The countdown to Christmas is officially ON.

And to keep little ones from asking "when IS Santa coming" every four minutes, most of us seasoned parents know it is essential to have a few activities lined up to keep them entertained. And to spare you the trouble of desperately Googling "Stuff to do with kids before Christmas", we have done the legwork for you, and come up trumps (if we may say so ourselves) with three easy breazy craft project that will keep those little hands occupied (and out of the Selection box!): Cupcake wrapper Christmas tree garland Get some sweet homemade decorations ready for your tree in no-time with this easy little craft project. Here is how: You will need: Paper cupcake cases (seasonal colours are a good choice, or a sweet pattern, even). String, scissors and glue. Glitter, sequins or other embellishments (optional). Fold the cupcake cases like this: After that, it is just a matter of sticking the cases together with glue. Now decorate, glue onto string, and you are all set. (Images and idea via Oneperfectdayblog.net) Pine cone Christmas trees If your kids are anything like my kids, they LOVE collecting anything outside – and so pine cones are always a winner. These sweet little Christmas trees are pretty easy to put together, and will be the perfect decor for your mantel – or even as a gift to a teacher or a doting granny this holiday season. Here is how you make them: 1. Paint pine cones (cover your table properly before you do this. Also, if you use spray paint, it might be a good idea to do this outside), and add glitter. 2. Use plaster or even salt dough for the base, and plonk your pine cone into it so it sticks. 3. Glue on ornaments (old plastic necklaces are a great source of beads!) How cute are these?! (Image and idea via Elementaryfun.blogspot.com) Sock snowmen These are SO cute we bet your kids will LOVE making them! This is what you'll need

• Pair of calf-length tube socks
• Pair of cute patterned girls socks (Penneys! Cheap as chips!)
• Rice (or beans. Or lentils)
• Rubber bands
• Twine
• Buttons and/or felt for shirt/eyes/nose

Directions 1) Cut the foot off of one tube sock and toss. You will only need the top of the sock. 2) Turn the tube part of the sock inside out and wrap one end tight with a rubber band. Then, begin to fill with rice. Push rice down into the sock so it will stretch out and become a chubby little snowman body. 3) Once you have filled the sock to the almost-brim, wrap another rubber band around the top to secure. 4) Take out your patterned socks. Cut the heel and toe off of one sock, so you just have the middle. This will be the snowman’s shirt. Then take the other sock and cut off the heel. This will be the snowman’s hat. 5) Shimmy the “shirt” over his plump belly. Then, if you want to make a tradition snowman with three snow rolls, take a string of twine and tie a tight knot around the bottom of the sweater. Then, take another piece of twine and tie it around the top of the sweater. 6) For his hat, take another piece of twine and tie it near the top of the sock toe. This will make it look more like a hat and also cause it to fall cutely to the side. 7) You are now ready to give your snowman a face. You can use small buttons or black felt, whatever you have available. For his nose, orange felt is good. You can also put little buttons on his sweater for a finishing touch. How cute is he?! Now make an army of chubby little snowmen and your mantel is all set! (Images and idea via Ciao-mama.com) Have YOU got any cute and easy craft projects you like to do with the kids in the lead up to Christmas? Send us an e-mail and let me know at Trine.Jensen@Herfamily.ie   (Feature image via Elementaryfun.blogspot.com)