D.I.Y Christmas Decorations

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Fold-Out Photo Gallery


Total Time Needed:
1-2 Hours


Good things come in small packages.

Materials

* Scissors
* Glue
* 8 1/2- by 11-inch paper
* Cardboard

* Hole punch
* Rubber stamp
* Ribbon

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Instructions

1.

With photo-manipulation software -- or old-fashioned scissors and glue -- arrange photos of your family to fit on one side of a horizontal 8 1/2- by 11-inch sheet of paper. Add a greeting, something like "Best wishes from our family to yours."
2.

Make color photocopies. (Many home printers leave a blank 1/4-inch-or-so feeder edge down one side of the page; you can trim it off after you've made your copies for an even border.)
3.

Fold-Out Photo Gallery - Step 3 With your pictures facing you, fold each piece of paper like an accordion fan, moving from left to right. Make 5 folds total (giving you 6 sections); the first fold should turn over, not under (see diagram).
4.

So that our sections would be even without measuring them, we divided the width of our paper by 6 (in our case, 1 3/4 inches, since we'd trimmed down the paper from its original size) and cut a piece of cardboard that same width. We then used the cardboard as a guide for the first fold on each new card (and that first fold for each subsequent one on the same piece of paper).
5.

With your photos still folded like a fan, hold the paper vertically with the left-most flap facing you. Now fold that into thirds: first, fold the bottom third up over the middle section, then turn the whole thing over and fold it up again. For nice, crisp creases, press all the folds with a plastic spoon.
6.

Fold-Out Photo Gallery - Step 6 To make the front and back cover tags, decorate card stock or construction paper. We went with simple rubber-stamped gold stars -- a great project for even the youngest kids. Once dry, cut them into 2 1/4- by 3 1/2-inch rectangles; snip off 2 corners of each for a pretty hexagonal shape. Punch a hole through the tops of half of them (they'll go on the front).
7.

Unfold the fan and lay the photo gallery flat with the pictures facing you. Glue the front tag (with the hole) onto the back of the upper left corner of the paper, as shown below. Then fold up the card, align the back tag (without a hole) with the front one, and glue it on as well. Now tie on a pretty ribbon.

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Glittery Angel


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour


Spin glitter and string to make this little angel that sits beautifully atop any Christmas tree.

Materials

* A one-liter plastic soda bottle
* String
* Craft glue

* Glitter
* Small ball ornament
* Piece of gold tinsel

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Instructions

1.

Cut the bottom off a one-liter plastic soda bottle. Dip pieces of string into a white-glue-and-water solution (it should be the consistency of thick cream) and coil them around the entire bottle, starting at the bottom. Use more string to cover the entire bottle in this manner.
2.

On a waxed paper lined cookie sheet, shape a long piece of glue soaked string into an outline of angel wings. Fill in the wings with dipped string coiled into lacy patterns. Before the glue dries, liberally sprinkle glitter on the body and wings.
3.

When the wings are dry, glue them to the body. For the head, glue a gold Christmas ball, hook down, on top of the bottle. Crown the angel with a gold tinsel halo.

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Glittery Window Clings


Total Time Needed:
Weekend Projects


Let the sun shine in through a few of these glittery window clings. They stick to glass and plastic but, unlike real snow, they are easy to remove!

Materials

* Paper and pencil
* Cookie sheet

* Waxed paper
* Dimensional fabric paint (we used Scribbles brand in Glittering Crystal)

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Instructions

1.

Draw a snowflake template (small, compact designs work best), or download ours here.
2.

Glittery Window Clings Step Lay the template faceup on the cookie sheet and cover it with the waxed paper.
3.

Using a thin line of the fabric paint (approximately 1/8-inch wide), trace the snowflake design on the waxed paper as shown, making sure all of the paint lines connect. Let the window cling dry overnight, then carefully peel it from the waxed paper.

[keep-it-tidy]

Holiday Card Holder



Total Time Needed:
1-2 Hours

Display the season's cards and photos by tucking them into this fleece-covered tree you can keep on a tabletop or hang on a wall.

Materials

* Craft knife
* Scissors
* 2 large pieces of corrugated cardboard, at least 26 by 26 inches
* 1 yard of green fleece fabric
* Hot-glue gun
* Ribbon

* Seed beads
* Star-shaped sequins (with holes)
* Straight pins
* Jewelry or other pliers
* Duct tape
* Stapler (optional)

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Instructions

1.

Holiday Card Holder - Step 1 Use a craft knife to cut the cardboard into 2 matching triangles with a 26-inch base and height. Cut the fleece into 2 triangles as well, one the same size as the cardboard triangles and the other about 2 inches longer on each side. Center the smaller piece of fleece on the larger one, then stack the cardboard triangles atop the fleece.
2.

Holiday Card Holder - Step 2 Hot-glue the edges of the larger piece of fabric around the cardboard, folding the corners as shown.
3.

Holiday Card Holder - Step 3 Turn over the cardboard and crisscross strips of ribbon across the front. Be sure to leave a few inches hanging over each side so you can glue them to the back.
4.

To secure the ribbons in place, slip a bead, followed by a sequin, onto a pin (one for each ribbon intersection), then push the pins through the front of the cardboard where the ribbons cross.
5.

Holiday Card Holder - Step 5 Flip the board over again and use pliers to bend the end of each pin against the cardboard (a parent's job), then cover each pin with a square of duct tape. Now glue the ends of the ribbons to the back of the triangle, and let the glue dry completely.
6.

Holiday Card Holder - Step 6 To display your card holder, lean it against a wall or staple a loop of ribbon to the back for a hanger.

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Holly, Jolly Lampshade



Total Time Needed:
1-2 Hours


Don't let the decorating stop just because the tree is trimmed. You can easily spread some holiday warmth by livening up a plain old lampshade with festive miniature ornaments.

Materials

* Plain white lampshade
* Hole punch
* Small wire ornament hanger
* Miniature ball ornament

* Decorative rickrack
* Clothespins
* Fabric glue

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Instructions

1.

Start by using a hole punch to create holes about 3 inches apart around the base of a small, plain white lampshade (found at most craft stores for about $10).
2.

Holly, Jolly Lampshade - Step 2 Thread a small wire ornament hanger through each hole, hook on a miniature ball ornament, then fold the hanger in half to create a closed loop.
3.

Once you've hung all the ornaments, use fabric glue to attach decorative rickrack around the shade, using clothespins to hold it in place until it dries.

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Ice Candle



Total Time Needed:
2-3 Hours


In this classic kitchen craft, kids (with a parent's help) can combine ice and hot wax to form a cool, lacy-looking candle. Set it in the center of your holiday table or give it as special gift that'll melt Grandma's heart.

Materials

* Scissors
* Cylindrical cardboard container (salt or oatmeal)
* Paper towel
* Cooking oil
* Knife
* White tapered candle
* Large tin can

* 1 pound of paraffin wax
* Large saucepan
* Wooden skewer
* Crayon pieces
* Large spoon
* Crushed ice
* Bowl

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Instructions

1.

Ice Candle - Step 1 Have your child prepare a mold by cutting off the top of the cardboard container. Use a paper towel to coat the inside with cooking oil. With a knife, trim the bottom from the taper so the taper is the same height as the mold.
2.

Ice Candle - Step 2 Meanwhile, fill the tin can with the wax. Then place it in a saucepan filled with 2 inches of water and set the pan over low heat. Use a wooden skewer to stir the melting wax. Mix in crayon pieces to get your desired candle color.
3.

Ice Candle - Step 3 Pour 1/2 inch of wax into the prepared mold and immediately stick the taper into the center, wick end up. Hold the taper in place for a minute or two while the wax sets.
4.

Ice Candle - Step 4 Spoon 2 inches of crushed ice around the taper, then cover the ice almost completely with melted wax. Add more ice, then more wax, alternating until the mold is filled.
5.

Step 5 - Ice Candle Set the mold in a bowl for about an hour (it will leak water), letting the wax harden completely, then peel off the cardboard.

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Jelly Bean Bowl


With all the plates of Christmas cookies Santa samples, it's no wonder he's a little soft around the middle. Here, Santa offers a few treats of his own--a sampling of jelly beans or other Christmas candy--stored beneath the fuzzy brim of his hat.

Materials

* Felt in assorted colors
* Glue and scissors

* Glass jar with a lid
* White faux fur (available at craft or sewing stores)

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Instructions

1.

Jelly Bean Bowl Step 1 To make the hat, cut out two red felt triangles. Make sure the base of the hat will be big enough to fit over the neck of your jar. Glue together the sides of the two triangles, then trim the hat with a strip of faux fur around the bottom and a bit on top for the pompon.
2.

Decorate Santa's face by cutting out and gluing on a faux fur beard, a pair of felt eyes and a felt nose.
3.

Fill the jar with candy, put on the lid, then top it all off with Santa's hat.

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Kids' Art Window Charms



Total Time Needed:
Afternoon Or Evening


Even the snowiest of winter days looks cheerier with these brightly colored charms hanging in the window. Your child can draw geometric designs, her cat, herself -- whatever strikes her fancy. They make great kids' room decorations and lovely homemade gifts for moms and grandparents.

Materials

* 3-inch round lid
* Shrinky Dink Frosted Ruff 'N Ready sheets
* Permanent markers
* Scissors

* Hole punch
* Monofilament or clear elastic beading cord
* Beads

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Instructions

1.

For each charm, trace the lid onto a sheet of Shrinky Dink. Then draw designs in the circles with the markers.
2.

Cut out the charms, then punch a hole in the top and bottom of each.
3.

Follow the package directions to bake the charms.
4.

Cut a length of the monofilament (ours was 20 inches) and knot one end (this will be the bottom). Add 2 beads, then string the monofilament through the holes of a charm. Add another bead, then another charm, and so on, until all the charms have been strung. Add a final bead, then tie the end into a loop for hanging.

[keep-it-tidy]

Making a Star Lantern


Total Time Needed:
Afternoon Or Evening

n the Philippines at Christmas time, these bright lanterns, called parols, fill the streets, their shape echoing the star of Bethlehem.

Basswood strips can be found online and in some craft stores. They're commonly sold in 24-inch lengths. For this star, you'll need 6 strips that are 1/4- by 1/16-inch thick and 1 strip that's 1/4- by 1/4-inch thick. Use scissors to cut them into:
10 pieces: 12 by 1/4 by 1/16 inches
5 pieces:  1 1/2 by 1/4 by 1/4 inches
2 pieces: 4 1/2 by 1/4 by 1/16 inches

Materials

* Basswood strips
* Scissors
* Small rubber bands
* Tacky glue

* Colored tissue paper
* Embroidery floss
* Battery-operated tea light

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Instructions

1.

Making a Star Lantern - Step 1 Make 2 five-pointed star shapes from the 12-inch strips. Secure them by wrapping rubber bands around the points.
2.

Making a Star Lantern - Step 2 Stack the two stars. Connect them at the points by wrapping the rubber bands around the ends.
3.

Making a Star Lantern - Step 3 Complete the frame by adding 1 1/2-inch posts between the stars at each of the five interior points. Use dots of glue to secure them.
4.

Making a Star Lantern - Step 4 For the tea light shelf, place two 4 1/2-inch strips inside the star so that they span two of the posts, and glue them in place. Using your star as a rough template, cut triangles of tissue paper that are a bit larger than the spaces in your parol. You'll need 10 triangles for the sides, 10 for the front and back of the points, and one pentagonal piece for the center. Glue the side pieces first, then the front and back triangles. Finish with the center pentagon.
5.

Making a Star Lantern - Step 5 For each tassel, cut and stack 30 foot-long, 1/2-inch wide strips of tissue paper, then tie embroidery floss around the middle. Fold the stack in half and glue a K-inch strip of paper around the tassel near the fold. Tie each tassel to a point of the parol. Tie a loop to the top point for hanging, and put the tea light in place.

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Peppermint Mail Post


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour


Sweeten your street this holiday season with a larger-than-life mailbox decoration.

Materials

* 3 Styrofoam disks, 1" thick and 10" in diameter
* Tacky glue
* Red metallic ribbon
* Scissors

* Straight pins
* Clear cellophane
* Twist ties
* Wire or twine

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Instructions

1.

Stack and glue the three Styrofoam disks together. Then cut 2 3/4 inch-wide red metallic ribbon into six 12-inch lengths, trimming both ends of each piece into points.
2.

Glue the red ribbon onto the Styrofoam to form stripes. Start with one pointed end positioned near the center of the three-ply disk, then wrap the ribbon over the edge of the Styrofoam and glue the other end in place on the opposite side. Use straight pins to help hold the ends of the ribbons in place, then remove them once the glue has dried. Leave approximately 2 1/2 inches between the ribbons.
3.

When all of the red stripes are in place, wrap the giant candy in a 30-inch square piece of clear cellophane, scrunching the ends together and securing with twist ties.
4.

Attach the finished decoration to your mailbox with wire, twine, or a loop of strong tape. Just be sure to bring it in if the weather outside gets frightful.

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Photo-card Carousel


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour


What do we love about photo cards? Almost everything -- all those smiling faces dropping through the mail slot from faraway places, all those otherwise-serious friends and relatives throwing propriety to the wind in favor of silly Santa hats. But much as we love them, we've never really been sure what to do with them. This card carousel solves the problem handily, presenting them for view, then folding into an instant archive when the holidays are over.

Materials

* 3 1/2- by 5-inch notebook with the spiral binding at the top
* Photo cards

* Double-sided tape
* Red pipe cleaners

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Instructions

1.

Start with the 3 1/2- by 5-inch notebook (we used an artist's sketchbook, since the paper is a little thicker). The notebook becomes a carousel when you set it on its side with the front and back covers touching.
2.

Attach the photo cards, one to each side of a sheet, with double-sided tape.
3.

Thread bright red pipe cleaners through the spiral binding between sheets (they also help the card carousel stay open for holiday business).

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Pieces on Earth


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour


Instead of throwing out those puzzles with missing pieces, let your kids turn what's left into a cast of holiday characters.

Materials

* Jigsaw puzzle pieces
* Acrylic paint
* Fine-point permanent markers
* Glue
* Dimensional fabric paint

* Pom-poms
* Mini googly eyes
* Monofilament
* Pinbacks

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Instructions

1.

Paint the puzzle pieces with acrylic paint. Once they're dry, draw or glue on distinguishing features. We used dimensional fabric paint, pom-poms, mini googly eyes, and a fine-point permanent marker.
2.

Turn the creatures into tree ornaments by gluing loops of monofilament to the backs, or attach pinbacks so you can give a backpack or sweater a little holiday flair.

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Pinecone Carolers



Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

These small-scale singers are poised to echo their joyous strains this holiday season.

Materials

* Acrylic paints
* Capped acorns
* Hot glue
* 2 small twigs

* Small pinecone, between 1" and 2" tall
* Glue stick
* Small piece of photocopied sheet music
* Colored construction paper

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Instructions

1.

To make your own tiny choir, first use acrylic paints to create faces on a collection of capped acorns and allow them to dry.
2.

Use hot glue to secure each acorn head and 2 twig arms to a small pinecone (ours were between 1 and 2 inches tall).
3.

For each songbook, use a glue stick to attach a small piece of photocopied sheet music to a rectangle of colored construction paper.
4.

Give each book a center crease, then attach the music to a carolers hands with hot glue.

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Potted Paper Cones



Total Time Needed:
1 Hour


These elegant trees are so versatile -- you can make them in a variety of sizes and with almost endless decorating possibilities -- they'll fit in any (or every!) room in your house.

Materials

* 1 large piece of drawing paper or poster board
* Clear or double-sided tape
* Scissors
* Hot-glue gun
* Small ornaments, garlands, fake jewels, or ribbons

* Dowel with a 1/2-inch diameter (ours were 3 feet long)
* Decorative bucket or flowerpot
* Small rocks
* Cotton batting

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Instructions

1.

Potted Paper Cones - Step 1 Roll the paper or poster board into a cone shape (make sure the hole at the tip is less than 1/2 inch wide), then tape the seam and trim the bottom so that it's even.
2.

Decorate the cone by hot-gluing small ornaments, garlands, fake jewels, or ribbons to it. (If you're using bulb ornaments, glue the top of the ornament, rather than the bulb itself, to the cone for a stronger hold.) Let the glue dry.
3.

Stand the dowel in the bucket and fill the bucket with enough rocks to keep the dowel upright. Cover the rocks with the cotton batting, then set the paper cone atop the dowel.

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Recycled Wreath


Time Needed
1hr


Looking for a festive way to recycle your holiday wrapping debris? Give your tot a paper plate with the center cut out and let him decorate it with leftover pieces of gift wrap, tissue paper, ribbon, and more.

Materials

* Paper plate
* Gift wrapping, ribbons, tissue paper

* Glue or glue stick

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Instructions

1.

Cut out the center of the paper plate (we traced around a CD).
2.

Cover the plate with glue (an older child may prefer using a glue stick), then have your child decorate it with leftover pieces of gift wrap, tissue paper, ribbon, and more.
3.

To hang the wreath, tape a loop of ribbon to the back.