Christmas is such a joyous time of year. From the family traditions to last minute fun events, there are so many moments I look forward to. One of the moments I look forward to is decorating the Christmas tree. Of course, having the tree lit up creates a glow is that is magical, but it’s more than just that. When I decorate the tree, I get to remember fun moments and memories of my children’s younger years. We have some adorable ornaments that they made either at school as a present or with me.
These ornaments are a great reminder of just how little they used to be. Whether it’s the fingerprints, the handprint, or the photo inside, they are a great way to measure how much they have grown.
If you are anything like me, these cute ornaments are super easy. I am not a creative person and while I have a crafty side of me, lately, I haven’t had the time to be crafty. These ornaments are perfect for you. If you do have a the creative bone in your body, well, then these are also great for you. While these are just 5 of the easiest handmade ornaments, you can jazz them up however your heart desires.
Supplies:
- Bulb Ornaments (Either plastic or glass. After working with both, I prefer glass with paint and plastic with the picture ornament.)
- Paint
- Anything the resembles snow (cotton, pompoms, glitter)
- Glitter
- Sharpies or puffy paint
- Thin Ribbon, string, or pipe cleaners for hanging the ornaments
1. Rudolph Ornament
This ornament is absolutely adorable. You will need brown paint and red paint. Your child will use their thumb to make prints around the ornament. Once it is completely dried, you can use black marker or black paint to dot the eyes. Red paint to add a red nose. For the antlers, you can use brown sharpie or brown paint. If you have room, you can use a sharpie or puffy paint to add the year. Tie a ribbon on the top or use a pipe cleaner for hanging.
2. Christmas Lights Ornament
For this, you will need any paint color you want to use for lights. Your child will get a little finger like the index finger and will alternate the finger prints with different colors. Then, using a black sharpie or black paint, connect the “lights”. Insert your favorite “snow” inside the ornament and tie a ribbon or pipe cleaner to hang.
3. Snowman Ornament
This was one of my favorite ornaments to make with my students. However, for the younger children, you may be doing most of the work. You will need white paint, black marker or puffy paint, gold or brown marker or puffy paint, and glitter.
Paint your child’s hand with white paint and have them hold the ornament on the bottom as their fingers wrap around the ornament. You can immediately add the glitter while it is still wet or wait and add some glue and then the glitter. If you add the glitter immediately after you add the paint, it does make it harder to add the buttons, mouth, and eyes. If you don’t want to add glitter, just wait until the white paint is dry before adding the details. You can add the glitter inside of the ornament instead and still get a beautiful effect. On the bottom where the palm was, you can add the year with puffy paint.
4. Child’s Picture Ornament
For this, you will need glitter or any filling you would want to add like little jewels and a photo of your child/children cut out. It would be best to add the picture to card stock if you can’t print it on cardstock and then cut it out. Printing paper will not hold up as well inside. Insert the photo inside along with whatever filling you want to add. Tie a ribbon, string, or pipe cleaner for hanging. If you feel the need to add the year, use a sharpie (I prefer gold or silver) or puffy paint.
5. Mixed Paint Ornament
This is probably the easiest ornament to do and can create some beautiful designs. You will need to get any paint colors you want. Add a few drops of the paint and have your child swirl the paint around until the entire inside of the ornament is covered with paint. Let it dry without the topper which is typically a day or two. These were the easiest to do with my 5th graders and the color combinations really determined the outcome. Often times, the red and blue created brown. So be careful with the color choices. However, the end result is beautiful.
Please let me know if you have tried these and how they turned out. I promise you, every year, you will look forward to seeing these and will never want to get rid of them.
Are you the traditions type, check out this post about making traditions during the holiday season.