Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. I’m not sure what jingle bells actually are but they sound like fun.

This is going to be my very first Christmas with my mum Emma and I think I saw her putting some presents away for me the other day: a squeaky toy, and a bone, and a new ball and some dog bikkies. I’m so excited.

We’ve found some Christmas decorations for you to make this month as well as a Christmas puzzle and a picture to colour in.

Remember to take good care of your pets over the hot summer – they need lots of water and shade just like you do. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and have lots and lots of fun during the school holidays.

See ya next year

Coco

Grandma’s Kiwi Christmas

Only five sleeps till Santa and Grandma’s a-go-go with mince pies and pantomimes.

But with trouble at Santa’s house, adventure calls, and our Gran packs her handbag, buttons on her snowsuit and zips off to the North Pole.

Another delightfully zany escapade for Kiwi kids’ favourite Grandma, who was last seen saving the All Blacks.

Following the very successful Willy’s Dad and Willy’s Mum, comes the wonderful story of loss within a family of a beloved grandparent, and how Willy’s warm and wacky extended family copes, each in their own way, with the illness and death of Grandpa Pop.

Willy loves his Grandpa Pop. He tells funny stories about Willy’s mum, and he has a cool cat called Max. But with Grandpa Pop coming to the end of his life, Willy is about to discover that while some sadness is inevitable, it’s no match for a lifetime of love.

WOODOLPH THE REINDEER

Here’s an unusual idea for a Christmas craft – a quick Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer using a wooden spoon!

You will need:

• A wooden spoon – the $2 shop is a better place to get one than Mum’s baking drawer!

How to make it:

Paint the spoon and leave to dry.

Cut two antler shapes from foam. Glue to the bowl of the spoon. We added a little extra glue to the antlers and sprinkled with glitter.

Glue on the pompom and eyes and draw on a mouth. Now you have a dashing Rudolph to use as a puppet or just display!

GLITTERY GIFT

A little glitter glue turns an ordinary glass ornament into a sparkling Christmas gift.

You will need:

How to make it:

Use the coloured glitter glue pens to draw a Christmas design on each ornament. 

You can make a lovely gift for someone special by putting their name on their own christmas decoration.

Attach the ornament hook.

Hang the ornament and let dry.

Here are some monthly games for you to try