D.I.Y Christmas Decorations

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Cool Cube Card


Total Time Needed:
Afternoon Or Evening

It arrives folded like a traditional holiday greeting, but when you follow the easy instructions for assembling it, it transforms into a photo-cube ornament to hang on the tree.

Materials

* Template
* Photograph
* Glue

* Card stock
* Ribbon

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Instructions

1.

Download and print the template. Select 6 pictures of your family and trim each to a 2- by 2-inch square. With a glue stick, affix the pictures to the template where indicated. (When the card is folded, you'll have 4 photos on the front and 2 on the back.)
2.

Cool Cube Card - Step 2 Once it's dry, take the template to a copy shop and have them print copies on 8 1/2- by 11-inch sheets of heavy card stock. The cards will print out with a white border, which the copy shop can trim for you. Have them also fold the cards in half.
3.

At home, tie a 22-inch piece of colorful ribbon around the fold of each card, as shown (it doubles as a hanger), before slipping them into 6- by 9-inch envelopes.

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Cloth Candy Canes


Total Time Needed:
2-3 Hours

Fashioned from colorful fabrics, this sweet Christmas icon will last season after season.

Materials

* 3 strips of cotton fabric (we recommend using different colors and/or prints), 3 by 12 inches
* Waxed paper
* White glue

* Small paintbrush
* 3 pipe cleaners
* Wire cutters (optional)

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Instructions

1.

Step 1 One at a time, lay each fabric strip, printed side down, on a waxed paper-covered surface and use a paintbrush to coat it with a thin layer of glue. Place a pipe cleaner along one long edge.
2.

Cloth Candy Canes - Step 2 Roll the fabric around it as tightly as possible. Smooth down the outer edge.
3.

Cloth Candy Canes - Step 3 Pinch together the tops of the 3 wrapped pipe cleaners. Tightly twist them into a spiral and bend the top into a candy cane shape.
4.

spacer Set the cane in a short drinking glass to dry (it can take several hours, depending on the humidity). Then neaten the ends by trimming them with wire cutters, if needed.

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Downhill Racers


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

Gear up for your holiday decorating with these handmade tree trinkets.

Materials

* Craft stick
* Emery board
* Glue

* Toothpick
* Beads
* Ribbon

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Instructions

1.

To make a set of skis like these, first use hot glue to attach 2 emery boards an inch or so from the ends of 2 colored craft sticks (available at craft stores), then glue the sticks together as shown.
2.

For each pole, glue a small button onto one end of a toothpick and a round bead to the other end for a handle.
3.

Finally, glue the poles to the skis, tie a ribbon around the set, and tie on a string loop for hanging

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Fav This Yr :)


Family Tree Ornaments


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

It's fun to turn your Christmas tree into a family photo album! Select a baby picture of each member of the family to place in little hanging frames. The grandkids can find themselves first, and then try to identify everyone else.

Materials

* Family photos

* Ornament frames (seasonal item available at craft stores)

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Instructions

1.

To make your own, have your kids help select a baby photo of each family member.
2.

Then simply place them in small ornament frames, seasonal items available at craft stores, and hang them on the tree.

Variations:
For a more old-fashioned feel, the photos can be scanned, sized, and printed in black-and-white (a copy shop can do this).

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Spoon Snowshoes


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

These cute little snowshoes will make for a great decoration this winter.

Materials

* Wooden ice-cream spoons
* Glue
* Button

* Toothpick
* Ribbon
* String

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Instructions

1.

Draw a simple crisscross snowshoe pattern on 2 wooden ice-cream spoons. Hot-glue a length of pipe cleaner around the edge of each spoon, then glue together the spoons at the top.
2.

For each pole, glue a small button onto one end of a toothpick, then glue a loop of ribbon to the top of each pole.
3.

Finally, glue the poles to the snowshoes, tie a ribbon around the set, and tie on a string loop for hanging.

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Wired Star


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour


Although cookie cutters are best known for their work in the kitchen, these fun-shaped baking utensils can also play a role in decorating your family's Christmas tree.

Materials

* 3-foot length of 18-gauge gold-colored craft wire
* Pencil
* Star-shaped cookie cutter

* Wire cutters
* 20-to 24-gauge colored lightweight wire
* Ribbon

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Instructions

1.

Wired Star - Step 1 To make an ornament like the one here, wrap one end of a 3-foot length of 18-gauge gold-colored craft wire around a pencil to form a hanging loop. With the loop at the top of a star cookie cutter, press the wire twice around the perimeter of the cookie cutter to form a star shape, twisting it around the hanging loop and using wire cutters (a parent's job) to snip off any excess. Remove the cutter.
2.

Now your child can complete the ornament by wrapping the wire outline with lengths of 20-to 24-gauge colored lightweight wire, securing the ends in place by wrapping them around the cookie cutter outline.
3.

Finally, tie a hanging ribbon to the loop, and your ornament is ready for display.

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Mice Ornaments



Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

Sweeten up the Christmas tree with a collection of chocolate mice ornaments.

Materials

* Hershey's Kisses
* Pink felt
* Scissors
* Double-sided carpet tape

* Fishing line
* Self-adhesive googly eyes
* Curling ribbon

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Instructions

1.

Remove the tags from two Hershey's Kisses. Cut out mouse ears from pink felt, about 3/8-inch high. Using double-sided carpet tape, affix the bottoms of the ears to the flat side of one of the Kisses.
2.

Tape an 8-inch loop of fishing line behind the ears to form a hanger.
3.

With more double-sided carpet tape, join together the two flat sides of the Hershey's Kisses, with the mouse ears and fishing line loop pointing up. Add a pair of self-adhesive googly eyes.
4.

Slip a tail -- a 4-inch piece of curling ribbon -- under the foil. Now, see how they run (or disappear) from your tree!

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Ribbon Ornament


Total Time Needed:
Afternoon Or Evening

You may want a few of these elegant ornaments for your own home, so make sure your crafter creates a few extra. If you're lucky enough to live somewhere hot and humid this time of year, crank up the air conditioning before beginning to work: you'll get the best results in a cool, dry environment.

Materials

* Newspaper
* 9-inch round helium-quality balloon
* 2 plastic cups or yogurt containers
* Scissors
* 3 to 3 1/2 yards of 1/4- to 5/8-inch-wide satin or similar-weight ribbon (no curling or sheer ribbon)

* Measuring cup, water
* White glue, such as Elmer's (regular, not washable)
* Craft stick or paint stirrer
* String or yarn

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Instructions

1.

Have your crafter cover her work area with newspaper, then inflate a balloon to 3 or 4 inches in diameter, tie it closed, and set the balloon on an upright cup or yogurt container.
2.

Help your child cut 8 to 10 ribbons (the wider the ribbon, the fewer she'll need), each one long enough to wrap completely around the balloon with 1 inch of overlap.
3.

In the second plastic cup or container, use the craft stick to mix together 1/2 cup of glue with 1/4 cup of water. Help your child dip the ribbons, one at a time, into the glue mixture, squeezing any excess back into the cup. Starting at the top, she should snugly wrap each ribbon completely around the balloon, avoiding the balloon's knot and smoothing out any wrinkles. Have her wrap the last ribbon around the middle of the balloon, equator style.
4.

Set the ornament on the container and allow it to dry completely, turning it every 1 to 2 hours. When it has dried, help your elf carefully poke at the balloon with a pencil eraser to separate it from the ribbons, then pop the balloon with a pin and remove it. Tie a piece of string or yarn to the top of the ornament for a hanger. To add a bow, thread a length of ribbon through the bottom of the ornament. Tie the ribbon into a bow, dip it into the glue mixture, and hang the ornament over newspaper to dry.

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Ribbon Candy Ornaments


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

This fun-to-fold ribbon candy decoration really dresses up a tree or a window. Arrange several in a small box, and you've got a great gift package to send to a long-distance relative or family friend.

Materials

* 17 inches of 1 1/2-inch-wide wire ribbon (striped or solid colors work well)
* 16 inches of clear fishing line or decorative thread

* Needle
* Pencil

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Instructions

1.

For each ornament, fold down 1/4 inch at each end of the ribbon, then accordion-fold the ribbon in 1 3/4-inch sections.
2.

Ribbon Candy Ornaments - Step 2 Knot one end of the fishing line and thread the other through the needle. Push the needle up through the bottom of the folded ribbon pile and return the needle 1/4 inch away from the original hole as shown. Knot the line at the bottom.
3.

Pull the line from the top until the ribbon sandwich is about 1 1/2 inch thick and the two bottom knots are taut. Knot the line on top as shown, so that a loop is left for hanging. Now use a pencil or your finger to round out the side folds.

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Festive Paper Pines




Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

Kids will get a real kick out of decorating these little evergreens -- the mini bulbs come alight when you punch holes in the outer layers, revealing the colored paper sandwiched between them.

Materials

* Red and yellow stationery (or other colors you like for lights)
* Green and brown card stock
* Pinking shears or decorative craft scissors (we used Fiskars Paper Edgers)
* Hole punch

* Glue or glue dots
* Pushpin
* 2 buttons
* Monofilament

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Instructions

1.

Festive Paper Pines - Step 1 Sandwich the red and yellow paper between 2 pieces of green card stock. Cut out a tree shape.
2.

Festive Paper Pines - Step 2 Remove the red sheet and punch a few random holes through the 3 remaining layers. Then remove the yellow sheet and replace the red one. Punch several new holes through the stack.
3.

Festive Paper Pines - Step 3 Cut a tree trunk from brown card stock (make it a little taller than needed) and glue the top of it between the red and yellow layers. Now glue the green layers to the outside.
4.

Festive Paper Pines - Step 4 Use the pushpin to poke a hole through the 4 layers, about 1/4 inch from the treetop. Thread a length of monofilament through the hole, then slide a button tree topper onto each end of the line. Knot the ends of the line to create a loop for hanging.

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Candle Jars


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

While melting and pouring wax is best left to adults, the creative parts of this candle-making project (choosing the perfect crayon to color the wax and decorating the glass holder with beads) are meant for kids.

Materials

* Large saucepan
* Metal canning jar lid rim
* Coffee can
* Paraffin wax
* Crayons
* Paint stirrer

* Candlesticks (one for each jar)
* Thick widemouth glass jars
* Metal tongs
* Plastic beads
* Tacky glue

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Instructions

1.

Set up a double boiler to melt the paraffin. Fill the bottom of the saucepan with 4 to 5 inches of water and drop in the canning jar lid rim. Then pack chunks of paraffin into the coffee can, setting it on the jar rim so that it doesn't directly touch the bottom of the pot.
2.

Melt the wax over medium-high heat, carefully adding more chunks until the can is about two-thirds filled. To color the melted wax, break half of a peeled crayon into pieces. Add them to the wax and slowly mix with a paint stirrer, then turn off the heat and let the paraffin cool for about 10 minutes (this will help minimize shrinkage when the wax hardens).
3.

Using a sharp knife, cut the candlesticks 1/2 inch shorter than the jar heights (adults only). Now, heat the jars by running warm water on the outsides but not the insides (this will help prevent cracking when you pour in the hot wax).
4.

With metal tongs, dip the bottom of each candlestick into the melted wax and stick it to the inner jar bottom. When the candlestick ends have hardened enough to hold, carefully pour enough wax into the jars to cover the candlestick tops but not the wicks.
5.

Once the candles cool completely, your kids can glue beads to the outside of the jar, arranging them in a border around the rim, perhaps, or creating a multicolor pattern all the way around.

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Holiday Crackers


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

These simple candy-filled cardboard tubes, modeled after traditional British crackers, are a snap to mass-produce for a classroom holiday party. Your child can personalize them by adding mini handwritten notes or drawings along with the candy or add some noise by tying a jingle bell on one end.

Materials

* Scissors
* Wrapping paper
* Empty cardboard tubes, trimmed to desired lengths
* Clear tape or glue stick

* Ribbon or string
* Wrapped candy, toys, or treats
* Jingle bells (optional)

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Instructions

1.

Cut a piece of wrapping paper that's 6 inches longer than the tube and wide enough to wrap completely around it at least once. Center the tube along one long side of the paper and use tape or glue to hold it in place.
2.

Your child can then wrap the paper tightly around the tube and secure the seam with tape or glue. She should then twist the excess paper at one end and tie it closed with ribbon or string.
3.

Fill the tube with candy and other tiny surprises, then twist and tie closed the open end.

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Merry Christmouse


total time needed

1hr

Like the mouse in the Clement Clarke Moore poem, this one isn't stirring, but he does make a sweet holiday gift or decoration, no cheese required.

Materials

* 2 1/2-inch Styrofoam egg
* White acrylic paint
* Fishing line
* Corsage pin
* White felt

* Pink felt
* Glue
* Googly eyes
* Craft wire, 5 inches

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Instructions

1.

Merry Christmouse - Step 1 First, use a serrated knife to cut a 2 1/2-inch Styrofoam egg in half lengthwise (parents only), then cover one of the halves with white acrylic paint and let it dry.
2.

For whiskers, fold a 2-foot length of fishing line into quarters and tie a knot at the middle. Trim the ends to about 1 1/2 inches, then stick a corsage pin (available at craft stores) through the knot and into the narrow end of the egg half.
3.

For each ear, cut a 1-inch circle from white felt, making a cut halfway through it, as shown above. Overlap the 2 sides of the cut and glue them together to create a curved shape. Glue a 1/2-inch pink felt circle to the center, then glue the ear in place.
4.

Finally, glue on a pair of googly eyes and stick a 5-inch length of craft wire in place for a tail.

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Memory Lane Picture Frame

Total time needed
2-3hrs

Is your mother's or grandmother's jewelry box a treasure trove of elegant baubles? Ask her to donate some trinkets to your cause, then use them to decorate a picture frame for a sentimental sister or cousin. Want to get down to brass tacks instead? Make a treasure box with little pieces of hardware scavenged from Grandpa's tool chest.

Check out more ideas for easy-to-make Gifts that Celebrate Family.

Materials

* Picture frame (flat wood or plastic works best)
* Costume jewelry

* Foam brush
* Strong craft glue (we like Crafter's Pick The Ultimate Glue)

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Instructions

1.

To prepare the jewelry, remove earring and brooch backs and unstring any beads. Remove the glass from the picture frame.
2.

Working in sections, use the foam brush to apply a thick layer of glue, then press on the beads and jewelry. When the frame is completely dry, reinsert the glass.

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Cookie Cutter Candles


Materials

* Cookie cutters (choose shapes that can stand up)
* Honeycomb wax sheets in various colors (available at craft stores or at candlewic.com; an 8- by 16-inch sheet will make 1 or 2 candles)

* Wicks
* Scissors

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Instructions

1.

For each candle, use a cookie cutter to make 10 identical shapes from the wax sheets. Divide the shapes into two stacks of 5.
2.

Sandwich a wick between the two stacks, starting at the bottom and extending it beyond the top by at least an inch. Press the sheets together gently. If they don't stick together, take the wax layers apart and use a hair dryer to gently warm each one before restacking them, adding the wick as instructed above.
3.

Trim the wick to about a half-inch. Stand your candle up, shaping the base as needed to make it sit securely.