I wanted to share some of my favorite holiday singing time ideas that I have found over the years.
Thanksgiving:
Feast of the ProphetsI found this idea on Pinterest that talks about a feast of words from the prophets tied to a song children can sing. It looks pretty easy and the information is given to you. Check out this blog for more information.
Thankful Jar
I got this idea on line years ago and use it almost every year. I make slips of paper with tasks for Primary children, like: Name two foods you are thankful for. Also included is a song for them to sing, like: Sing "For Health and Strength". Choose children that are singing well and following directions to come and pick a task out of the jar. Below are some samples of what you can put into the jar, depending on what songs your children already know and which songs you want them to sing.
Name a family member you are thankful for and why. Sing, "The Family is of God".
Explain why you are grateful for the Gospel. Sing, "The Church of Jesus Christ".
Tell something that you are thankful for that your father/mother does for you. Sing, "Happy Family".
Name your favorite Article of Faith. Sing that song.
Tell why you are grateful for the Savior's sacrifice for us. Sing, "He Sent His Son".
Explain why you are thankful for the baptismal ordinance. Sing, "Baptism".
Make questions and songs that relate to your ward's needs.
Christmas:
I love this time of year and all the songs associated with the holiday. I will share some ideas for a few of my favorite holiday songs.
When Joseph Went to Bethlehem
I do this song every year and always in the same way, because I love it so much. The kiddos seem to enjoy it, too. I start with lots of props to help the children remember words/phrases from the song. Always sing the song to them the first time or two so they can hear the melody and words before they begin to learn it. Next, use the props to help teach the song. Below are the words from the song and the props I use:
When Joseph went to Bethlehem dress up clothes to put on a child to look like Joseph
To place his tools tools for a child to hold (I have old fashioned ones from my grandpa)
and close his shop a sign that says 'Shop Closed'
and leave no shavings there a baggie with wood shavings in it
He urged the donkey forward then I happen to have a donkey outfit I got from Deseret
with Mary on its back a costume for Mary
And carried bread a baggie with a piece of bread in it
and goat cheese a picture of a goat and a baggie with cheese in it
in a little linen sack a draw string bag made of linen I had on hand
These are my cute grandkids displaying the costumes. I wouldn't include the baby since it was before Mary delivered, but she wouldn't put down the baby, so...
You may be saying to yourself, "This is cumbersome with so many materials!", but it really isn't that difficult. For the costumes, have a teacher get the helpers into his/her costume while you sing that part of the song over and over again. You introduce one line of the song at a time and have children come up and hold that item or dress up while you practice that line. As you add another prop, start from the beginning each time and by the time you're finished you have sung parts of the song 8-10 times.
If you really want to hit it hard, you can sing it and have children decide which person will sit down to see if they can remember that part without any props. This activity takes up the entire singing time and may go into the next week.
Also, if you need a good song to perform for Sacrament or at a ward holiday event check out this arrangement from Nothin' But Blue Skies Music. It is one of my favorite songs to perform. There is also another beautiful Christmas song with Silent Night and I Am a Child of God. It includes a simple narration part that an older Primary child could present. Check it out here. Over the years I have purchased every book/song that Joy has written and have used most of them. I am a real fan!
Just a reminder that if you use any variation of a song from the Children's Songbook you need to get permission from your Bishop, through your Primary Presidency.
Christmas Bells Are Ringing
This is a fun and simple round to teach to your Primary. An easy and effective addition is just some bells on a ribbon or yarn and as you sing the song have the children shake the bells. It is especially good for Junior Primary because they don't have to worry about rhythm or keeping time.
This is another idea I use every year. Mostly because it is fun and it involves the teachers. You take cardboard of various sizes (big) and cover with holiday gift wrap. Find larger bows that match each gift. Tape up the gift to a wall in the Primary room where you have easy access and someone blindfolded won't trip over anything. Tell the children that whichever class sings well and follows directions will get to have their teacher tape the bow on the present. How it work is: Call up a teacher and blindfold them. Twirl them a couple of times, but have them face the wall where the presents are taped. Have the children sing a song (usually holiday songs) and when the teacher is getting close to the gift that their bow goes with, they sing louder. The farther away the teacher is from the gift, the softer they sing. (It is a variation of the hot/cold game) When the children are singing their loudest, the teacher pins/tapes the bow on the gift. Have the teacher take off her/his blindfold to see how close he/she got. I recommend not allowing teachers to touch the wall or else they find the gift pretty easily. Also, I wrap a small piece of cardboard to hold up after the teacher is blindfolded so children know which gift goes with which bow. You will see it on the floor of the picture below.
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