Tag Archives: Christmas crafts

I’m Not Crafty at Christmas

Is it worth saving money on Christmas decorations if you spend all of that savings on band-aids and burn cream? It started out innocently enough. A good friend of mine was getting a group of us together to participate in a tradition in our small town, an annual wreath making session at the town hall. A professional crafty person would teach us how to make gorgeous holiday wreaths with a live wreath and all of the supplies included, for a mere $10. The township  actually covers most of the cost for this event, since the live wreaths alone cost more than … Continue reading →

Winter Craft: Terracotta Pot Snowman

Craft: Terracotta Pot Snowman Ornament Age Recommendation: 5 and up Supervision: Moderate Prep Time: Minimal to Moderate Difficulty: Easy Expense: Under $5.00 per ornament Supplies: terracotta pot (a size small enough to hang on your tree or a size fit for a mantle or other display area of choice) White acrylic paint Black acrylic paint Orange acrylic paint Acrylic paint in your choice of colors for scarf Pipe cleaner in color of your choice (2) pom poms in color of your choice Scissors Hot glue gun Optional Supplies: Google eyes (instead of black paint for eyes, but you will still need … Continue reading →

Christmas Craft: Terracotta Pot Rudolph

Christmas is a magical time for preschoolers.  They love all the carols and cartoons about Frosty and Rudolph.  Rudolph has always been a favorite Christmas character with my kids. Another love held by my children is getting their hands messy making Christmas crafts.  What better combination than Rudolph and crafts?  Knowing that the best crafts are simple, especially during the busy holiday season, I decided on a craft that did not require paint, scissors, or paper.  Crazy, right? Terracotta Pot Rudolph Supplies: Terracotta pot.  (Chose a small  size.  You can find a variety at craft stores to chose from.) (2) … Continue reading →

How to Make Christmas Entertaining Fun for Kids

Rather than letting them sit in front of the TV while you run around like a decapitated chicken preparing for your annual holiday party, get your kids involved in the process. Children are great helpers, especially if you give them specific tasks to accomplish. To keep them engaged, have them work on age appropriate jobs. For example, if you have a preschooler, task him with creating colorful homemade placemats made from construction paper, markers and glitter glue. (You can laminate their masterpieces when they are done.) Likewise, you can get your teens involved in party prep by having them make … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Holiday Crafts

These simple, yet festive craft ideas are so easy to make you could put them together the night before your holiday guests arrive. Even better, have the kids join in and you can get the crafts done and your house decorated in half the time. PIPE CLEANER CANDY CANES Materials: Green pipe cleaners Red pipe cleaners White pipe cleaners Directions: Take two different colored pipe cleaners and match up the ends. Next, twist each pipe cleaner around each other all the way to the other end. Then, curve one end of the twisted pipe cleaners and presto—-instant decorative candy cane. … Continue reading →

Making Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorations

This cute paper snowman project is an ideal gift to give to a “green” friend. The foundation of the snowman features recycled envelopes while his appendages are made from all-natural products you can find in your own backyard. In addition to being environmentally friendly, he’s kid friendly as well. Take a look: RECYCLED SNOWMAN Materials: Used, white envelopes (large or small) Scrap construction paper Recycled cotton balls from medicine bottles Small twigs Pencil Compass Scissors Ruler Markers White glue Masking tape Directions: To make the head, cut a rectangle about 1-inch by 4-inch from the white envelope. Cut two more … Continue reading →

Country Living Merry & Bright: 301 Festive Ideas for Celebrating Christmas

I love to look through decorating and craft books, especially at this time of year. I had a marvelous time browsing through Country Living Merry and Bright: 301 Festive Ideas for Celebrating Christmas. The 301 ideas for transforming a home into a holiday setting are shown in full color photos and are fully described. The book is grouped into decorating projects, entertaining and tabletop decorating, craft projects, and holiday baking. The decorating chapters show all kinds of fun ways to use ornaments in unexpected ways – as tiebacks for curtains and as centerpieces. They even have unique ideas for ornaments … Continue reading →

Snowman Votives

Sometimes, without meaning to, we can leave kids out of much of the Christmas experience. They like to be included in the gift buying, the wrapping, the cooking. Here’s a beautiful, but easy, decoration families can have fun making together. These votives also make nice gifts for special people in the child’s life, teacher’s, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or babysitters. My twins first made these in kindergarten for a surprise parent gift. I treasure these little votives. Every year they bring a smile to face, as I remember my boys at five with their tiny little kindergarten fingers. Supplies you’ll … Continue reading →

Christmas Crafts: Gifts You Can Make

Would you like to make a gift for someone special? There are many different craft projects that you can do that are not only fun but also make great gifts! Calendars With a new year beginning just a few days after Christmas, a calendar for 2007 makes a nice gift. To make this project extra easy, check out PrintFree.com for an assortment of calendars that you customize and print… free! You can also use desktop publishing programs to print calendar templates, and then add your own designs, photos, and messages to make them special. Desktop or Flip Calendars You will … Continue reading →

Christmas Crafts: Music Inspired Decoration or Gift

Your kids will be so proud of their handiwork when this beautiful sheet music craft is completed. This idea is perfect as a Christmas decoration for any room in your home and it also makes a great handmade gifts. There are a couple different variations you can try. What you will need: Picture Frame Sheet Music (from a holiday song or Christmas carol) Glue Christmas picks or other holiday themed decorative items What you will need to do: You can often find old sheet music at antique shops and second hand stores. You can also visit VirtualSheetMusic.com to print off … Continue reading →