Homemade Christmas Decorations

Door Bells

Fabric doorbells sewn from scraps of Christmas material.

Approximate Time: One hour

Supplies:

• scraps of Christmas fabric
• rick rack braid
• 1/2 inch pompoms
• ribbon for bow
• sewing machine

Instructions:

1. For each bell, with cloth folded right sides together, cut two of pattern A. from contrasting colors, and cut one of pattern B.

2. Place B right side up on one A piece, aligning bottoms. Machine baste in place.

3. Using matching thread, sew rick rack braid over top basting line. Sew a second piece of rick rack along bottom basting line.

4. Place second A piece on top of first A piece, right sides together and stitch around outside of bell, leaving open between arrows on one side. Trim seam at curves. Turn right side out through opening and press.

5. Slip stitch opening shut. Sew or glue half inch pompoms in place.

6. Arrange bells as shown and tack together by hand on the back.

7. Make a thread loop on the back for hanging and sew a ribbon bow to the front.

By preserver from Manitoba

Christmas Chandelier

I spiced up my dining room light by adding a homemade wreath to the bottom of it. It was simple and cheap and I think it looks nice and homey!

Simply cut a ring (I traced around a saucer and dinner dish) out of cardboard. I took a 15 foot fake evergreen garland (you could use real, but mine will be up for over a month so I went with artificial) that I bought at the Dollar Store and wrapped it as shown on the cardboard picture. Then I just tied 3 long evenly spaced ribbons around the wreath and held them all together at the top. I tied them together so they hung evenly and laced them through my light chains. I added little bows to the individual lights as an afterthought.
I think it's festive over a table! What do you think?

By Donna

Craft Project: Recycled Mini Christmas Lamps

How to make an inexpensive holiday themed mini lamp.

Approximate Time: 1 hour

Supplies:

• holiday wrapping paper
• wine glass
• battery operated tea light
• scissors
• stylist
• white glue
• heavy duty thread
• needle
• ruler

Instructions:

1. It is best to use a heavier, better quality holiday wrapping paper. I used about 25 inches in length and 3 1/2 inches in height for my paper size. The height will depend on the glass you will be using, you want it to look like a lamp shade when done.

2. Cut out your paper and using a stylist or a blunt object, mark off 1/2 inch lines going vertically all the way across. Now fold the paper into an accordion fold. Glue the short ends together and let dry.
3. Take a needle and make a hole in each fold about 1/4 inch from the top edge. If you have a pattern that needs to go one way make sure the needle holes are at the top.
4. Double thread your needle and knot the end. Starting from the inside of the shade sew through each hole, tie the ends together and knot. Test fit before you knot to see that it will hang the way you want on the glass.

5. Wine or stemmed glasses can be purchased at most thrift stores very inexpensively. Set a battery operated tea light inside, pop the shade on and you have a charming mini lamp.

6. You can change the shades for other holidays or make one for everyday use. Also, wallpaper or scrapbook paper could be used for the shade.

By NoRulesArt from sunny FL

Craft: Foil Candy Canes

We needed something to do today (and I needed to divert my little girl's attention to something else lol) so I came up with a quick easy fun craft. Take a sheet of aluminum foil, however big you want it, roll it up into a "stick", then you can roll it even more between your hands to make it tighter. Give the stick a twist all the way up and shape into a candy cane. Make tons and hang them on your tree. My little girl had a blast! (And she forgot what she was upset about, haha.)

By Stacey from Orem, UT

Craft Project: Mini Denim Stockings

Small Christmas stockings made of denim and embellished for small gifts or candy.

Approximate Time: 25 min.

Supplies:

• paper for template
• denim scraps
• scissors
• pins
• sewing machine and thread
• steam iron
• lace
• ribbon
• fabric scraps

Instructions:

1. Construct a pattern in the desired size and shape of your Christmas stocking. These are a little over 6" high.
2. Cut 2 stockings from denim for each mini stocking.

3. Cut lace or fabric to the desired length.

4. Turn down the top hem on both halves and stitch across.

5. Pin lace to stocking half at top. I also sewed a piece across the instep area.

6. Stitch.

7. Pin stocking with right sides together and sew.

8. Turn and press.
9. Hand stitch or glue a ribbon on for hanging. My ribbon was approximately 5-6 inches long.

By Monica from Cortez, CO

Natural Homemade Christmas Decorations

These are just some ideas for some natural homemade Christmas decorations.

• My family gathers a bunch of pine cones, which we paint and glitter up. We take some fishing string and tie them up on our Christmas tree, outdoor trees and bushes.

• We also make our own homemade Christmas wreaths by taking vines from the woods and winding it around, until it takes on that wreath like shape. We later hot glue on some leaves, pine cones, acorns, and evergreen pieces.

• The vines also make a nice natural looking garland when you glue evergreen pieces, pine cones, and leaves on it.

• You can make Christmas swags by taking two branches from your Christmas tree (fake or real) and laying them on top of each other. Tie a piece of ribbon on the top to hold them together and hot glue pine cones on it.

Craft: Christmas Arrangement Using Old Decorations

You can make a Christmas decoration without spending a single cent. Using old Christmas balls, silk poinsettias, vases, and other ornaments you can make very unique Christmas decorations.

It's up to you how you put it together. If you don't have a vase, you can use an old milk jug or bottle to serve as the vase. With this, you save your money, you help the environment, and this decoration will add to the beauty of your home.

By MaryJane from Lachine, QC

Christmas Stars, Frames, Wreaths, and More

Christmas Stars

I have made these in all sizes from tiny to 12 inch size.

Gather small twigs from your yard (leave in a natural state, ones with lichen are especially attractive). Arrange these in a 5 or 6 pointed star. Hot glue where twigs join and attach a twine or string loop as a holder.

For embellishment - if desired, not necessary: Wrap with strips of mylar balloon or the inside of foil chip bag. Glaze with embossing wax. Paint with or without glitter. Glue on small pine cones or pine sprigs. Glue on Xmas picks from craft store.

NOTE: Hot glue does not hold up well to the elements. If you plan to hang any of these outside, use hot glue and tacky glue when affixing elements together. The hot glue will provide instant hold while the tacky glue will provide durable hold.

Frames

Use long cinnamon sticks or twigs to create small frames, hot glue at corners and attach a loop of twine as a hanger. Glue an attractive Xmas card or magazine cut out to cardboard. Then glue the cardboard to the back of the frame; embellish frame as desired.

Wreath

Collect pine cones, pin oak balls, and pine sprigs from outside. Cut a wreath shape from heavy cardboard, hot glue the naturals and decorate with raffia bows or any Christmas bows or picks. If you make a large wreath, you can even hot glue small stuffed animals to it. Hot glue a twine loop to the back for a hanger

Christmas Bush Sparklers

Cut off the tops and bottoms of all the cans you use. Wash and dry. Pierce a hole near one edge. Use fishing line or some other durable material to form a hanger loop. Hang on a bare winter bush. They sparkle a lot when the wind moves them around

NOTE: Hot glue does not hold up well to the elements. If you plan to hang any of these outside, use hot glue and tacky glue when affixing elements together. The hot glue will provide instant hold while the tacky glue will provide durable hold.

By Jdani

Making Ornaments and Napkin Holders

My mother and I made our own holiday ornaments for the Christmas tree. We bought clear tree ornaments and different colors of craft paint. We put 1-3 colors in the bottom then twisted and twirled the bulbs so the paint covered the inside. Then when we were done we turned them upside down in a paper cup so the excess paint could drain out.

Another gift tip is making napkin holders from felt and craft paint (to draw on the felt) or placemats made from felt. I made these one year for my family and wrote their names on them so they would know where to sit each year for family gatherings and dinners. These are inexpensive and it lets your family know that it came from the heart knowing that they are hand made. Hope you enjoy and have fun making these great gifts!

By Heather from Holden, MO

Craft Project: Snow Scene Decoration

I saw a snow scene decoration similar to this in one of my December magazines and decided to replicate it since I already had most of the items on hand. Most of the supplies can be purchased at the dollar store, so it is economical to make. This would also make a nice gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list!

Approximate Time: about 30 minutes

Supplies:

• glass globe
• glass taper holder
• artificial snow
• artificial pine branch
• 2 small artificial birds
• small bird nest
• a few red berries
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• E6000, Loctite or clear Gorilla Glue

Instructions:

1. Use some glue made for glass, such as E6000, Loctite, or clear Gorilla Glue to adhere the glass globe to the taper holder and set aside to dry.
2. Next pour about 1/2 cup of artificial snow into the bottom of the bowl.

3. Add a small artificial pine branch.

4. I could not find a bird nest small enough for my needs, so I created one by shaping and molding some dried weeds I found outdoors. I put some hot glue on it to help hold it together.

5. Glue a bird to the edge of the nest and glue some berries inside the nest, to represent bird eggs.

6. Place the nest on top of the pine branch inside the bowl and glue a bird on one of the branches next to the nest (as shown in the photo).

Use as a winter decoration or give as a gift.

By Rachel's Mom from Wilkesboro, NC

Gingerbread Man Wreath

Materials Needed:

• Styrofoam wreath
• green shiny wired ribbon
• stuffed gingerbread man
• peppermint candies
• hot glue and gun
• ribbon for hanger

Directions:

1. Wrap green satin ribbon around wreath and glue to secure.
2. Glue gingerbread man to wreath.
3. Glue on candies you can leave paper on, but it looks better without.
4. Glue on ribbon to hang up.

By Sandy from Bluff City, TN

Metallic Leaves

Metallic paint adds glitz to pressed leaves that can be hung in a window or off an evergreen bough for the holidays.

Materials and Equipment:

• a large plastic bag or several sheets of newspaper
• pressed leaves (the ones in the photo are oak)
• metallic thread in gold, silver, or copper tone
• decorative metallic paint in gold, silver, or copper tone
• a paint brush or sponge
• a lid from a used container (such as yogurt)

Instructions:

1. Before starting, clear the table and cover it with newspaper or a large garbage bag to avoid getting paint on the table.
2. Spread out your leaves on the table before you. Pour a small puddle of paint on the plastic container lid.
3. Paint one side of each of the leaves with the metallic paint. Allow to dry completely.
4. Many types of paint work for this project. I have found that acrylic and oil-based stencil paint work the best. You may have to rub the stencil paint on with a sponge or paper towel, but it still works. If you have some left over from another project, this is a good use for it.
5. Paint the reverse side of each leaf. Allow to dry completely.
6. Cut off a long piece of metallic thread. Tie each end to a leaf so that two leaves are now joined by one thread.
7. Drape the leaves over an evergreen bough or a curtain rod and enjoy the show as they dance in the slightest breeze. Be sure to keep them away from an open flame.

By Christine Weber

Baby Trees

These baby trees are adorable and made to fit anywhere, no matter how much space you have. It's a very easy project, all materials are pre-made. I was able to pick up all of my materials very cheaply at yard sales. You can use your creativity to create theme trees for yourself, to sell at a craft fair, or to give as gifts. Have fun!

Approximate Time 20 - 30 minutes or less

Supplies:

• small evergreen trees - the samples are 8 inches tall
• tiny holiday decor, such as bows, balls, bells, snowflakes, gift boxes, Santa hats, candy canes, etc.
• thick craft glue
• toothpicks
• quilt batting or scraps of printed fabric
• scissors

Instructions:

1. Choose the items you wish to put on your tree. Beginning at the top of the tree, add your items one at a time. Use a toothpick to place a dab of glue on each item, then press the item onto a tree branch. Continue in the same manner to decorate the entire tree.
2. Cut a 3 - 4 inch circle from quilt batting or other fabric for a tree skirt. From the edge of the circle, make one cut into the circle, stopping at the center. This will enable you to fit the skirt around the trunk of the tree. Fit the skirt to the tree and glue the ends of the skirt together.
3. Glue some tiny gift boxes or other small items to the tree skirt.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

Roll-Up Candy Canes

Crafting Time: about 10 minutes or less per candy cane

What You Need:

• white copy paper (printer paper)
• markers or crayons
• pencil
• cellophane tape
• ribbon

Directions:

Copy paper measures 8 1/2 x 11 inches. Lay the paper on a tabletop so the long sides go up and down. Color stripes from top to bottom across the entire page. All candy canes are not red and white, so be creative in your color choices.

1. Now, turn the paper over so the white side is up. The next part may require some adult assistance. Starting in one corner of the paper, roll the paper over a pencil and move toward the opposite corner. You will be moving diagonally across the page.
2. When you get to the opposite corner, allow the paper roll to loosen just a little to allow the pencil to slide out easily. Now use a small piece of tape to secure the end of the paper to the roll.
3. Use two fingers to flatten one end, about one third up the roll.
4. Roll the flattened end around your pencil to curl. Remove the pencil and shape the curled flattened end to make a candy cane.
5. Tie a ribbon bow around your candy cane. Note: Copy paper can also be cut into smaller rectangles, 4 x 8-1/2 for a small candy cane or 6 x 8-1/2 for a medium sized candy cane.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

Snowflake Guy

My version of snow since we don't get it where I live. He is made from scrap yarn, foam, hot glue, a Styro foam ball, wiggle eyes, and some snowflake doiley things.

By Julie from Colbert, GA