Homemade Christmas Tree Ornaments

Homemade Christmas Tree Ornaments - Want to save some money this Holiday season by making your own Christmas tree ornaments, Gift-Wrap Decorations, or Cookie Cutter Ornaments? Beat the economic downturn and make some homemade Christmas tree ornaments.

Gift-Wrapped Package Decorations or Tree Ornaments

You will need:

An assortment of different-colored construction paper

ribbon, yarn, or string

stapler

glue/tape

ruler

scissors

First, cut your construction paper into 1 " by 12" strips. Arrange the strips, alternating colors, and fan them out (like a six-point star). Then, staple the strips together, in the center. Make designs with the strips by folding, gluing, or curling the top and bottom ends of the stapled strips. Attach your artwork to some Christmas packages with ribbon or place them on your tree for a homemade feel. You can also alternate the colors of your ornaments according to the Holiday (red/green for Christmas, blue/white for Hanukkah, and red, black, and green for Kwanzaa).

Cookie Cutter Ornaments

With a little flour & water along with some cookie cutters, you can make your very own Christmas-themed ornaments, as well as bows for your packages!

Here's what you will need:

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

2/3 cup water

Felt-tip pens

Christmas-themed cookie cutters (star, heart, tree, snowman, snowflake)

Glue

Ribbon

Paper clips

Photos of family, pets, hobbies

Mixing bowl

Round cutting tool

Rolling pin

Wax paper

Clear plastic spray

First, mix the flour and salt together in a mixing bowl. Add 2/3 cup water to the mixture. You want your mixture to be like the consistency of pie dough. Let this concoction stand overnight. The next day, roll out the dough with the rolling pin or pat it to about ¼ inch thickness. Use your cookie cutters to cut out shapes. With the round cutting tool, cut holes in the centers of each shape. Place a paper clip into the top of each shape. This will be used as a hook. Let the shapes dry for several days. Wax paper is the preferred method for drying. After the shapes have dried, use felt-tip pens to decorate as you like. Spray the shapes with clear plastic spray to "set" the designs. Now, put glue around the edges of the holes on the backs of each shape. This will be where your photos are glued of you, your dog, your grandma, your motorcycle, and whoever and whatever else you want to decorate your tree and packages with! The ribbon can be used to tie around the paper clips and to hang on your Christmas tree or present for Aunt Suzy.

These crafts are easy to make, economical, and safe for the whole family to enjoy! Relatives will love the homemade quality of these ornaments and gifts!