How To Make Antique Style Christmas Ornaments

This craft project will teach you how to make antique style Christmas ornaments, using prints, photo copies and Christmas cards. You can make customized antique Christmas ornaments with family photos to create not only a Christmas decoration but a heart felt memory. If you are designing a Victorian or country themed Christmas tree, these antique Christmas ornaments are the perfect decoration.

Materials:
Photo copies - prints or Christmas cards
thick card stock
craft glue
paper hole punch
paint brush
strong coffee or tea
1/4" ribbon

Where to acquire the pictures:
Since these Christmas ornaments are supposed to look like antiques you will want to download and print, vintage style pictures of Santa's, angels, snowmen etc. You can also print or photo copy black and white family photos or buy vintage style Christmas cards. Once you have decided on the pictures you plan to use, adjust the size to make them small enough for Christmas ornaments, then photo copy or print 2 of each picture. These will be used for the front and back of your antique ornaments.

Now lay your card stock onto a flat work surface and glue one of each picture onto the surface. Allow the glue to dry. Once the glue has dried cut out the pictures. Next, turn the pictures face down and glue the matching picture to the backside. Allow to dry once again. After the Christmas ornaments have dried, use the scissors to trim around the edges, if necessary. Use the paper punch to make a hole at the top of the antique Christmas ornaments.

The next step is to give the Christmas ornaments an antique look. Brew a cup of very strong coffee or tea. Using the paint brush apply the liquid to one side of the antique Christmas cards. Allow to dry. Now turn the antique Christmas ornaments over and do the same to the other side. Repeat this step if necessary, to give the Christmas ornaments a nice antique look. Allow the Antiqued Christmas ornaments to dry thoroughly.

Next you will want to add a protective coat to your antique Christmas ornaments. This can be accomplished by mixing two parts craft glue to one part water. Using the paint brush apply the mixture to the antique Christmas ornaments, coating and drying one side at a time.

Now using the 1/4" ribbon, cut the ribbon into 8" lengths. Cutting a strip of ribbon for each ornament. Insert the ribbons into the holes on the antique Christmas ornaments and tie a small bow. Hang and enjoy your antique Christmas ornaments.

Christmas craft projects are a great way to get into the spirit of Christmas and this craft project is so simple, the entire family can participate.