“ Christmas Games -- Is that You Santa?” |
We all now the jolly old guy who lives at the North Pole with a bunch of hard working elves--right? I mean Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without him! But just how did this jolly old character come to be? Why does he where a red suit and fly around with eight reindeer? How did he come to live in the North pole with all those elves?
Our beloved Santa Claus is a jolly old man indeed. His origins began centuries ago as a saint known as St. Nicholas in an area known today as Turkey. Saint Nicholas was a very old, much loved and generous saint.
Legend has it that he gave bags of gold to three daughters of a destitute nobleman. Lacking any money or property for a dowry, the nobleman had intended to sell his daughters into prostitution or slavery. St Nicholas rescued them by throwing bags of gold through the window so each had a proper dowry.
Stories of St. Nicholas's good deeds multiplied. Over time, he became known as a protector and rescuer of children, parents, sailors and many others. By the time of the Renaissance, he had become the favorite saint of nearly everyone.
Though popular for centuries, St. Nicholas had no real history in Colonial America. However, during the Revolution, Dutch families, who had settled in New York City, began meeting annually on December 23 to celebrate the St. Nicholas on the anniversary of his death. St Nicholas celebrations and stories, as told by Dutch immigrants, helped to increased his recognition. In 1809 Washington Irving's History of New York, introduced St. Nicholas to a National audience. The book introduced St. Nicholas as a "friend to children" however, the description of him had little resemblance to the Santa Claus we know today. In 1822, Clarence Clarke Moore, a literature teacher of Dutch ancestry, wrote a poem for his children titled "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas." In his poem St. Nicholas acquired a new appearance and a bright new personality. We know this poem today as "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Moore was said to have modeled the new St. Nicholas after a "portly rubicund Dutchman" who lived near his father's home in New York.
Moore's poem was written as entertainment for his children only but the next year the poem was reprinted in a paper in New York with the title of "A Visit from St. Nicholas." It was said to have been submitted to the paper by a guest of the Moore family who visited during the Christmas season. Eventually, Moore published a collection of his poems, including "A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1844. The poem was repeated sporadically throughout the Nation in various newspapers and publications during the Holiday season thus increasing the popularity of St. Nicholas.
Over time, Moore's poem was illustrated and various versions of St. Nicholas attire emerged. The early drawings of St. Nicholas had no real resemblance to the Santa Claus we know today. Early St. Nicholas was often drawn with toys in one hand and a "switch" in the other. Toys for the good children and a threat of the switch for bad children. This depiction is related to the German version of St Nicholas known as Belsnickel. This version of St Nicholas likely derived from the large numbers of German settlers in New York and Pennsylvania areas.
By the beginning of the Civil War, Belsnickel had faded and a likeness more closely resembling modern Santa Claus begin to take shape. In 1842 a book, published in Philadelphia, titled Kris Kringle's Christmas Tree, a holiday present for boys and girls included this updated illustration of Santa Claus. His actions were modeled after Moore's poem except he put gifts on the branches of the Christmas tree and not in stockings.
Today Santa Claus, with his red fur lined suit, sack full of toys and flying reindeer are as central to the American Christmas as gift-giving. His actions set into the motion the excitement of Christmas eve and Christmas morning. He is a folk hero who provides children joy and wonderment of the season though his often told stories.
As a successful factory owner, philanthropist, and quasi-religious figure, Santa represents the wistful yearnings of a newer nation who embraces its wealth while still searching for spiritual meaning. Yes, Santa "sells" and his character has helped merchants sell their Christmas goods for centuries. For many he represents all that is wrong with the holiday season. For others he embodies kindness and good-will that best characterizes the meaning of the season.
No matter where you fall in your opinion of St. Nichols, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, Santa Claus or whatever you call him. There's no denying that for American children there is no bigger delight than the wonder of his story and the joy of his character.
Terri Hunziker founded GamesAndLetters. com. Games and Letters provides hundreds of print-and-play games -- Christmas party games, bridal shower games, baby shower games,and more! For immediate access to hundreds of fun games and ideas for your next party, visit, http://www.gamesand letters.com.
This Christmas Games and free toddlers activity and free kids games guide has articles about Christmas Games toddlers games and toddlers songs with positive parenting tips, free toddlers party games, toddler birthday party games, kids jokes and fun games for kids articles including free kids party games and crafts for child development, toddlers activity and kids free games parenting resources.
“ Christmas Party Games -- Children's Celebrations!”
toddlers activity Christmas Games
Hosting a children's Christmas party for your child or class? Aah, the fun, the games and the noise, noise, noise! Hosting a Christmas party for a gaggle of kids can be a stressful affair. Children eagerly awaiting Santa's visit and caught up in the excitement of the holiday season can be a handful but a well thought-out party plan will save the day and your sanity.
Help! Be sure to have help on hand. Other parents or teachers can help keep the kids contained and the party events moving along in orderly fashion. If this is a school party, solicit parent volunteers to bring the refreshments. No need for anything fancy, cookies or cupcakes and punch will please any kid. Keep the decorations simple too. Remember that what goes up must come down. Keeping it simple makes for easy clean-up. String a little tinsel here and there; some red green balloons and you've got instant kid party atmosphere!
Plan the fun! Children love playing games, so give them what they want. Christmas party games are a great way to keep them entertained and the party under control. There are a number of games that your group will love from the wee little ones to the older kids. Keep the game selection easy by using previously designed games printable from any computer. Here's a sampling that you might find appropriate for your party:
Pin the Star on the Christmas Tree The Christmas version of the all time favorite kids' game! You print the tree and the star, tack tree to a wall and the kids try to pin the star on the tree blindfolded. Kids love playing this game over and over.
Christmas Lost and Found Children match a picture only game card to the matching picture on the "lost" items sheet. The perfect game for kids who can't read those who can! A Christmas game for kids of all ages!
Christmas Trivia for Kids Just for the kids! Players will have fun trying to answer questions about Santa's reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, the Grinch and other children's favorite holiday interests. A fun kids Christmas game sure to produce giggles!
Santa's Nose Toes Given these fun little word clues, see who can figure out the names of these common parts of Santa Clause! Great for the wee little ones. Kids love this Christmas game!
Reindeer Mix Up! Santa has his reindeer's names all mixed up! Who can un-mix this jumble of letters to come up with all the reindeer names and then figure out who's missing? A certain reindeer song will help the kids with this Christmas game!
Holiday Word Finds Great for the older children. How many Christmas words can be found in a jumble of letters? Choose from traditional Christmas words or holiday terms that are nonreligious (great for the school Christmas party).
Holiday Crosswords Christmas crosswords are fun for young and old! Family members can solve this together. Great for classroom parties or any holiday get together!
For quieter sit-down activities creating crafts or food items is a great choice. Pre-baked cookies in Christmas shapes are great fun to decorate with a variety of colored icings and sprinkles. How about a gingerbread house party that all the kids participate in decorating? Making Christmas ornaments or cards is also a lot of fun. With glitter, fun shapes, colored makers and Christmas style stickers, the kids are sure to enjoy themselves.
In true Peanuts fashion, why not host a decorate-the- tree party? Inexpensive lights, tinsel and homemade ornaments make a memorial event to mark the season for the kids. Perhaps they can decorate their own classroom tree or a tree to be donated to a local nursing home or hospital.
Is it early in the Christmas season? Perhaps a letter-to-Santa party would fit the bill. Children become very prolific when writing to his holiday holiness which is great fun to read. Copying the letters would be a wonderful parting gift for the parents too. Perhaps a collection of the funniest ones for a future book? Have a big red Santa bag or mail bag and envelops marked with the North Pole address. When complete, the letters are collect for special delivery.When complete, the letters are collect for special delivery.
Don't forget a visit from Santa. Maybe a jolly volunteer will don the famous red suit to bring the little ones a little Christmas magic. A visit from his jolliness is sure to be an event not soon forgotten.
There you have it, a fun and stress-free Christmas party for your children or class. No matter what party theme or Christmas party games you choose, be sure to enjoy yourself too. Children have a way of making the magic of the holiday season come alive. Make sure you take the time to catch it!
Terri Hunziker founded GamesAndLetters. com. Games and Letters provides hundreds of print-and-play games -- Christmas party games, bridal shower games, baby shower games,and more! For immediate access to hundreds of fun games and ideas for your next party, visit, http://www.gamesand letters.com.
“ Christmas Party Games -- Crazy Holiday Fun! ”
toddlers activity Christmas Games
Christmas season, for many the best holiday of the year. Who doesn't like the celebrations, family gatherings, food, gifts and merriment of the season? Of course, all that merriment is the result of a lot of work on the part of some dear one who enjoys sharing the season as a holiday host. Is that you? Are you hosting a holiday party or planning the office Christmas party this year? Add some Christmas cheer to your holiday party with Christmas party games for the whole gang!
Christmas party games will get your gang talking, laughing and add fun to your next holiday celebration. Printable games will make your party planning easier, just print it and forget it. Choose it, print it, done! A quick and easy way to make sure your guest will have a great time at your Christmas gathering!
Hosting the holiday family get together this year? How about an assortment of children's Christmas party games to keep them busy (and out of your hair!)? Kid's Christmas party games like:
- Pin the Star on the Tree. The Christmas version of the all time favorite kids' game!
- Christmas Lost Found! The perfect game for kids who can't read those who can! Children match a game card to the matching picture on the "lost" items sheet. A Christmas game for kids of all ages!
- Kids Christmas Trivia. Just for the kids! Players will have fun trying to answer questions about Santa's reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, the Grinch and other children's favorite holiday interests. A fun kids Christmas game sure to produce giggles!
For the young-at-heart, try these fun adult Christmas games:
- Name that Christmas Tune. You can sing the lyrics but can you name that tune?
- Christmas Pictionary Charades! Two all time favorites designed just for Christmas fun!
- Famous Christmas Birthdays. We all know one historical person who was born on December 25th but there are lots of other famous people also born on Christmas Day! Given clues, who can name them all!
Hosting an all adult Christmas party? Spice it up with some adult Christmas party games! Some are naughty, some are nice and all will get your guests talking, laughing and in a festive mood:
- The Night before Christmas Game. An old story with a spicey twist! Who was doing what with whom on that certain night? Players are asked to answer a variety of questions. Little do they know their answers will become new words to this famous poem! The questions can be nice or naughty! A hilarious adult Christmas party game your guests will want to play every year!
Planning the office Christmas party? Need to entertain a wide age group with varied interest -- no problem! These Office Christmas party games will keep everyone - Christmas at the Movies! How many Christmas-themed movie's can you name? A great game for playful competition!
- Date that Toy. Players try and match classic toys with the year it was introduced. You'd be surprised how many toys you'll remember!
- Christmas Calculations. For the brainiacs in the bunch. Played in small groups who calculate these crazy holiday problems! A great game for teams. Which department will solve this Christmas riddle first?
- Ho, Ho, Ho, Who Do You Know? A great holiday party ice breaker! Each player is given a sheet with a list of holiday items such as 'Has ridden in a horse drawn sleigh' and 'Born in December' Players then go around the room trying to find a player to sign each item. A great way to get the group talking!
Organizing the school Christmas party for the kids? These Kids Christmas party games will keep the kiddies playing and laughing!
- Reindeer Mix Up. Santa has his reindeer's names all mixed up! Who can un-mix this jumble of letters to come up with all the reindeer names A certain reindeer song will help the kids with this Christmas game!
- Santa's Nose Toes. Great for the littlest ones. Given these fun little word clues, who can figure out the names of these common parts of Santa Clause! Kids love this Christmas game!
Need a Christmas fund raiser for your civic group or organization? How about a Christmas raffle? Everyone loves the chance to win a raffle. Designate one or more prize winners per raffle and choose a charity for the proceeds.
No matter what Christmas party or holiday gathering you're planning, Christmas party games will involve, entertain and add to the merriment of the celebration. Choose it, print it, done! Printable Christmas party games are your ticket to an easy and festive party!
Terri Hunziker founded GamesAndLetters. com. Games and Letters provides hundreds of print-and-play games -- Christmas party games, bridal shower games, baby shower games,and more! For immediate access to hundreds of fun games and ideas for your next party, visit, http://www.gamesand letters.com.
Back to Christmas Games Toddlers activity DIRECTORY PAGE
free toddlers activity & discipline guide
HOME PAGE
Contact Us || Your own Website || Subscribe Newsletter || Parenting & Childhood Quotes || Link Directory || Parent Child Blog || Privacy Policy || Site Map || Terms of Use
================================================================
DISCLAIMER: The free toddlers activity Christmas Games and child discipline guide site resources on this site are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. There is no guarantee of validity of accuracy. Any perceived slight of specific people or organizations is unintentional. This free toddlers activity and discipline guide site resources website and its creators are not responsible for the content of any sites linked to.
This Christmas Games free toddlers activity and child discipline guide site has inspiring parenting & childhood famous quotes, parenting toddler time out techniques, early childhood child behavior problem parenting tips with Christmas Games free behavior chart, toddlers arts & crafts, toddlers songs, fussy eating & kid recipes for child nutrition help, free kid game ideas. This Christmas Games and free toddlers activity and free kids games guide has articles about Christmas Games toddlers games and toddlers songs with Christmas Games positive parenting tips, free toddlers party games, toddler birthday party games, kids jokes and fun games for kids articles including free kids party games and crafts for child development, toddlers activity and kids free games parenting Christmas Games resources..
================================================================
