For many families, decking the halls is as much a part of tradition and family lore as the holidays themselves.

Including kids in the process makes the decking all the more meaningful. It takes only a bit of effort to go beyond the predictable-if-beloved paper chains and popcorn-cranberry strands.

We checked in with a trio of experts who do craft work with kids and came up with a Santa's sack full of good suggestions and tips for decorating with the children.

The first things to remember, says craft book author Kathy Ross, sometimes called the Martha Stewart of the grade-school set, is to have fun and to let the crafts belong to the kids. Don't fuss and hover and aim for perfection. You'll cherish those handmade details in years to come.

Neatness doesn't count, says Diana Borrego, a San Jose librarian and co-author of ``Twenty-Five Latino Craft Projects'' (American Library Association Editions, 80 pages, $30). Tell yourself it's OK -- and it's part of the experience -- if you and the kids get a bit messy as you make holiday decorations.

And make sure your decorating project is suitable for the child's age, says Rae Holzman, on-site program manager for the Museum of Children's Art in Oakland. Children under 5 won't spend more than 20 minutes on a project; kids 5 and up can take on more sophisticated decorating projects, with encouragement.

Craft coaching

``Talk to them as you're doing the project. The more detailed they get into it, the more they get the fun of it,'' says Holzman, the mother of two teenagers. ``If you just say, `Make a snowman,' they'll probably take the path of least resistance. Get them into the storytelling of it. `Who is this snowman?' Whenever there's detail with art, the more interesting it becomes.''

Chances are the holiday projects you and your kids will love the best are the ones that reflect the passage of time. Have the children make brown paint handprints on construction paper, then add a wiggly eye and red nose to the thumb. The other fingers become Rudolph the reindeer's legs. You could add pipe cleaner antlers, then punch a hole for ribbon or an ornament hanger, and you've got a one-of-a-kind tree ornament. The craft also can be done as a card. Or you could have the child trace his hand on brown construction paper.

``Once the idea is there, how you execute it is very open-ended,'' says Ross, a grandmother who lives in upstate New York.

Make sure you have your young artist sign and date crafts on the back, Ross says. ``You think you're going to remember now, but it's so hard after you get a few years' worth.''

Use good glue, and you're likely to have these decorations for quite a while. ``My children are in their 30s, and I have a lot of theirs,'' says Ross, author of ``Christmas Decorations Kids Can Make'' (Millbrook Press, 64 pages, $8.95) and many other kids craft books.

Basic supplies

Basics you'll want to have on hand are glue, a glue stick, lots of pens and pencils and crayons, a stapler, colored paper and something glittery, says Holzman. ``Kids love something with a shine on it,'' she says.

But most families use materials on hand to make projects or find natural items with which to decorate. Gathering pine cones involves kids in the decorating process. Take it a step further, and turn a pine cone into Santa, with cotton balls for hair and beard, wiggly or cutout eyes and a red paper cap, says Holzman. Or simply gather the pine cones and boughs for a natural centerpiece, arranging them around a collection of candles.

If you're feeling more ambitious, you can make a piñata, a good family activity, says Borrego, mother of a grown son. You can find detailed instructions at http://familyfun.go .com/crafts/buildmodel/craft/howpinata/.

Borrego also makes poinsettias, a Christmas tradition adopted from Mexico, by folding red tissue paper like an accordion and securing with flower wire. A collection of ojos de Dios, or eyes of God, makes for striking holiday decor. A small, elegant ojo de Dios constructed from toothpicks and embroidery thread is suitable for tree-hanging. Little hands may handle a larger version using chopsticks and yarn.

If you're concerned about creating an elegant appearance in your home this holiday season, you still can involve your children. It's all in how you treat their decorating efforts. Borrego was so taken with a young student's tin art, she framed it. Framing or creating a special display for your child's decorating project tells him or her that you value the work.

To incorporate as many of your kids' holiday projects into your decor as possible, Ross suggests hanging a long, colorful ribbon somewhere in your house. Let the kids decorate clothespins in seasonal colors, then pin up their lightweight projects.