Simple Christmas Craft Ideas: Glitter Pine Cones, Wreaths and More

Finding craft ideas that can be enjoyed by children of all ages can be a challenge at times. Throw in the fact that you want to stick to a budget and it becomes even harder.

Here's a few of the ideas that I've come across in recent years.

Glitter pine cone:

Gather clean well shaped pine cones, loose glitter, brown bags, spray adhesive, and ribbon. Spray your pinecone with the adhesive and then drop into a bag that you've sprinkled glitter into. Shake well and remove. After deciding where to position your ribbon add more adhesive to that area (regular glue works well for this also) and making a loop with the ribbon lay ends on the glue and hold briefly. If cone still feels tacky allow to dry before handling.

Snow globes:

You will need small disposable plastic tumblers, cotton balls, paper doilies, small and mini colored puff balls, plastic wiggly eyes, and a hot glue gun. The doily will be used as the base upon which you will you will glue down a cotton ball that you have pulled apart. Once this is done you are ready to begin assembling your snowman gluing as you go. Use three cotton balls to form the body and center it on the doily. The colored puff balls will make the buttons down the snowman's front as well as his nose. Use the mini's to make a mouth and add wiggly eyes to complete. Sprinkle with glitter if desired and then turn the plastic tumbler upside down and glue in place. If you want to hang the snow globe simply punch a hole in the bottom of the tumbler before gluing in place and thread with ribbon or yarn.

Paperweights:

Small glass baby food jars, spray paint and glue. Spray the lid with color of your choice and allow to dry. Fill the jar with items you've chosen and the glue lid on. The lid is usually the base. Some ideas for filling the jar are colored sand, decorative glass or rocks, small sea shells, buttons, beads, or different colored bits of yarn. There are of course many other things that can be used. Simply look around the house and see what you can find that will fit.

Fun with foam wreath:

Using sheets of craft foam trace hand print with fingers spread and cut out. You will need approximately 13. Once they are cut out lay in a circle with the fingers pointing out and the base of the palms overlapping. When you are happy with the look use a hot glue gun to glue together To decorate use small fun foam shapes, beads, ribbon, buttons or other light weight items that spark your interest. Hang by attaching a ribbon to the top with either glue or by punching a hole in one of the hands.

Beaded ornament

Styrofoam balls, small beads, straight pins for beading, and ribbon. These are beautiful and easy to make. Simply place a few beads on a pin and push into the Styrofoam ball. Stop when you are happy with the look you have achieved. Make a loop with the ribbon and pin to the top.

A variation of this is to take small strips of fabric that are cut so that the center is slightly wider then the ends and lay them on the ball. You will lay to strips of fabric side by side and slightly overlapping, place a ribbon over the raw edge and pin in place. Repeat until the ball is covered and then decorate with the beads.