Holiday Craft Ideas: Reusable Family Branch Tree

One of the easiest ways to add warmth to your home during the holidays is by decorating several "mini-displays" throughout your home. This reusable family branch tree features ornaments including photos of loved ones, making it a great addition to your holiday decorating.

For this project, you will need:

• One decorative terra cotta pot (available in the garden section of your local home improvement store)
• Seven to Twelve inch long wooden branch without any remaining leaves (either purchased or gathered from your own yard)
• Plaster of Paris (available at local craft supply stores)
• Water
• Plastic bucket
• Large plastic spatula
• Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White
• Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Gloss White
• Miniature photo frames (available at dollar stores and craft supply stores)
• Photos of loved ones to fit into the frames
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Newspaper and/or a large sized drop cloth

Start by covering your work area with old newspaper sheets or a large sized drop cloth to protect it during the plastering and painting portions of this project. Turn the decorative terra cotta pot upside down on the work area. Prime the pot using Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White. Once the primer is totally dry, then paint the pot with a couple coats of Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Gloss White. Let the surface dry fully before proceeding.

Lay the branch flat on the work area. Prime all surface area of the wood with Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White. Just as you did with the decorative terra cotta pot, paint the branch using Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Gloss White. Dry overnight.

Mix the Plaster of Paris with water according to manufacturer packaging instructions. Be sure to add the dry mix to the water and not vice versa. Use the plastic bucket and spatula to mix the plaster. Stick the painted branch into the pot. Pour the plaster into the container, surrounding the branch. (This step may require a helper.) Hold or prop the branch in place until the plaster is firm enough for it to stand on its own. Cure completely.

Remove the backing from each of the miniature photo frames. If needed, paint the frames to match the tree portion of the display. Insert a favorite photo of a loved one in each frame. Use a hot glue gun to attach ribbon to the top area of each frame. Once cooled, hang a different photo frame by the ribbon from areas on the branch.

Due to the use of plaster, this decoration can be used year after year if properly stored in a cool, dry place when not in use.

TIP: If desired, add a string of lights to the "tree" for added enjoyment.