One of the great things about little kids is that they love making things, and they love giving away their creations away even more. Grandparents and the like are especially good candidates to receive such offerings, and will probably appreciate them more than the usual pair of socks, sweater or sewing box.
Here are some ideas my kids are aching to try:
Drum Ornament
toilet paper rolls, red and white contact paper, felt, or paint, glue, gold metallic yarn, toothpicks Cut the roll in thirds. Cover with red paper, felt, or even paint or markers, just so it is covered. Glue 2 circles of white felt, paper or fabric just big enough to go over each end and glue around the edge about 1/8″. Using gold metallic yarn (like the plastic canvas stuff), anchor one end to the top edge of the covered roll, then glue to the other edge going down and at an angle, then angle back up to the top and continue around in the fashion. Glue a couple of round toothpicks to the top, add a string for hanging.
Wreath Ornaments
Use green tempera paint to paint seven 2 1/2 in. wide pieces of paper towel of toilet paper tubes. When the paint is dry thread a pipe cleaner through all the tubes and twist to secure them together. Cut out at red paper bow, and glue it to the wreath. Thread a piece of red ribbon through the tube on top and tie to make the hanger for the ornament or wreath.
Pinecone Ornaments
Gather pine cones (they don’t have to be large). Spray paint some gold, some silver, and some with clear sealer and while still wet sprinkle glitter on liberally, then spray again with clear sealer. This should be done in a well ventilated space. You could also have the kids paint the pine cones by hand with gold or silver paint, or dabbing glue on the cones and sprinkling with glitter. When the cones are dry, tie a beautiful ribbon around the top (ones that still have a bit of stem attached at the top work best), and you have a very nice ornament.
Swirled Ornament Balls
You need clear plastic balls (ornament balls) with a gold top and loop, to pull string through. Different colors of acrylic paint and the kids squeezed different colors into the ornament ball. When each color is squeezed in the ball, the children turn the ball around and around to spread out the color. Each one is different &beautiful!
Christmas Snowflake Ornament
Using craft sticks, spray paint them white. Or the children could paint them white. I like to use the cut out craft sticks for this project. Glue 3 of the sticks together to form a snowflake design. Start by making a “X” shape with a dot of glue in the center of the sticks. Lay the next stick horizontally on top like this > —- . Let the sticks dry. The children apply glue & white glitter. Glue a paper clip to the top of the stick to use as a hanger. Add a green or red ribbon to the paper clip.
Ornaments of glue & glitter
Trace a simple star or whatever design on paper (tape the paper to the table), lay wax paper over the top so you can see the design (also tape it to the table). Have the kids put glue over the outline of the design & then sprinkle on the glitter. Dry overnight & then peel from wax paper.
Yarn Ornaments
Wax Paper, Glue, Glitter, Yarn – various colors Cut yarn into various lengths. Dip yarn in glue & lay on wax paper, over lapping each piece. Let dry. Pull yarn off wax paper, attach a string to the top, apply glue & add glitter. Hang to dry.
Popcorn Ornaments
Here’s a twist on traditional christmas trims. Instead of stringing popcorn on string for your tree. String it onto medium-gauge wire and bend the wire into shapes such as bells, hearts, or stars. Add a ribbon to the top!
Christmas Tree Balls
Clear glass or plastic tree balls (ornaments), small Christmas accessories or toys, ribbons, cotton, sequins, glitter, glue Remove the top hook part from the bulb. Fill the ball with such things as: cotton puffs, a sprig of holly or mistletoe, a small toy, bright strands of ribbon, etc. You can also add a small picture. Roll it up and stick it through and it will unroll itself. You can also decorate the outside of the bulb, just be sure to not cover up what is inside the bulb. When finished, put the top back on.
Paper Tree Ornaments
Cut out 4 triangle tree shapes. Fold each one in middle. Glue together. Add sequins or holes punched from colored paper for decorations. Cut out circles or heart or shapes & do the same as the tree for different ornaments.
Bear Ornaments
Precut bear shape from green or red poster board. Make hole punches all around and allow the children to sew in and out of the holes with red or green ribbon. Glue a pocket on the front of their bear and add a message in the pocket. One big bear hug. Just for you. Merry Christmas Love _______”. We added a ribbon string for hanging. Also used old Christmas wrap cut into heart shapes to decorating the pocket etc.
[tags]Christmas, Holidays, Christmas ornaments, homemade ornaments[/tags]
Originally posted on December 9, 2006 @ 8:01 pm
