[Holistic Squid note: You may know I'm not much of a DIYer, but the crafts in question are as simple, cheap, and easy as Naomi's beautiful DIY Christmas ornaments, even I can't resist getting in on the homemade fun.]
As Christmas approaches, I love the idea of getting ready with the kids, going all DIY and making Christmas crafts while singing carols and drinking hot chocolate or hot spiced apple juice afterwards.
In reality, we're running around busy with Christmas concerts and regular day to day living, as Christmas Eve is the kids' first day off school. I don't stress much about Christmas, but then I don't get an awful lot done either. I fully plan on taking advantage that the 12 days of Christmas actually start on Christmas day.
These DIY Christmas ornaments, however, are super simple to make even if you are squeaking in at the last moment. If the tree is already decorated, hang them in and around the house or give them away as gifts. They are easy on the wallet to boot!
I also love that all of these ornaments are made of natural materials and are either biodegradable, recyclable, or edible. Christmas makes a lot of garbage, and this is one small way to counteract the waste.
Finally, all of these DIY Christmas ornament are safe. Kids are drawn to Christmas trees like moths to light; if any of these ornaments fall you don't need to worry about scattered shards or toxic glues or paints.
Beeswax ornaments
You can buy both natural or colored beeswax sheets (these will get to you by tomorrow). Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. The wax will stick a little to the sides, just gently push against the sides of the cookie cutter. I used an embroidery needle to poke a hole and string thick thread through it. If so inclined, you can also press a little glitter into it.
Origami ornaments
Origami is limited only by your imagination. Paper comes in all colors and patterns; some origami paper are works of art in themselves, like these ones. You can also use wrapping paper, although the final product is softer and less durable. Regular printing paper is a bit too stiff, but it works for these simple ornaments too (I wanted to try out a white ornament scheme).
I made balls, doves (extra ornamental made with paper doilies), cranes which are a little trickier, and a star for the top. I threaded them with sturdy thread using an embroidery needle.
Dried orange ornaments
The oranges are one of my favorites – when hanging on the tree they almost have a stained glass look when lit up by lights. Slice oranges. Dry. Done.
I dry them on the radiator, but you can also dry them in the oven on a low setting or with a dehydrator. They don't need to be completely dry like dried fruit because they will be hanging in air, not in an container. You can also sprinkle with glitter before drying for a bit of sparkle.
Gingerbread ornaments
Gingerbread and other cut-out cookies (like sugar cookies) can also be used as ornaments. Use your favorite recipe (here's a grain free gingerbread).
Pictured below are traditional Slovak spiced honey cookies. In Slovakia, everybody makes these cookies and there are amazing cookie decorating artists. You can use a straw to make a hole for threading the ornament before baking or, like me, you can thread them with an embroidery needle.
Snowflake ornament
Nothing more than regular paper is needed to make beautiful snowflakes, and there is no reason they can't also hang on a tree. 6 pointed snowflakes are immediately elegant.
I cut a piece of paper in half, and used half to make one snowflake, but even that is pretty large, especially for a small Charlie Brown tree (don't worry, this isn't our tree. In Slovakia we put up trees later). These instructions for 6 point snowflakes are easy to follow.
Happy DIY Christmas ornament crafting, as you sing carols and drink hot chocolate!
Which DIY Christmas ornaments are you going to try?
The closest Naomi has gotten to her dream farm is growing live bacteria in jars and wrangling her four children, including twins. A Canadian who now lives in Slovakia, Naomi writes about traditions, food, and life in Slovakia (as well as some pretty strange food) at Almost Bananas.
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I love these. They are each culturally rich, quality and old-fashioned. Pinning this so I can plan better for next year. This year we’re off in just a day for the snowy mountains, and I can’t quite squeeze it in. But so charming.
Thank you! Enjoy your trip to the snowy mountains!