by Samantha Storey
Hi. My name is Samantha Storey or Sam for short. I am in the Class of 2023 at Burlingame High School. I have always loved working with kids and babysitting. Unfortunately, right now I can’t babysit due to Covid, so I came up with The Sam List. I wanted to find a way to help parents out even if I can’t be there in person. Along with working with kids, I enjoy soccer, swimming, theater, hanging out with my friends, and spending time with my family. I hope you enjoy this list and find it helpful! Once quarantine is over, I will be available for babysitting.
Homemade Ornaments:
Once you have all your materials, you will take the clear balls, and open them. Inside you can put fake snow. On the outside have your kids paint trees, snowmen, or their handprints.
Material Suggestions:
Clear Ornaments (These you can find at Michaels or Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lI0RTN)
Fake snow, glitter, or cut up white paper
Glue
Paint
Paint brushes
Age: Kindergarten and Up
Paper Chain Link Countdown:
Cut up 25 paper strips. Then, tape one strip together to make a loop. Continue to loop the other strips through each other until you have a paper link chain. - Everyday leading up to Christmas, Hanukkah, etc. cut off one link. This is an inexpensive way to do a visual countdown!
Material Suggestions:
Paper
Scissors
Tape
Age: Preschool and Up
Popsicle Trees:
Glue green popsicle sticks in a triangle. Fill the middle in with either more popsicle sticks or leave it empty. Add pompoms and sequins to add “ornaments”.
Material Suggestions:
Green Popsicle Sticks
Pompoms
Sequins
Glue
Age: Kindergarten and Up
Macaroni Ornaments:
In preschool, I made a macaroni ornament that we still put on the tree today! - Take a paper plate and cut out the middle so you have a ring. Glue macaroni all around the plate. Finally, paint (or spray paint) the macaroni and let it dry!
Material Suggestions:
- Paper Plate
- Scissors
- Macaroni
- Glue
- Paint
- Paint brushes
Age: Younger Kids (2yr-5yr)
Make Reindeer Food
Create a jar of food for Santa’s reindeer to eat on Christmas Eve! - Below is an ingredient list. Simply put all the ingredients in a mason jar with a lid. On Christmas Eve place it on your front porch with some water!
Ingredient List:
- Uncooked oats
- Red and green sprinkles
- Chex mix
- Marshmallows
- Cocoa powder
Age: Preschool and Up
Paper Snowflakes:
These can be fun all year round! Get some white paper and scissors. Hang them up around your house to create a winter wonderland!
Materials:
- Paper
- Scissors
*Note - there are plenty of videos on youtube to show you how to make them
Age: Preschool and up
Paper Plate Snowmen:
Get 3 different size paper plates (small, medium, large). Tape or glue them to form a snowman’s body. Next, cut out a carrot nose, some hands, buttons, eyes, and a mouth. Glue these to the paper plates.
Materials:
- Paper Plates
- Small, medium, and large
- Scissors
- Colored paper
- Glue
- Tape
Age: Kindergarten and up
Homemade Snow Globes:
Grab a mason jar. Poor in some glitter and fill it with water. On the lid, hot glue a little plastic tree (these can be found at Micheals) or any other winter inspired item. Then screw the lid on. Flip the jar upside down and watch the glitter cover the tree!
Materials:
- Mason Jar
- Glitter
- Water
- Fake plastic tree or other winter item
- Hot glue
Age: Kindergarten and up
Marshmallow Snowmen:
In Kindergarten, many years ago, I made marshmallow snowmen. This was super easy and very tasty.
Take 2-3 marshmallows and put them on a wooden skewer. Then, use other candies to decorate the snowman!
Materials:
- Large Marshmallows
- Wooden skewer
- Assorted Candy
Age: Kindergarten and Up
Here is Sam’s contact information. You can also email her with any comments or questions on the list!
Email: samanthasstorey@gmail.com
Cell Phone: 650-393-0393