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Ice Cream Cone Ornament- Submitted by Patrisha
Put Christmas confetti in the middle of plastic round clear ornaments, spray the cone with Lysol let dry then varnished it. When varnish is dry, hot glued the ornament to the ice cream cone. Then hot glue a gold thread loop to hang even. You can decorate the ice cream cone with inedible markers.
*****
Tampon Angel Ornaments- Submitted by Patrisha
(Playtex work better because they fan out into a cone shape.) Dip into water until tampon expands. Remove and tie at the top to create the angel's head. Let hang (by handy dandy string) for several days until dry. Paint face with peach or skin tone, and draw small black dots for eyes. Add blush or pink paint to cheeks. Paint "dress" with glimmer paint. Criss-cross thin gold ribbon across chest (around neck) . Add yellow doll hair to top of head as well as a gold pipe cleaner for a halo. For the grand finale...glue small gold angel wings to back. Ta da!!!
You would never know she belonged anywhere else than your tree!!!! People have to look long and hard to figure out where that little darlin really is from!!!
Someone even came up with this poem to go with the tampon angels:
I'm your little visiting angel, pretty as a swan *****
Flower Pot Bells- Submitted by Patrisha
terra cotta flower pots (small), large colored beads, nylon cording, bells, curtain rings
Have the children paint designs on the pots and tie bell to inside bottom of pot. String nylon cord through the hole of the pot then string a colored bead and knot then tie a knot at the top about two inches from top of string then tie on the curtain ring.
*****
Christmas Chains- Submitted by Patrisha
red, green, white construction paper into strips
Make into links then tape, glue, or staple together. Decorate your tree or house using the chains!
*****
Cookie Cutter Painting- Submitted by Patrisha
Dip cookie cutters in paint then pressed on paper *****
Rudolph- Submitted by Patrisha
Children trace their shoes (rudolph's face) Trace their hands (rudolph's antlers) Then cut out a red circle to be used as his nose. Paste the pieces on paper and add facial features.
*****
Pine Cone Ornaments- Submitted by Patrisha
Paint, glue and glitter on pine cones to make pretty ornaments. *****
Candy Cane Marble Painting- Submitted by Patrisha
Cut red construction paper into candy cane shapes. marble paint with white
paint.
*****
Paper Wreaths- Submitted by Patrisha
Use green muffin tin liners. To make the wreats cut out large ring from
light tagboard ofr constructin paper for each child. The children can glue the
greeen muffin tin liners to the ring.....adding small pieces of yarn, or
use markers, paint, crayons, etc to decorate.
*****
Puzzle Pins- Submitted by Patrisha
Using a cheap puzzle, have the kids gluing the pieces together *****
Hand Ornament- Submitted by Patrisha
Colored construction paper, scissors, and paste Make bulb patterns tear drop shape bulb. Have child decorate their bulb and way they choose then trace their hand onto white construction paper. Place at the very top of the ornament with the fingers coming down like snow. The upper part of the palm and wrist are the top part of the bulb. Have child decorate it.
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Picture Ornament- Submitted by Patrisha
ribbon, lace, picture of themselves or Christmas related pictures or stickers, canning jar lid
Cut the picture to go in the middle of the lid or a piece of cardboard covered in wrapping paper. Then glue the lace around the outside of the lid. Next glue the ribbon around the lid to cover so you don't see the lid . Leave enough of ribbon to make a loop to hang on Christmas tree. You now have a picture frame ornament.
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Clear Plastic Ball Ornaments- Submitted by Patrisha
Take clear ornaments and let the kids squirt craft paint inside the balls, and then let them twirl them around...add a thin ribbon on the top.
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Clear Plastic Ball Ornaments #2- Submitted by Patrisha
Put thin ribbons inside the clear balls or potpourri inside them. *****
Plaster Paris Ornaments- Submitted by Patrisha
Make ornaments from plaster paris and then let the kids paint them. Use candy molds, hearts, bells, etc.
*****
Juice Can Ornaments- Submitted by Patrisha
Take the ends of juice cans and let the kids glue pictures of Santa, Christmas trees, or their own pictures inside. Decorate the edges of it with ribbons...glitter etc.
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Reindeer Aprons- Submitted by Patrisha
Using plain chefs aprons and craft paint have the kids make reindeer faces on it using the kids feet to make the face and their hands for the antlers.
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Santa- Submitted by Sherry
Wrap a baby food jar in red felt, put on some black eyes (you can make it as fancy as you want) made out of felt. The beard can be made out of white felt or you can use cotton. The pattern I use has the moustache and the beard together. I just use elmers glue but you can use what ever you want. For the hat take some red felt cut it into a triangle glued it together put a cotton ball on the tip and glued on a white piece of felt for the band. Fill with candy or what ever you want.
*****
Candy Train- Submitted by Sherry
1 5-pack of gum,
1 roll of life savers,
1 rollo,
1 caramel,
1 hershey's kiss,
4 starbright re/white peppermints
Glue the life savers onto the pack of gum (the flat side). Then glue a rollo on the front of the life savers. Glue a hershey's kiss on top of the life savers--in the front and a caramel on top of life savers in the back. On both sides of the train glue two peppermint wheels. This makes one candy train--great for ornaments
*****
Candle for Parents Gift- Submitted by Sherry
Take a baby food jar. Tear different colored pieces of tissue paper. Cover the jar using a paintbrush with glue diluted slightly with water and attach the pieces of tissue paper. Throw a few sprinkles of gold or silver sparkles. Add ribbon around the top and place small votive candle in jar. Before making test candle size with baby food jar, as not all jars are the same so the candle sometimes will not fit.
*****
Pie Plate Handprints- Submitted by Patrisha
3/4 cup hit water,
1/2 cup salt,
2cups flour,
1 tablespoon oil
Mix all this together in a bowl then press into a pie plate. Press the
childs hand in the center then take a pencil or toothpick & trace a
holiday message above or below the hand. Be sure to make 2 holes at the
top to hang a ribbon through. Bake at 300* for 1 hour. You can brush
with egg whites to make it shiny.
Variation:
Buy muslin and have the children make green footprints on it. Then have them make brown handprints at the top of the foot to look like reindeer antlers. Then glue on a ribbon and wiggly eyes and sew the top so you can slip a stick through. Then tie ribbon on the
ends so it can be hung as a banner.
Variation:
You could also use green handprints to make a wreath - just have them keep
printing their hands in a circle.
*****
Popcorn Ornaments- Submitted by Sherry
Here's a twist on traditional Christmas trims. Instead of stringing popcorn on string for your tree. String it onto medium-gauge wire and bend the wire into shapes such as bells, hearts, or stars. Add a ribbon to the top!
*****
Baked Dough Ornaments- Submitted by Patrisha
Salt Dough Recipe
2 cups all purpose flour,
1 cup salt,
1/2 teaspoon alum (cream of tarter),
3/4 cup water
Mix all ingredients completely with hands. (if dough is too dry work in 1- 1
1/2 tsp of water) form shapes as desired. Mark all details (facial features,
clothing, and the like) on surface of dough with wooden pick or sharp knife
before baking. (use flour covered surface for working with dough)
Heat oven to 250 deg. Place ornaments on ungreased cookie sheet (I use an
Air Bake sheet) Bake until completely hard and dry, about 2 hours. Remove from cookie sheet; cool. When cool rub any rough edges with fine sandpaper until smooth. If desired, outline designs or other details to be painted with pencil. Paint with plastic based poster paint or acrylic paint. Allow to dry. Place ornaments on waxwed paper and seal by spraying with clear plastic (polyurethane) or brushing on clear shellac. (makes about 5 dozen 2 1/2 in ornaments)
*****
Cocoa Snowman Jars- Submitted by Christi
Purchase jelly jars with lids. Fill the jar with a cocoa mix and a few marshmallows. On the top of the lid is a wooden ball (bought at craft stores) painted white and hot glued to the top of the lid, facial features of a snowman are painted on, a black felt hat or sock hat on top and a scarf or ribbon tied to a spoon around the rim of the jar. Then make a cute little label with a snowman poem to attach to the outside of the jar! It is a cute gift to give to party hosts during the holiday season, daycare parents, friends, dirty Santa gifts etc! Just sign your name at the bottom of the label and there is your gift to give!
*****
Cinnamon Ornaments- Submitted by Patrisha
3 cups cinnamon, 1/4 cup white glue, 1/2 cup applesauce, rolling pin, cookie cutter, gold thread or ribbon
Mix cinnamon, applesauce, and glue. You want a consistency that can be rolled with a rolling pin but not quite as sticky or it will stick to your counter! Sprinkle counter with cinnamon and roll out dough and cut with cookie cutters. Let dry about 24 hours. They shrink as they dry. Cut lengths of gold thread, make loops and hang. they will keep their scent for a few years. Refresh scent with cinnamon fragrance oil as needed.
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Handprint And Footprint Angel w/ Poem- Submitted by Terri
This Christmas angel has a footprint body and two handprint wings. Use a heavy paper, craft foam or posterboard for a longer lasting version . The craft is made with paper, some crayons, scissors, string and glue. You will also need a (fairly big) photo of the child or a picture from a magazine (you could even use a teddy bear head for a teddy angel).
Have child stand on paper (or posterboard/craft foam) with feet together. Trace to form body/robe of the angel. Trace both hands (or use yellow paint and make a paint handprint) on white paper. These will form the wings. They look better if the fingers aren't spread too far apart. Decorate robe and wings as desired.
Some ideas: fill in the wings with sparkles/sparkle glue glue bits of shiny gift wrap (gold) or yellow tissue paper to the wings glue bits of shiny gift wrap (silver), a coloured tissue paper or tinfoil to the robe
glue ribbon to the center of the robe as a belt.
Cut out a photo of the child or magazine picture to serve as the head. Once you see how big the body is, you'll know what size head you need (it all depends on how big your child's feet are). Assemble the angel (glue head and wings to the body). Add a halo if desired: can use pipecleaner or ribbon shaped as a halo, or cut out a many pointed star shape or just a simple circle (depending on how energetic you are feeling) from shiny gift wrap or tinfoil and paste behind head (should totally surround the head). Add a string if you wish to hang on the tree.
Either on the back of the robe or on a separate tag, write the following poem:
This little angel is special you see;
You can also add the child's name and the year. *****
Chocolate Kiss Tree- Submitted by Sherry
Brighten a dark corner with a holiday tree made from foil-wrapped chocolate kiss candies. Pretty to look at and simple to make, chocolate kiss trees are an easy, kid-friendly holiday craft.
one 6" by 3" Styrofoam cone,
one box round toothpicks,
one 13-ounce bag of foil-wrapped chocolate kiss candies,
aluminum foil (optional)
If desired, wrap cone tightly in aluminum foil. Beginning at the bottom of the cone, cover cone with kisses. Insert one end of a toothpick into candy kiss, then push the other end into the cone. Overlap the kisses slightly for best effect. Continue covering the cone from bottom to top.
As you move toward the top of the cone, snap toothpicks in half before inserting them into the kiss. Shorter picks are easier to insert as the cone narrows.
Use round toothpicks rather than flat ones. The pointed end of the round toothpick is easier to push into the chocolate kiss, and round toothpicks are stronger and easier to work with than the flat variety.
Get creative with color! Alternate stripes of silver and gold kiss candies for an elegant tree, or create a zigzag pattern to simulate bargello needlework. Decorate completed trees with ribbon bows or small ornaments. IMPORTANT NOTE
Chocolate kiss trees are fun to make, but don't eat them afterward! Toothpicks may splinter and pose a hazard.
*****
Popsicle Reindeer- Submitted by Lisa in VA
An art project could be gluing popsicle sticks in a V shape then adding a stick across, near the top so part sticks out of all three sticks to become antlers. Glue wiggle eyes on the two V shape sticks where eyes would be and put a red pompom at the base of the V for Rudolph's nose. Add a piece of pipe cleaner hook so it can be hung on a tree. For deck the hall ideas, how about something with stockings sewn together with the children's names glittered on...or bells...or trees...just add glitter and voila!!! It's Christmas!
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Candle for Parents Gift- Submitted by Sherry
Take a baby food jar. Tear different colored pieces of tissue paper. Cover the jar using a paintbrush with glue diluted slightly with water and attach the pieces of tissue paper. Throw a few sprinkles of gold or silver sparkles. Add ribbon around the top and place small votive candle in jar. Before making test candle size with baby food jar, as not all jars are the same so the candle sometimes will not fit.
*****
Gift Soap- Submitted by Sherry
Each child needs a bar of soap and a pretty sticker. If your stickers are a little large they will completely cover up the soap "name" on the bar (if it is marked). Have the children each choose a favorite sticker, unwrap the bar of soap, and place the sticker on top. Melts a bar of paraffin (like canning wax--very inexpensive). ( melt the paraffin in a pie tin placed on top of saucepan, kind of like a double boiler). When the wax is melted you dip the top of the soap into the wax to seal the sticker. Then the sticker will last a long time and not come off when the soap gets wet. The paraffin not only seals--it makes the soap very shiny and pretty. After it cools it is ready to be wrapped and given away. The children enjoy making something that their parents can really use! These make nice Mother's Day presents too--Mom could put them in a drawer, like a sachet. You could use pastel soaps too and flower stickers.
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Fragrant Soap Balls- Submitted by Sherry
Have children make homemade soap balls to give as a holiday gift or just as a middle of the year surprise to someone special in their lives. Use water to moisten Ivory Snow Flakes to the consistency of a very stiff dough. Divide the dough into several bowls. Add a different perfume and food coloring to each bowl for variety.
Have children shape large spoonfulls of the soap into balls. Have them make about three balls each. Place the balls on trays (labeled with their modeler's name!) to harden for several days. Have each child wrap their three soap balls in colored cellophane paper and tie the package with a pretty ribbon.
*****
Handprint Christmas Tree Towels- Submitted by Sherry
White hand towel per child, various colors of t-shirt paint Fold the towel in half, start with one handprint, with the fingers pointing down, at the top but be sure to leave room for a star. Then do more hand prints fanning out to make a Christmas tree. Use glitter paint to add lights, and bright colors to make balls, etc. Write his/her name beside the tree as well as Merry Christmas and the year. You could also do these on t-shirts or just on paper.
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Sticky Christmas Art- Submitted by Lisa
Mix Elmer's Glue and shaving cream (about 1 to 4). Add green food
coloring and mix well. Have the kids paint a Christmas tree and use sequins as ornaments as well as strings of those really little beads as garlands. They will stick when the "paint" dries into a puffy picture. Be sure to wash out your paint brushes before the "paint" dries!!!
*****
Ice Globes- Submitted by Barb
Ballons, paper plates, water, candles, cold temps, or a BIG freezer
Fill a 12" round balloon with water (try colored water!), tie, and put
outside on a paper plate for 2-3 days, or until it freezes. Bring it in and
remove the balloon from the ice. Hold it steady under a hard stream of hot
water to make a hole about half-way through. Turn it over, remove the icy
slush, and repeat on the other side until you have a tunnel going all the way
through. Put back outside or in the freezer until evening. Set a voltive
candle on the drive/sidewalk/ lawn and place the ice globe over it. The light
will shine through the ice. They will last for several days, depending on how
cold it is. We're going to make a bunch of these to go with our Christmas
decorations.
*****
Styrofoam Ornaments- Submitted by Barb
styrofoam ball glue paper clip glitter sequins, jewels, shells, ribbon
Get a styrofoam ball, about 2 - 2 1/2" diam. Put some glue on a paper clip
and insert it in the top of the ball for a hanger. Then decorate. We painted
with glitter paint, glued on "jewels" and tiny shells, and tie a ribbon
around the paper clip
*****
Whisk Craft- Submitted by Becce
Take a reg. size wire whisk, and poke Hershey kisses and hugs into it until its full. Cover the outside with iridescent cellophane. Tie with a ribbon, and add a small gift tag that says, " We WHISK you a Merry KISSMAS and a HUGGY New Year!!!"
*****
Clothespin Angel- Submitted by Barb
1 4" peg clothespin,
1 3/4" wooden ball for head,
1 yd. 4" wide lace cut into 2 18" pieces,
1/2 yd. 1 1/2-2" lace cut into 2 pieces
Place the 2 pieces of 4" wide lace on top of each other. Gather top, pull
thread tight leaving a small hole. Knot. This is the dress. Slip dress onto
round part of clothespin, glue. Glue ball on top. For the wings, join each
piece of 1 1/2" lace with glue to make a tube. Overlap the 2 pieces in the
center, gather up the middle, wrap thread around and tie tightly. Glue wings
onto dress just below the head. Make a halo by forming a small circle from a
piece of shiny pipe cleaner. Tie a piece of thread or ribbon through this for
a hanger and then glue halo on to head. Decorate with ribbons, etc.
*****
Pasta Angel- Submitted by Barb
Rigatoni pasta,
elbow pasta,
wood ball (I have heard you can use a lima bean?),
small star/alphabet noodles --very small for hair,
bow tie pasta-for wings,
white spray paint
Glue the wood ball on top of rigatoni. Glue the tiny pasta on the wood ball
(I used tacky glue). Glue two elbow pastas for arms coming toward each other
in front of angel. Add bow pasta in back for wings. Paint white. Can add
facial features if desired. Can add a gold halo of various materials.
*****
Footprint Angel- Submitted by Barb
We use that new "foamy board" stuff, but used just poster board before that
was available. Trace each of your children's foot once, using white (for
dress) and both hands (using yellow for wings). Cut out each part (Make sure
they're labeled who they belong to somewhere). Let the children glitter and
glue the hands to make wings sparkle. Take each child's picture focusing on
their head and face. Help the children glue hands (wings) to the feet (body).
Cut their face from picture and glue to body. Add string to make it hang.
Add
a piece of the sparkly pipe cleaner for a halo. Using a paint pen, date the
bottom
The tag reads as follows:
This little angel is special you see; *****
Beary Merry Christmas- Submitted by Sherry
Precut teddy bear from poster board Have parents save used tea bags. Let children open the dried bags and shake the dried tea over the bear that has been covered with glue. I used a tub to lay the bear in first (said they needed to lie down in their bed) so they excess tea doesn't get all over. When they dry they look like fuzzy bears. We stapled on Christmas plaid bows as well. They looked really cute
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Pretzel Wreath- Submitted by Barb
Use the little pretzels (the ones that are shaped like a heart with a cross
in the middle). Glue 1 layer of them in a circle like a wreath, then glue a
second layer on top of the first joining the pretzels together over the
middle of a pretzel on the first layer. You can weave ribbon between the
holes if you would like. Hang with a ribbon.
*****
Pasta Christmas Wreaths- Submitted by Barb
Small paper plates, variety of different shaped pasta, craft glue, silver or
gold spray paint, tinsel bow Cut center out of the paper plate. Glue pasta
noodles around the outer ring Try to completely cover the paper plate. Let
glue dry and then spray paint the desired color. Embellish with a bow of
tinsel.
*****
Shredded Wheat Wreaths- Submitted by Barb
Shredded wheat (crumpled up), Glue, Green tempera paint, Red Hots, and Cool
Whip lids. Mix glue, shredded wheat and green food coloring together. Spread
around the cool whip lid, making it hill up, and leaving a hole in the
center. Press in the red hots for the berries and let dry overnight. Decorate
with ribbons, etc.
*****
Wreath- Submitted by Barb
Paper plate or cereal box, glue, crayons, misc craft items - such as fabric
scraps, beads, ect.
If you are using cardboard, cut it into a circle about
the size of a paper plate. Cut the center out of the paper plate or cardboard
to make a wreath shape. Use various craft supplies to decorate.
*****
Hand Print Wreath- Submitted by Barb
Thick white fabric (cloth napkins work well), red and green paint, wooden
dowel, ribbon or yarn Lay fabric flat on some newspapers.
Using one hand to
dip in paint, form a circle on the material to look like a wreath. Let the
green dry. Dip one finger in the red paint and make holly berries on the
wreath. Fold over the top of the material to form an opening to slid the
dowel through. Tie the ribbon or yard onto the ends of the dowel to hang it
from.
*****
Wreath Ornaments- Submitted by Barb
Use green tempera paint to paint seven 2 1/2 in. wide pieces of paper towel
of toilet paper tubes. When the paint is dry thread a pipe cleaner through
all the tubes and twist to secure them together. Cut out at red paper bow,
and glue it to the wreath. Thread a piece of red ribbon through the tube on
top and tie to make the hanger for the ornament or wreath.
*****
Child's Hand Prints Wreath- Submitted by Barb
any size muslim, green and red tempra paint Cut muslim square to desired
size. Trace circle in pencil for size of wreath. Paint green paint onto
child's hand and randomly place around wreath continue until you have a nice
full wreath, but not so much as to cover the hand imprints. Using red make
berries with fingertips.
*****
Wreaths- Submitted by Barb
Take large wooden embroidery hoops & unbleached muslin fabric. Spray paint
the hoop red. Paint child's hand green, have child make hand prints in a
circle (a little smaller than the hoop). Have hand prints overlap.When dry,
paint child's finger tip red. Have child make finger prints in groups of
three here and there on the green hand prints. When dry put tightly in hoop,
trim excess fabric from outside, and hot glue eyelet trim to bottom of hoop.
Very nice keepsake gift for parents. Use tempra paint. Cereal box, 2 T-P
rolls, paint: green, red, 10 red 1/4" pom poms, lightweight paper bag, thick
craft glue, compass, pencil, scissors, sponge brush Cut T-P roll in half
lengthwise. Paint both sides green. Cut into 1" strips crosswise. Cut a 6"
ring with a 3" diameter opening from cereal-box cardboard. Paint both sides
green.Fold and glue 1" strips as shown in this unpainted model. Glue on pom
poms. To make bow, cut side from paper bag. Paint both sides red. Cut 2"
strips, crinkle, & unfold carefully. Make bow, scrunch A & B together. Glue
strip around center.
*****
Popcorn Wreaths For Birds- Submitted by Barb
Cardboard, Glue (Non-toxic!), Popcorn, Ribbon For each child Cut out a
cardboard wreath shape (about 7 inches across) and punch a hole in the top.
Provide the children with glue and popped popcorn. Then have them glue the
popcorn all over both sides of their wreaths. When the glue has dried, string
ribbon or yarn through the holes in the tops of the wreaths to hang.
*****
Sandwich Bag Wreath- Submitted by Barb
1-2 boxes of sandwich bags with gold ties, wire green wreath Cut 1/4" off
bottom of bags. Hold bag horizontally so that both open ends are now on the
sides. Gather to make a bow. Tie to the wire wreath until full.
*****
Baggie Christmas Wreath- Submitted by Barb
1 wire coat hanger, box of "baggie" brand sandwich bags, hot glue gun, misc.
mini size decorations/bows
Bend the coat hanger to look like a circle with a
hook on the top of it. Tie the baggies around the coat hanger. Tie as if you
were tying your shoes, but without the bow part - or kind of like half a
knot. Squish the baggies together and cover the entire hanger except the
hook. It should look like a wreath - all fluffy. Glue on decorations or bows.
*****
Wreaths- Submitted by Barb
Trace about ten hand prints on green paper. Glue them onto a wreath shaped
chunk of cardboard. Decorate with glitter, fake berries, a bow,
whatever...they are adorable. You can also use the same hand prints and shape
them into Christmas trees with the fingers pointing down, and then let them
decorate with beads, sequins, popcorn, whatever to make a cool tree.
*****
Reindeer Poop- Submitted by Barb
Put small, round chocolate candies like covered peanuts or raisins in a baggie and attach this poem
I woke
up with such a scare when I heard Santa call... *****
Rudolph Christmas Card Holder- Submitted by Barb
Take a gallon milk jug and cut off the top section right below the handle.
Cover with brown paper (paper grocery bags). Trace the child's hand and place
on the back of the container. On the front draw eyes & Mouth and attach big
red pom-pom for nose. Place Xmas cards inside.
*****
Reindeer Magnet- Submitted by Barb
small dog biscuits, small wiggly eyes, small red pom poms (for
the nose), brown chenille cut in 2 inches length strips (for antlers) and
magnet strip. You take a dog biscuit and work on it vertically. You want to
hot glue a red pompom near the bottom (above where the dog biscuit indents),
then hot glue the wiggly eyes above that. Twist the chenille sticks (pipe
cleaners) into antlers and hot glue those at the top of the dog biscuit,
gluing them to the back so they stand out at the top and then attach magnetic
backing to the biscuit.
*****
Hands and Feet Reindeer- Submitted by Barb
Trace the child's foot an brown construction paper (brown grocery bags also
work great) Trace both hands on a different shade of brown paper. Cut out
(older children can probably use a safety scissors and do much of this part,
especially the foot, but younger children will need you to cut out most
pieces) The foot tracing becomes the reindeer's face, the hand tracings are
attached at the top for antlers. color or paste on facial features of your
reindeer. We do this one every year with our children, I tuck the reindeer
away in their baby books and have a great seasonal record of their growth, We
make extras for Grandparents and Godparents. This has really become a holiday
favorite with our kids, they look forward to making it and love to compare
with the reindeer from previous years. You can have the children all glue
their heads to one long piece of white paper and made a whole herd for a
bulletin board.
*****
Reindeer Gift Bags- Submitted by Barb
Open a brown lunch bag and attach a red pompom nose near its base. Glue in
place eyes made of black and white construction paper scrapes. Trace both
hands on Brown construction paper and cut out the resulting antler shapes.
Approximately 2" from the top, attach one antler to the pleat at each side.
of the bag. Fill the bag as desired; then fold down and staple the top in
place. or for a festive finish, fold down the bag top and punch 2 holes near
the center of the folded portion. Thread the ends of a curling ribbon length
through the holes and through a jingle bell; then tie and curl ribbon ends.
*****
Rudy Puppet- Submitted by Barb
Trace the child's hands (with fingers spread open) on some brown const.
paper. Glue these on the bottom (closed end) of a brown paper lunch sack.
This becomes the antlers. Add eyes, mouth, and a small red pom-pom for the
nose.
*****
Rudolph Candy Cane Ornaments- Submitted by Barb
1- candy cane per person (your choice of color/flavor), 1- brown or any
festive color pipe cleaner (for antlers) bring under *neck* of cc & twist to
tighten V shape then each side can be bent to Z shape (if desired), 2-
sm.google eyes (available at craft stores) Glue to the curve of the cc just
after the *antlers*, 1- sm. red pom-pom (for nose) Glue on the end or just
above the end of the cc *optional: red or other festive colored thin ribbon
(for bow tie)and a small jingle bell to be tied onto the ribbon (you may need
to hot glue the bow& jingle on), Clear glue or a hot glue gun (works the
best).
*****
Candy Cane Reindeer- Submitted by Barb
Candy cane, glue, brown pipe cleaners, sm wiggle eyes, sm red pom pom,
small bell & thin ribbon Bring pipe cleaner under curve -neck- of
candy cane and then twist to tighten into a V shape. Bend into a Z shape to
look like antlers. Glue on two small wiggle eyes and the small pom pom for a
nose. String the bell through the ribbon and attach it to the candy cane. You
may need to use a hot glue gun - with adult help.
*****
Christmas Reindeer Craft- Submitted by Barb
Large craft stick /popsicle stick, pipe cleaner, glue or hot glue gun,
markers, wiggle eyes, small red pom pom, thin red ribbon or a magnetic strip
Make a reindeer by shaping the pipe cleaner into a V shave and gluing it to
the top, back of the stick; glue on wiggle eyes and nose, and draw a mouth.
You can make this a gift tag by writing To: and From: on it; you can use the
ribbon and make it an ornament; or you can make it a magnet.
*****
Triangle Reindeer- Submitted by Barb
Popsicle sticks, wiggle eyes, glue, red pom pom Put 3 popsicle sticks
together to make a triangle. With the point facing down, the top stick should
be placed lower to make antlers, glue together. Glue red pom pom on the point
for a nose, and glue the eyes on the sticks about half way up from the point.
*****
Reindeer Food- Submitted by Barb
Pour oatmeal and glitter in bag. Attach the following saying:
On Christmas
Eve sprinkle this magical dust on your front lawn.
*Variation: Here is a
similar version using bird seeds which is better for the birds: bird seed,
bags for seeds
It is the night before Christmas Put 1/4 c per bag. Put the poem on bag. Can decorate
with a cute bow.
Alternate verse: "Sprinkle on the lawn at night
The moon will make it sparkle bright *****
Glitter Snow Globes- Submitted by Barb
Get some baby food jars. Glue a small plastic snowman or other figure to the
inside of the jar with waterproof adhesive. Let it dry. Fill the jar with
water. Add glitter. Use plastic shavings as "snow." Fasten the lid. Melt some
wax to seal the lid or use hot glue. Vary the globes by changing the figures
& colors of glitter.
*****
Snow Person- Submitted by Barb
Put a jar lid in the toe of a sock. Crumple newspaper into three balls. Put
the largest one in the sock on top of the lid. Tie string around the sock
above the ball. Add the other balls, tying string above each one. Cut off the
rest of the sock above the last piece of string. To make a hat brim, trace
around a water glass onto paper. Cut out the circle. Set an empty film
canister in the center of the circle and trace around it. Cut out the small
circle to form a ring. Slide the paper ring over the canister and tape it in
place. Glue the hat over the cut end of the sock. Glue on button eyes and
buttons on the body. For a scarf, tie a fabric strip around the neck. Place
twig arms under it. Glue on a sequin mouth. Glue on a button nose.
*****
Snowballs- Submitted by Barb
Take a styrofoam ball and place on an egg carton or other stand to prevent
rolling. Paint the surface that is showing with thinned white glue. Then put
white and blue tissue paper squares into the glue. Sprinkle sparkles
sparingly. Then turn the ball over and complete the other side with glitter,
stickers, paint, or small candies.
*****
Sparkle Snow People- Submitted by Barb
Snowmen can be painted using a mixture of white glue, water, and paint and
then sprinkled with sparkles to let dry. Creates an interesting effect.
*****
Doily Snow People- Submitted by Barb
One Large Doily for body, One Small Doily for head, One Small Doily Cut in
half for arms, black construction paper for eyes, 3 buttons and mouth. Glue
to colored construction paper.
*****
Snow- Submitted by Barb
Make snow paintings using Ivory soap snow (1 cup Ivory Snow powder and 3/4
cup water). Have the children help mix this up using hand beaters & then
paint on black paper with small brushes.
*****
Snow People- Submitted by Barb
Make snow people out of white toilet paper tubes...cut them into sections &
then the children can glue 2 or 3 sections together to make a snowmen...add
buttons for eyes or what ever, yard for a scarf, etc...
*****
Snowman Kit- Submitted by Barb
Include in a cute bag: 2 charcoals (for eyes) plastic or
wood carrot for nose, and a cute pipe and scarf if you like. Receiver can use
this kit to make a snowman--unless living in the south, lol.
Here is poem to
go with kit:
There is nothing like a snowman *****
Easy Bell Wreaths- Submitted by Sherry
small jingle bells (any color),
pipe cleaners,
ribbon
This is an easy and cute craft for little ones to make! Take out a pipe
cleaner and start threading the bells onto it. If you are using several
colors - thread the bells on in a pattern. Leave about 1/2 inch on each
end. Take the two ends and twist them together and bend them down. Form
the wreath into a circle. Tie a ribbon hanger on the top and enjoy. You
can hang these on your doorknob, in a window, on the tree, etc.!
*****
Stained Glass Windows- Submitted by Sherry
crayon shavings,
waxed paper,
hot iron
Tear a long (about 16") sheet of waxed paper and fold it in half width wise. Have your kids sprinkle crayon shavings onto the one half of the wax paper. The more you use, the more colorful it will be. Fold the clean half of the paper over the arrangement and carefully lay in on the ironing board. Or on top of a surface covered with a towel. Have an adult gently press the iron over the entire sheet of paper until the two halves are stuck together. After they have cooled, hang the pictures in a window that
receives direct sunlight!
*****
Peppermint Wreath- Submitted by Sherry
tacky glue,
peppermint candies,
cardboard,
ribbon
Cut out a circle shape from the cardboard. Then cut out the center to make a wreath form. If you don't have cardboard, you can use an empty cereal box. Spread the glue over the wreath form. Then have the children place the candies all around the wreath. You have the option of leaving the wrappers on the candies, or taking them off. Make a bow with the ribbon
and glue to the top center. Let dry. Then depending on the size of the wreath, you can place a magnet on the back to hang on the fridge, or you can tie a ribbon hanger around the top to put on the tree or display.
*****
Little Spice Topiaries- Submitted by Lisa in VA
These are so cute and easy to make. They are a great project to do with the kids. With $1.00 worth of cloves you can keep kids busy for an hour or so. More important you are inviting them to participate in the holiday preparations of the hearth and home. Kids like that feeling and respond with enthusiasm. Little Spice topiaries make charming gifts or wonderful table favors for the holiday table.
a small terra cotta flower pot,
a small florist cone,
cloves,
star anise,
florist wire (or very thin wire)
Trim the foam cone to fit into the flower pot, then shape the cone to the size you desire. Randomly apply your star anise to the cone by twisting a small piece of wire around it and then sticking the wire into the cone. Now fill in all of the space with the cloves. I suggest a very light gold wash( using an acrylic water based paint) to the flower pot with a raffia bow tied around it, but natural looks great too!
Variations:
1. cover with with glue, roll in cinnamon, then add cloves, anise
2. also bay leaves look great layered, roll in glue, use straight pins to hold the leaves down, dry brush with gold or silver
3. mini pinecones, tamaracks add small sprigs of pine needles
4. check the woods for the red berries also nice with the pinecones
5. try round styrofoam
*****
Coffee Creamer Santa- Submitted by Sherry
Empty plastic CoffeeMate creamer container,
several scraps of red or burgundy material,
scrap pieces of white fun fur,
2-3 handfuls of Fiberfil,
12" length of gold cord,
miniature toys and/or presents,
2 small bunches of plastic holiday greenery with flowers,
flesh colored acrylic paint,
pink acrylic paint,
sponge,
small paint brush,
hot glue gun,
black marker,
black ballpoint pen
Peel label from empty creamer bottle, wash and dry. Paint face area with flash colored acrylic paint. Set aside to dry.
Hat
Cut a piece of the red fabric into a triangle, about 6" x 6" x 6". Place the fabric, wrong side up, flat down on the work surface. In the center of the triangle, put a small amount of Fiberfil, stretch out the Fiberfil the length of the triangle. Starting at one side, roll up into a cone shape so that the Fiberfil gives the hat enough body that it won't flop over. Hot glue in place. Cut a small scrap of white fun fur and attach to the top of the hat. Hot glue the hat to the top of the creamer lid, stretching extra fabric to cover lid. If you do not have enough, simple glue the hat in place and cut a few scraps to cover and fill the gaps on the lid. Using a long scrap of fun fur, glue the brim of the hat in place.
Coat
Cut a large rectangular scrap of the red fabric, approximately 8" high by 15" long. Glue the fabric around the body, with the crease in the back, out of sight. Glue in place. Cut two more strips of white fun fur, approximately 12-14" each. Starting at the top of the red material, in the front of the Santa, glue strips in place as trim for the jacket. Glue all the way around the body. Trim any excess fun fur and red material and glue stragglers in place.
Face
Use Fiberfil, glue on Santa's beard. Begin just under hat brim where ear would be, work your way completely around the face and back up to the other "ear". Draw on eyes with a black marker. Draw a small oval for the nose with a black ballpoint pen. Dab sponge into pink paint and blot off extra onto a paper towel or newspaper. Continue blotting until almost all paint is gone. Gently dab remaining pink onto Santa's cheeks. Add a touch of pink to his nose.
Santa's Bag
Cut an 8" x 4" scrap of red material and lay, wrong side up, on the work surface. Place a small handful of Fiberfil in the center of the rectangle. Fold one 8" edge over the Fiberfil, fold the other 8" edge over the top of that, and glue in place. Gather the long ends up so that the Fiberfil is now the center of the bag. Tie with gold cord. Glue on plastic toys and/or presents to top of bag. Tuck and fold rough edges of material to make bag look attractive. Glue the bag to the front of Santa's body.
Finishing Touches
Hot glue a couple of sprigs of holiday flowers and greenery toward the bottom of the creamer bottle. Bend and twist as necessary to make it look as if Santa is standing near the foliage.
*****
Reindeer Puzzle Pin- Submitted by Sherry
3 Small puzzle pieces,
Brown, green and red acrylic paint,
Googly eyes,
Pin back,
Glue (tacky or hot)
3 small puzzle pieces painted brown. One piece is the face, the other 2 glued behind like antlers. Googly eyes and red nose painted on tip of face piece. Little holly leaves and berries on one of the antler pieces. Pin glued on back. (Very cute).
*****
Another Reindeer- Submitted by Sherry
Pencil,
Scissors,
3 cardboard toilet tissue rolls,
Acrylic craft paints - black and brown,
Paintbrush,
Opaque paint markers - black and white,
Pink crayon,
Brown paper bag,
Cotton ball,
Tacky craft glue
Cut out a 1/2" wide x 1-1/2" long strip from one cardboard roll. Cut out another strip just behind this one. Paint the three cardboard rolls brown. Let dry. Paint the bottom 1 inch of the two uncut rolls black for hooves. With paint markers, paint the eyes and nose on the cut roll, adding a white dot in each pupil and a long comma like stroke on nose after black paint is dry.
Lay the 2 uncut rolls next to each other with hooves on the same end and glue together. Glue head (cut roll) to the font of one of these two rolls, positioning it about 2-1/2" above the bottom edge of reindeer's leg. Make ears from brown paper bag. Use pink crayon to color the inside of each ear. Crease ears and glue to each side of head. Glue cotton ball on back of body for tail.
*****
Candy Cane Reindeer- Submitted by Sherry
1 candy cane,
1 brown pipe cleaner,
1 small red pompom,
2 "googly" eyes,
Hot glue gun,
Optional: gold cord
Wrap the pipe cleaner around the candy cane where it curves down at the top, shape to form antlers. Hot glue the eyes on and the red pompom on (this is the nose). As an option, you could hot glue some gold cord on (near the antlers) in a loop to use as an ornament hanger.
Hot glue gun should be operated by an adult or under adult supervision.
*****
Paper - Bag Reindeer Puppet- Submitted by Sherry
Small brown paper lunch bags(one per person)- the type with fold over bottom,
Pencil,
Glue (tacky works best),
Scissors,
Crayons or felt markers,
Construction paper,
White paper (for eyes and nose),
Red pompoms, if desired, for nose
Suitable for ages 5 to 7 years. Have each child trace their hand (to the wrist) twice on construction paper (one color). Cut the hand shapes out. These are glued to the back of the bag at the upper corners of the fold over portion which is placed face up to be used for the face. Add facial features - eyes (from white paper with black pupils), a red nose circle (or red pompom, if desired). Once dry, insert hand into the bag and the head can be made to move. A CUTE decoration.
*****
Construction Paper Reindeer- Submitted by Sherry
Construction paper,
Scissors, glue stick (or other glue),
Felt markers, crayons
Suitable for ages 5 to 7 years. Have each person trace one foot. Or have the girls work in pairs, and each girl will trace her partner's foot. Next, using another color, each person will trace two hand prints. Cut the tracings out. Glue the handprints behind the wider part of the foot (toe area). On the heel area, create eyes (black or brown) and a nose (red or black). These reindeer are cute and fun to make. a nice SPECIAL NOTE: A glue stick works best for this project- less mess and fuss!
*****
Pinecone Reindeer Face Ornament- Submitted by Sherry
2 inch pinecone dried so it is opened,
1/8 inch red pom pom,
1 chenille stem brown (pipe cleaner),
2 googly eyes 1/8 inch,
1/4 inch red ribbon (6 inch length),
1/16 inch brown ribbon (4 inch length),
Craft glue, or glue gun
Position pinecone on side. This is the face of the reindeer. Glue red pom pom to tip (or top of pinecone) for nose. Eyes are glued towards back on open petals. Red ribbon is tied in bow and glued under nose. Brown chenille stem is cut into three pieces. Two are two inches. The other is what is left. The large piece is then fitted under the bottom (which is actually the side) of the pine cone to form the antlers. The two, two inch pieces are wrapped on ends to form the antler branches. The brown ribbon is looped and glued to the back to make hanger (the back is actually the bottom).
*****
Really Simple Reindeer- Submitted by Sherry
3 popsicle sticks per person,
2- 8mm wiggly eyes,
1 red pompom - your choice of size for nose (I like to fill in the join of the sticks),
Glue (tacky glue works best)
Glue two popsicle sticks together creating an angle or "V" shape. Apply a dot of glue about 1 1/2 inches from the unjoined end or each stick. Place remaining popsicle stick across the two sticks that form a "V". Apply two dots of glue on the cross wise stick near the center of the stick for the eyes. Apply a dot of glue at the join of the two sticks that form the "V" and add the red pompom nose. When completed, the tops of the "V" popsicle sticks extend a little over an inch and the crosswise stick extends a little less than an inch on both sides. Add a hanger if desired.
*****
Reindeer Decoration- Submitted by Sherry
Brown or tan construction paper,
Felt or sheet foam,
Ribbon,
Black marker,
Red marker,
Craft glue (could also use "googly eyes")
Trace onto the paper (felt or foam sheet) and cut out one foot and both hands (with finger's spread wide apart) . Place the foot with the toes are pointing up (this will form the face of the reindeer), attach one hand to each side of the widest part (forming the antlers). Glue everything in place. Draw in eyes and a nose with the markers. Use the ribbon to make a hanging loop. Be sure to date each decoration, in addition to being cute, these make an interesting way to remember just how small their hands and feet were.
*****
Reindeer Pin- Submitted by Sherry
1 dark brown 12 inch long chenille stem or pipe cleaner,
1 red 12 inch long chenille, glitter or tinsel stem,
1 red 12 inch long chenille, glitter or tinsel stem,
1 red 1/2" acrylic or tinsel pompom,
Two 5mm wiggle eyes,
One 3/4 inch pin-back,
Glue gun and glue stick,
Pencil
Head: Place a pencil across the center of the dark brown pipe cleaner or chenille stem and bend in half, forming a round even bend around the pencil. Measure 2 inches up from bend and twist. Ears: Use the pencil as before to bend each end of pipecleaner or chenille stem inwards. Twist ends together, hiding them behind twist at the top of head. Antlers: Use the pencil as before to bend a red chenille, glitter or tinsel stem in half, forming a v-shape.Glue antlers behind twist of reindeer's head. Finishing: Glue on a red pompom for reindeer's nose and two wiggle eyes. Glue a pinback behind the eyes. Replace the pin back with a small magnet to make a fridgie or attach the reindeer to a small barrette and wear him in your hair!
*****
Gingerbread Man Reindeer- Submitted by Sherry
Thin cork,
Markers or paint,
"Eyes" ( or paint them),
Glue,
Green fabric scraps,
Tiny bow,
Red bead or pompom
Cut a gingerbread-man shape out of the cork. Use a cookie cutter for the pattern, or do it freehand. Turn so the "feet" are at the top. The 'feet' are the antlers, the 'arms' ears the 'head' is now the nose. Paint or draw straight lines from end of antlers, meeting in a V where the tummy would be if it was still a cookie. Draw a couple of 45 degree angle lines upward from the main lines. Glue red bead or pompom at tip of nose. Paint or glue wide round eyes centered above the nose. Cut 2 holly leaves from the green fabric. Glue at base of V. Glue bow on top of holly.
These can also be made with stiffened felt, fun foam, or wood. Add a pin or barrette back, or punch hole for ornament. Once you see how it goes, the creativity can get flowing
*****
Christmas Reindeer- Submitted by Sherry
Brown and tan (or lighter shade brown than first piece) felt or construction paper, wiggly eyes (the kind that are bubbles with the free moving black dot), small to medium red pom poms or circles cuts from red construction pape, Elmer's glue (or for the older crowd a hot glue gun), black marker(washable) or pen for tracing, and glitter (optional)
Note: The felt comes in rectangle sheets of varying sizes at crafts stores. I used pieces that were about 8"X11". This size will make 4-6 reindeer for a child aged 2 to 5. We averaged about 6 with a kids size 7 foot and careful placement to avoid waste.
Project How To -
Note: You will need one foot and a pair of hands (left & right) to make one reindeer.
Starting with the brown felt or construction paper, trace around your foot, either one will do. Next, trace both of your hands onto the tan felt or construction paper. Carefully cut out the hands and foot, smaller children usually need a little help here.
Hint: If you're making multiple reindeer for gifts you can use these first cut-outs as patterns for the rest that you do, instead of having to repeatedly get junior to stand still to trace his foot. Also, this makes it easier to place them very close together for cutting out to minimize wasted felt. Also, I save the scraps, since they can be used to make the mouths.
Then Take the hands and overlap the thumbs with the forefinger of the other hand to form antlers. Apply Elmer's in between where the hands touch.
Hint: If you're using felt apply the glue liberally, the reason for this is that it will stiffen when it dries so your reindeer won't flop over when you hang him up. Don't worry if the felt looks wet or white it'll dry clear and stiff!
Now you want to take one foot and make the reindeer's face. Overlap the toes of the foot about an inch or two over the palms of the hands. Lift the toes and glue where necessary, again liberally for felt. A nose and two eyes are next. Put glue on the pom pom or paper nose and place about a 1-2 inches from the bottom. Put a dot of glue on the back of each wiggly eye and glue in the appropriate place.
Now, for final touches, I take the scraps of tan felt or construction paper and use them to cut out a mouth. I like to try different shapes if I'm making several reindeer; ovals, cresents, and wavy strips. You wouldn't believe what different expressions you'll get just with the change of a shape! You can give the antlers a snowy effect with glitter. Just dot or smear a little glue here and there and sprinkle with glitter.
Let your reindeer dry completely. After the reindeer is dry I like to put the name, age, and year on the back with permanent marker. That way, in years to come you'll know which kid and when. After you have 3 or 4 pair from consecutive years, you look back at those earliest reindeer and remember just how little those hands once were. That's when moms and grandparents will really treasure the reindeer as keepsakes the most.
*****
Reindeer Garland- Submitted by Sherry
Here's a great project for everyone in the family to help out and make. This adorable reindeer garland can be stretched across a mantle, window or on a wall. Make eight reindeer with black noses and one with a red nose for Rudolph.
What you will need:
Reindeer Template,
Paddle ball toy,
Acrylic paints and spray paint - brown, black, red, white,
Dark brown and light brown felt,
Glue gun,
Wide ribbon
Make a template for the reindeer ears and antlers. Cut out the felt ears and antlers from the template. Snip the ball off of the paddle. Paint the paddle brown and the ball black. Let dry. Use acrylic paint to paint eyes onto the paddle. Paint the names in the shape of their mouths (i.e. Donner). Glue the felt antlers onto the top of the paddle. Glue the ears onto the antlers.
Glue the ball onto the center of the paddle. Tie ribbon around the base of the paddle. Using wide ribbon, hot glue the paddles onto the ribbon. Let dry. Hang the garland.
*****
Cute Reindeer Craft- Submitted by Sherry
two candy canes (per child), a LONG piece of brown yarn, two
black wiggly eyes and one red pom-pom.
Have them glue the candy canes back to back down the long
straight side. Tape one end of the yarn to the canes in the
middle. Wrap the yarn around the canes where it is thicker
at the top (near the hooks) and narrow at the bottom. This
makes the reindeer face and the hooks are his antlers.
Glue the loose end of the yarn down. Glue on the wiggle eyes
and red pom-pom nose. Looks cute and makes a great gift for
parents or tree decoration!
*****
Reindeer Rattles- Submitted by Sherry
Dried beans, plastic bags, small white paper
plates, wide craft sticks, tape, crayons, construction paper,
and scissors
Put a small handful of beans in a baggie and close.
Fold the plate in half.
Draw a reindeer face on one side of the folded plate.
Tape a craft stick inside the folded plate.
Put the bag of beans inside the plate and staple shut.
Make antlers and glue on plate.
*****
Smelly Ornaments- Submitted by Christi
1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce,
2 cups cinnamon, 1 teaspoon each (optional),
allspice,
cloves,
ginger
Mix together in an electric mixer for about 5 minutes until
the dough looks like clay. It will be smooth and not very
sticky. Dust hands with cinnamon to be able to handle the
dough. Dust a rolling pin and board with cinnamon and roll out to
about 1/4 an inch thick or more. (thinner dough than this tends to curl during baking)
Cut out with holiday cookie cutters. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 150 degrees for one hour. Remove from the cookie sheets and bake on the oven racks for another hour and a half. Decorate with fabric paints, candy-shaped beads, silk holly, or whatever you want. Hot glue a ribbon or a small magnet to the back, or hot glue several to a ribbon wrapped grapevine wreath.
*****
Scented Cinnamon Ornaments- Submitted by Christi
4 oz. cinnamon (about one cup),
3/4 cup applesauce,
1 tablespoon each nutmeg and cloves,
2 tablespoons white glue
Combine cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Add applesauce and glue. Stir to combine. Work mixture with hands 2 or 3 minutes
until dough is smooth. Divide dough into 4 portions, and roll each to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough with cookie cutters of
desired shapes. Use straw or toothpick to make a small hole at the top of ornament. Place cutouts on wire rack and allow to
dry at room temperature for several days. Thread ribbon through hole in ornament. DO NOT EAT!
*****
Candy Cane Hearts- Submitted by Christi
Candy Canes,
Hot glue,
Ribbon,
Jingle Bells
Take two Candy canes, glue them in a heart shape, tie ribbon around the meeting point on top, glue a bell or a piece of holly or whatever and then glue a piece of ribbon on the back if you use it as an ornament.
*****
Christmas Trees- Submitted by Christi
Green Construction Paper,
Glue,
Red Paint,
Misc. Collage Materials
Cut out Christmas tree shapes. Decorate the Christmas tree: you can dip a finger in in red paint and make fingerprint ornaments, you can use various collage materials, such as glitter, buttons, fabric scraps, to decorate as desired. You can also make wreaths
*****
Pipe cleaner Ornaments
Pipe Cleaners,
Tri-cornered beads,
Ribbon - optional
Thread the beads onto a pipecleaner so they nest together. You can bend to shape a candy cane, a wreath, a star, ect. You can also punch holes in ribbon and weave it onto the pipecleaner, between each bead.
*****
Gingerbread Man- Submitted by Christi
Paper Grocery Bag,
Glue,
Crayons,
Misc Craft Items - such as fabric scraps, beads, ect.
Cut a gingerbread man shape out of the grocery bag. Color or decorate as desired.
*****
Reindeer- Submitted by Christi
Paper Grocery Bag,
Glue,
Crayons,
Red Pom-pom,
Ribbon
Trace childs shoe and both hands onto the paper bag. Cut them out. The shoe is the reindeers head, and glue on the hands to be the antlers. Glue on the pom-pom and ribbon, and decorate as desired.
*****
Yarn Christmas Ornaments- Submitted by Christi
Wax Paper,
Glue,
Glitter,
Yarn - various colors
Cut yarn into various lengths. Dip yarn in glue and lay on wax paper, over lapping each piece. Let dry. Pull yarn off wax paper, attach a string to the top, apply glue and add glitter. Hang to dry.
*****
Christmas Stockings- Submitted by Christi
Construction Paper,
Glue,
Cotton Balls,
Old Toy Catalogs, magazines, ect.
Trace a picture of a stocking on construction paperand cut. Use cotton balls to trim the stocking on the top. Use catalogs and cut out pictures of what you want for Christmas, and glue to the stocking.
*****
Christmas Trees- Submitted by Christi
Construction Paper,
Glue,
Colored Cellophane,
Crayons
Cut out trees made of construction paper. Punch out holes in the tree. Have children glue colored pieces of colored celophane or construction paper to the back to cover the holes. This makes it look like lights on the tree. Turn over and decorate the tree with whatever they wish (crayons,construction paper bits, etc).
*****
Santa Hat- Submitted by Christi
Red Construction Paper,
Glue, Cotton Balls
Cut out a large triangle out of red construction paper. Glue on the cotton balls to make a white ball on one of the triangle tips, and glue cotton balls along the bottom edge to form the brim. You can also cut out two triangles and tape or staple them together to make a hat to fit the
child's head. *****
Hand print Christmas Tree- Submitted by Christi
Green, Red, and Yellow Construction Paper,
Crayons, Pencils, or Markers,
Glue
Cut ten handprints on green paper, a yellow star, and ten red hearts small enough to fit on the hand print. Start gluing one handprint at the top of the page and with the fingers pointing down. This is the top of your tree. Use the rest of the handprints fanning out to make a Christmas tree. In the star write I love....then in each heart let the kids picks pecial people...mommy, daddy, friends, grands, pets, dolls, etc. Glue star on the top and a heart on each hand.
*****
Light Bulb Reindeers- Submitted by Christi
large glass Christmas tree lights, assorted colors,
med. wiggly eyes,
brown pipe cleaners,
pin backs,
glue gun,
small red pompoms
Turn lightbulb with screw-side up. glue two eyes just below metal rim. glue red pompom at tip of lightbulb. glue pin to back.
To make the antlers: cut pipe cleaner in 1/2 and wrap around the metal part of the bulb. cut remaining 1/2 into two smaller pieces and attach them to the pipe cleaner left on either side of the bulb.
*****
Picture Ornaments- Submitted by Christi
Take a clear glass xmas bulb and put shiny metallic like streamers inside the bulb. Then you take a picture of the child and with a pencil roll it so it goes to the middle of the bulb, you might have to use your pencil and play around with it a little so you get it where you want it. Put a ribbon on the top so parents can put it on their xmas tree. You can also write the child's name and the year on the bulb with paint pens!
*****
Picture Ornament- Submitted by Christi
Lid of frozen orange juice can,
Red or Green felt,
Lace,
Ribbon,
Hot Glue Gun,
Photograph
Put the juice lid on a piece of felt and trace around the lid. Cut two circles out of the felt. ( one for front and back of lid ) Now center lid over picture and trace around the lid. You need to cut the picture smaller than the circle.
So cut it about 1/4" in from the circle you just traced. This will give you a border around the photograph. Put hot glue around the edges of the juice lid and attach the felt circles. Covering both the front and back of the lid.
Attaching the lace:
Hot glue around the outer edges of the lid and attach the lace. When you reach full circle around the lid cut the ribbon and then use a small amount of glue to hold down the seam.
The hanger:
Make a loop with a piece of ribbon. Attach the loop at the lower edges with hot glue to the back side of the lid.
To attach the picture to the front of the lid use regular glue. Using hot glue will make the picture to appear bumpy and not smooth. For an added touch you can make a bow out of ribbon and attach to the top center of the lid with hot glue.
*****
Sugar Ornaments- Submitted by Christi
All you do is take 1/2 c sugar, and one teaspoon glitter mix it together and then add bout 1 teaspoon of water and mix it well. Then have the kids put the mixture into a cookie cutter and pack it firm...then gently press the ornament out onto a cookie sheet and allow to dry, probably over night. When they are dry you glue a piece of yarn to the top of the hanger! These turned out really cute and the kids had fun!!
*****
Glass/Plastic Ornaments- Submitted by Christi
Put confetti in them, or M&M's, or put on a Santa hat made out of felt, etc.
*****
Candy Cane Shapes- Submitted by Christi
Give each child a candy cane shape cut out of white poster board or tag
board. Cut thick red yarn into short pieces and glue to the candy cane
outline.
*****
Coffee Filter Angel- Submitted by Christi
Fold a coffee filter in half to make the angel’s wings. Cut out a paper
triangle and glue it to the coffee filter to make the body. Glue on a
circle for the head. Use a marker to make facial features. Add glitter around the edges of the coffee filter.
*****
Heart Santas- Submitted by Christi
wooden blocks cut in to heart shape,
paint (xmas colors),
paintbrushes,
1 black paint pen,
newspaper,
cup of water,
wood glue and one cotton ball
Take the cutout of a wooden heart, turn it upside down
to where the point of the heart is facing away from you.
Paint that side of the heart peach. When that is dry, paint
the top 2 inches of the pointed section red. Let that dry.
Paint the rounded heart bottom white (kind of pat the
paint on so there is a textured look), when that dries paint
white at the edge of the red "hat" area at top. After all this
is dry, take the black paint pen and draw eyes a dot for
a nose and then glue the cotton ball at the very tip of
the point for santas puff at the top of his hat. This is very
cute, after the parents "master" the first one (it took me
a couple of tries to get it the way I wanted) the children
are really creative in what they want Santa to wear or look like!
*****
Handprint Tile- Submitted by Christi
4-inch square plain white ceramic tiles (Home Depot has them), and using regular craft acrylic paint, make red handprints on the tile, and then spray with a sealer. Glue green felt on the back of the tile to make a coaster/trivet.
*****
Scented Pinecones- Submitted by Sherry
Cinnamon,
Ginger,
Nutmeg,
Craft glue mixed with equal amounts of Water,
Foam brush,
Pinecones
Add any other spices that you like the smell of. Mix in the proportions that you desire (I'd go heavy on the cinnamon as I love the smell).
Rinse pinecones under running water. Lay the pinecones on an old cookie sheet and bake at 200 degrees until the pinecones open up (this not only kills any little beasties that may be residing within the pinecones but also melts the sap resulting in a pretty glaze).
Spread pinecones out on layers of newspapers and set aside to dry completely
Use the foam brush to apply the glue to the pinecones.
Mix the spices in a bowl using a wire wisk. Roll the pinecone in the spice or add the spices to a baggie; add the pinecones one at a time and shake to coat (like shake-n-bake)
When coated, allow to dry thoroughly.
Use these wonderfully-scented pinecones in gift baskets, as christmas tree ornaments, on christmas wreaths, or placed in bowls to add a wonderful scent to a room.
If, after storing, you need to refresh the scent of the pinecones just stick them in a microwave until the smell if revived.
*****
Kwanzaa Mat- Submitted by Sherry
black, green and red construction paper cut into 3 in. squares,
large piece of brown construction paper
Objective: To create a handmade Kwanzaa mat called a Mkeka (em-kay-kah).
Tell students about Mkeka's use (It is placed on the Kwanzaa table to
represent the past and foundation of the African American people).
Let them know it is made by hand and is a symbol of tradition and
history. Each child will glue a pattern of the 3 colors on the mat. They can
create their own patterns with the colored squares - making it look like a
woven pattern. Have them glue the design on the brown paper. You can also
use a paper grocery bag instead of brown paper.
When the glue has dried you can place a label on the back with the
words "Mkekka: an African woven mat."
Laminate these so that they will last through a Kwanzaa celebration!
*****
Cardboard Tube Menorah- Submitted by Sherry
9 cardboard tubes,
tape,
markers,
long piece of cardboard,
red - orange and yellow tissue paper
Cut 1/2 inch off of 8 of the tubes. Either cover the 9 tubes with
construction paper, paint them, or color with markers. Feel free to
decorate tubes with glitter and markers, you can also draw a Star of David
on the center tube. Try to use blues and silver to decorate the tubes.
Now, place the taller tube in the middle and 4 shorter ones on each side.
Tape together and glue to the long piece of cardboard (you can also stick
them into a piece of foam). Decorate the base to match. Tear apart the
tissue paper and insert various colors (red, orange, yellow) into the top
of each tube to represent the flame of a candle.
*****
Christmas Tree Mobile- Submitted by Sherry
green construction paper,
glue,
tape,
crayons,
yarn,
misc. craft items (such as fabric scraps beads etc.)
Cut a large Christmas tree shape -triangle- out of green construction
paper. Cut the triangle into one inch wide strips (starting at the top,
then working your way down to the bottom) . Lay down the strips in the
order that you cut them out, with an inch in-between them. Tape or glue a
long piece of yarn onto the back of the strips - make sure to leave a
couple of inches at the top to use as a hanger. Use brown construction
paper to cut out a pot & tape it below the tree; cut off any excess yarn
hanging below the pot. Decorate the tree as desired by adding ribbons,
beads, glitter, etc.! You can also make this with green fun foam instead
of construction paper.
*****
Christmas Tree Garlands- Submitted by Sherry
We've all probably made garlands for the tree out
of popcorn and cranberries. It may be a tradition
at your house as it was at mine for years when the
kids were younger. But now that they've gone, or
for a change in tradition, how about making them
out of something different, like pasta? It comes
in many different shapes, sizes, and even colors,
and would be a fun change. (You can even color
them yourself with a little food coloring!)
*****
Christmas Bells- Submitted by Cheryl
Give each child 2 styrofoam cups. Poke a hole in the bottom of each one. Cover the cups with aluminum foil (Add further embellishments, if you wish. LOL) Put a colored pipe cleaner through the inside of the cup and bend to hold. Tie little bells together at the top. The children love to make these, & they make great gifts for the parents. You can even add a small jingle bell to the pipe cleaner clapper---so the bells can really ring!
*****
Santa's Reindeer- Submitted by Sherry
Use a simple reindeer pattern to cut 9 reindeer. If you are a purist make them all brown. If you're a free spirit (TA-DA) make them different colors. Add an eye to each one with a marker. Cut a large sheet of green construction paper in half and staple the ends of the two strips together to make one long strip. Glue the reindeer in a row across the strip of paper. Glue a red sequin to the nose of the leader for you-know-who! Staple a red string or ribbon across the middle section of the reindeer to harness them together. "On Dasher, On Dancer...."
*****
Rudolph Card- Submitted by Sherry
Fold a sheet of green construction paper into a greeting card. Paint your hand with brown paint and print it on the card with the fingers towards the bottom. Add antlers with a marker and glue on a red pompom nose and wiggle eye. Glue a bow at the neck. Decorate around the reindeer with glue and glitter. Write a Christmas greeting inside.
*****
Simple Candy Cane Card- Submitted by Sherry
This easy Candy Cane Card is great for little ones to practice making a pattern with. Fold a piece of green construction paper into a card. Draw a cane shape on the front of the card. Cut 1-inch squares from red and white construction paper. Glue the squares along the cane to make a striped candy cane. Write a Christmas greeting inside. Looks good enough to eat!
*****
Create a Nativity Set- Submitted by Cheryl
Have the children each make Mary & Joseph using peg clothespins. Use pipe cleaners for their arms & dress them with tunics made from fabric scraps, Draw faces at the top of the clothespin. Give each child a baby Jesus that can be a tiny purchased doll from a craft store. Make the manger using craft sticks & paper. Later that afternoon ot the next day, build shoebox stables for the figures. When the kids go home at the end of the week for Christmas, allow them take their Nativity Sets, but during the week encourage them to use them to create Christmas stories.
*****
Dough Ornaments- Submitted by Sherry
Combine in a medium bowl:
1 cup salt,
2 cups all-purpose flour,
1 cup water
Stir until it forms a dough.
Knead until it is elastic and smooth.
Cut the shapes with cookie cutters, or create your
own shapes by hand.
Bake on cookie sheet at 250 degrees F for about 2 hours
until hard and dry.
Let them cool completely.
Hints:
--You may want to carefully punch a hole near the top of
each ornament for a hook or ribbon to go through
for hanging on the tree. Use a pencil or pointed stick.
--As you mix the dough, you can add your choice of
food coloring.
--WARNING: DO NOT EAT THIS DOUGH!!!!
--To decorate, paint them with food coloring or acrylic
paints. My favorite way to jazz them up was to draw
designs on them with glue, and then sprinkle lots of
glitter on them. Instant and inexpensive masterpieces!
*****
Cereal Trees- Submitted by Lisa in VA
My favourite art project was to have the children cut out a tree shape from 12" x 18" green construction paper by folding it in half and drawing the half shape. Then I gave each child a puddle of white glue on a jar lid and a handful of a variety of cereals that could look like ornaments - Froot Loops, Pro Stars, Honeycomb, Cheerios, etc. They dip each cereal piece gently into the glue and then put it on the tree. Let them eat all the broken and misshapen pieces - this solves most of the eating problem! They turn out very attractive and the children love doing them. The more cereal they put on the better the trees look.
*****
Christmas Stocking Pencil Holder- Submitted by Cheryl
Have the child fill the toe of a red or green (new) sock with fiber fill to give it shape. Slide a cardboard tube (either TP or 1/2 papertowel) straight down into the cuff of the sock, so that the end is in the heel, with the fiberfill being pushed toward the toe end of the sock. Rub glue around the top inside of the tube. Fold the top of the cuff down inside the glue coated tube. Let the glue dry to hold the tube in place inside the sock. When dry, decorate the stocking with any trim desired
*****
Paper Plate Wreath- Submitted by Patrisha
Cut the middle out. Color. Then use red tissue and make
into bows and decorate. Add a red construction paper bow.
*****
Snow-Storm Jar- Submitted by Patrisha
Capture winter in a jar. This easy-to-make snow-storm jar is a gift anyone
will appreciate
Time: 15 minutes
Complexity: Easy
small glass jar with lid, such as a baby food jar
baby oil or corn syrup
water
glitter, star sparkles, or metallic confetti
glue
tiny Christmas figurine
(1) Fill the jar with baby oil or corn syrup, and add a little water.
(2) Add glitter, star sparkles, metallic confetti, or other
decorations to act as snow.
(3) Glue the tiny Christmas figurine to the inside of the lid with glue,
and then put glue around the lid and seal it
shut.
(4) When dry, turn the jar upside down and give it a shake.
Then watch the "snow" fall on the tiny figurine.
*****
Tree Decorations- Submitted by Patrisha
(1) Have children roll out salt dough. Use Christmas cookie cutters to cut
out Christmas shapes. Insert straw through shapes to make a hole. Bake in
oven.
When cool, use felt markers or paints to decorate. Slip a ribbon through the
Hole and tie off.
(2) Have the children paint glue onto a variety of pinecone. Drop into bags
of glitter and shake!
(3) Using sheets of beeswax cut into 4 pieces, give each child one piece of
wax and a length of wick. Have children roll wax around wick. Use more salt
dough to make candle holders. Flatten a small ball of salt dough and use
candle the child has made to make the candle hole. Bake, cool and decorate.
*****
Bead Candy Canes and Wreaths- Submitted by Patrisha
pipe cleaners
red, white, and green X beads( the kind that lock together)
curling ribbon( optional)
Have the kids push an assortment of beads onto the pipe cleaners and then
for a candy can simply knot or bunch at ends and bend into candy cane
shape-- hang on branch with the hooked top For a wreath-- bend in a circle
and twist the ends together and then tie a curling ribbon on the center--
hang whole cirle wreath over branch.
*****
Juice Can Lid Specials- Submitted by Patrisha
Juice metal lids
hammer
nail
scrap board or bread board
ribbon
glue gun
twine
lace
tap a design in the lid with the nail-- hearts and stars work best use a
length of twine to form a loop and glue gun it to the back of the lid-- so
you can hang it from the tree. Decorate with small eyelet lace or regular
gathered lace all around the edges and then add a pretty ribbon at
top( under the loop)-- attach these with glue gun.
*****
Baked Dough Ornaments- Submitted by Patrisha
use basic baking playdough recipe and roll dough to 1/3 or 1/4 inch. Cut
out desired shapes and use a pencil to poke a hole at the top. Bake till
done. Let cool and then let the kids paint. Seal with craft spray or
shellac and add ribbon in hole to hang the ornament with.
*****
Christmas Cotton Ball Wreath- Submitted by Patrisha
Dab cotton balls into green paint or ink and
form a circular wreath add a couple of holly berries with cotton balls in
red.
*****
Gumdrop Ornament- Submitted by Patrisha
Take toothpicks broken in half and cover a round Styrofoam
ball with gumdrops. Fix ribbon in the center to hang
Angel: Make angel with sugar cone(upside down) twisty pretzel on the back
for wings and lollipop in senter for head. Attach life saver as wreath on
head
*****
Candle for Parents Gift- Submitted by Patrisha
Take a baby food jar. Tear different colored pieces of tissue. paper. Cover
the jar using a paintbrush with glue diluted slightly with water and attach
the pieces of tissue paper. Throw a few sprinkles of gold or silver
sparkles.
Add ribbon around the top and place small votive candle in jar. Before
making test candle size with baby food jar, as not all jars are the same so
the candle sometimes will not fit.
*****
Pasta Christmas Wreaths- Submitted by Patrisha
Supplies:
Small Paper Plates
A Variety of Different Shaped Pasta
Craft Glue
Silver or Gold Spray Paint
Tinsel Bow
Cut center out of the paper plate. Glue pasta noodles around the outer ring
Try to completely cover the paper plate. Let glue dry and then spray paint
the desired color. Embelish with a bow of tinsel.
*****
Colored Bath Salts- Submitted by Patrisha
Epsom salts, food colors, baby food jar or any clear jar with a
top, bowls, spoons, scented oils (optional).
Help children add food coloring to epsom salt by mixing in a few drops at a
time until desired color. Add 25 - 30 drops of scented oil per cup of salts,
if desired, to salt. Let children spoon or pour different layers of
different colored slats into clear jar. Fill it completely and cover.
*****
Picture Frames- Submitted by Patrisha
We made craft stick frames, and glued buttons all around them, and the words
"cute as a button!" then glued pics of the kids in them, and paper to the
back and wrote Happy Grandparents Day! Sept 13, 1998 and the kids name.
Then we glued magnets to the back so they could hang on the fridge.
*****
Tile Trivets- Submitted by Patrisha
One of the nicest gifts we've ever made were tile trivets. Go to your local
tile store and buy some 12x12 ceramic tiles. Then you will need to go to a
craft store and purchase paints that you will then use on the tiles AND
bake in the oven to set. Hand prints or foot prints on these are darling (you can add a
cute little border and personalize with the child's name and the date) or
just let the kids free-paint or sponge. Then, you will bake in the oven.
After
they are cooled, add little feet or some felt to the bottom of the tile and
you have a really nice trivet/hot pad FOREVER.
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