We do way more crafts during the holiday season than we do collectively at any other time during the year. I think partly this is because I see way more prepackaged craft out there just waiting to be plucked up and brought home at this time of year.
Last year at the end of the season, I remember buying this little angel craft kit on deep deep clearance. I brought it home and stuck it in a cabinet. I saw it sitting there weekly for the entire year. Last weekend I was busy doing things around the house and my 5yr old daughter was complaining that she had nothing to do. I remembered the craft kit and brought it out and handed it to her.
I didn’t have time to show her step by step how to exactly do the craft. And I will fully admit that initially it pained my anal retentive self to know that they were not going to turn out perfectly.
But then I saw them all lined up on the window sill and I thought they were the most adorable angels ever.
Some of them were done more or less the way that they were supposed to have been done.
But these? These made me laugh out loud. And they still do when I look over at the bikini top wearing angels. And the crooked smile on the one wearing a “sundress.”
The lesson here? Sometimes it is better to step out of the way of your children and let them be creative on their own terms.
Too cute! I have to basically sit on my hands and let my child do her own thing with crafts too. It bugs me sometimes, but I figure it’s for the best!
Comment by Brigitte — December 5, 2008 @ 5:58 am
There is nothing more perfect than the art by a child! The innocence they have and the dedication to do their best is wonderful. What is really wonderful is to see my kids “hide” in the dining room (which we use for a classroom),shut the doors, have a giggle fest, and come out with their creations. The joy they have in their eyes and the sparkle that really shines forth when they see my face is like seeing a small piece of heaven to me. I could make the same thing and have it look “perfect” to adults….but it wouldn’t be perfect if it didn’t come from one of my kiddos!
Comment by JaimeF — December 5, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
I’m diggin’ the little Studio54 angels in their feather mini skirts. Very nice…
Comment by Anna — December 7, 2008 @ 2:36 am