Clear Plastic Christmas Tree Ornaments

These personalized ornaments are a fast and fun craft to make with your kids, while using more complex designs can make these a lovely gift for almost anyone on your list. They are easily adaptable for mini trees, too.

Materials:

You will need #6 plastic. Purchase plastic sheets online and at craft and toy stores or recycle clean take out containers that are labeled with a 6 in a triangle of arrows. The instructions are the same.

You will also need brightly colored markers, scissors, pliers, aluminum foil, a hole punch, jump rings, and ornament hooks.

Directions:

The ornaments can be any shape that you can draw and cut out. However, since the plastic will reduce to about 33% of its original size, the shape you start with should be 3 times as large as you want the final product to be. The simplest shape to do if you are making multiple ornaments is a rectangle. A full plastic sheet or the bottom of a large take away container should quarter into 4 equal parts well sized for the job.

Use the hole punch to cut out a circle about ¼ inch from the top of your piece. Now it is time to decorate the ornament. If you are using words, it is easiest to write on the front of the piece, but the final product will look better if the drawing is on the back. If you write or draw on the front and back, it creates a nice 3D effect. Remember when writing on the back to write in reverse.

When you are finished decorating, tear off a sheet of aluminum foil about the size of a baking sheet. Roll the short edges up to create handles for easy removal, but try to keep the main portion of the foil as smooth and free of wrinkles as you can. If you have package instructions, follow those. Otherwise, set your oven to 375° F (350° for a toaster oven). Place the ornaments on the foil and place them in the oven. For a conventional oven, leave the door slightly ajar so you can see the ornament. The plastic will shrink and flop around very quickly. When it lies flat again, remove it immediately from the oven. When cool, install jump rings and hooks.

Variations:

Use fine sandpaper lightly on one side of the plastic to create a nice frosted effect.