Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I need help with our Christmas float. The theme is " In the Eyes of a Child". We are a church group. Could someone please help.
By bridgette from Dayton, OH
How about doing it based on the song "I saw mommy kissing santa claus". Have a fireplace, tree, furniture, gifts under the tree, and of course mommy kissing santa.
How about doing it based on the song "I saw mommy kissing santa claus". Have a fireplace, tree, furniture, gifts under the tree, and of course mommy kissing santa.
I am building a float for a small town Christmas parade. I need ideas on what to use in my float. The theme of the parade is, "Keep Christ in Christmas".
By heather wilson from Atlanta, TX
You could do a complete Nativity scene, and please don't put Christmas trees full of lights on the same float, it sends mixed messages.
Jesus is the reason for the season; which means keep Christ in Christmas as He is the reason that Crhistmas is celebrated. Actually, the "retailers" and marketers were the ones who promoted Christmas and it was to make enormous revenue for themselves, and knowing how to "manipulate" the "masses" they try and make us feel "guilty" if we do not "buy buy buy";
Looking for ideas for a Christmas float with the theme: "Silver Bells it's Christmas Time in the City".
By Shay from CA
Just an idea off the top of my head: put silver spray paint on the tops of 2-liter soda bottles that have had the bottoms cut off. With fishing line, hang a silver painted ball (ping pong ball?) from the inside.
I'd go with the main themes in the song, like shoppers with their packages, Santa's big scene, Bells that work to fit the theme song, "ring-a-ling," "hear them ring," If you have singers that can hold a tune with a microphone, such as the shoppers with their packages singing "Silver Bells, while moving about to collect their wrapped packages, it would help. My mother's favorite Christmas Song, and somehow, I can actually see this float coming to life.
Good singers, dressed in "outdoor" holiday garb, picking up wrapped presents, singing "Silver Bells," with bells that blend with the song, and depending on the budget, a Santa could be there, in a chair, or partial sled, and then during the song, when the song gets to Santa, perhaps some fake snow going up in the air. It's definitely a budget thing.
I am looking for Christmas parade float suggestions. The theme is "Now and Then".
By Stacey from Ontario, Canada
Our town just had a Fall Foliage Festival with the "Then and Now" Theme. They did the prices of different products from then I think it was the 50's, and the prices now.
Depending on if you have children participating. Have one half of the float with activities children do now and the other half with activities children did then.
An idea for a no person float (or just a couple people) put on big tree in the middle of the float, decorate the front half colonial Christmas (popcorn garland, pine cone ornaments, pieces of clothe for hanging streamers, you get the idea) Some basic furniture, maybe a pot belly stove on the end or a chimney with a hanging pot and old socks hanging. On the other side of the tree decorate modern (tinsel, flashy ornaments, etc) have a couple modern chairs and a fireplace with decorated stockings (maybe even a plastic one with doggie treats in it). If people ride have them dress the time. Don't forget the conflicting stars on top.
I would like ideas for how to decorate a float. The theme is: "Twas the Night Before Christmas".
By RUTH from Sherman, TX
This sounds fun. I would make a list of all the nouns. Characters in the story and make them on the float, and then decorate it with lots of small Christmas trees, and have the characters decorating the tree complete with them holding all sorts of decorations and then have one holding a big book entitled the night
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I would put a single bed with lots of pillows on the float and a summer sun tarp over that and paint it to resemble a roof. Use a cardboard chimney. Use a sheet as a backdrop for a fireplace, Placed at the front or back of the float as not to block the view. Have everyone in their night clothes with night caps sitting on the bed reading the book. Put Fake gifts at the base of the bed. Sounds like a cute float.
Any ideas for a Christmas parade float honoring the military?
By Nancy from FL
I would do a flag all made from poinsettias. They come in red, white, and if you are in the U.S., blue.
Perhaps you could go to your local Army Surplus store. Dress folks in the various military uniforms... Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard.
Two military-connected songs come to mind: "White Christmas" from an old Christmas movie "Holiday Inn" or the "White Christmas" movie, and "A Soldier's Silent Night," which is spoken. Maybe you could search "military carols" to find more.
And of course, feature the flag or the colors red, white and blue prominently.
I need ideals for our Christmas parade. The theme is "American Christmas".
By Marnie from OK
I don't know if this would work on a float or not, but a guy in my town had the coolest Christmas decoration in his front yard Dec. 2001 (when 9/11 was of course still fresh in everybody's mind): he had a spotlight on a fake Santa Claus (who was sitting in an US Army jeep) who was saluting the American flag (which he had a spotlight on too). The jeep maybe wouldn't fit on your float, but if not, maybe Santa could be partially dressed in some camo or some kind of military stuff? Or if it was possible to have Santa saluting a military person(s) or vet(s) in their uniforms who were on the float too? Just a thought; good luck!
Red, white and blue lights on the Christmas tree if you have one on the float, and feature the flag, of course. I also like Lynn's Santa in cammo idea, as well as folks in the various military uniforms. Wish I could think of a carol other than "A Soldier's Silent Night." Great prose piece, a real tear-jerker.
We need some ideals for a float. It is for Christmas floats for the nursing staff.
By Brittney from Martin, SD
To an ill person, nurses are angels. Have all your angels wear their uniforms and halos. Decorate the float to look like a cloud. The Manger would be quite appropriate, with the Baby Jesus nestled in the cloud amongst the angels.
Have Santa in the ER being treated by the nurses, or have Santa in a pediatric ward with the nurses helping pass out his presents.
Our church is doing a float for the parade. The theme is "Babes in Toyland". That is what the float must be made around. What is a religious approach we could use? Please help.
By aleta
Have little "angels" (children in angel wings) surrounded by toys.
Using the angels is a good idea, but what about all the toys nature provides? Bubbles, snowflakes (which I've heard described as angel kisses), fall leaves, pine cones, flowers, a rainbow, animals (stuffed of course), butterflies. Or the simple toys of Jesus' time like dreidels, rag dolls, hoops and sticks, blocks, etc.
I am looking for ideas to decorate an ambulance for a Christmas Parade. The theme is "A Joyful Christmas". Please help ASAP, we have 3 days to do this.
Window clings, wind socks, Plastic crepe paper. Paint a scene on a plastic drop cloth and attach with magnets.Garlands of fake flowers.
A "patient" on a gurney, that is joyful that he is not as sick as he thought he was, and on his way back home to spend Christmas with his family; decorate with the usual Christmas trappings. (Singing "Joy To The World" at the top of his/her lungs, of course!)
I would like ideas for a Christmas parade float. The theme for the parade is "Toyland in Our Town". Any ideas would be appreciated.
Wendy from New York
I am not at all creative with this sort of thing, but there is a cartoon called Babes in Toyland my kids used to love. Maybe you could get some ideas from this cartoon. For example, Humpty Dumpty plays a part and you could maybe dress some people up as toy soldiers. Santa is part of course, and there is also a train that is "alive". Hope this helps some.
I'm not very crafty, but the word Toyland brings to mind the image of the Nutcracker for some reason. Also, wooden toys like rocking horses, and dolls. Maybe the ladies could dress as dolls complete with the round, bright red cheek paint and lipstick, and exaggeratedly long eyelashes. You might look through Christmas-themed books from 100 years or more ago for ideas.
We are entering our local parade and the theme is "Christmas Wishes". We have come up with "Wish Upon a Star" with children dressed as angels and stars. The Stars will have wishes listed. The color of our float is going to be Navy blue, silver, and white. My question is what can our angels be doing on the float?
You could teach them sign language to the "wish upon a star" song and then just keep repeating it.
How about blow bubbles? Glitter would be pretty but out of the question. It's messy and, as a float, you'd need tons of it. The bubbles could be a problem, too, unless you just have them blow bubbles every five minutes, or stagger the ones who are blowing bubbles. You could end up with very wet kids! I also like the sign language idea.
I need some ideas on how to build a float with two hands holding a world with the world turning.
Bonnie from Cadiz, KY
I don't have any ideas -- but I love what you're trying to do!
My son came up with an idea (we haven't tested it yet: build a box to go under your "world" and use a power inverter to run a drill. Mount the drill under the box and a big drill bit up through the box attached to the world to make it turn. You can make the world and hands out of chicken wire and then use big pieces of newspaper to paper mache over the chicken wire then after it dries paint it. Don't make the world too heavy for the drill to turn.
I need help with ideas for our Christmas float with the theme Christmas Wishes. We are a church float; any suggestions?
We are doing a Christmas parade float with Care Bears. Our theme is "Caring is a commitment". We are a doctor's office. I have no ideas. Can you help?
Our church needs ideas for a parade float for the theme "Christmas on a the Silver Screen". Can you help us out?
The Christmas parade is coming and we wanted to do a float with a library theme. Any suggestions?
I am a member of my children's elementary school PTO - our school is entering a float in the annual Christmas parade and the theme is "Holiday Glow". We have decided that we are going to incorporate "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and have all the children in the float wear red clown noses.
The banner at the front of the float will read "Our Future's so Bright, you could even say it Glows!". I am seeking creative decorating ideas for the actual float to incorporate. Thanks!We are a Catholic school looking for Christmas parade float ideas with the theme "a country Christmas". We want to keep the Christian theme as well. Any suggestions?
Any ideas for a Christmas float with the theme "It's a Magical Christmas"?
Our theme is "Songs of Christmas". I need ideas for walking people float or a wagon float. Very simple, please. Thanks.
By Jodi from Veedersburg, IN
Our church is in our annual Christmas parade this year, we need and entry description for our float. The theme this year is "Blue Christmas". How would you decorate the float and what would you do as an entry description? Thanks for all of your help!
By Melissa P
Every year our town holds a Christmas parade. This year's theme is "Small Town USA". I am a small business owner and would like to enter. I have no ideas as to how to design a trailer in this fashion. Please does anyone have any ideas? Our float cannot have a Santa. He rides on the fire truck at the end. I have an asphalt paving company and would like to advertise, as well as, show. Please help. I am running out of time; it is December 3, 2011.
By Jenny B.
I work in a hotel and we are hosting Santa. We need to design a float for a parade to take him to our local mall where he will be until Christmas. Any ideas?
By Sara
We need some ideas for a Christmas parade float with a 9/11 theme, involving children. Thanks.
By D.J
We are riding in a Christmas parade this year on our motorcycles and the theme is "Toys in Toyland". What kind of decor would you recommend that we place on our bikes? We are a Christian motorcycle ministry and we need some ideas.
By Patty from Norman, OK
The way I decorate my Harley for toy runs is really simple. I get garland (the fake green tree-type, not the shiny plastic type), and wrap it around my handlebars. If it's too long, I get wire cutters and snip the excess off.
Then I get a battery-operated light string and attach (be sure you pack extra batteries) to the garland with cable ties (you don't want 'em to fly off!).
Next step is to tie a beautiful red bow in front, below headlight or above it - DO NOT COVER IT.
Finally, I take small stuffed animals and tuck them in the garland around the bow with cable-ties. I usually use 4 small bears (4 to 6 inches)- two on each side of the handlebars. (Make sure you don't cover the Christmas lights with them).
To top it all with, I have a larger bear (around 1-1/2 ft tall) and sit him/her on my front fender, below the red bow. I tie it on my front forks with bungee cords which I cover with ribbon so it's not noticeable, or with cable ties also ribbon-covered to disguise.
SAFETY NOTE: Make sure the red bow does not have ribbon hanging down to catch in your front axle and also the bears' legs can't hang down (which is why I use a a 1-1/2' bear...his legs stick straight out).
If you have a sissy-bar, buy a HUGE bear and sit him/her on your back seat. It can be your passenger bungee-corded in. Put a pair of goggles on it and a Christmas bandanna and "biker" it up! (I pinned fake holly on it's ear and one of my leather vests). It'll get lots of smiles and photo shoot opportunities!
If you're riding a "cruiser bike" which has a CD player, put on some Christmas music. Deck out that bike and have fun!!!!
Have a Blessed Merry Christmas! :-) ~Perla in TX
We (my team for Relay For Life/American Cancer Society) are trying to design a float for the Christmas parade. We are wanting to use the theme "Jingle Bells, Cancer Smells", but are not sure how to decorate the float. Can anyone give me some suggestions?
By Faye Darnell from Blythe, GA
Use colored ribbon bows that stand for the various cancers attached to Christmas bells!
How could we use Noah's ark for a Christmas float and what would the saying be? Thanks.
By mary from SC
In Noah's time, the earth was filled with water. All of us have the ability during good times and bad, to flood the areas around us even as walking down the street, in stores, etc, to "flood" the area with peace, joy and love. (From out of their bellies shall flow rivers of living water.)
Kindness can be so hard to find at times, it's like a famine almost. Let's flood the earth with peace, joy, love and above all kindness! Peace on earth good will to men. Let us create a tsunami of peace, and kindness, and thoughts of well being to all men wherever we go!
Gosh, won't the world be changed into a far better place for all!
What are some ideas for a Christmas parade float with a theme, "Light the night"?
By danita
(Assuming you have a way to supply power to the float.) Whatever setting you choose, you could have the items come on one at a time until the float is completely lit. Then they all shut off and start over again-lighting up the night.
We are a non-profit group, just getting started. We are trying to promote motorcycle safety, and we want to try and incorporate this into a float for our local Christmas parade. The parade theme is (A Rocking Christmas). Please help if anyone can. Thank you.
By nanas8 from DeRidder, LA
Help! Lets do (a rocking christmas) without the motorcycles. We need some ideas
I am lead person on a Xmas float for my congregation. I want to create a scene with regards to Xmas memories. We have a 20' trailer and want to make a huge bed with little ones in it. Above their heads I am thinking of having little quotation bubbles with their wishes for Xmas attached to the headboard above each child. Any other ideas would be appreciated.
By Pam from Rochester, NH
We done one a couple of years ago and made the whole trailer into a bed it was so cute and won 1 st place. I will try to get a pic on here when I get home. We was doing the night before Christmas and had candy and sugar plums hanging above their head with fishing line. I loved it.
I need some ideas for a Christmas parade float for my husband's employer. They are an auto parts store. Any ideas?
By Laralee from Childersburg, AL
Get a 'Santa sleigh" dress some guys up as mechanic elves and work on the sleigh to get ready for the delivery night
perhaps a big calendar to show Dec 24. A giant RO ticket, tune up Santa's sleigh, fix dent in side from grazing star on practice run by Clyde, etc.
I am looking for ideas to decorate an car hauler for a Christmas parade. The theme is "Kids Against Meth Ending Lives". It is a float for the Kamel Klub at Bethel Springs Jr.High in Bethel Springs, TN. We would really like something simple for the fact that we have about 19 teenagers riding on the back. The colors of the club are lime green,black and gold or silver. Please help, we have 6 days to do it. Thanks for all the help.
We have done two floats for prevention of Meth. The first float used was a MEth Monster in jail and the DEA van sitting in front. The second was a replica of a nice little house with a picket fence on the outside and a meth lab on the inside. I have photos if you'd like to see.
I am looking for "Redneck Racing" float ideas. I will be in a light parade and the theme is racing. Can anyone help with ideas for decorating the race trailer that the race car will be driving behind? Thanks.
Our Christmas parade theme is "Nursery Rhyme Christmas", and I need help. I work for a recycling group, and we want our float to fit the theme. Any ideas?
First, off to the public library to look at a copy of Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes. Look closely at the illustrations, because that's where you'll find your ideas.
