More Christmas 'Traveling'...

I love 'traveling' at Christmastime...usually from the comfort of my own home. Grin. We've 'visited' Ireland (and in books here), Morocco, Europe at large, Mexico, Sweden (and in books here), and Germany. (Check out my Christmas Around the World book selections here!)

This year our celebrations haven't (and won't) be as detailed or elaborate as last year (due to general life stuff and other activities), but we added a couple books and lands to the line-up.

The Legend of the Poinsettia was added to The Night of Las Posadas as we learned about Mexican Christmas celebrations.

We visited Japan through Tree of Cranes (and The Paper Crane) before trying our hand at folding paper cranes for decorating our Christmas tree and giving as gifts. This was one of my favorite activities this year! We cut white and red wrapping paper into 6"x6" squares and followed the directions at this wonderful Origami site.
The night before doing the paper crane activity with the boys, I cut up the paper squares (the inexpensive wrapping paper worked well, standard weight paper is harder to work with) and went through the instructions on my own. The first time I thought I would never get it, but the second try went much more smoothly, and by the third I could fold it quickly without the instructions.

I'm so glad I learned how to fold them before teaching the boys. I was able to help them (a lot) without getting frustrated myself. In fact, I've found it addicting and therapeutic. Looks like I may be taking up Origami folding as a hobby!

If we ever manage to get a Christmas tree, I will certainly show you how lovely they look on it! Next year, I hope to have (mostly) handmade tree decor: popcorn and cranberry garlands, pine cones spray painted silver, paper cranes, dried orange slices tied with ribbon, and such.