There are loads of resources around the Christmas theme but here are just a few to get started.

Top Resource for 2011 - 'Creative Ideas for Advent and Christmas: 80 seasonal activities for use with children'by Jane Tibbs.

 As the title implies this book is stuffed full of ideas for local community events, Christmas cooking, counting down to Christmas, creative prayers, uses for Christmas cards, making decorations, party games, worship at home, special Saints (Nicholas & Lucia) plus sample liturgies and loads of templates. It's probably not physically possible to squeeze anything more into a book of this size and since you couldn't possibly use all the ideas this year it will prove an invaluable resource for years to come.

 At the bargain price of £9.99 (or £8.50 if you purchase 2 or more copies)  'Joy to the World' (click link and scroll down - it's at the bottom!) gives you a marvelous double resource. It's a CD with great kids worship music led bySimon Parry and his team, and it is also a CD rom of resources from Mark Griffiths with ideas and 'how to'put on an event for unchurched children bringing them the great story of Jesus.

  Our friends atCurbs have been producing great resources for a long time. If you've never come across them before they are well worth exploring. Unwrapping Christmas  (for the bargain price of £6) offers this; 

Challenging us to look again at the real meaning of Christmas

• A pick and mix resource pack of all-age materials for Christmas,challenging us to think again about what we do at Christmas andabout its real meaning
   

• Can be used in church services, home groups,children’s groups, neighbourhood parties, meals,with under 5s…
   

• Simple-to-use photocopiable resources, full directions, activities requiring minimum preparation

   

 Going for Growth is the Church of England website supporting ministry with children and young people. There are lots of links from here to ideas and resources around thechurch year and seasons including Advent,Christmas andEpiphany. The information and ideas using'Jesse Tree' offer a way to trace Jesus'family line or the story of salvation using a different symbol for each day of Advent. It's a great way of anticipating Christmas and may offer a fresh approach to the season.  

 Cafod have lots of resoucesfor schools andworship.

  There are absolutely loads of resources on theChildren's Society Christingle website for schools, youth and childrens clubs as well as acts of worship including a specialMessy Church Christingle. Very well worth a browse around.

 Clive and Ian are'touring'the webanswering questions about christmas.  or get theDVD

  The ever popular Veggie Tales has a new offering  of The Little Drummer Boy  

Plus of course, the classics    

 'Get Into Christmas Bible Comic'from Scripture Union could be a great giveaway for children, have a look inside. TheScripture Union store has offers on bundles of copies - a pack of 20 for £15.

My colleague Nick Harding , Children's Work Adviser for the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham has contributed some great resources for children's ministry in schools, church clubs and all-age worship. Click the pictures for links.  

  My colleagues atGloucester Diocese have produced some excellent resources for churches working with schools and also a 'Resourcing Festivals' worship series. 

Barnabas in Churches have a range ofadvent and Christmas material including Nativity Play ideas for those working with 3-7 year olds in nursery, school or church group settings from Vicki Howie and Brian Ogden. Timothy Bear offer bedtime stories for use at home and Emmanual is a resource for 'musical and dramatic'assemblies in the lead up to christmas.

Click each picture for more information.

'Walking with Jesus through Advent and Christmas'by Murray McBride available as a PDF download from BRF.

Described as 'An all-age visual pilgrimage for the Christmas season'it looks like great fun and can be used in the family, building up each day through advent, or for groups of adults or children weekly. It contains photocopyable material and artwork in the usual BRF style.

'Pray and Play Through Advent' by Kay Warrington; Lynn Chambers; Nia Catrin Williams published by BRF

A great resource for families or kids clubs to explore weekly themes through the Advent season.

For all-age services and liturgy try these;

'Together for a season'  is a 'practical travelling companion for the journey through the Church's year. Aimed at those planning and leading worship and those working with children and adults in groups, it offers a rich array of creative material designed to bring the seasonal liturgy of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.'

Other resources;

'Activity Village' have a range of activity ideas which look fun but are not specifically Christian.

 The Bible Society havestickers and online animated resources.

Exploring the meaning of advent throughGodly Play is well worth considering.Don't forget to book early if you want to use one of theGodly Play Library of Story Materialssets!

‘A Christmas Journey’ takes a fresh look at the Christmas story. It acknowledges the child’s love of all things festive, then begins its journey at creation where God’s perfect world is quickly spoiled. Christmas becomes part of God’s plan to put things right.

Susie Poole is a talented writer and artist and this story is a perfect companion to 'An Easter Journey'. There are also colouring books and cards available for both the Christmas and Easter Journey books.

 
This Nativity set along with others can be found here.

And finally...

Here are some mini-books to hang on your Christmas tree