I have a couple things I wanted to go into a little more details after Christmas camp was over. I am excited how cute my gifts to my students turned out this year so I wanted to share what I did.
In week 1, I had students decorate their own canvas bag. I told them to decorate with a Christmas theme, a pirate theme, a music theme, mix and match those themes are do all of the above.
This is what they came up with…
Then before the 2nd week of camp, I gathered their bags and filled them with a note and chocolate gold coins…
Then I attached their bag to a cute little pirate bear and stuck a candy cane in to give it that “finished” look…
I thought they turned out cute and went perfectly well with our theme!
Did you give a gift to your students this year? What did you do?
This is so fun, and I agree the bags and bears turned out great. Being craft-impaired, I wonder if you could share what kinds of things you used for the kids to decorate their bags? ie pens, stick-ons, etc. Also, where did you get the bags? I like this idea so much — also the idea of holding Christmas Camp instead of regular lessons for at least the last week before winter break — that I am thinking about borrowing it for next year!
Oops- I was going to mention I got the bags at OrientalTrading.com. I just used sharpie markers. I bought a 24 color pack and it worked out great. I bought the jewel stick ons at Oriental as well. I had some leftover from when they had decorated their treasure boxes at the beginning of the year. Christmas camp- go for it! I would recommend doing it! 🙂
Jennifer, what age group of students do you include in your Christmas camps? These activities and your photos look like they are younger students. What do you do with your high school age students!
They are actually ages 4-15. I didn’t put all the pictures on, I take way to many. ha! ha! Usually for my groups activities (I have group lessons once a quarter in addition to Christmas camp and summer workshops) I have my Jr. High/HS students in a separate group. But for Christmas camp this year I didn’t do it. I wish I did though and will do that next year. I think they just enjoy it a lot more when they are in their own group. I know it is easier on the parents for all the siblings to come at once. But like I said, I think the older one’s would rather be in their own group.
Very cute! The kids will love their bags. I always give my students music, varying each year as to exactly what. Some years Christmas music books that I am able to find on a good sale. This year most students will receive Bob Vandall’s new publication Portraits of Utah (we live in Utah). Little ones will get something else as this collection is way too hard for them.
Great idea Coila, and how perfect to give Portraits of Utah!
For Christmas each year, I give my students an ornament and candy cane. The ornaments started out as a plain colored ornament that I would add words “Merry Christmas” then on the back put “Piano 2012” (the year that was appropriate) Two years ago, I had a family give me a beautiful clear glass ornament with old music cut in strips and curled up, dropped inside of it. It had other decorations also. So last year I did a similar ornament with vintage music inside. This year I turned to pinterest and did a snowman ornament. I have 40 + students so I have to give something that I can afford for that many.
One of these days I would like to make a homemade ornament. I have seen some really neat one’s. I bet your students just love them!