Michaels Craft Stores offer lots of free craft projects in their stores throughout the year. Check out the upcoming projects to find something for your child. The crafts are generally very easy but they're lots of fun.
Michaels also offers demonstrations of craft techniques that everyone can enjoy. Visit the Michaels Web site for a list of their upcoming event days. In May 2013, the Events list includes border punching, embossing, and distress ink to name just a few.
Michaels Arts and Crafts has stores across America. In the stores, it's possible to find just about any craft supply to buy, take home, and begin making your own creations.
Kids love to make crafts. In addition to their regular kids' craft projects, Michaels stores currently are offering a Passport to Imagination program featuring Christmas and holiday crafts and traditions from different countries.
Check out the Michaels Passport to Imagination page for an overview with a map and travel itinerary. Five countries are featured on the Passport to Imagination program. The sponsors are Crayola, Snazaroo, FloraCraft, and Fun Fusion.
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The people of different countries celebrate Christmas and winter holidays in different ways. These crafts from Michaels teach children about the countries' customs and celebrations.
The crafts at Michaels are from the following countries: Mexico, Iceland, Germany, Australia, and Japan. Take your journey of learning about holiday customs and traditions a step further; explore your family with your children and read up on the special ways your ancestors might have celebrated Christmas or the winter holiday of choice.
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The schedule for Michaels' holiday crafts follows:
- December 3 (Saturday): Australia, Christmas Countdown Calendar, Christmas Stocking, and Gingerbread House. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- December 4 (Sunday): Germany, Rudolph's Kitchen, Santa and Rudolph's Treat Bag, and "Cookies" for Santa. From 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- December 10 (Saturday): Iceland, Reindeer Frame, Santa Letter, and Spatula Reindeer. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- December 11 (Sunday): Japan, Snowman Ornament, Snowflake Frame, and S'more Ornament. From 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- December 17 (Saturday): Mexico, Duck Tape Luggage Tag, Craveable Crafts Cookbook, and Poinsettia Card. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- December 18 (Sunday): Iceland, Reindeer Frame, Santa Letter, and Spatula Reindeer. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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According to the Michaels' Web site, the five countries featured celebrate the holidays in these ways:
In Australia, they have summer weather during our winter. People there sometimes have a barbeque for Christmas dinner!
In Germany, cookies are big at Christmas, especially cinnamon cookies. People get together and have cookie exchanges so everyone can share and enjoy the goodies.
In Japan, children are taught that Santa Claus has eyes on the back of his (so you better watch out!
In Mexico, children enjoy tangerines, oranges, sugar canes, and pinatas filled with peanuts as holiday treats.
In cold Iceland, reindeer are plentiful and instead of Santa Claus bringing gifts, they have 13 "Yule Lads" instead!
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Let us know if you like to do crafts with your kids (or the neighbor kids or the grandkids or maybe you do them all by yourself!).
I wish I had more time for crafts - perhaps we ought to set up a Christmas tradition where we allocate say the 23rd of December for making Christmas decorations.