[sharlibird]

Some of the things we do with our preschool class is

(1) Make a pinata a few days beforehand (put in penny-type candy). If you make one yourself, it costs little to nothing. I used wallpaper paste (dry mix which only costs $0.50 per box), newspaper strips and a regular balloon. I layered about six layers of newspaper strips on the balloon (works better if you let each layer dry before continuing)...it finally took one of us adults to "break" the pinata, but the kids had a blast trying to hit it hard enough.

(2) Use styrofoam fruit/meat trays (ask for a donation of clean trays--germs!) to cut out traced shapes (I used cookie cutters) for ornaments. Use a mechanical pencil (or for an adult-an icepick) to punch in a hole for a ribbon hanger. Then paint with glue (literally) and drop into a bowl of glitter. The kids are amazed to see the ornament come to life in the glitter bowl. Carefully remove and set aside to dry. When dry, thread a ribbon thru the hole (you may have to re-punch the hole after the "glittering") for a hanger. ** This can be time-consuming for the adult setting up, and depending on where you get your glitter, can also be expensive. ** I was able to get mine at a dollar for a package of five 1 oz. bottles of glitter - which does about 20 ornaments (3" across).

(3) Use a half-circle shaped pc of green posterboard to make a Christmas tree. Staple the sides together in a cone shape; then let the kids decorate using odds and ends.

(4) Use old jar lids, pringles (chips) can lids, inner seals from canning lids or small cds for ornaments. Glue rickrack or lace around the outer edges, and decorate with glitter glue or other craft items. I found a huge bag of beads for only a $1 that I'm going to use for this...let them glue it on with tacky glue (special craft glue).

These are just a few ideas...hope it helps.