Christmas Presents

One of my favorite activities at this time of year is "Christmas Present Singing Time."  I select 8 to 10 songs (mostly Christmas songs).  I put the titles in a box and wrap it up.  I use boxes of all different sizes and a variety of wrapping paper.  I don't use ribbon because it takes too long to open.  There are several ways to pick the person to open the present.

• Before the children come into Primary, put a sticker under 8 chairs.  Make sure that the stickers are random throughout the room.  Who ever has a sticker on their chair gets to pick a present.
• Put names in a bag or box and draw a name out.
• Have a teacher choose a child to open the present.

I try to sing just one verse so there is plenty of time to sing all the songs.

Decorate the Christmas Tree

A tried and true activity is "Decorate the Tree."  Cut out a large Christmas tree -- green poster board works well.  (I like to laminate it so I can uses it year after year.)  Using colored paper, cut out different ornament shapes.  On the backs of the ornaments put the names of Christmas songs, don't forget to use the ones from the hymn book.  For variety, you can have several ornaments with the question, "What did/does Jesus give to me?"  Another set of ornaments could have the question, "What can I give to my family, friends, etc.?"  The children can choose ornaments and either answer the question or sing the song, whichever is on the back of the ornament.  They can put their ornament on the tree.

If you have a small Primary, you can stick an ornament under each chair and let each child have a turn decorating the Christmas tree.

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem

This is a great active song as well as telling the Christmas story.  Tell the children that we are going to act out this song as we sing.  They will need to stand.

• First verse - place tools on a shelf, shut the door, sweep the door step, tap the donkey, put the bread and cheese in a handkerchief, bring the corners together and hold it
• Second verse - bow your head in a shy manner, "chilly hours" wrap your arms around yourself as if you were cold, smooth the baby's blanket, hold the baby.
• Third verse - reach up and dim the light, hold the baby very close.  

The whole primary can act this out or you can choose one class or a few children to do the actions.  Have one side do one verse and the other side the second verse and everyone the third verse.  If you don't know this song you can sing a phrase or two while you act it out with the children several times.  It is also fun to have the pianist play it while the children act out the words without singing or simply humming.