They're bouncing off the walls!! They're wilder than any zoo animals!! They're wound up so tight, you're sure they will explode. Who are we talking about? Your children -- at this time of year!

Sometimes, with all of the tree-decorating, card-mailing, present-buying, cookie-baking, and the millions of other responsibilities we parents have at Christmas, it is hard to remember that this time of year really is about children, not about stressing out. It's about appreciating the wonder they have in their eyes as each part of their favorite holiday unfolds, about being thankful for them and other family members' presence in our lives.

So save an hour or two to spend with your children making these special "Night Before Christmas" projects. Whatever gifts Santa brings your children this year, it is time spent with you that is the best gift of all.

Santa Envelope

This special sparkly envelope is just the prefect way to enclose your child's letter to the man in red.

To make it, carefully open the seams of a standard envelope. Lay the paper envelope out on a piece of red or green felt. Use a Sharpy marker to trace the envelope's shape onto the felt. Cut out the shape, cutting inside the line you traced, so that it will be left on your scraps.

Fold felt into envelope shape, and press flat with a warm, not hot, iron. Use Elmer's glue to glue the envelope's seams together.

Turn envelope face up. Use Elmer's glue to spell Santa on the front of the envelope. As you write each letter in glue in a thin line, sprinkle that letter with glitter. Continue until you have spelled the word. Let dry.

Take glittery envelope outside to shake off the excess glitter. Use a soft paintbrush to brush off the extra that remains.

If you have any sequins or "jewels," glue them on the envelope, as well. Santa (and children!) love sparkly things.

Have your child place his letter to Santa in the envelope before he goes to bed.

Santa Snack Bag

Many children leave plates of cookies and such for Santa to snack on while he is at their house. But it's hard to imagine how such a busy fellow would have time to sit down and eat on the job. Have your children decorate a paper lunch bag to fill with goodies so Santa's treat can be "to go." Craft foam, jewels, markers, wrapping paper and ribbon can all be incorporated into this project.

I've heard that some children have found these bags crumpled up in their yards on Christmas morning, proof positive that Santa was there! Or, you may want to use a fabric bag from the craft store for this project if you're sure Santa will have time to eat at your house. Don't be surprised if he snacks outside, and forgets to bring the bag back in!

Reindeer Food

Who does all the actual flying, after all? Imagine the energy that must take, to fly all over the whole world in one night! Not everyone know that reindeer's favorite treat is birdseed! Fill a festively decorated jar with birdseed, (the kind sold for use in backyard birdfeeders) and on Christmas Eve, after the sun has set, take your children outside. Let each sprinkle a handful of seed wherever they like. On Christmas Day, they will be thrilled to see that the reindeer, (possibly with a little help from squirrels and birds -- reindeer love to share!) have eaten all of their snack!