DYI Christmas Place Markers

Less than two months away, Christmas is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. Whether you will celebrate it with family and friends around your table or at someone else's house, the following place marker ideas are sure to add a personal touch and make family and friends feel welcomed.

Christmas Balls Markers

You will need:
1. enough clear glass or plastic Christmas balls for each guest
2. craft glue and different glitter colors
3. permanent markers
4. a slim rod

To create the place markers, with a marker, write the name of each guest on the Christmas balls.
With the craft glue, create small stars and sprinkle with glitter. Hang on the rod to dry.
Make sure that you use enough glue for the glitter to stick, yet a small enough amount that it will not drip.

After dinner is done, the guests will have a personalized Christmas decoration to hang on the tree.

If you want the card version of this place marker, use a circle shape to draw your Christmas balls on construction paper. Remember to add the part the Christmas balls hangs from. You can cut the shape on double paper, making sure that part of the design remains attached so, once opened, the card will stand on its own; or you can create a small support for it; or you can place it against a glass. Once the Christmas balls are cut, write the names of your guests on each shape and decorate with glitter.

Christmas Tree Marker

You will need:
1. enough pine cones for each guest
2. green spray paint
3. small clear colored beads
4. yellow construction paper
5. hot glue, scissors, markers
6. if available, a star shape cutter

Spray paint the pine cones and as they dry, prepare the stars. If you have a scrap-booking cutter for the star shape, use it as it will save a lot of time. If you don't have one, create a star template out of light cardboard. Use it to draw stars on the yellow construction paper. You will need as many starts as you have pine cones. After all the stars are cut, with markers, write the names of your guests.

Once the pine cones are dry, use hot glue to secure beads on them as if they were Christmas balls decorations.
Secure the stars on top of each pine cone and you are done.

For the paper version of this marker, use a Christmas tree cookie cutter. Trace and cut twice as many markers as you need. For half of those trees, cut a slit on top of them, about ½ inch deep. For the other half, cut the tree from the bottom to the top stopping at ½ inch from the top. Slide the second tree into the first one until the shapes are locked in place and create a 3D tree. Use sequins to decorate this tree, and a star made of construction paper on which you will have written the name of your guest.

Christmas Mouse Marker

You will need:
1. construction paper
2. candy canes
3. googly eyes
4. scissors, pencil, markers

Draw and cut enough oval shapes with one pointed end for all your guests. Cut two slits in the middle of the shape. Glue two eyes near the pointed end (that is the face of your mouse). Write the name of your guest on the body of the mouse. Insert the candy cane in the slits with the curved part of the cane showing under the bottom part of the shape. If you choose, you can use fishing line to create the whiskers of the mouse.