You know that feeling when the air turns crisp, and the smell of pine starts wafting through the neighborhood? I can’t help but get giddy at the thought of the holidays! This year, I want to dive into something special: makeshift handmade ornaments that ooze that cozy, personal touch. I mean, who doesn't cherish the idea of hanging a little piece of love on the tree, right? Just last week, as I rummaged through my childhood keepsakes, I stumbled upon a lopsided ornament I created as a kid—so clumsy yet so full of heart. It got me thinking—why not relive that joy and create something memorable again? Isn’t it time we added a bit of our own sparkle to the celebrations?
Items You’ll Need
- Craft Glue
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Decorative Paper
- Paints (acrylic or watercolors)
- Paintbrushes
- Glitter
- Beads
- String or Twine
- Felt
- Stickers
- Wire (floral or craft wire)
- Pompoms
- Wooden Shapes (blanks)
- Hot Glue Gun
- Hot Glue Sticks
- Cardboard
- Paper Mache
- Craft Foam
- Sewing Kit (needles, thread)
- Embellishments (sequins, feathers, etc.)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather My Supplies
First, I gather all my supplies on a big table. I lay out my craft glue, scissors, decorative paper, paints, paintbrushes, glitter, beads, string, felt, stickers, wire, pompoms, wooden shapes, hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, cardboard, paper mache, craft foam, my sewing kit, and embellishments. It's like a colorful treasure trove!
Step 2: Choose My Base
I decide what kind of ornament I want to make. I pick a wooden shape as my base. It’s easy to decorate and will look great hanging on the tree!
Step 3: Paint It Up
Next, I grab my paints and start painting the wooden shape. I mix colors to create a vibrant, festive design. I let my creativity flow as I paint stars, snowflakes, and holiday colors!
Step 4: Add Glitter
While the paint is still wet, I sprinkle some glitter on top. It sticks perfectly to the wet paint, making my ornament shimmer and shine like a holiday star!
Step 5: Cut Decorative Paper
I rummage through my decorative paper stash. I cut out fun shapes like hearts and stars to glue on my painted ornament. This adds texture and makes it even more special!
Step 6: Use Craft Glue
With my craft glue in hand, I carefully glue the decorative paper shapes onto my ornament. I love how it brings everything together and makes my design pop!
Step 7: Get Crafty with Embellishments
Now it's time for the fun embellishments! I pick some beads, sequins, and pompoms. I use the hot glue gun to attach them all around the edges. It’s such a joy to see my ornament come to life!
Step 8: Create a Hanger
To finish off my ornament, I cut a piece of ribbon and string or twine. I tie a lovely bow and attach it to the top of my ornament with hot glue. This will look so beautiful when it hangs on my tree!
Step 9: Let it Dry
I place my finished ornament on a drying rack and admire my work. I can’t wait to hang it up and show it off!
Step 10: Display and Share
Once everything is dry, I hang my handmade ornaments on the Christmas tree. I even take photos to share with my friends and family, showcasing my creativity and holiday spirit!