Christmas is almost here, which means the kids will be home for break soon, giving you the perfect opportunity to get crafty with your kids. Instead of baking cookies, here are five simple crafts to trim your tree and adorn your hearth.
1. Reindeer Gift Bags
An easy way to save on Christmas gift wrap is to make your own! These reindeer gift bags require few materials to make, but are cuter and more affordable than store-bought gift bags.
Materials needed:
- Small brown gift bags
- Red pom poms
- Googly eyes
- Candy canes
- Glue dots (or glue gun with glue sticks)
Directions:
Using your glue gun or dots, attach two googly eyes to the center of the gift bag. Add two candy canes to the inside of the bag, flipped outwards so they look like antlers. That’s it! Your gift bags are present-ready.
(Source: KaraCreates)
2. Sparkly Snowflakes
Made from popsicle sticks and sequins, these festive snowflakes can be made into ornaments or displayed anywhere your home needs a little holiday cheer.
Materials needed:
Popsicle sticks (4 per snowflake)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
White glue
Sequins, buttons, glitter or jewels
Directions:
Glue four popsicles together in a snowflake shape using a hot glue gun. Have your kids decorate the popsicle sticks with the dabber dot markers. Once the marker is dried, cover the snowflakes with white glue and add sparkles.
(Source: ToddlerApproved)
3. Shredded Paper Christmas Ornament
An easy way to use old Christmas wrapping paper or cards, these ornaments are made from clear spheres. Just fill them with decorative paper and add trimmings to your tree.
Materials:
- Wrapping paper or Christmas cards you don’t mind getting rid of
- Scissors
- Fillable plastic ornaments
- Red ribbon for hanging
Directions:
From your Christmas paper and card stash, choose some wrapping paper and a card that you’re happy to recycle. Cut the paper or card into half-centimeter strips (you can also use a paper shredder if you have one). Curl a few pieces of paper into a ball and stuff them into half of the ball. Put the other side on, leaving a small gap where you can push through the remaining strips. Seal the ornament by putting both halves together and putting the cap on. Add a red ribbon to the top and hang it from your tree.
(Source: BakerRoss)
4. Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes
Just because this craft is simple doesn’t mean it isn’t festive! All you need is two colors of pipe cleaners and tea for dying, if you want to make them look vintage.
Materials:
- 9mm pipe cleaners in white and red
- Tea kettle for boiling water
- Large cooking pot (optional)
- Box of black tea bags (optional)
- Vinegar (optional)
- Dryer and dryer sheet
Directions:
If you want to stain the pipe cleaners, boil water, turn off the heat, and add tea bags to the pot. (10 teabags with 6 cups of water is a good place to start!) Brew until it looks darker than tea you would drink. Remove the tea bags and add a couple tablespoons of vinegar to set the stain. Add your pipe cleaners to the water, and let soak for an hour. When they are dark enough for your liking, rinse the pipe cleaners in cold water to remove the tea. Squeeze off the excess water, and add them to the dryer with a dryer sheet for about 10 minutes to add fluff back to the pipe cleaners. Be sure to check the dryer holes so no red pipe cleaners remain for future loads! Twist the red pipe cleaner around the white one into a candy cane design.
(Source: HouseOfHawthornes)
5. Pine Cone Trees
A great excuse to gather some pinecones on your next hike, these adorable mini trees can add some natural beauty to your holiday decor display.
Materials:
- Wood slabs
- Pine cones
- Mini felt balls (any color)
- Star jewels
- Elmer’s glue
- Hot glue + gun
Directions:
Hot glue the pine cones to the wood slabs so they stand up on their own. Use the hot glue gun to attach the stars to the pine cone tops. Apply dabs of Elmer’s glue to different “branches” of the pine cone trees. Let your kids decorate them with felt balls!
(Source: OurDayOutside)
