It’s safe to say that everyone
has at least a handful of special ornaments they hang in their home during the
Christmas holidays. In many families, these particular decorations have been
around for years…sometimes for generations. They hold a special place in your
heart and no doubt they bring back memories of days-gone-by, perhaps a time
when you were little and the magic of Christmas seemed to radiate all around
you.
While those endearing
ornaments are no doubt extra special to you and yours, adding to your
collection with some new handmade ornaments is a wonderful way to create new
and lasting memories for your children, grandkids, and other members of the
family. Gathering together in one place to make those handmade treasures is
also a wonderful way to create treasured memories and is a good excuse for
getting everyone together in one spot for a day or night of creativity.
Homemade ornaments can
range from very simple creations to those that are very complex and quite
elaborate. If you’re working with kids, however, you’ll want to keep it as
simple as possible to avoid frustration and to keep the results as pleasing as
possible. For the littlest ones, for example, you might want to start by cutting
pictures from previously used Christmas cards, decorating them with glitter,
and adding a ribbon hanger. It can be that simple! You might consider going
with a theme, such as Santa Claus, snowmen, or religious scenes such as the
Nativity. Cookie ornaments are great for kids too and there are plenty of
recipes available for crafting dough that can last for years to come.
At popular craft stores,
like Michael’s or Jo-Ann Fabrics, you can often find ornament-making kits, which
are ideal for those who are less creative and need some ideas to get the ball
rolling. Some of those same stores offer classes that teach ornament making,
and there you can learn skills that you can take home and share with your
family members. Just take some time to walk around the craft store and browse
the many materials that are available for ornament making, ranging from
styrofoam balls and small wooden figurines to ribbons galore, flowers, and much
more. Use your imagination and look for items that might have some sort of
special meaning to your family.
Remember, however, that
you’ll want to start this project fairly early. Many families get a jump on the
season by making ornaments when everyone is gathered together for Thanksgiving.
So, perhaps after you’ve finished eating the turkey and cleaning up the dishes,
you can all sit down together and begin to craft the ornaments. Organize the
pieces you need ahead of time to keep the process orderly and be sure to have
some hot chocolate and cookies on hand to make the task extra special.
About the author:
Evelyn
Wood is writer at A
Gift Personalized. A Gift Personalized offers thousands of
unique and personalized gifts for occasions throughout the year. At A Gift Personalized you will find a unique
gift that creates a lasting memory.
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