These home made Christmas decorations that can be made with the kids suggest the simple joys of a family Christmas. Decorating your home for Christmas need not be expensive or time consuming!
In an era when most Christmas goods are available immediately and can be very expensive, home made Christmas decorations lend a slower and gentler mood to your holiday preparations. Making your own Christmas decorations is just one way to save money at Christmas.
Make your own paper chains
Making paper chains each year is a lovely way to mark the beginning of Advent.
What you Need to Make Paper Chains:
- Sheets of colored paper OR sheets white paper and some cheap water based paints such as poster paints.
- A stick of child friendly glue.
- Scissors (safe paper cutting scissors for young children)
How to Make Paper Chains:
- If using white paper, paint each side of the paper in a wash of bright colored paint and allow to dry thoroughly.
- Cut paper into strips around half an inch thick (1.25 cm) and around six inches long (around 15cm).
- Use the stick of of glue to create a chain of interlinked rings of colored paper
- Suspend from the ceiling. Your kids will be so proud to show off their work to visitors!
Frosted Pine Cones
Collect pine cones and take them indoors until they open naturally over a few days thanks to the warmth of your home. Paint just the tip of each section of cone with white paint to give a frosted effect. Used as part of a wreath or a centrepiece to the Christmas table they look very natural and festive!
Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe
Buy red ribbon, a nice inexpensive option is the type that is sold in reels for decorating gifts. Tie bundles of holly, mistletoe and ivy with lengths of ribbon and either suspend the bunches or lay larger bunches on tables or the mantelpiece. Leave plenty of ribbon tied to each bundle and curl it with the blade of a blunt pair of scissors. If you have other winter greenery available then the decorating possibilities are endless.
Do take care to ensure that the bunches of greenery are hung out of the reach of children.
Paper Snowflakes
Making paper snowflakes is a fun and creative activity as each snowflake is unique, like real snow!
What you need to Make Paper Snowflakes:
- Scissors (special safe paper cutting scissors for young children)
- Sheets of white paper.
What you need to Make Paper Snowflakes:
- Trace a circle onto the white paper.
- Cut out the circle with scissors.
- Fold the circle in half, and then into quarters, and finally into 1/8ths.
- Cut a pattern inside the folds (see the photo below for an example).
- Unfold your beautiful, unique snowflake.
Snowflakes can be can be fixed to the window for a lovely seasonal effect, or glued onto a homemade greetings card.
Another lovely Christmas tradition is the Yule Log which is easy to make with your kids
Why not continue to celebrate into the Twelve Days of Christmas that follow Christmas Day itself? Allow the magic of Christmas to release your family’s creativity during this special time with your Home Made Christmas Decorations.
 |
 |
 |
