Night Tree

For our school in December we took a really laid-back approach.  We lightened up on the "have-to" subjects like language arts and math, and we did more of the "want-to" projects and books.  We finished out science book, we listened to audiobooks, and we did some advent activities from this Gentle + Classical Christmas school resource.  

One of the suggestions in that resource was to read Night Tree and make a fruit garland.  That sounded like something my kids would like to do, so I bought some extra oranges and planned to use those dry wrinkly pears and cranberries leftover from Thanksgiving. 

We finally got around to it last week!  I dried out the fruit in the oven, and then the big kids and I spent the afternoon stringing them into a garland.  Then we decorated a tree outside.

Apparently this is something a lot of people do, but it was our first year decorating a "night tree", and the kids loved it!  They told me we have to do this project next year too, so it may become a new tradition for us.  

The next morning after we decorated the tree, I noticed about fifteen deer gathered out there.  Before long all the fruit was gone!  The kids were happy that the animals enjoyed their "Christmas present".

Have you ever decorated a "night tree"? Do you do any other Christmas crafty projects with your kids?