Dazzling Holiday Crafts

Let's see...teachers, school bus drivers, coworkers, mailman...the list of people I feel I should gift something to this time of year seems endless. Unfortunately, I am not made of money so I can't just go out and get a ton of gift cards or other small items. What's left? I'll make them myself! Also, for the people associated with my children, like their teachers, my kids get to help make them and definitely enjoy giving them!

Sweet and Spicy Ornaments

These sweet and spicy smelling crafts are easy to make, and very inexpensive. Wal-Mart usually sells low grade cinnamon for around 50 cents for a 2.5 ounce container.

What you'll need:

The Software:

1 cup cinnamon or pumpkin spice

¾ cup applesauce, well drained (the easiest way to do this is put a coffee filter or paper towel in a colander, put the applesauce in that, and wait about 20 minutes)

2 tbsp white school glue

Optional:

1 tbsp nutmeg

1 tbsp allspice

1 tbsp ground cloves

Nonstick cooking spray (you don't need this, but it makes things a lot easier!)

The Hardware:

Mixing bowl

Waxed paper

Waxed paper

Rolling pin or equivalent

Cookie cutters

Pencil

Wire rack

Optional:

Wooden skewer

Spray the inside of the bowl with the nonstick cooking spray. Add the spices and mix well. Add the applesauce, mix well. Add the glue. Spray your hands with the nonstick spray and use your hands to mix the glue and applesauce/spices. Knead until a stiff dough forms. It should be the consistency of stiff cookie dough or dumpling dough.

Spread some water on your counter top and lay a sheet of waxed paper on top of it (the water will keep the waxed paper in place). Put the dough on top of that and then another sheet of waxed paper. Roll it out to about a quarter inch in thickness.

Now's when you get creative! You can use the cookie cutters to create shapes, or cut the dough into strips and "weave" into a basket, placing the weave on an inverted glass bowl or cup to give it a basket shape. If you create a flat piece, use the pencil to poke a hole in it for threading a ribbon through after drying. You can use the wooden skewer to write messages on the ornament while it's still wet.

Once your creations are finished, you can dry them on the wire racks for 3 to 4 days, making sure to turn them every so often. Or you can put them on a cookie sheet in a 250 degree oven, turning every fifteen minutes or so until hard and dry. If you use the oven, you'll still want to let them rest on a wire rack overnight.

Once they're dry, thread colorful ribbon through the holes for hanging, and then decorate them. The possibilities are endless!

Pretty (Easy) Glass Ornaments

These can get messy, but they're very fun. All the items needed are available at most craft stores.

You will need:

Plain glass ornaments with toppers (I've found square easier to work with, but round is fine)

Small bottles of glass paint (I usually use red, white, and green with gold flecks in them)

Thin gold ribbon

Metallic paint pens

White glue

Glitter in assorted colors

Tinsel in assorted colors

Paper towels

Bag of assorted SMALL shiny beads and gems

Optional:

Egg carton

Latex gloves

Small paint brushes

Swirly Ornaments

These ornaments are striking in how pretty they are, and how easy they are to make!

To create a pretty swirl effect, carefully drizzle in a few drops of the glass paint inside the ornament and swirl it around until the interior is completely covered. Set them carefully upside down on the paper towels or in the egg carton to dry (length of time for drying will be on the paint labels). When they're dry, use the paint pens to write a message on the outside. I usually use "Happy Holidays!" and the year. Put the topper back on them and use the gold ribbon to create a loop for hanging.

Sparkling Ornaments

These ornaments are gorgeous when hanging among the Christmas lights.

Squeeze a decent amount of the white glue into the glass ornament and swirl until the interior is completely covered. Pour out any excess. Carefully pour in some of the glitter and, with your finger over the opening, shake vigorously. It may require several applications of the glitter for desired effect. Set upside down on paper towels or in the egg carton to dry, usually about 30 to 45 minutes. When dry, use the paint pens to write a message on the outside, put the topper back on and use the gold ribbon to create a loop for hanging.

Holiday Ornaments

These festive ornaments are a compliment to any tree!

These are the easiest to make. Simply fill the ornaments with the tinsel and the beads/gems. Write a message on the outside with the paint pens, put the topper back on them and use the gold ribbon to create a loop for hanging. Be careful if using glass beads or gems, because they can get too heavy for the topper to hold.

You can also:

Use the paint pens to draw a design on the outside of the ornament. Fill in the design with the glass paint using a paint brush.

Glue sequins, gems, and beads to the outside of the ornaments.

Simply use the paint pens to draw pretty designs on the ornaments.

The sky's the limit with these versatile ornaments. Let your imagination loose!

Holiday Sand Art

These pretty items add a glowing touch to any holiday décor! All the items needed are available in most craft stores.

Plain square glass ornaments with toppers

Thin gold ribbon

Colored craft sand

Small funnel

White glue

Using the funnel, carefully pour the colored sand in layers into the ornament to make pretty designs. You can add glitter to the sand for a nice sparkle. When you have it filled, pour in the white glue to completely cover the surface of the top layer and fill the ornament to just under the opening. Add the topper to the ornament while the glue is still wet. Allow to sit overnight to dry completely. The glue will make sure that the sand won't spill out if the ornament is shaken or when it's put away for storage. Use the gold ribbon to make a loop for hanging.

Hopefully these craft ideas have sparked your own imagination, and maybe helped lighten the load on your wallet a little bit. These crafts are fun to make, and even more fun to give! Happy holidays!