Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Maybe not. Even though the year is already underway and you might have made, (and perhaps already broken) your new years resolutions, it is still a good time to reflect on the past year and focus on the goals of the year ahead. That means making some fun new years crafts with your family.
Hold on to that old 2011 calendar from last year to make a scrapbook. Track memorable events and plans on this year's calendar and make a scrapbook at the end of the year. It's amazing how many memories can come flooding back just by reading the old days, months, holidays, and plans that were written down, scheduled and celebrated on pages of a calendar. That calendar can become a memory book. This is especially helpful if you are making a baby book or wedding scrapbook. Calendars are great tools for tracking milestones like weight loss, special dates, job interviews, doctors appointments and good news. Create a book out of the old pages by punching holes in the pages, attaching them to coordinating scrapbook papers with book rings, then adding a journal entry about each month onto the inside pages. Title it: "The year in review." or "2011: A year to remember." The pictures on the calendar can be used for decorating the book or you can cover up the pictures with paper. Get your kids involved by getting them a calendar of their own to mark their milestones and special events that happen this year. It will become an instant family treasure and heirloom to keep forever.
Here are some other uses for old calendars on this website: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/reuse-calendars.htm
There are calendars to print and coloring pages/activities to color for kids, adults and teachers on this link: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/newyear/
Memory Jar: Take an empty jar and keep a stack of memo cards and a pen beside it. Have the family write down a memory from each day and put it in the jar. The memory can be a simple as: "Got a B on my social studies test". or "Got a promotion at work." It can be a funny thing that happened that day or an inside joke you and your kids say. You could write the lyrics of a popular song. On New Years Eve 2012 take out the jar and read it together as a family. The exact details of the memory will fade throughout the year so they will be even more special to read and enjoy later after the year passes. Laughing and reflecting at days gone by make each day become a lesson in life.
There are some great new years crafts on this link. http://familyfun.go.com/new-years/new-years-crafts/
Accomplishment Board: Instead of writing down your new years resolution, on a bulletin board or piece of poster board, write down the little accomplishments you make this year on different post it notes to keep track of what work you did in the new year.
You could write:
Had 2 cigarettes today instead of ten.
Lost 2 pounds.
Went to the gym.
http://www.racingandsavingmama.com/2011/12/27/new-years-resolution-craft-for-your-kids/
Even if you do not reach your goals to quit smoking or to lose weight, this board is a great way to celebrate small accomplishments through the year. Get busy and remember that life is for celebrating and crafts are for remembering life's little celebrations.
-Craft Goddess
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