At Christmas Twigs, www.christmastwigs.com, we like to make your holidays and celebrations less stressful and more enjoyable. You can create a memorable Christmas the old fashioned way and involve your children by starting your holiday preparations this summer!
Parents are always looking for creative ways to keep their children busy during the summer time. There are many fun things you can do as a family to spend quality time together and make it a memorable summer. Not to mention make this year's Christmas less stressful!
Simple ideas mean beautiful results!
Your children can make all kinds of fun ornament shapes with felt. You will need paper for patterns, felt, sequins, glue, batting, needle & thread, buttons, assorted trims, glitter, ribbon roses, etc...
1.Cut out simple pattern shapes like a Christmas tree, bell, round ornament shape, star,present, just keep it basic. Cut two of each pattern out of felt.
2.Depending on the age of your child, he or she can sew the edges together by hand or you can sew them on a sewing machine leaving a spot open to stuff with batting. Sew or glue the open spot closed.
3. Then the fun begins! Let each child decorate with their own style and flair. These can become treasured ornaments through the years. On the back of each ornament, take a fabric marker or fabric paint and put their name and date on it.
4.Glue a thin ribbon loop on the back for a hanger.
Gumdrop Ornaments
These are a little tricky for small hands so you may want to do these with your older children. Purchase white or colored gumdrops, Styrofoam balls, toothpicks, glue, ribbon, and corsage pins. (For step by step instructions with pictures visit our second blog at www.holidayhearthandhome.blogonize.com.)
1. Cut a piece of ribbon and fold it in half. Pin the two cut edges into the Styrofoam balls at the top of the ball with a corsage pin.
2. Cut or break toothpicks into half pieces. Stick half of the uneven edge toothpick into the ball. The pointy edge of the toothpick will be sticking out. Put a gumdrop on the pointy end of the toothpick. Carefully push the gumdrop all the way onto the toothpick. (It may be helpful to use a fabric hot pad folded in half to push the gumdrop on so the toothpick doesn't poke your finger. Start at the bottom of the ball (opposite edge from where the ribbon was placed.
3. Randomly put a corsage pin in the small spaces between the gumdrops for an elegant finish!
These are quite heavy so when you hang them on the tree they will need to be hung closer to the trunk of the tree instead out on the branches. You could add greenery to these ornaments or hang them on a garland. Put a a gumdrop ball in a small glass bowl or on a decorative Christmas plate. Put two or three displayed along your mantel. Add greenery and put it on your mantel for an eye catching display!
Clothespin Fairies, Santas, & Elves
Hop aboard Santa's sleigh and pretend you are flying away to the North Pole. You will need old fashioned wooden clothespins, fabric, felt, scissors, markers, assorted trims, pipe cleaners, variety color of yarn, batting, ribbon, tulle or regular net for wings, and . You and your children can use their imaginations to make whimsical miniature dolls from old fashioned clothespins.
1. For the fairy, first glue on a pipe cleaner cut in half to the back of the clothespin. Let it dry and you may want to hot glue these on.
2. Create your own designer dress (possibilities are endless here), and attach to the clothespin. Make some cute puffy sleeves with trim or fabric to glue on each side of the clothespin.
3. Make a small loop at the end of each pipe cleaner for hands.
4. Put eyes, mouth nose, and blush on each doll with markers.
5. Fairy wings are easily made by cutting a small rectangle of tulle or net. Take a thin ribbon and tie it in the middle of the tulle or net.
6. Make long locks of hair out of yarn for fairies and make a cute hat out of a flower. Santa beards and hair are easily made out of batting.
***Take pictures of your cute creations and these could be made into Christmas Cards with a note on the back of designed by...and put the child's first name.***
Hop aboard Santa's sleigh and pretend you are flying away to the North Pole. You will need old fashioned wooden clothespins, fabric, felt, scissors, markers, assorted trims, pipe cleaners, variety color of yarn, batting, ribbon, tulle or regular net for wings, and . You and your children can use their imaginations to make whimsical miniature dolls from old fashioned clothespins.
1. For the fairy, first glue on a pipe cleaner cut in half to the back of the clothespin. Let it dry and you may want to hot glue these on.
2. Create your own designer dress (possibilities are endless here), and attach to the clothespin. Make some cute puffy sleeves with trim or fabric to glue on each side of the clothespin.
3. Make a small loop at the end of each pipe cleaner for hands.
4. Put eyes, mouth nose, and blush on each doll with markers.
5. Fairy wings are easily made by cutting a small rectangle of tulle or net. Take a thin ribbon and tie it in the middle of the tulle or net.
6. Make long locks of hair out of yarn for fairies and make a cute hat out of a flower. Santa beards and hair are easily made out of batting.
***Take pictures of your cute creations and these could be made into Christmas Cards with a note on the back of designed by...and put the child's first name.***
Check out our selection of Green Christmas trees, Flocked Christmas Trees, and Christmas Trees with cute bears in them by Ditz, at christmastwigs.com. The Ditz Design Tree bears are adorable and you could add a combination of handmade ornaments to hang on their branches for a beautiful old fashioned Christmas tree that your family, friends, and guests will love! Take a look at these they really would be a nice addition to any home, Christmas, or cabin decor!
Christmas Garland
Scraparoo Paper Chain Garland
Scraparoo Paper Chain Garland
There are sooo many fun scrap booking papers out now that you can choose just about any creative combination for a paper chain. Spruce up the old idea of using construction paper and substitute that for beautiful designed paper. Have your children cut out strips of paper and glue them together. They can make amazing garland creations this way! Best part about it's simple so your children can do it themselves while making family fun!
Popcorn, Cranberry, Mini Colored Marshmallow Garland
Pop pop corn. Put popcorn, cranberries and marshmallows in separate bowls. You will need a needle and thread for each person stringing the garland. Alternate popcorn, cranberries, and mini colored marshmallows as you sew through the middle of each item. The popcorn is fragile so this activity is easier for big hands but little hands can definitely help. Once you make each strand of garland as long as you want, set it on the cupboard or table and allow it to dry. This makes such a cute and festive garland for your tree!
Let your imagination go and create an old fashioned Christmas this summer that you and your children will enjoy and remember for years!
Visit www.christmastwigs.com and read our article pages for more family friendly holiday ideas and www.holidayhearthandhome.blogonize.com for creative ways to celebrate and start family traditions!
Popcorn, Cranberry, Mini Colored Marshmallow Garland
Pop pop corn. Put popcorn, cranberries and marshmallows in separate bowls. You will need a needle and thread for each person stringing the garland. Alternate popcorn, cranberries, and mini colored marshmallows as you sew through the middle of each item. The popcorn is fragile so this activity is easier for big hands but little hands can definitely help. Once you make each strand of garland as long as you want, set it on the cupboard or table and allow it to dry. This makes such a cute and festive garland for your tree!
Let your imagination go and create an old fashioned Christmas this summer that you and your children will enjoy and remember for years!
Visit www.christmastwigs.com and read our article pages for more family friendly holiday ideas and www.holidayhearthandhome.blogonize.com for creative ways to celebrate and start family traditions!
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