I really want to do a few Christmas-y things for the children this year, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on it, or run around Taipei looking for the things I "need". So, I have been collecting ideas and making things in preparation. Here is a run-down on my humble beginnings. If you have any ideas for a fun, frugal Christmas in Taiwan, add them here!
1. Christmas music: Do a search online for Christmas children's song radio stations, and you can get quite a selection of music to play from your computer.
2. Advent Calendar: I made my own, using leftover materials around home. I made little envelopes out of card (stuck together with homemade glue left over from an English class), and inside each one I put an activity we can do at home on that day. They are now hanging up on spare ribbon with paper clips and pegs. Activities include the kids writing a letter to our sponsored child, watching a Christmas DVD together, and making Christmas cookies to give out to friends.
3. Christmas Crackers: I did find some ideas online but they call for things like Christmas cracker pieces and decorative paper. I'm going to do a Lucky Dip instead. Still thinking about what to put in the Lucky Dip packages, but I will most likely go and pick up some small useful things from the discount store.
4. Christmas Tree Decorations: We collected pinecones on a visit to Jung-Li a couple of months ago, and we will paint them and hang them on the tree.
5. Christmas Dinner: I'll stick to the roast chicken we do in NZ. I understand many North Americans love to have turkey for big holiday dinners, but why not try to cook up a chicken instead?
