News flash, Christmas day is swiftly approaching! As the days become fuller and more hectic, I like to carve out time for peaceful, festive activities with my children. That is why I thought it would be fun to share some jubilant Christmas crafts with you all. These Christmas crafts are beautiful, inexpensive, and fun. They encourage family time and creativity. Making these Christmas crafts, a win-win in my book!
In my opinion, Christmas crafts are best done with Christmas music softly playing in the background… and a fresh batch of hot chocolate bubbling away on the stovetop. If you agree, won’t you please join me, and my family, as we participate in Christmas crafts that embrace joy, peace, creativity, and love.
You don’t have to be a talented artist to create these fun, jubilant Christmas crafts. So come along, and don’t forget to bring your imagination and your creativity.
Let’s get started on something special!
~Gather Round, My Little Ducklings~
As is our custom, I gather all four of my children around me to listen to my instructions. “Is everyone sitting comfortably?” “Right, then let us begin”. From here I explain our craft and began to divvy out the supplies.
Often, we work from our dining table… but other times, we work from the floor. Our supplies for this activity are simple-lots of items we already had from other projects. Plus, some new canvases from the Dollar Tree, ribbon, paint, a hot glue gun, and lots and lots of glitter.
Glitter and Christmas crafts certainly go hand in hand! The sparkling mess is worth the spectacular beauty the sparkles create!
~Oh Dear, I almost Forgot, the Hot Chocolate~
Did you know that having a cup of homemade hot chocolate is a must before beginning any jubilant Christmas craft? Well, it is …and that is why we are going to sidestep now, into the kitchen, for a lovely chocolate treat.
With our supplies gathered and set out- we can now enjoy a bit of sugar to fuel our creative thoughts. Yes, please!
First things first, let me set the stage by placing my newly decorated, seasonal, lazy Susan on the table. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you may recognize my lazy Susan caddy from a previous post.
Originally from Aldi, this lazy Susan received a simple make over with a bit of stripping and a new, lighter wax. Now, this “little helper” has become a staple in my kitchen. Often used as a spice holder, but I also like to dress it up a little and give it new uses whenever I can.
Being as this is Christmas, decorating my lazy Susan again seemed fitting. (To see the original blog post on this lazy Susan, click here.)
~Hot Chocolate with a Twist- a Peppermint Twist~
Not wanting to be too basic, I decided to bring my cup of hot chocolate to life with a little Christmas magic. The children helped me to create a marshmallow snowman straw and a jolly north pole stirrer. Using some leftover royal icing from my cranberry Christmas cake to act as my glue.
The snowman was simple. I first made the marshmallow snowman on a wooden skewer and then I simply slid a paper straw over the wooden skewer to hide it. Three fluffy marshmallows on, a chocolate chip hat, and some sprinkles for the scarf and the carrot nose. Lastly, I used a few dots of edible ink to create the snowman’s eyes, mouth, and buttons.
The north pole stirrer was simply a peppermint stick, a bit of royal icing glue, and a mini marshmallow covered in sprinkles.
So simple, so sweet. A fun hot chocolate upgrade that children will love.
~After a Soothing Sugar Rush, Let's Get Back to the Crafting~
Three years ago, my daughter and I made Christmas canvases together. This was a delight and something my daughter often remembers. This recollection -is in part- because when we were making the Christmas canvases she happened to lose her first tooth. We recorded this fact on the back of her canvas so that we would be sure to remember the event every year thereafter.
I always like to sign and date any artwork the children have done- as this acts as a record of time spent together.
~Remembering This Christmas Craft, Inspired More~
We had so much fun creating Christmas art that we deiced it would be fun to make more. Inexpensive canvases can be purchased at the Dollar Tree. I like to use these canvases to create little, fun pieces of Christmas art to decorate our home with.
If you are a regular reader, it will come as no surprise to you that I often like to try my decorations out in different areas of my home- before deciding on its final resting spot. I will share some of my placements with you, to perhaps, inspire you to try some of these looks in your own home space.
~Cotton Swab Art: Perfect for Children and Adults Alike~
First, I spray painted two of our canvases with a golden glitter paint -that I already had in the garage (I have used this paint on my autumn leaves and acorns in the past).
After the canvases were dry, the children and I began to create our artwork using paint and cotton swabs.
~A Classic Wreath~
I love wreaths and bows. To me they are classic and elegant. This little project was so easy to create. I simply used a cereal bowl to create a perfect circle. I then filled the wreath body in with my cotton swab art.
The little pinecone in the center was the perfect touch. The children and I found the pinecone on one of our homeschool nature walks. I love incorporating natural items into our home whenever I can.
Now, every time we look at our created Christmas craft, we can smile and remember the time we found the pinecone together.
Again, the memories that are created are often better than the actual thing.
~A Vintage Jewelry Inspired Christmas Tree~
This Christmas craft was so fun!
I have a bag of old jewelry that I no longer wear. Some of it is vintage costume jewelry, but most of the jewelry in this bag is made up of a lost earing… or a broken necklace… or just jewelry that I never wear anymore. Most of it dates back to my college days. Therefore, I wanted to do a fun project with my daughter that would utilize some of these pieces. Waste not want not- “Hmm, think, think, think, what could we create?”
“Yes, Yes- I’ve got it!” A cotton swab art Christmas tree… that has old jewelry pieces, as its ornaments. The top of the Christmas tree is crowned with a summer flower that I dried, and a cascade of vintage lace.
~A Little Bling to a Make a Christmas Heart Sing~
*Thrift stores often have jewelry for sale. Even if the jewelry is not your style, it can be used for crafts and art projects. Thinking outside of the box is good for our brains and it limits waste and cost.
This picture frame has been featured on my blog before as it received a mini makeover. (You can read about that here). As you can see, I often switch out my artwork in this wooden open frame.
~Getting the Children Involved in Christmas Crafts~
Naturally, the children wanted to create some of their own art as well. Following an art lesson we had in our homeschool co-op class (Thank you Mrs. Jessie), we used cotton swabs to create our Christmas artwork. This was a fun, relatively mess free, project that the kids enjoyed. Using the cotton swabs generally made the artwork easier and neater.
Some other ideas we had were candy canes or peppermints, snowmen, a Christmas star, or an angel.
We also used some simple Christmas bows (from the Dollar Tree) to create an abstract Christmas tree. These were all fun, easy Christmas crafts- that any age could participate in. What wonderful activities to include in a homeschool lesson!
~Now, for the Home Decorating~
I often think Christmas art is charming from places like Hobby Lobby or from antique stores. While I am not an artist, some easy art I can certainly do.
How fun it is to display and decorate a home with artwork that you and your children have created. Placing the artwork throughout the home, or even in just one main spot, creates a focal point of interest. All the while, adding a touch of whimsey.
Unsurprisingly, I do change our Christmas artwork around a bit, but I also like to display it all together in our hallway. In this way, the children see their festive creations as they walk to their bedrooms.
~Until Next Time~
Again, I hope these posts are proving useful and fun. Christmas crafts are a joy to create. You do not have to be a skilled artist to create something lovely and memorable. For I am convinced- I receive just as much joy decorating with my family’s homemade Christmas items, as I do something I bought in a store. More actually, for the homemade items were made with love.
Not only are Christmas crafts or canvases perfect for decorating a home for Christmas, but they also make thoughtful gifts.
Don’t forget to date your canvases or Christmas crafts (and maybe even add a little note- explaining why making that item was so special). To me, those notes… and those memories…. are the things that come “alive” each year as you bring the Christmas decorations down from their stored perches.
Tune in Friday, for some more Christmas inspiration. And please feel free to subscribe, comment, or share. Thank you all for your time and support.
I will end with a photograph I snapped that makes my mom heart sing. Aldi has gingerbread kits for sale, and we look forward to buying one each year. One gum drop on the roof, two gumdrops in a little mouth.
It truly is the lovely ordinary things. See you soon.
~Elizabeth~
