The Joys of Making Handmade Christmas Ornaments

While relaxing and watching the University of Kentucky Wildcats play basketball tonight, slowly the joys of youth and holiday gift making come alive. Christmas lights gently start to glow and light up my imagination. Visions of, candy canes, gifts, Christmas trees, handmade Christmas ornaments and other delightful memorabilia dance in my head, days full of young carefree fun full of innovation, those times when Santa Clause was real, and well respected by all fellow classmates and myself.

Sitting now at my old wooden school desk in my classroom at Maceo Elementary School, surrounded by sacks of handmade Christmas ornaments we had made for the family Christmas tree during the week. Throughout this last week of school our teacher played the classic songs of Christmas. Jingle Bells, Here comes Santa Clause, Frosty the Snowman, and other heartfelt hits ring out from the old record player the teacher has on top of the piano in the classroom. The teacher gives us all treats consisting of eggnog and cookies, during our handmade ornament making times. In the corner of the classroom, our Christmas tree stands proudly, and is filled with handmade ornaments made by my class members. Ornaments of garland encircle the jumbled up tree.

How much fun it is to make the ornaments, and too see them hanging on the tree. This moment were all very proud. Handmade ornaments of popcorn sewn together adorn and hug the large green Christmas tree. I can smell the popcorn, as we methodically take the pieces of corn and thread the pieces together to form the long chain, which encircles the tree.

Ropes and ropes of cranberries encircle our class tree too. The same instruction went for making the cranberry handmade decoration. Please remember to be careful and not to poke your finger with the needle as it penetrates and goes through the thin skin of the cranberry.

Ropes of garland made of colored paper. First, we would select different pieces of colored paper, red, green, white, and blue to name a few. We would then cut the paper up into small strips, curling the paper around an empty toilet paper roll, we would then attach a piece of tape to hold our decoration together. Then we would link our many rings of colored paper together to form a chain of handmade garland several feet long.

We also make Christmas cookie cutter decorations this week. Our teacher would bring flour, oil, salt, and some other stuff and mix it together to make dough. We would mix this entire selection of goodies together until it formed a doughy base, spreading all of our material onto wax paper. Now, we would take the rolling pin and roll it flat. Taking the cookie cutter in hand, we would cut out snowmen, Christmas trees, and stars. After the teacher would remove the extra dough from off the paper, we would then put a small hole in the top for the Christmas hook. The ornaments left to dry overnight.

I can still see the creations my classmates and I had made still hanging on the branches of our class Christmas tree. I can still feel the pride welling up in my soul when I got home, as my mom hugs me and says, "Michael this is so cute!" I now hear the final bell before the start of Christmas break ringing in my mind. The final day of school full of the electricity of anticipation, knowing Christmas break is just around the bend.

Childlike times now long since over, the magic of Christmas time still lives through my own children's amazement and creations, bringing to the top of my mind youthful recollections. We had made the handmade Christmas ornaments during the week before Christmas break. Those Christmas ornaments made by small hands which mom and dad would cherish forever.