Christmas Cookies With Sugar And Spice!

As an elementary music teacher, I was forever and a day searching for cute musicals and songs for programs, and of course none were bigger than the annual Christmas program. We would start the second week of October with afterschool play practices three times a week, where we blocked staging and rehearsed over and over to get into character, and during our music classes we learned the songs and movements. By the time the programs were performed they knew their parts forwards and backwards standing on their heads with their toes wiggling in the air. All that practice paid off though, because nerves rarely kicked in. The kids were so pumped to perform and we packed the gym floor, the bleachers, and even had people standing in the doorways. Every one of my 5th graders (the only ones who had speaking lines) had a time to shine and be a star, whether they had 5 lines or 5 words.

We had Santa dropping pants on stage, Mrs. Claus changing clothes in the opening of the curtains accidentally, three wisemen from the west competing with three beautiful babes from the east, cause no discrimination here! Elves were burning scripts in the trashcans, then chasing the angels across the stage, and I loved every minute of it.

But nothing could compete with the K, 1st, and 2nd graders singing their little songs, and they were so proud of themselves. One year we had about 95-100 little tykes singing together dressed as holiday bakers. I had volunteer teachers and parents that took material and made everyone an apron, my art teacher Mary Jo made bakers hats with white tissue paper, and everyone brought an instrument from home that was made from kitchen cookware. The instruments were so creative! Bells were wired on whisks, old fashioned sifters were cranking, wooden spoons were tapping, shakers were filled with beans, etc. Those little ones stole the show from the 5th graders! All of that, to lead to today’s gingerbread frame!!!

Today I shared this gingerbread frame on my fb live that I designed for my Stamp ‘n Sip gals, and I wanted to be sure to post it here as well. Did you know that it is possible to emboss card stock longer than our embossing folders??? The background piece of two-toned card stock measures 6 x 12, and I used the lighter side for the contrast.

The stamp sets used included The Gingerbread Man and Homemade Treats, as well as the corresponding dies. Ink colors and card stock include Basic White, Pecan Pie, Real Red, and Garden Green. And for those itty bitty icing lines – use adhesive sheets!!!

Missed the fb live? No problem, because I’ve already uploaded the video to my youtube channel. Click on the link below to view, and while you are there please subscribe to my channel!!! That way you receive notification of future videos, and even though fb is going to delete the recording after 30 days, the video is always accessible on youtube!!

https://youtu.be/Es3UJgyGvWw

Final Thoughts….

I know that I could have just had my elementary kids sing several songs standing on the risers and it CERTAINLY would have been easier for me! Some years I wondered WHY I didn’t take the easy way out, but it was always worth it sitting there watching the kids perform. These programs helped me prepare for the holidays as well, with the stage decorations, the songs, and the excitement and joy on the kids’ faces. And I’m pretty sure I went home with joy on my face having another Christmas program completed. Next week Papa Pool Boy and I are going to St. Louis to watch our granddaughters perform in their Christmas programs, and I can’t wait!

Until next time, have a great day enjoying what you love, find some time to craft and listen to Christmas music, and God Bless!!!

Gingerbread Man Bundle (English) [165785] $54.00	Homemade Treats Bundle (English) [166017] $45.00	Branching Out Dies [165775] $29.00	Garden Green 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Two Tone Cardstock [166665] $10.00
Forever Plaid 3 D Embossing Folder [164049] $12.00	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780] $14.00	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [102482] $14.00	Pecan Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [161717] $14.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [147084] $9.00	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [147089] $9.00	Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [161665] $9.00	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114] $9.00
Adhesive Sheets [152334] $11.50	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755] $6.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.25