Yesterday we told you about the easiest way to give your child a Christmas gift. I plan on sending funds for my girls to receive a larger gift along with the other children in their projects, but I also want to send a special Christmas letter or card.
 
So I took to scouring the internet for fun, flat paper crafts I could do that could easily fit into an envelope. I’m leaning toward making a card for each of them – something handmade could show them how much I think about them.

[Side note: why do gifts have to be flat (less than 1” thick) and fit into a standard envelope? Shipping costs are extremely high, so the lighter and flatter it is, the easier (and cheaper) it is to send. It also decreases the likelihood that a package will get stuck in International Customs. I can’t include anything that’s metal or battery operated (which unfortunately outlaws those fun musical cards). Magnets will show up on a package screening, as will coins or seeds.]

What’s safe to send? Paper. And thankfully there is no shortage of fun ideas. Here are several:

Paper Snowflakes! You can make them out of white paper, doilies, or coffee filters. You can make several small ones, fold them back up, and then explain to your sponsored child why you included them. Explain how it snows each winter and that all snowflakes (like the children God loves) are completely unique and special.

Adding colored tissue paper to the back of snowflakes could also be pretty while adding little weight. Another easy tissue paper craft is making folded stars in beautiful colors. You could share about the star of Bethlehem and how stars are a sign of God’s presence and care for us. There are several great verses about stars and God’s greatness, as well.

Because Christmas is full of many symbolic traditions, I might write about our Christmas tree. I love the idea of sending Munni and Sovanna a paper ornament, and write about how I made one for myself and will think of them each time I look at it. I could also make a handprint ornament by tracing my hand on some pretty paper. Maybe if I send them paper, they could trace their hands and send it back to me. 
I could also make a double-sided picture-frame ornament, with their photo on one side, and a photo of my husband and I on the other. There are also cute instructions for a snowman ornament or an ornament that looks like a tree with a star on top.

What if I went ahead and sent them paper Christmas tree or paper stockings to explain more of our traditions? I’m leaning toward the stocking idea, which I could fill with a few paper snowflakes and maybe the paper tree. Christmas traditions in one tiny, paper package!

Here's the kicker: any Christmas card or letter must be received by October 30 to ensure your sponsored child receives it in time for the holidays. Which means I better get my crafty self going. What about you -- do you have any fun ways of encouraging your sponsored child this Christmas season?