing a little of the song. You could do this on a Zoom get-together by emailing each person or group a copy.
I think believing in Santa Claus is a wonderful part of childhood. However, many families can't afford to buy their children expense presents or lots of presents. That causes confusion when those children see what Santa brought their friends. They wonder why they got socks and a cheap toy from Santa while their friend got an Ipad. It can make them feel that Santa doesn't like them or they weren't good enough. So why not take credit for the expensive gifts your kids get and tell them that the less expensive gifts are from Santa.
(author unknown)
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
Please accept as well a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2000, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere, and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual orientation of the wishee.
(By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.)
On a message board someone asked whether others had a real Christmas tree or a fake one. A person new to the board didn't realize that you had to reply from within a message or the reply would show up as a new thread. Those who hadn't noticed the Christmas tree question didn't quite know what to make of this post:
SUBJECT: Fake, the last 3yrs. I love REAL, but my husband doesn't
MESSAGE: My husband likes fake, he says less messy, more economical, safer. You have to pick your battles, even though I love real because of the smell and my childhood memories I gave in. It is a nice Fake!
Gift Card for Nuts
I searched for the perfect gift
but nothing seemed to do
then I saw these nuts
and suddenly thought of you.
Gift Card for Hot Chocolate Mix
You Friendship Has Warmed Us
The Whole Year Through
We Hope This Hot Chocolate
Will Do the Same For You.
Gift Cards for Mints
We were 'mint' for each other
We appreciate your commit-'mint'
Your friendship has 'mint' a lot to me
Gift Cards for M&M's
Have a Merry and Most Wonderful Holiday Season!
Gift Card for Muffins
You're Gettin' Muffin for Christmas
Gift Cards for Rice Krispie Treats
Snap! Crackle! Pop! I think you're really tops!
Thank you for putting the Snap! Crackle! Pop! into our (friendship/marriage)
Gift Cards for Lifesavers
For all the times you have come to my rescue.
You have been a lifesaver to me.
Gift Cards for Pop
May your Christmas be Merry and Sprite!
You make my day sparkle
Gift Card for Chips
I can always count on you when the chips are down.
Gift Cards for Tea
A friend like you is just my cup of tea.
May your days be steeped with love and warmed with joy!
Our friendship is like a cup of tea, a special blend of you and me!
Gift Cards for Gloves or Mittens
You are so handy to have around.
Thanks for lending a helping hand.
For a cute gag gift put some white packing peanuts or pieces of white Styrofoam in a stocking or gift bag with this poem:
You've been naughty!
Here's the scoop-
All you get for Christmas
is Snowman poop!
(alternate version)
Santa's made his list and
he's checked it twice.
He isn't too happy 'cause
you haven't been nice.
Coal is too expensive so
here's the scoop:
He's filling your stocking
with snowman poop!!
(Be careful with this. I played the trick on my son-in-law when my oldest granddaughter, Staci, was six. She ended up almost in tears and saying "my daddy is to good". I told her that Santa really did leave things for him but I took them out, put them in a package under the tree and then put in the foam peanuts as a joke. She was okay after that but still didn’t think it was funny.)
The Soup:
1 package hot chocolate mix
3 Hersheys kisses
15 or so miniature marshmallows
1 Candy Cane
The poem:
I was told you've been good this year
Always glad to hear it
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the spirit.
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring Stick
Add hot water, sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick!
This is also a good idea for anyone who can’t get out much.
Rather than giving them a one-time gift, label envelopes for each day (or each week or month). Put the envelopes in a box with instructions to open them on the day listed on each envelope.
I did this for someone in the hospital for a long time and she said it helped to have something to look forward to each day. Some things you can put in the envelope are:
(compiled by Denny Davis and Sue Schuster)
Don’t just do this as a once-a-year thing. These ideas would be appreciated year-round – especially in January and February when bad weather and the after-holiday letdown make people feel down.
back to top of page back to top of page