Christmas Trees

Book Ideas:

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert E. Barry
"When Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree is so tall that he has to cut the top off, he unwittingly provides trees for various people and animals."


Merry Christmas, Geraldine by Holly Keller
"Geraldine the pig has her heart set on getting a really big Christmas tree--no matter what."



Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini
"Moose thinks he has all his Christmas preparations taken care of, but at the last minute he must come up with a substitute for the Christmas tree."




The After-Christmas Tree by Linda Wagner Tyler
"Family members take their Christmas tree into the back yard and decorate it with edible trimmings for the wild birds and animals. "


Songs and Rhymes:


5 Little Christmas Trees

5 little Christmas Trees
Standing all alone
Their heart were very sad
'Cause they hadn't found a home.
Then chop went the ax
And down fell the tree
And off they went with a happy family!


(continue from 4-1 Christmas Trees)


No little Christmas Trees
Standing all alone
Their hearts were very happy
'Cause they all found a home!!!




O Christmas Tree

Verse 1:
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!




Christmas time is here
(Sung to: "The Farmer in the Dell")

Christmas time is near.
Christmas time is near.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Christmas time is near.

It’s time to trim the tree.
It’s time to trim the tree.
Merry Christmas everyone.
It’s time to trim the tree.

It’s time to wrap the gifts.
It’s time to wrap the gifts.
Merry Christmas Everyone.
It’s time to wrap the gifts.

It’s time to hang the stockings.
It’s time to hang the stockings.
Merry Christmas everyone.
It’s time to hang the stockings.

Santa will soon be here.
Santa will soon be here.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Santa will soon be here.



Activity Ideas:

Idea #1: Christmas Tree Surveys

Make the following survey:What do you have at the top of your tree? angel, star, other? OR, Do you have a real tree, a fake tree, or none? Read one of the books and have your child survey neighbors, friends, family (calls on the phone work great) to find out which of the categories has the most. Child can use x's or simple line to record the answer. Ask them to guess which is going to be the most before you begin the survey and see if their guess is right.

Idea #2: Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees Read one of the stories and then make your own edible Christmas tree.
Supplies: Sugar Cones, Green Frosting, Small round candy (mini m&m's are a great size, but I couldn't find any when I went to the store).

Take a sugar cone turn it upside down and spread green frosting all over it. (You may need to help a little). You need a thick layer of frosting so the candy will stay on the tree.


Push candy into the frosting to decorate it. You could also add licorice laces or sprinkles etc...

Idea #3: Exploring colors

Read one of the books and then talk about the color of Christmas trees. Discuss how you can mix two colors to make green. Let your child explore by mixing blue and yellow paint with a q-tip and see what happens.

Idea #4: Hole-punched Christmas Trees Make a pretty light catcher to hang in a window. You'll need green construction paper, tissue paper, glue, scissors, a whole punch, and a piece of string.

First, fold a green piece of construction paper in half and draw a simple Christmas tree outline.

Cut-out the tree outline so you have two identical trees.

Line-up the two trees together, one on top of the other, and punch out a bunch of holes using a hole puncher. You may need to fold the paper to get to the middle of the tree. The holes should line up exactly on the two trees. I tried to involve my kids in this step, but the hole puncher was too hard for them to use. It might just be better to have the tree with the holes already punched out and prepared before you start the activity.

Cut various colors of tissue paper into small squares.

Read one of the book titles and then give your child one of the tree cut-outs and have them spread glue all over one side of the tree. (For less mess, Use a q-tip to spread the glue)

Have your child place the squares of tissue paper on top of the glue, until all the holes are covered. Trim any extra tissue paper hanging off the edge of the tree outline.


This next step is important!--Before you spread glue all over the 2nd tree outline, make sure you figure out which side of the tree the glue should go on so that the holes will still match up with the first tree outline when you press them together. If you don't have the holes matched up then you won't be able to see light through the tissue paper.

Punch one hole at the top of the tree and attach a string for hanging. Hang the tree in a window and see the beautiful colors.