Unlike the rainy day finger paintings, jack-o-lanterns and pilgrim hats that our children make throughout the year, ornaments created by their little fingers during the holidays have a way of staying with us. The other projects may be nostalgically stored away, but these handmade ornaments carry an extra something special and are thus carefully packed up with the rest of the decorations, and are enjoyed every year for generations. That’s what I love about spending time making them with the kiddos in our family during the holiday season. Each slightly misplaced Rudolph nose or over-glittered star that hangs from the tree tells the story of where we are (or were) in our lives. So here are five ideas for ornaments you and your child can make as you celebrate the rest of the season and years ahead! 

1. Festive Clay Ornaments

We really enjoyed making these clay Christmas Trees, stars and angel ornaments inspired by Imagination Tree & Play At Home Mom and loved how they came out.  

You’ll Need:
2 cup bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
1 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cup water 

(optional) green food coloring

Additional Items for Decoration:
silver glitter
beads
Mod Podge (if desired)
string (to hang)
pencil…(to poke a hole in top)

Steps:

* Mix all 3 ingredients together in a pot and stir over medium heat until as thick play dough and it has formed one large ball in the pan. * Knead together to make smooth. * Roll or simply flatten with hand and cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters.  * Poke a hole for hanging with a pencil, pen or back of paintbrush.

* Push in beads and glitter for decorations. (The sooner you do this the better, so the clay isn’t too dry and more likely to crack.)

* (Optional) Put the ornaments in an oven preheated to 350 degrees and then turn it off to help them dry faster.

* I decided to use Mod Podge to seal and strengthen the ornament.  It made a world of difference. We used the matte version, but shiny would be nice as well.  I put two coats on and it filled in all the cracks nicely.  Then we signed and dated the back of the ornaments with a sharpie. 

2. Christmas Trees for the Deer (Rudolph Included!)

You’ll Need:
Brussels sprouts
Cranberries
Old bread
(or almost any food item!) 

Steps:

* Cut bread with various cookie cutters—the kiddos loved this part (we made stars, angels, Christmas trees, hearts, and candy canes).

* Use a needle and thread (or fishing line) to make a long strand using 5-10 consecutive cranberries and/or Brussels sprouts followed by one of the breaded shapes. Although it’s probably safest for adults or older children (L. who is almost 5 did well with the cranberries and bread) to do the stringing, younger kiddos can decide in what order the various components should be strung.  * Hang on a tree outdoors. 

Make it a daily routine to peek out the windows and head outdoors to see if any animals have visited as days go by. 

3. Triangle Christmas Tree Ornaments

Inspired by a triangle tree ornament I saw on Happy Hooligans!

You’ll Need:
Popsicle sticks
Glue
Pompoms
Ribbon
Small foam stickers
String (to hang)

Steps:* If you don’t have pre-colored popsicle sticks, have kiddos use markers or paint to color them green.

* Glue together three green popsicle sticks into the shape of a triangle. (I used a glue gun and it took seconds to make each one).

* Glue decorations around the “tree.” We made two different versions; the first, we glued on pompoms and sparkly ribbon pieces, and the second, we stuck on foam sticker shapes. The latter works better for the toddlers—stickers instead of glue, promotes independence and allows children to practice fine motor skills.

4. Paper Towel Stars

We found this idea here and they are truly beautiful!

You’ll Need:
White, child-safe paint (I am not a big fan of using spray paint with little ones, as the original craft calls for, so I let them paint themselves.)
Cardboard from empty paper towel roll
Glitter
Glittery string (to hang)

Steps:

* Flatten the paper towel roll.
* Cut straight across the paper towel roll (all the way down) to make petal-shaped rings about an inch thick.
* Paint strips white, roll in glitter and let dry
* Glue 6 pieces together at the center to create snowflake.  If you use a hot glue gun it is easy, but if not, you can hold the pieces together with clothespins until they dry (glue 2 together at a time).

5. Felt Rudolph

I just LOVE this Rudolph my grandmother made for me, so I wanted to make it with my kids too. I know they will treasure Rudolph!

You’ll Need
Felt (light brown, white, red and black)
Two twigs (for antlers)
Glue
String (to hang)

Steps:

* Use thin sharpie to draw out shapes on felt (deer head and ears on brown, small two white ears, white eyes and black eyes, red circle nose, white and black for mouth as shown below)
* Cut out all shapes
* Glue shapes in appropriate spots and attach string.

And if you’re still searching for meaningful yet affordable gifts for friends and family, personalizing any of the above ornaments with initials or names and packaging them up nicely certainly does the trick.