How to Decorate Christmas Trees for Kids in the Hospital

Handmade decorations can bring Christmas cheer to sick children.

Helping enhance the Christmas season for children who have to spend the holiday in the hospital will share Christmas joy with them as well as brighten up their holiday. Simply knowing that strangers helped to create decorations for their Christmas tree can make them feel loved and special and thus make them more excited for the Christmas holiday. Include inspirational words and well wishes on the decorations to further give them the gift of Christmas spirit.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Construction paper
• Hole punch
• Ribbon
• Markers and crayons

Instructions

1. Create stencils for homemade ornaments out of card stock paper. Simple and easy-to-create designs include Christmas trees, Santa Claus silhouettes, Christmas wreaths and snowmen. For a religious ornament create a manger silhouette, a cross or even a star. Cut out the stencils from the card stock.

2. Trace the stencils onto construction paper and cut out the designs.

3. Punch a hole in the top of each ornament. Cut a six-inch piece of ribbon for each ornament.

4. Decorate the ornaments using markers or crayons.

5. Write prayers or best wishes on the homemade ornaments. These well wishes can be instead of decorations on the ornaments, or they can be added to the back of the ornament. This will be inspirational for the children enjoying the tree decorations.

6. Weave the ribbon through the punched hole in each ornament and tie the ends into a knot. Hang the ornament from the ribbon on the tree.

References

• Family Fun: Christmas Ornaments