• Easy crafts don't take forever, but the memories will last that long.child at christmas image by Katrina Miller from Fotolia.com
  
  Crafting with children is a joy at Christmas time. Parents and teachers plan elaborate projects, all of which are set for completion by the big day. More often than not, holiday schedules become jam packed, leaving precious few moments for creating Christmas crafts with little ones. However, another option is to choose easy crafts. Quick finish times and simple steps mean memories can be created after all.
  
  

Sparkling Bead Ornaments

• Purchase standard pipe cleaners and a package of 9-mm plastic craft beads to create a homemade ornament. Locate both of these items at hobby or dollar stores. Choose bead assortments containing Christmas colors, as well as gold and silver for added sparkle. Bend the pipe cleaner in half, curving in the middle to resemble a long thin letter "U." String beads on the pipe cleaner until the letter U shape is filled halfway and leave 2 inches bare on each side. Twist the pipe cleaner together to close the beaded circle, then twist again at the top to create a loop for hanging.
  
  

Hand and Footprint Angel

• Trace a child's hands and one foot on white construction paper, then cut them out. Older kids can do the cutting, while an adult readies a shiny gold or yellow pipe cleaner, flesh-colored paper and hair-colored yarn. Cut a circle from the paper to become the face of the angel craft. Encourage youngsters to draw their own facial features with crayons. Glue the hand prints, palms together and fingers fanning out in the center of a blue sheet of 11 by 20 inch construction paper. Use 8 by 10 inch paper for small toddler feet. Glue the child's footprint on top of the paper positioned with toes pointing down. Glue face to the top of the angels body and let children snip yarn, then glue it to the head. Finish this easy Christmas craft with a halo. Cut the pipe cleaner in half and glue it 2 inches above the head.
  
  

Pine Cone Christmas Tree

• Pine cones are transformed into little Christmas trees with green paint and some sequin or craft bead ornaments glued to the 'branches.' Use a pine cone from the yard or one gathered on a nature walk earlier in the year and saved for crafting later. If there is no free source for pine cones, buy a few at the hobby store. Also purchase a 6-inch terra cotta pot and modeling dough. Both are available at hobby and department stores. Paint a pine cone green. After it dries, place enough modeling dough in the terra cotta pot to stick the pine cone in securely. The dough will harden and the mini tree will be sturdy. Use craft glue to attach sequins and beads to this Christmas tree craft. A star or angel-shaped sequin glued to the top is a nice touch.