Tag Archives: holiday crafts

Festive Family Fun: Making Pinecone Christmas Trees and Paper Plate Snowmen

Like much of the country, we are getting walloped by another round of wicked winter weather. Our local mall, which was supposed to open its doors at 8 a.m. to accommodate last-minute holiday shoppers, was forced to delay doing so for three hours so plows could clear 7 inches of snow from the parking lot. In addition, the wind chills have plummeted to 35 below zero and more snow is on the way. This, of course, means it’s ideal weather for holiday crafting. If you are stuck indoors today, consider passing the time making these delightful holiday decorations. They are … 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 →

Making Homemade Holiday Gifts

If you haven’t already heard some of the richest parents in the world, Brad Pitt and Angelina, will not be showering their six young children with expensive gifts this Christmas. Rather, the family will be crafting presents to exchange with one another. If the troubled economy has you searching for affordable homemade gifts to place under the tree, then consider these festive ideas: JINGLE BELL WIND CHIME This project is about as easy and inexpensive as it gets. Before heading out to the craft store to purchase materials, dig through your junk drawer. You’ll probably find all the items you … Continue reading →

Making Affordable Holiday Crafts from Fruit and Candy

Don’t break the bank trying to deck your halls this holiday season. Rather, look around your home for inexpensive materials that can be transformed into festive seasonal decor. Two of my favorite frugal materials: fruit and candy. Both are popular this time of year, and you can cut down on costs even more by using fruit and candy that have been given to you as gifts. It’s very simple. Take a look: FLOATING CRANBERRY CANDLE Materials: 1 large clear glass punch bowl 3 12-oz. bags of fresh cranberries (amount will vary depending on size of bowl) 4 floating candles 6 … Continue reading →

A Week’s Worth of Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

Looking for some bright ideas to keep your little turkeys out of the kitchen while you prepare your family’s Thanksgiving feast? The following holiday-themed activities will not only keep your children busy, but also they’ll yield a bounty of treasures to share: November 17th–—How to Have a Thrilling Thanksgiving. For the first time since opening in 1964, Universal Studios Hollywood will be open on Thanksgiving Day. So, ditch your dysfunctional relatives and head to a place where the thrills and chills don’t involve yelling about who’s getting the last drumstick. If you’re not big on thrill rides take a look … Continue reading →

Fall Craft Projects: Fun with Pumpkin Seeds

Sure, you can salt, bake, and snack on pumpkin seeds from now until well after Halloween, but believe me there are much more constructive (and need I mention, FUN) things you can do with the pale flat seeds than pick them out of your teeth. Here are just a couple kid-friendly craft projects that come alive with help from the seasonal seeds: Pumpkin Seed Necklace Leave it to Martha Stewart to figure out a way to turn a seed into a piece of jewelry. Got pumpkin seeds? Then you have the foundation for a pretty necklace. Simply, scoop the seeds … Continue reading →

Homemade Holiday Decorations: Fun with Pinecones

It’s affordable, it’s fun, it’ll keep your children busy for hours, and at the end you’ll have incredible items to decorate your home with… what more could you ask for in a holiday craft project? The pinecone owls are a cute way to get your family into the Halloween spirit. While the pinecone turkeys make for unique place card holders during your Thanksgiving get together. If you are hosting Thanksgiving this year consider having a separate craft table set up for the kids so they can construct the pinecone turkeys while the real bird cooks in the oven. The simple … Continue reading →

Christmas Craft: Gift Express Train Set

Have you always thought it would be cool to have a train set circling your Christmas tree? They are very cool, and some are even quite extravagant. You can spend a lot of money adding to and updating train sets. If you’re children are small or if you simply prefer to spend more on gifts than on train sets, I think you’ll like this craft. It’s a very simple yet cute idea that you can make using common items. Shoeboxes or other similarly sized boxes are perfect for boxcars. Decorate the boxes by painting, covering with fabric, or using contact … Continue reading →

Kids’ Crafts Week in Review: December 3 – 9

I’m really getting excited about Christmas, aren’t you? My kids are going to have their Christmas play next week, and then they’ll be off school for Christmas vacation. I bet your Christmas vacation will be starting soon too! I hope the crafts in this section will help you keep busy and have fun while you’re off school. There are some things to do just for fun and there are also some ideas for making gifts and holiday decorations. I hope you like them. Here is the list of this week’s ideas, just in case you missed anything: Easy Candy Cane … Continue reading →