I sent off my package this week for the Holiday Traditions Exchange by Montessori By Hand. I had trouble getting in contact with my swap partner at first, so Meg helped set me up with a new partner who also was having difficulty contacting her swap partner. My new swap partner doesn’t have a blog, but she’s a preschool teacher outside of Boston.

This swap asked for:

1. One handmade holiday decoration. Decorations made from any kind of medium are acceptable – from fabric to yarn, paper to paint.
2. Your favorite holiday recipe.
3. A “Tradition” Tutorial. This is description of one of your family’s special holiday traditions.
4. In addition, you could send a mix CD of your favorite holiday tunes, or a special book that is a seasonal classic in your family.

I had a little difficulty with this because Thomas and I haven’t built traditions together yet, but after thinking about what would really represent both of us, I decided to make ornaments for wild birds. As I made her set, I also made one for Thomas and I to decorate in our yard. We have had tons of birds recently at our feeders, so I’m eager to see what birds like which ornaments.

And now on to…Christmas is for the Birds.
Note: All of these ornaments are made with natural foods that can be eaten by birds. They are strung with either 100% cotton or raffia that can later be used by the birds in nests.

The Fruit Wreath
For this ornament, I strung dried oranges and pears with cranberries on thread and then tied it in a loop. This is one my favorites. It was very easy to make and the fruit smelled wonderful. To dry the fruit, I suggest putting them in the oven at a very low temperature - I burned a few on my first try and actually bought some dried fruit in the end.

The Birdseed Pine Cone
This is an oldie but goodie, and very easy for kids to make. Smear a pine cone with peanut butter and then roll it around in birdseed.

The Orange Peel Basket
This was another of my favorites. Cut two quarters into an orange, and be sure to leave the middle for the handle. Carve our the orange inside like carving a pumpkin. Fill the basket with fresh cranberries.

Birdseed Covered Bread Shapes
For this one, cut out shapes in bread with cookie cutters. Brush the bread in egg whites to act as glue and sprinkle with birdseed. Bake in the oven at 350 for 5 minutes.

Popcorn and Cranberry Garland
This was another favorite. I made this while watching Mary Poppins on TV. String popcorn and fresh cranberries. Be sure to use unsalted and unbuttered popcorn. I put the cranberries in the fridge to make them firmer and easier to string. Tie a cranberry at the ends so the popcorn doesn’t fall off.

So my swap partner didn’t just get a bunch of spoiled food in her package, I also included a birdhouse ornament for her indoors tree, and some printouts of typical Swedish holidays, including St. Lucia’s Day, Advent, and Christmas Eve. She said her package to me should arrive early next week. I can’t wait to see what tradition she shared.