This is such a fun and easy family activity to do with all age groups and keeps everyone in the Christmas spirit, whilst quietly reminding us of our part to play with nature too. In this clip we look at a garland with a couple of hundred years of history that developed when colonists took the European tradition of decorating a Christmas Tree with them. Perhaps popcorn garlands could be considered the original tinsels but with a planet currently on plastic overload, let's give the planet some love and bring back our popcorn garland into fashion.
Popcorn & berry garlands have the added bonus of being able to be fed to the birds once Christmas is over too and the birds need our nurture and help during winter months too! Items Required: Needle (longer is a little easier), Cotton Thread (any colour is fine), Popcorn (not salted or sweet for the birds, you can pop your own or buy it pre-prepared), Berries - from the hedgerows and trees that have berries at this time of year OR dried cranberries/sultanas/raisins etc if you are making them with younger children who may otherwise try to eat the hedgerow berries. WARNING - some berries are toxic to humans, do not eat them and wash hands afterwards. Do not collect anything from the Yew Tree. Scissors #art #craft #familyactivity #childrensactivity #kidsactvity #familytime #positivewellbeing #familyfun #popcorngarland #naturaldecorations #naturalchristmasdecorations #decorate #christmascrafting #feedthebirds
Whilst using this resource to inspire learning, know you are helping you and your family's wellbeing by:
1) Get Active - Go out walking to seek for and collect the berries needed for this activity.
2) Keep Learning -most things have cultural and historical background, think of the traditions that have survived time and consider what traditions you have in your family now and ask those older family members about what they did when they were younger.
3) Be Mindful- Whilst taking your walk, take a moment to notice the trees and how they have changed since the summer - which are evergreen, which are deciduous, notice the month and how many berries are available. Lastly take a few minutes to notice the bird life around you (it may take couple of minutes of quiet before the birds come out of hiding sometimes).
4) Practice Kindness- making things with family and children usually requires patience and kindness - be kind enough to give yourselves plenty of time to do them in.
5) Think Community - Share your fabulous outcomes with your community, post them online to inspire others in future, and remember to share them once again (when the tree comes down) and they get fed to the birds! Music by Bensound