Gift Game
  Pin the Nose on Rudolf
  Christmas Pinata
  Outdoors

Rules:
1. A new round begins each time a new player picks a gift from the pile.
2. A particular gift can only be traded ONCE per round.
3. Only UN-OPENED gifts may be traded.
4. Once a gift is opened, that round has ended.

All of the gifts are placed in the center of the room. Write numbers on small pieces of paper according to the amount of people playing (eg. 1 to 12).  Place the numbers in a bowl and let each player pick one.
Player number one goes first.  The player chooses a gift from the pile and sits down to open it.  They MUST show it to all players (not hide it!).  This is the end of round one (poor player number one!) . Round two begins when
player number 2 chooses a gift and does the same.  This time however, he or she has the option to trade with the previous player.  IF this player chooses to trade, it must be done before opening his or her gift.  If there is a trade, the person who lost his or her gift in the trade now decides if he or she would like to trade.  If this player decides to trade, it must also be done before opening the gift.  A gift can only be traded ONCE per round so the gift that this player started with and lost is off limits, but only for this round.  This can continue on until the gift is opened - which is when the new round begins.  Players may trade with ANY other previous
 player.  The game ends when the last gift is opened.

Variations:
-  Use $5 gifts
-  Choose a theme (underwear, tools, food, movies, computer accessories, tacky gifts,
   garage sale items etc.)

You will need:
-  A large picture or drawing of Rudolf the Red - Nosed Reindeer
-  Noses, cut out of red paper (one for each player)
-  Sticky Tack or tape
-  A Santa Hat, scarf or mask to use as a blindfold.
-  A small wrapped prize for the winner.

Write numbers on each of the noses and put a bit of sticky tack on the back of each one (or tape).  Give one to each player.  Place the Santa Hat on player number one and spin him/her around a few times.  Let them feel their way toward Rudolf, and place the nose where they think it belongs.
Next is player two, and so on.  At the end of the game the player who's nose is closest to Rudolf's wins the prize.
For small children you will have to explain specifically what the objective is.  You can demonstrate and put the nose in the  wrong place while asking the children if that is where the nose belongs.  Trust me, this  all IS necessary!!!  Entertain the other children by removing the  picture while the player searches for it!

This game is very familiar to most of us!  Just remember  that it can be played on any occasion. At Easter  you can play "Pin the Tail on the Bunny" and at Hallowe'en you can play "Pin the Bone on the Skeleton."

The Pinata originates from Mexican tradition.  It is made of light plaster and contains many treats and/or prizes inside.  Children take turns hitting the Pinata to try to break it.  When the Pinata cracks or breaks, the treats fly and the children scramble to get their share!  Pinatas can be bought in stores or easily made at home.  Scroll down for the recipe and instructions.

How to play:
You will need a small stick and a Santa Hat or blindfold. The Pinata is secured to the ceiling with a strong string or small rope.  How far down it should hang depends on the height of the ceiling and the age or height of the children that will play.  Sit the children down in a circle.  You must explain the rules EXPLICITLY - because if it is not structured and rules are not followed, this can be a very dangerous game!  The children must stay seated at all times and stay far enough back from the Pinata.  Many children will swing the stick in a top to bottom motion which will hit the sitting children if they are too close.  Don't let the children creep up!  The child must NOT swing the stick until YOU say "GO."  You can decide how many swings are allowed per turn but I suggest only one.  Otherwise you might get children who swing frantically and repeatedly, loosing all sense of when to stop and where to swing!!!  Players take turns from youngest to oldest so that the strongest player will not break the Pinata right away. This way all children should get at least one turn.  Place the stick on the Pinata for the child, give it a tap and tell them that "THIS is where the Pinata is."  Then stand back (!) and yell "GO!" If you feel that the Pinata is too strong for the children to break (they have all had many turns) then puncture it a few times with a knife to weaken it.
 
 

It is very easy to make and decorate your own Pinata.  However, the layers take a long time to dry - so this project must be done over a period of about 2 or 3 days, depending on how strong you would like your Pinata to be.  I only know of one way to make Pinatas - from "Papier Mache."  We have all done this in school... remember?  It can be very messy!!!

You will need:
  - Paper (newspaper is cheap and paint covers well)
  - A large and small bowl
  - Flour
  - Water
  - A balloon OR a cardboard box
  - Jar lid
  - Strong string or twine OR thin rope
  - A coat hanger or wire
  - A variety of enough candy for all of the children participating

Decide what you want your Pinata to look like.  The easiest Pinata to make is a face.  Choose either a balloon or a box as your frame.  Tear the paper into strips or squares.  A smooth surface on a round Pinata is the result of using small pieces in the construction.  However, if you are in a hurry or using a box as a frame,  wide strips will do.   Change into clothes that can get sticky and gooey and spread newspaper on your work surface.  Mix the flour and  water together in the large bowl.  I have never  measured this, but the desired result is a runny (but thick) paste.  It really does not matter though, the variance will not affect the strength of the Pinata to a great degree.  If you are using a balloon as your frame, this is where the small bowl will come in handy.  Use it to hold your balloon as you cover and rotate it.  Take a strip or square of paper and dip it into the flour mixture.  Pull the paper through your index and middle fingers to remove  the  excess mix.  Place the paper on the balloon or box and smooth it with your fingers.  Continue until the entire surface is covered.  Be sure to always overlap the pieces for strength.  You can save any leftover mixture until you need to use it again - as long as it is sealed (it keeps best in the fridge and will need to be stirred each time).
You will need to let each layer dry for about 8 hours.  If it is not, or if you do not remove enough of the excess mixture on each strip when putting a new layer on, the Pinata will cave in in places - especially for balloons.  NEVER place a covered balloon on a heat register or in the sun!  The balloon will expand and crack the surface.  I like to place my bowl with the balloon on it (or any other) in a corner and place a fan in the open part of the  corner.  This dries the Pinata very fast.  You will need to turn your  Pinata often as it dries so that the part inside the bowl will also dry. For your next layer be sure to overlap the seams from the previous one.  If you are using strips then place them in the opposite direction of the previous layer.  The more layers you have the stronger your Pinata will be.  The desired strength will depend on the age and strength of the children who will use it.  Pinatas for very young children need only consist of  2  layers.  If the ages vary then it is best to go with about 4 layers so that each child is assured at least one turn.  If you wish to get creative and add arms, legs, ears or noses then this can be done at any time. These features do not need strength - as a matter of fact it is best to add them near the end so that the children can enjoy watching them fly off!  If you know kids you know what I mean!!!   Whatever you choose, remember to keep your Pinata light, because the contents that you add later will greatly increase the weight.

Here are some ideas for items to use in attaching limbs or "other":
- empty frozen (concentrate) juice containers
- paper towel or tissue rolls
- crumpled paper
- empty tetra packs
- sections of egg cartons
- pipe cleaners
- buttons, candy or peanuts

You can add these with tape or hot glue and cover them with a layer of papier mache (not the last four of course!).

Once your last layer is dry, you need to add a hanger.  You may have your own ideas but this is what I do:
Puncture two holes into the lid of a jar.  Thread about 4 to 6 feet of twine through both and tie a knot at one end as close to the lid as possible.  Next cut a small FLAP at LEAST the size of the lid near the top (but not too close!) of the Pinata.  This is the best place to weaken your Pinata because it is not likely to get hit by the stick.  The balloon will break and deflate and you may or may not be able to remove it.  Puncture a hole at the top of the Pinata and insert the wire.  Push the wire out of the flap and tie the loose end of the string to it.  Pull the wire and string back through the top hole while guiding the jar lid through the flap.  Tie a knot so that the string cannot slip back through and get lost in the Pinata.  Next fill your Pinata with the treats or prizes via the flap that you made.  You do not have to repair the flap, but I like to add glue to the edges and press it back down before painting.

Now you can paint and decorate your Pinata!  I like to use Tempera paint because it dries fast and cleans up easily.  You can spray paint your Pinata but the smell will alwaysremain strong and it will take a very long time to dry.

This project is alot of fun and great to do with children.  Just make sure that you give yourself enough time - and be prepared for a gooey mess!

There are no great ideas here!  This is just a reminder to get outside with the Grandparents and the Aunts and Uncles and the KIDS and have some fun!!!  Go sledding!  Go skating!  Make snow angels!  Build a fort!  Make snowmen!  Play "Hide and Seek/Snowfight!" Just have fun!