D.I.Y Christmas Decorations

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Family Photo Books

Total time needed
1hr

Filled with favorite photos, this is just the present for a relative or special family friend, particularly one your family sees less often than you'd like.

Materials

* Assorted photos
* Craft knife
* 4-ply and 2-ply rag board (sold at art supply stores)

* 26-inch-long piece of ribbon
* Colored paper
* Glue stick

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Instructions

1.

Choose seven favorites from a stack of family photos.
2.

Family Photo Books - Step 2 Use a craft knife to cut two 5- by 6 1/2-inch rectangles from the 4-ply rag board for the book covers. For the inner pages, cut one 5- by 39-inch rectangle from the 2-ply rag board. Lightly mark 6 1/2-inch increments along the long edges of the 2-ply rag board, and accordion-fold the sheet at those marks Use a ruler edge to press the folds into sharp creases.
3.

Family Photo Books - Step 3 Lay the ribbon on a tabletop and center the folded rag board on top so that the side with three creases is on the left and lines up with the midpoint of the ribbon Apply glue to the top of the folded rag board. Then lay the left side of the ribbon over the glued page and top with one of the book covers, pressing firmly until well stuck. Flip over the book and use the same method to attach the right side of the ribbon and the back cover.
4.

Family Photo Books - Step 4 Now, cut the colored paper into seven 4- by 5 1/2-inch rectangles. Glue one onto the center of each page and the front cover. Then glue the photos onto the colored paper. Finally, print the year on the front cover.

Tips:
Open the album into a full circle, tie the ribbon binding into a bow and it's ready to display on an end table or dresser.

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Foamy Frame


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

This funky foam frame is simple enough for little fingers yet presents limitless personalizing possibilities for older kids. Along with a basic square, my girls cut the foam into a Christmas tree shape, a wreath, and a computer screen.

Materials

* Scissors
* One 9-by-12-inch sheet of colored craft foam
* Flexible pocket magnet frame (we used Original Soft Pocket Magnetic Photo Frames by Lytle, available in 3 1/2 by 5 inches, 4 by 6 inches, and 5 by 7 inches)

* Hot glue gun and glue
* Assorted accessories such as beads, buttons, fake jewels, glitter, googly eyes, or prepackaged foam cutouts

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Instructions

1.

Have your child cut a shape slightly smaller than the magnetic photo frame from the center of the foam sheet. Be sure the inside edge of the foam frame overlaps the magnetic frame by at least 1/4 inch.
2.

Next, help your elf apply a thin line of hot glue to one edge of the magnetic frame's clear front and firmly press the foam frame in place. Repeat with the remaining edges, one at a time, being careful not to glue over the pocket's opening.
3.

Your child can then trim the frame as she likes, making sure to leave a margin of foam sufficient to cover the outer edge of the magnetic frame. She can also glue on decorative accessories, then slip a favorite photo into the pocket.

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Santa Lollipops
Ho, ho, homemade Claus


This is a simple ornament to produce en masse for classmates or to hang on your Christmas tree. Kids may continue playing with the tiny paper Santa hats long after the lollipops are history.

Materials

* Lollipop (the kind wrapped in plastic)
* White and red paper
* Hole punch
* Glue

* Red pompon
* Googly eyes
* Cotton balls
* Thread and tape

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Instructions

1.

First, turn your lollipop upside down, then decorate one side of it as Santa's face. Here, we glued on a white paper beard (with a punched hole for Santa's mouth), a red pompon nose and two googly eyes.
2.

Santa Lollipops Step 2 To make the hat, cut a red paper semicircle, roll it up, and tape it to form a cone (you may need to experiment to get the right size). Glue cotton ball trim around the hat's bottom.
3.

Tape a loop of thread to the lollipop stick, then pull the thread through the top of the hat so that it sits on Santa's head. Add a bit of cotton for a pompon.

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Snowy T-shirt


Total Time Needed:
Weekend Projects


Even if you're expecting a white Christmas this year, your crafter will love making it snow on these whimsical winter shirts. Just be sure all elves involved wear rubber gloves and use caution during the bleaching process.

Materials

* Rubber gloves
* Brightly colored cotton T-shirt, prewashed
* Plastic trash bags or tablecloth
* Plastic grocery bags
* Scissors

* 3 kitchen sponges
* Bleach
* Small disposable container (such as an empty margarine tub)
* Spray bottle
* Fabric markers, such as FabricMate or Marvey

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Instructions

1.

To begin, lay the shirt flat on a plastic trash bag or old tablecloth and slip one or two grocery bags flat inside it. Cut the sponges into a star and two circles, one slightly larger than the other. Rinse the sponges with water and wring them out thoroughly.
2.

With a window open for ventilation, pour a shallow layer of bleach into the disposable container and about 2 inches into the spray bottle. Have your child spritz bleach across the bottom of the shirt to saturate it. She should gradually apply less bleach as she moves up the shirt, ending with a thin mist across the middle. Allow the bleach to soak in for a moment to see how it's working.
3.

To build the snowman, help your child dip the larger round sponge into the bleach, squeezing to remove excess liquid, then press the sponge onto the shirt. Lift the sponge and check the boldness of the imprint. She can repeat this step if necessary, but should avoid using too much bleach, as this can obscure the image. Repeat with the smaller round sponge for the snowman's head, then complete the scene with a bleached star. Allow the shirt to dry overnight, then soak it briefly in hot, soapy wat

Tips:
If it's not easily seen, you may want to mark the bleached (snow) and unbleached (sky) portions of the shirt with masking tape to avoid losing your snowman in a blizzard!

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Trim a Tree

This preschooler-friendly project is made with humble, familiar craft sticks. Help your child make the basic tree shape, then let her decorate it however she likes.

Materials

* Strong scissors
* Craft sticks (including 1 wide craft stick)
* Tacky glue
* Green and brown acrylic paint

* Sequins
* Small wooden star or other tree-topping ornament
* String

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Instructions

1.

Use strong scissors to trim several craft sticks to lengths ranging from around 1 1/2 to 3 3/4 inches (a parent's job).
2.

Have your child choose six pieces, including one full-sized stick, and help her arrange them from shortest to longest on a wide craft stick. Adhere the pieces with tacky glue, then let the stick tree dry.
3.

Trim a Tree Step 3 Have your child paint the tree green and brown with acrylic paints. After the paint is dry, she can add sequin ornaments with glue. Our tree's topper is a small wooden star from a craft store, painted yellow. Tie a loop of string around the top of the tree for hanging

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Twinkle Lights

Kick up the glitz of a plain strand of holiday lights with foil cupcake liners. For the best results, you'll want to use the sturdier, laminated foil cupcake liners (we used Wilton Silver Foil Baking Cups).

Materials

* Strand of holiday lights
* Laminated foil cupcake liners

* Scissors

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Instructions

1.

Twinkle Lights Step 1 For each light, fold a liner into eighths by folding it in half three times. Snip off two of the corners at an angle, as shown. Cut off the tip of the point to create a center hole.
2.

Twinkle Lights Step 2 Unfold the liner and flip it inside-out so that the shiny side is on the inside. Slide the liner over the light so that it sits around the base of the bulb holder.

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Fancy Boot Christmas Stocking


Total Time Needed:
2-3 Hours


This boot was made for stuffing, and that's just what Santa will do this Christmas Eve.

Materials

* Scissors
* 2 pieces of purple felt, each 24 by 15 inches
* 2 pieces of black faux fur, each 24 by 15 inches
* Long sewing pins
* Large-eye sewing needle

* Purple embroidery floss
* Costume jewelry buttons and chains (sold at many fabric stores)
* Clear tape
* 9 inches of black twist cord

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Instructions

1.

The Basic Stocking: Click here to download the fancy boot stocking pattern.
2.

Cut 1 boot shape from each piece of the purple felt and 1 from each piece of the black fur. Be sure to cut the fur boots so the toes point in opposite directions with the fur sides up.
3.

Pin together the boots with the fur boots on the inside, furry sides in, and the purple boots on the outside.
4.

Fancy Boot Christmas Stocking - Step 4 Using the floss, whipstitch around the edges, sewing the boots together. Leave the top edges unsewn.
5.

Fancy Boot Christmas Stocking - Step 5 At the top, sew together the front 2 edges, then the back 2.
6.

Fold down the top to make a cuff.
7.

The Trimmings: Use floss to sew the buttons and chains to the boot.
8.

Tape the ends of the cord to keep them from fraying, then sew the cord to the stocking for hanging.

Tips:
A Stitch for All Stockings
Thread your needle with a length of floss and knot one end. Begin sewing by pushing the needle up through the underside of the fabric and then out the top. Loop the needle back under the fabric and repeat the stitch.

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Classic Stocking


Total Time Needed:
2-3 Hours

This personalized stocking will bring lots of smiles on Christmas morning.

Materials

* Scissors
* 2 pieces of red fleece, each 24 by 16 inches
* 2 pieces of white faux fur, each 24 by 16 inches
* Long sewing pins
* Large-eye sewing needle
* Red embroidery floss
* White embroidery floss

* Sheet of yellow felt, 9 by 12 inches
* Yellow embroidery floss
* Fiberfill
* Fabric paint
* Clear tape
* 9 inches of white twist cord

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Instructions

1.

The Basic Stocking: Click here to download the classic stocking pattern.
2.

Cut 1 stocking shape from each piece of the red fleece and 1 from each piece of the faux fur . Be sure to cut the fur stockings so that the toes point in opposite directions with the fur sides up.
3.

Pin together the stockings with the fur stockings on the inside, furry sides in, and the red stockings on the outside.
4.

Classic Stocking - Step 4 Whipstitch (see page 131) around the edge with the red floss to sew the shapes together, leaving the top unsewn.
5.

Classic Stocking - Step 5 At the top, sew together the front 2 edges, then the back 2, with the white embroidery floss.
6.

Fold down the top to make a cuff.
7.

The Trimmings: Cut 2 star shapes from the yellow felt.
8.

Use the yellow floss to whipstitch around the edges, sewing the stars together. Leave a small section unsewn.
9.

Stuff the star with fiberfill, then finish sewing the edges.
10.

Write your child's name on the star with fabric paint and sew it to the edge of the cuff.
11.

Tape the ends of the cord to keep them from fraying, then sew the cord to the stocking for hanging.

Tips:
A Stitch for All Stockings
Thread your needle with a length of floss and knot one end. Begin sewing by pushing the needle up through the underside of the fabric and then out the top. Loop the needle back under the fabric and repeat the stitch

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Candy Sleigh


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

Looking for a way to sweeten the wait for Santa's sleigh? This little item should help.

Materials

* Square tissue or cracker box
* Candy canes

* Red tape or paint
* Candy

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Instructions

1.

Cut off and discard the top of the box. Trim the cut edge of the box so that it resembles a sleigh.
2.

Cover the sleigh with red tape or paint, or leave it if you like the pattern already printed on.
3.

Cut holes in the lower corners of the sleigh and insert candy canes "runners."
4.

Fill the sleigh with candy.

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Candy Stick Vase


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour ]


This simple craft makes a colorful centerpiece for your holiday table or an easy gift your child can create for someone special on her list.

Materials

* Aluminum can
* Candy
* Double-sided foam mounting tape

* Ribbon
* Plastic cup

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Instructions

1.

To make one, first snugly wrap 3 or 4 rings of double-sided foam mounting tape around a clean, dry, and labelless aluminum can (ours was 15 ounces).
2.

Peel off the tape's protective covering to expose its second sticky side.
3.

One at a time, attach colorful individually wrapped candy sticks (available at candy shops; we used 26) to the tape, setting them as close together as possible and pressing them firmly in place.
4.

For a festive finish, tie a ribbon around the container. To use the vase for fresh flowers or plants, set a plastic cup inside the can as a liner before adding water.

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Lollipop Tree


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

Studded with lollipop lights, this tabletop tree is a sweet alternative to a holiday candy dish. Just be sure to keep a package of replacement "bulbs" on hand. For printable cutting instructions, check out lolli.gif.

Materials

* Corrugated cardboard that measures 9 inches across the base and 8 inches tall
* Craft knife
* Lollipops

* 11-inch wooden skewer
* Bottle cork
* Glue

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Instructions

1.

Lollipop Tree - Step 1 Cut two triangles from cardboard. (Note: The holes in the corrugated layer should run vertically.) Draw lines across each triangle at 1-inch intervals, then cut along the lines. Discard the top two strips from one triangle.
2.

Lollipop Tree - Step 2 With a craft knife, cut narrow 1/2 inch deep notches (a parent's job) centered in the bottom edge of all the strips from the complete triangle except for the second strip from the top. Cut a similar notch in the top edge of the bottom strip in the other triangle.
3.

Next, cut out an X-shaped cardboard base on which to assemble the tree. Glue an inverted bottle cork to the center of the base. Once the glue dries, insert the tip of a narrow (1/8-inch diameter) 11-inch wooden skewer far enough into the cork to secure it.
4.

Now assemble the triangles into a tree. First, fit together the two bottom strips so that the notches interlock. Then slide them onto the skewer so that the blunt end passes through the center corrugation holes and they come to rest on the cork. Slide the next largest unnotched strip onto the skewer in like fashion. Add the matching notched strip, lock it onto the previous one, and then swivel the two so that they are at 45-degree angles to the bottom strips.
5.

Add the remaining strips, alternating between unnotched and notched pieces and swiveling each locked pair slightly. Finally, "light up" the tree with lollipops by fitting the sticks into the holes in the "boughs."

[Chris P]

Super thread, keep-it-tidy. Thanks for sharing!

Regards
Chris P
Admin

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Peppermint Tree


Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

With green mint boughs and sour ball lights, this tabletop tree is a treat for kids to decorate -- and for holiday guests, who can harvest goodies from its branches.

Materials

* Double-sided foam tape
* 9- by 4-inch Styrofoam cones (sold in most craft stores)
* Three 10-ounce bags of individually wrapped green striped mints
* Small bag of individually wrapped multicolored sour balls or jawbreakers

* Yellow paper
* Yellow lollipop
* Decorative candle stand

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Instructions

1.

Apply strips of double-sided foam tape to the Styrofoam cone, as shown at left, until virtually the entire surface is covered.
2.

Now your child can attach the wrapped mints to the exposed tape, starting with one row around the bottom and working his way up. For the best coverage and color, he should stick each mint to the tree by the rounded edge rather than with the flat surface facing out. Encourage him to mix in a few multicolored sour ball or jawbreaker lights as he goes.
3.

For a tree topper, cut a star out of the yellow paper, tape the lollipop to it, and then push the lollipop stick straight down into the cone. Finally, set the tree on the decorative candle stand.

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Originally Posted by Chris P

Super thread, keep-it-tidy. Thanks for sharing!

Regards
Chris P
Admin

no probs Chris :) glad to share them esp at christmas we all need to spend time with our kids why not make some memorys along the way :)


most the post's dont cost alot of money to make but others need a few bits and pieces all in all they should make many hrs of happy memorys :)

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Cupboard Door Décor

Get a handle on your holiday decorating routine this ear by turning your cupboard and dresser drawer knobs into festive symbols. All you need is a few craft-store supplies and, of course, a little help from your kids.

Materials

* FOR THE STAR, REINDEER, SANTA, OR CANDY CANE:
* Foamies sheets (sold at most craft stores)
* Craft knife
* Colored markers

* FOR THE TREE:
* Felt
* Metal key ring
* Brass paper fastener
* Sticker stars or glue

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Instructions

1.

Cupboard Door Decor - Step 1 (Star) Star: Cut out a star from the Foamies sheets, then cut an asterisk-shaped opening in the center. Then accent the edge of the star with colored marker (gold or silver looks especially nice).
2.

Cupboard Door Decor - Step 2 (Reindeer) Reindeer: Glue foam antlers and eyes on a cut-out foam deer head, then use markers to draw on pupils and a mouth. Cut an asterisk-shaped opening where the nose should go. Slip the heat onto a cabinet or dresser knob. Then use double-sided tape to stick a red circle onto the knob.
3.

Cupboard Door Decor - Step 3 (Santa) Santa: From white foam, cut out a large teardrop-shaped face with a circle at the top. Cut an asterisk-shaped opening in the center where a nose should be. With colored markers, draw on a Santa's hat and facial features, then give Santa a nose by slipping the cutout onto a cabinet knob.
4.

Candy Cane: Trim a sheet of white foam into candy cane shapes and then draw on stripes with a broad-tipped red marker.
5.

Cupboard Door Decor - Step 5 (Tree) Tree: From felt, cut out a Christmas tree shape with a tall, exaggerated top. Insert the top through a large key ring and then fold it over onto the tree. Secure the overlap to the tree with a brass paper fastener (this doubles as a treetop decoration). Decorate the tree with sticker stars or glued-on felt balls.