Christmas: Jumping Jack Puppet

Did You Know? Did you know that, as popular as the image of Santa Claus might be in many Western countries, Iceland has a very different set of characters who like to visit around the holiday season? The Jolasveinar, or the Yule lads, are a mischievous bunch who visit families during the Christmas season. Starting on December 12th, a different brother will visit each night, each with their own naughty proclivities. From stealing sheep’s milk, sausages, and yogurt, to slamming doors, licking bowls, spoons, and pots, each Yule lad has their own unique twist on Christmas mischief that they get into. Not to be outdone, mom and the family cat even get involved, too. The mother Grylla, keeps a log of all the children who have been naughty throughout the year, and during the Christmas season, travels into the towns and villages, stealing the misbehavers and turning them into a Christmas stew! Not to be outdone, the family cat Jolakotturinn has a taste for children in old clothing. If you didn’t get a new outfit to wear on Christmas, the Jolakotturinn might hunt you down to turn you into a tasty snack! When to Celebrate So, it’s commonly accepted that December 25th is Jesus’ birthday. But how did we arrive at this date? There are two main theories. One idea is that early Christians sought to co-opt Pagan and Roman traditions, folding them into their own, in order to make the transition to Christianity easier and more seamless. Some people don’t like this explanation, as they state that while this did happen, December 25th was chosen as the date for Christmas hundreds of years before this practice became common. Instead, they posit that December 25th was chosen specifically because it was 9 months after March 25th, which was the day of Jesus’ death. There is a long standing belief that Jesus died on the same date as the Annunciation, the date when God told Mary she would give birth to the Son of God. So the date at which God appeared to Mary is taken as the date of conception, meaning that Jesus would be born 9 months later, on December 25th. The Toolkit To build your Jumping Jack Puppet, gather these supplies: The amomii Template: [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] Threads and Paper Brads Hole Puncher Scissors & Craft Knife Safety Tip: Always ask an adult for assistance when using sharp cutting tools. The Build: Step-by-Step 1. Print and Prepare:  Print the templates on A4 paper and gather all necessary materials. For best results, use cardstock for improved durability. 2. Cut the Pieces: Cut out all the pieces along the black outlines.  3. Cut the Holes: Cut out all the white circles.  Tip: If you have different sizes of hole punchers, you can use them to punch. 4. Thread the Legs: Thread the string through the holes, connecting all four legs together as shown in the illustration.  5. Tie the Knot: Tie a knot to secure the string once all four legs are connected. 6. Attach the Body: Attach the moose's body to the legs using paper brads.  7. Thread the Hanger: Punch a hole on the moose’s face and thread a string through it.  8. Tie the Hanger: Tie the ends of the string together to create a hanging loop.  Your creation is complete! Try making your own Santa too!  Pull the string and watch them jump and move. 🙌 Success Checklist Movement Check: Move the legs to make sure they move smoothly together.  Knot Check: Make sure all knots are tied securely and won't come loose.  Brad Check: Check that all paper brads are securely fastened while allowing the legs to move freely.  Get Your Templates Sign up for free weekly templates delivered to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time. [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE] Show us your Jumping Jack Puppet!  Drop a comment below or share a video of your "Jumping Jack Puppet" to Instagram or TikTok and tag us with #amomiiSSC. We’d love to see your creativity in action! PROJECT CREDITS amomii Lead: Shaun Illustration: Steve Graphics & Templates: Kelly Video & Blog Content: Cindy & Vera