Another reader question for you. Please help us brainstorm! Crista says: “In my family we buy a new ornament every year for our kids that kinda says what they love or what their favorite things are that year…. Well with money tight and ornaments so expensive, I am trying to come up with some crafty ideas how to make the kids ornaments this year. Any suggestions? I have a 4 yr old little girl and a 9 yr old little boy. Thanks in advance”
Some Quick Suggestions:
- Paint on an inexpensive bulb ornament like Care did for her Angry Birds ornaments. Choose a design that goes with your child’s interests (my son would love a painting of a tractor or construction equipment).
- If your child likes licensed characters like Spider-Man or Dora the Explorer, check the selection of licensed character toys/merchandise at the dollar store. A small toy works well for an ornament if you just add a ribbon string or hook to hang it on the tree.
- Check other sections of the dollar store for licensed characters (party supplies, expandable wash cloths, etc.) and sew/Mod Podge/transform the supplies into an ornament
Anyone else have any great suggestions or links to ideas?
Photo shown is by craftinjenn and available at her Etsy shop
8 Comments
Erin
A lot of websites have photo gifts on sale super cheap right now, even with free shipping. You might be able to find a good deal and then use a picture from the year.
Kristi S
We made salt dough ornaments – we used cookie cutters to make our shapes and the kids helped paint them after they dried. Seal with mod podge and personalize with a paint pen. We also made a few extras as gifts for their little friends. Even my 3 year old was able to help make his!
Rosie T
check your local Hallmark for previous year’s ornaments. I found some REALLY great selection at one store near me. I found a Buzz Lightyear and a Barbie ornament, which are perfect for my kids this year, both marked half off (they ran about $8 each after discount) and I used store coupons (Hallmark has $5/$5 purchase coupons out this time of year in magazines).
Amanda
Cute idea, You can take walnuts paint them red add yellow speckles and put green felt on the top to make strawberry Christmas ornaments.
Shae
Find photos of the themed characters in magazines, glue/modgepodge them onto wooden discs (super cheap at a craft store, or saw a disc from a fallen branch, and drill a hole for the hanger), then go around the edges with glitter paint and hang with a ribbon.
Michelle
You can also made custom frosted glass ornaments! I found some nice plain glass ornaments at michaels for a dollar and with frosted glass spray and a stencil you can make a really expensive looking ornament. Another plus is if it does break your only out about $1!!!!
Amy
Michelle is right – those make-your-own ornaments are awesome!
I saw some where they had created little polymer clay penguins and snowmen, then hung them inside the ornament with fishing wire. You could also do this with little Lego men or other little figures.
Maggie
Awww, that is a cute Christmas ornament! I love to sew but I’m just a newbie…