Bear Stays Up for Christmas and Popcorn Garlands

“Bear Stays up for Christmas” by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Bear is, well he’s a bear, and that means he hibernates all winter.   However, this year his woodland friends have decided that they want to spend Christmas with him so they help him wake up and spend Christmas in his cave so they are sure he won’t miss the festivities.  Their Christmas celebration is complete with homemade gifts and decorations and even includes a visit from the big jolly elf himself! (Santa 😉 )It is a charming book about the Christmas season and true friendship.  The illustrations really are quite fantastic and it is one that is definitely making the rounds in our home for Christmas this year.

Click here to purchase “Bear Stays Up for Christmas” *affiliate link

Popcorn and Cranberry Garland Beyond the Book Craft

In this book I love how the decorations the woodland creatures have are homemade and the gifts they give are too.  To decorate they make classic popcorn garlands to string around the tree.  This is a tradition that has been around for years and years.  Hare even throws some cranberries (which is also typical in traditions) and leaves on one to turn into a necklace.  Therefore, I thought a fun companion craft for this book would be to make some garlands of our own.  Simple and rich in tradition.  I included a lovely little tip below for how you can air pop your popcorn instead of using microwave popcorn packets or a popper.  Easy peasy.

Supplies:

• 1/4 cup popcorn kearnels
• brown paper lunch sack
• thread and needle
• fresh cranberries

Steps:

1. measure out 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels into a paper lunch sack
2. Fold the top over a few times and lay down in a microwave.  Microwave for 1:30-2:00 until pops slow down and there is a few seconds between each one.
3. Pour them out and throw some cranberries in the mix.
4. Thread them together with a thread and needle.

If you give this Beyond the Book activity a try I’d love to hear how it goes! Share it on Instagram using hashtag #beyondthebook (I’m on Instagram as @book.nerd.mommy) or even just comment here with your thoughts. It would make my day! Or to simply save for later pin the image below.