The Countdown to Christmas is almost over—only 2 days until Christmas.

Several years ago, I purchased the Precious Moments Advent Calendar in lieu of the chocolate calendar my girls usually undertake. Each day included a sweet suggestion on a way to help others through the holiday season. It was a lot like the 30 Day Giving challenge, and included things like “take cookies to a neighbor” or “deliver Christmas cards to a nursing home.” One of the suggestions was feed the birds. We bought a bag of birdseed and sprinkled it in the snow.

Over the years, we have come up with a variety of ways for the girls to help birds through the winter. We have made bird feeders out of soda bottles. Cut a whole towards the bottom of one side and a smaller whole in the middle of the other side. Insert a wooden spoon through the wholes, fill with birdseed and you have a small bird feeder with a perch to hang in a tree.

: Image by tofutti break via Flickr

Of course, there is the old pine-cone-covered-in-peanut-butter bird feeder. This one is a lot of fun for kids—isn’t making messes an absolute blast? To put a festive spin on the idea, skip the pine cone and use a bagel to create a bird feeding wreath. You will need:

bagels (great way to use up stale leftovers!)
red ribbon or yarn
peanut butter (and a knife for spreading)
a bowl filled with birdseed

Spread peanut butter over the bagel. Be sure the bagel is thoroughly covered. Push the bagel into the bowl of birdseed. Fill in any gaps with birdseed. Tie the red ribbon around the bagel and hang your wreath in a tree outside. The local birds will love you, the kids will have a blast and everyone gets to enjoy the added decor!