Homemade Christmas DIY Ornament for Kids
As the first snowflakes begin to twinkle in the morning light, I nestle on our living room couch, feeling the warm glow of the fireplace. My kids—Jack, almost 12, and Lucy, a spirited 9-year-old—are sketching ideas for this year’s homemade holiday ornaments. There’s something magical about this time of year, isn’t there? With the smell of cinnamon and pine filling our home, I find myself reminiscing about my childhood. I remember crafting ornaments with my siblings as we listened to carols, our laughter echoing with glee. It’s a tradition that has transformed from generations past into our cozy family ritual today. Our mission? To create unique, heartfelt decorations that reflect our family’s spirit and creativity. If you’re looking to join in this festive fun with your kids, here are some fantastic ideas that will sprinkle your holiday home with joy and charm.
Festive Nature Ornaments
One of my favorite ways to connect with the beauty of the season is through nature. Each year, we gather twigs, pinecones, and acorns during a family hike, turning them into delightful ornaments. This year, we made lovely little pinecone mice. All you need are pinecones, googly eyes, small balls of clay for noses, and some natural twine for hanging. My kids loved picking out different sizes of pinecones to create their little fellow friends.
Tip: To create an adorable mouse ornament, glue the eyes and clay nose in place. You can wrap a thin ribbon around the top for a festive touch. The possibilities are endless—think about collecting colorful leaves or dried flowers to make pressed leaf ornaments. If you’re looking for a way to incorporate sustainability into your holiday decorations, this is a fun and eco-friendly approach!
Painted Cookie Cutters
Let’s talk about something that brings back memories of baking with my mom—cookie cutters! A simple set of holiday cookie cutters can take a turn to become a beautiful ornament. My kids loved carefully painting each shape with bright colors; we opted for vibrant reds and greens, decorating them with glitter for a sparkling effect.
You can use air-dry clay or salt dough as the medium, which is easy and fun to work with. Once the dough is rolled out, the kids can press the cookie cutters to shape the ornaments. Once they dry, a light coat of paint brings them to life!
Tip: Don’t forget to punch holes at the top before they dry, allowing them to hang on your tree. Trust me, the glimmering surprises of these beautiful ornaments will flicker in the holiday lights, bringing a smile to everyone who sees them.
Family Memory Ornaments
As we gather around the table, it gets emotional when I suggest creating ornaments that hold family memories. Each year, we try to encapsulate special moments from our lives. My husband and I pull out some cherished photos, and the kids pick the ones they love the most; this year, we went with our summer camping trip photos.
With clear plastic or glass ornaments available at craft stores, we place printed photos carefully inside, along with a bit of artificial snow or glitter. Hopefully, it won’t fall out, but hey, a little mess only adds to the fun!
Tip: To make it even more personal, add handwritten notes to describe the memories captured, tucking them neatly in the ornament. Every time we hang them, it’s like unwrapping a heartfelt gift of nostalgia.
Fabric and Fiber Ornaments
Have some old fabric scraps or yarn lying around? Perfect! Bright colors and patterns can be ideal for stitching delightful ornaments that reflect your family’s personality and style. A few years ago, we made little fabric stars and hearts that danced gracefully on our tree.
The kids and I spent an afternoon sewing (not to mention the giggles and minor tangles from the threads!). We cut shapes from our fabric, stitched them together, filled them lightly with cotton, and adorned them with buttons. They were practical, fun, and zero waste—I felt like a proud mom, considering these homemade treasures.
Tip: Let your kids drive the colors and designs they want. Integrating their choices makes the final product even more special. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to improve their motor skills while having a merry time!
Upcycled Ornaments
In our quest to stay eco-friendly, we’ve embraced upcycling our everyday materials into splendid ornaments. This year, we decided to transform old Christmas cards into beautiful baubles. The children loved scissor-snipping, creating an array of shapes from the colorful cards—trees, stars, and snowmen.
Once cut, we glued them back-to-back with a bit of twine in between for a layered effect. As I watched them giggle while decorating each piece with glitter and ribbons, I felt grateful for the creativity that blossomed right before my eyes.
Tip: Collect cards from friends and family each year to craft a collection that tells your unique holiday story! It’s a joyful way to connect with loved ones while reducing waste and introducing your kids to the importance of recycling.
Special Touches for Personalization
No matter what DIY ornaments you create, adding your unique personal touches can elevate them to something truly special. Consider incorporating family heirlooms, like a beloved button or a small charm from your child’s first Christmas. Lucy has a tiny red button that her grandma gave her, and she can’t resist using it every year.
When decorating ornaments, let your kids sprinkle on glitter or use stamps with holiday motifs. Our family tradition also includes sitting together as we write our year’s blessings and putting them into ornaments. It’s a touching way to reflect on our wonderful memories and count our blessings before the holidays.
Tip: To elevate the personalization, create a small hand-lettered tag for each ornament with the date and children’s names. These little touches become treasures, not just for us but for generations to come.
Conclusion
Bringing homemade Christmas ornaments to life is a beautiful way to embrace the joy of the season while creating family traditions. Whether weaving memories from nature, fabric, or family stories, each decoration becomes a symbol of love and togetherness. So gather your supplies, invite your kids into the creative process, and enjoy the laughter, mess, and warmth that fills your home. Embrace the spirit of the season—this is where memories are made, and joy is found. Why not start your holiday crafting adventure today? You’ll be cherishing these homemade treasures for years to come. Happy crafting!
0 Comments