Christmas Ornaments for Family







When I was alot younger (LOL) and had alot more time and all the family was close, I started a tradition that lasted many years. I have always loved doing crocheting, crafts and such so this was fairly easy for me. The hardest part was to think of something new each year. *S*...

I would think of a small project that would make a great Christmas Tree ornament and then make one for each person in the family. I would attach the ornament to their Christmas present and then they would hang it on their tree. After several years, they all had quite a collection of different ornaments that I had made for them. Each one different.

I will try to remember some of the ornaments I made over the years.

Clothspin Dolls

   

Get some wooden clothspins (the old fashioned kind, not the ones with the spring) and start decorating. First attach a thin cord of some sort for the hanger to the top of the pin. Paint a face on the front of it. Then smear the top and sides of the clothspin with glue and attached a cotton ball for hair. Pull it out a bit and form it like hair. Then get a square of scrap cloth about 2 x 6 inches. Run a stitch along the long end and wrap around middle of the clothspin. Pull the string tight and secure it. Place a little glue around where the "skirt" top is to hold in place. Cut another piece of cloth about 4-5 inches long and about 1 inch wide. Wrap this around the top as her "blouse" and glue in place. You can add all sorts of decorations to "dress her up" a bit.

Another one is the "Wooden Soldier".. just paint the bottom half black and the top half (except where the face is) in red. Put some tiny gold balls for buttons down the front. Then again use the cotton balls to make his high hat.

There is also the "Reindeer".. Take two clothspins and glue together side by side. Then glue a third pin upside down but glue this one where the heads of the pins overlap... then put little eyes on and decorate however you wish.




Baby Blocks Ornament

For these I got the little screws with a ring a the end of the screw. I found some Disney baby blocks (you know the small wooden A,B,C blocks?) I attached the screw to the top and to the side of each block. Then I had some very small plastic holly and cut it up at attached several leaves at the base of the ring. Then I ravished the craft store for as many different tiny figurines I could find. Santa's, Mrs. Santa's, reindeer, snowmen, etc. just make sure they are small enough to fit nicely on the top of the block. Just glue them on the top and add a cord to the screw "eye" to hang it with. Those were alot of fun to make.




Hanging Basket

For these I crocheted a square (any pattern) about 3" square. I folded the square crosswise to make a triangle. Stich the joining ends together and attach a cord to hang it. Fill with plastic holly and berries. These are pretty if you use 2 or more colors to make the square.


Mouse in a Stocking

Take some red felt and cut a "Christmas Stocking" about 2" in length. Cut 2 for each stocking. Stitch the two sides together around the edge. Cut some white felt wide enough to make the top of the stocking. Stitch the white top to the top of the red stocking. Attach a small cord for hanging.

With grey felt, cut out a "bean" shape. Cut 2. This size depends on the size of your stocking. You want enough to fit on the inside and still have half sticking out. Sew the two sides together except for a small whole so you can stuff a few cotton balls into it to fill it out a little. Now close the opening. Take some black thread and make a small stitch in the "nose" and pull thru leaving about 2 inches. Cut about 2" from stitch and then knot the thread together and cut to about 1/2-3/4 inch long. Do this on each side of the "Mouse" for his whiskers. Then glue little bead eyes. Place the "Mouse" inside the stocking and secure with a small amount of glue.


Christmas Egg

You know the little plastic eggs the crafts store has for Easter??? Those make great Christmas ornaments. Decorate them with almost anything, lace, ribbon, babbles, holly, etc.. (just make sure you attach a cord for hanging) Then you can put something little in there for a "extra surprise" for your family member.

Well... now you get the general idea. Just anything small to make ornaments out of that isn't to heavy so it can be hung from a Christmas tree. My family got to where they knew they were going to get a ornament also for Christmas.






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