When I was a kid, a snow day meant no school. But beyond that, it meant every kid was sent outside to play. We were bundled up, sent out, and were expected to play until called in for hot chocolate in the late afternoon.
We'd build forts and have snowball fights, make snowmen, and go sledding. After a warming bath and some dinner, we could barely move for the lovely sleepies that would overtake us. It was a winter wonderland.
Nowadays I don't see snow that often, what with living on the California coast for 6 years, then the desert of Arizona for 10, and now sub-tropical Australia. I was super fortunate to land in wake up in Katoomba a few months ago to the quiet of a snow covered world that lasted almost the whole day.
I was so happy, I cried.
I still have a page from the 1984 December Family Circle magazine with a paper snowflake pattern. I've made them year after year. A couple of years ago, I collected up all the patterns I'd tried over the years and drew them up as an illustrated guide to making 20 paper snowflakes.
Here they are all together in this downloadable PDF.
Even if you live in a sunny summer location, you can enjoy a white Christmas with these snowflakes. Or maybe a colorful one, depending on the paper you use.
Merry Christmas! Let it snow!
In Sweden, the celebration of Santa Lucia on December 13th is a big part of the Christmas
advent tradition. Here's a little advent-ure in woven paper for you and your kids to try.
Use them as ornaments or as little baskets for small goodies. Make them large or small. Either way, the result is delightful.
If you have a hard time getting the hang of the weaving, watch this You Tube video made by Maggie Woodley of Red Ted Art.
And for a stunning 2 minute Christmas event, watch the celebration of Santa Lucia.
In the home, one daughter will be St. Lucia and wake the family with buns and coffee as she visits each member wearing a long white robe and crown of lights.
Download this PDF tutorial to make your own woven paper Swedish hearts.
