Quick and Easy Christmas Crafts

Making ornaments or gifts for Christmas or even wintertime can be a lot of fun and very rewarding for children and adults alike. I have a few craft ideas that I wish to share with everyone so please have fun and enjoy:

Ornaments

Rudolph the Reindeer Ornament

You need:

3 popsicle sticks

1 red pompom

2 wiggle eyes

2 brown pipe cleaners

Yarn or other string for hanging

Procedure:

1. Glue the 3 popsicle sticks together to form a capital letter A. Let glue dry.
2. Turn the letter A upside down and glue the red pompom to the point of the A. Glue the eyes right below where the cross-bar of the A meets the other two sticks.
3. Use the pipe cleaners and wrap them around the top part of the "legs" of the A to form antlers. Secure by wrapping the pipe cleaners around several times and adding a drop or two of glue.
4. Add string for hanging!

Paper Snowflakes

You need

Paper, square sheets work best

Scissors

Glitter or glitter glue

Procedure:

1. Fold the square into a triangle shape. Fold that triangle into another triangle. Y ou can stop folding here or you can fold one more time. If it is a young child doing this, it is easier to fold less because the thicker the paper, the harder it is to cut.
2. Now cut different shapes out of the sides of the paper.
3. Open up and see the beautiful designs.
4. Use glittelr glue to furter decorate your snowflake. It will look beautiful hanging in the window or on a tree.

Snowmen

You need

Powedered soap flakes such as Ivory or Dreft

Water

Buttons, material scraps, etc for decorations

1. Mix soap flakes with a small amount of water. Add more water slowly until a dough like substance forms.
2. Roll balls of soap flakes. Attach two or three balls on top of each other.
3. Use material to make a scarf. Use buttons to make eyes, buttons, etc
4. Let dry overnight.
5. You can attach string by tying it around the snowman to hang it on the tree. Or it could be a table top decoration as well.

Cinnamon Ornaments

You need:

½ cup applesauce

½ cup cinnamon

Rolling pin

Pencil

Cookie cutters

Acrylic paints

Procedure:

1. Mix applesauce and cinnamon together to form a thick dough. If it is too thick, add a bit more applesauce. If it is too thin, add a bit more cinnamon. (You can buy cinnamon in bulk at stores like BJs, Sams Club, or Costco since you will need a lot of it)
2. Once you have a good consistency, roll the dough flat.. Cut out shapes using the cookie cutters. Using a pencil, make a whole near the top of each shape for stringing when dry. Let dry overnight.
3. When completely dry, you can use acrylic paints to add decorations. Use paints sparingly, and only on one side of the ornaments and they will smell good for a longer period of time.
4. Put a string through the hole and you can hang on a tree or anywhere!

GIFTS

Potholders, Dish Towels, or Placemats

You need

Inexpensive potholders, dish towels or placemats, can be found at discount department stores such as Walmart

Fabric paint

Paint brushes

Stencils, optional

Procedure:

Paint beautiful designs onto the fabric. You can use stencils if you choose to or just be creative and make your own designs or pictures.

These make beautiful handmade gifts for grandmothers, aunts, teachers, or other favorite adults in your child's life.