Melt fat in boiling water.  Add molasses.  Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture, beating vigorously. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

Fun Holiday Activities for Children

Jackson, MISS. - So the kids are getting out of school for the holidays, and you don't know how to keep them busy while you finish your own holiday preparations? Education students at Millsaps College have come up with some fun activities to not only entertain children, but also help everyone get into the holiday spirit!

Marcie Williams, a junior education student, says one of her favorite holiday traditions is the cookie party she and her mother throw every year. They bake cookies for the children at her mother's preschool, and the children decorate them with icing and various candies. "It's fun for the kids, because they are free to be as creative as they want to be. And we have other activities available, so kids of different ages, and those with different interests, can all have a good time."

Other fun holiday activities Millsaps students suggest include:

Designing holiday cards - Cards can be made out of construction paper and decorated with crayons, paints, glitter and other arts & crafts materials. They make perfect gifts for friends, family or even Santa!

Creating a "coupon book" - This is a great activity for all ages and makes a wonderful stocking stuffer for parents or grandparents. Gather some index cards, and have kids make coupons for "free hug" or "wash dishes." You can buy a spiral bound "book" of index cards, or bind them together yourself with string or ribbon.

Making tree ornaments - Kids can construct their own ornaments out of self-hardening clay. Another old favorite is to make your own garland out of candy, popcorn, beads, ribbon or construction paper. For the tried-and-true construction paper garlands, form circles with strips of red and green construction paper, and slide each piece through the loop of the one before. Fasten the loops with glue, tape or staples.

Decorating stockings - You don't even have to buy a stocking to be creative! You can make one by sewing felt together, or just use a sock. Kids decorate them with markers, glitter, sequins and other fun materials.

Making gifts - One cute gift item kids can create is a mosaic picture frame or flower pot. Spread tile grout over the surface, and simply place ceramic tiles, beads, marbles, shells and other small items on it.

Crafting holiday designs - Kids can make bells, reindeer, menorah, Santa and other designs by using holiday cookie cutters on Play Doh or cutting their own cardboard shapes and drawing on them with markers, crayons or fabric paints. Children can also paint and decorate wooden ornaments.

Kids Crafts and Recipes
Simple Crafts  for the Youngest Children and Recipes for Children