Easy to Make Christmas Ornaments

Before you know it Christmas will be here. To save money on buying ornaments check out thrift stores, Goodwill and Salvation Army. Many times you can find Christmas ornaments at super cheap prices. Usually these will have paint that is peeling off of the ornament or nicks and scratches. No matter. Those defects can easily be covered with gift wrapping paper, Christmas cards, fabric, or spray paint.

So, plan a time to get the kids together to create unique and beautiful Christmas ornaments. The kids will love it and they will learn valuable lessons about recycling.

Plastic bottles, lids, baby food jars, wrapping paper, and scraps of fabric can all be turned into ornaments. Plastic ornaments are especially good to use if you have pets or small children running around the tree.

GIFT WRAP COVERED YOGURT CONTAINERS AND CAPS

YoPlus yogurt container
Activia yogurt container
Dannon yogurt container

Cut a piece of gift wrap or fabric about twice the size of the yogurt container. Set the container bottom down on the gift wrap or fabric.

Use a compass to draw a circle slightly larger than the container bottom or find an object such as a bowl or cookie cutter that is larger than the yogurt bottom and draw a circle around it..

Rub glue or a glue stick around the container. Next, lay the container on its side on the fabric or gift wrap. Press the gift wrap or fabric around the rim. Then begin rolling the paper around the cup till the ends meet. Press the seams together. Tuck the extra paper inside the yogurt container.

For added dimension, cover a plastic water bottle or coke bottle lid and place on top of the yogurt container. You will need to puncture a hole in the lid with a sharp object before doing this. A long metal nail works well for this. Place the cap right side up on a piece of wood. Center the nail over the lid and hammer the nail into the lid with a hammer. Caps or lids make great ornaments for table-top Christmas trees.

COKE BOTTLE WITH RIBBON INSIDE

Another idea for crafting an ornament involves coca cola bottles and ribbons. Remove the label from the coke bottle. Undo a Christmas bow and simply stick the bow inside the bottle. Optionally, if you bought the commemorative coca cola bottles the Coca Cola company sells around Christmas, simply nail a hole in the lid and stick an ornament hanger through the lid.

SPRAY PAINTED SILK FLOWERS

Got silk flowers that are faded, or damaged? Spray paint them silver or gold for a cool looking ornament.

PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE BOTTOM AND SPIRAL

Have you ever noticed how the bottom of plastic water bottles resembles a flower? Cut the bottom off of the bottle with a sharp, serrated knife and decorate for a polished looking ornament. Cut spirals out of the remaining bottle and hang on the Christmas tree. These can be painted, covered with fabric, or gift wrap. Or, as shown in the photo, place the gift wrapping paper inside the bottom of the bottle.

If you paint the bottles, paint on the inside. That way, you don't lose the natural shine of the plastic.

SOCK COVERED YOGURT CONTAINER AND BABY FOOD JAR

For a super, easy decoration, cover a yogurt container with a Christmas sock (you know those festive socks you received last year that now have holes, sag, a lost mate, or are too tight). Put the container bottom side first into the inside of the sock with the toe on top. Twist the sock and loop around to form a hanger, then sew, or pin in place. You now have a bell-shaped ornament with a hanger.

For the baby jar, cover with a sock, loop and pin on the top of the jar.

These crafts do not require buying extra supplies as these can be made from items most people already have on hand.

SUPPLIES

Decorative paper
Recycled Christmas cards
Empty plastic bottles
Christmas Bows
Fabric scraps
Folk Art Paint
Krylon Brushed Metallic Paint
Christmas Socks or Socks With Christmas Colors