Book Review:
Christmas Crafts from Around the World contains a craft from 14
countries around the world including the U.S., Canada, the Ukraine,
Poland, Holland, Britain, Italy and many others. At the beginning
of Christmas Crafts Around the World there is a small section introducing
you to the basic materials you will be using for the crafts in this
book. It is very useful to read the information being given to you
here because it will help you to pick the right materials for the
craft you want to make to make sure it turns out properly.
Before the craft instructions, a bit of background information
on the craft as well as a seasonal greeting in the language of the
country is included to give the reader a sense of the importance
of the craft to that country. The instructions for the crafts are
very simple and clear. Illustrations of the instructions as well
as a photo of the finished product accompany the written instructions.
It helps to have an example to follow while you are making the craft
and to see how it should turn out. This would be especially helpful
for children making the craft.
I really like that there are some additional craft ideas included
with three of the main crafts in Christmas Crafts Around the World.
There is a section called More Ideas following the Cranberry and
popcorn garland that gives you three extra uses for or methods of
decorating with the popcorn and/or cranberries. There are also simple
instructions for Felt ornaments as part of the crafts from the United
States. There is a unique extra craft idea following the main craft
from the Ukraine called Golden Walnuts which would look very nice
hanging on a tree. There is a good hint included about keeping the
shell halves paired up in an egg carton so you won't have trouble
matching them up later. There are also more ideas to do with the
woven hearts craft from Denmark.
At the back of this book there is a small section called Christmas
sharing, which I think is worth a mention. In it there are ideas
for a Craft-time box, a Storytime basket and Bags of joy (clothes,
toys or groceries put into either the Sinterklaas sack or the Festive
pillowcase) to give to those who are more in need of it during the
holiday season. It's a good way to share the joy and spread some
happiness for Christmas.
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