Homemade Christmas tree ornament ideas?

Question

Every year I make ornaments for everyone in both my husband's family and my own. I have to make 32 ornaments and I personalize them with their name and the year. Any creative ideas? I'm having crafter's block!

Answer 1

Take a poly styrene ball, you know those white ones you get from the craft shop, you will need the very short pins and some beads and sequins. Stick a pin into a single bead then a sequin and into the ball, cover the ball in this way making a nice pattern. You can then attatch a broad ribbon with the name fabric painted on to it. It will also hang on the tree.

Answer 2

Using the individual bottled water bottles, you can make bells. Cut off the top portion of the bottle and that is your bell shape. A hole can be drilled in the bottle top and use yarn (or get creative and use inexpensive craft chain or a wire) and make the clapper of the bell with a jingle bell or bead or even a quiet bell with a yarn ball on the end inside the bell. Secure the clapper material (a knot in the yarn works on each side of the bottle cap to keep it in place) and replace the cap on the bell. The yarn or wire can be used to hang the ornament from the tree and the part in the bottle is the clapper. If you want to use the yarn ball at the end of the clapper, take the yarn and wind it around and around (the number of times is determined by the thickness of the yarn) and tie it in the center and use the sissors to cut the ends and make the ball.
Now you have the hanger for the tree and the clapper for the bell; so focus on the personalization: You can print out something on the computer with the name and date or use permanent marking pen; be sure you get a fine enough pen -- or add something to show through the clear bell...even something special for your family like a new 2006 baby picture or wedding picture or other memory for the family from this year -- and whatever artwork or words you want to share can be put in the bell showing through the clear plastic bottle. If you want to keep it simple--often simple is best, just put Merry Christmas and the year.
If you want to use a glue gun and trim the edge of the bell with ribbon or bias tape--it gives a more finished look. You can also place holes around the rim of the bell and use the same color or contrasting color yarn (or narrow ribbon) and loop an overcast stitch on the edge of the bell.
When you are done and admiring the bell(s); you can take the bottom part of the bottle that was left over and make your Christmas singers... Using a solid flesh colored fabric, wrap up enough stuffing to make a round head. Take a glue gun and add (felt) arms and mittens and create a songbook (colored paper with notes or piece of sheetmuic glued inside) and glue buttons down the front; add a scarf and stocking cap (baby sox?) or yarn hair. Draw or glue on felt for the eyes and mouths...and give them any other items that Christmas songsters might have...like a purse over an arm, earmuffs or headscarf, or holding a minature Christmas present...make it yours and make it fun. This part of the bottle when made into Christmas songsters...can also be filled with Christmas candy. Access to the candy can be by making the head removeable. If you prefer, make the bottom into snowmen, elves, reindeer or even cupids for Valentine's day and fill with Valentine candy.

Answer 3

There are a ton of creative ideas here! How about taking smaller sized clay pots and painting them with seasonal themes or what each person may be interested in; then you can paint their names and the year. You can attach 2 or 3 (or more) with yarn or ribbons etc. Attach so the bottom of the pot will actually be on top.
Make a knot bigger than the hole to keep them from slipping. You can add small bells at the bottom to create a "windchime". Have fun making the ornaments and Happy Holidays to you!

Answer 4

Here are some easy and cute ideas. I hope they help.

Get some small puzzle pieces and some green construction paper. (red construction paper also if you wish)

Trace the puzzle pieces on the green construction paper (make a lot of them). Cut them out and start gluing the ends together to form a circle. Take the red construction paper and cut some small circles (I prefer a hole puncher). Glue a few of the red circles on the green circle and you have yourself a little wreath ornament! You can glue a picture behind it to make it a picture frame ornament. They are adorable. I made some with my step-daughter a few years ago and we still hang them to this day!

You will need green construction paper and other colored construction paper or beads.

Draw a shape of 2 christmas trees (Small ones). Cut them out of the green construction paper. Cut a slit in the top middle of one and make the slit go half way down the christmas tree. Take the other christmas tree and cut a slit out in the bottom middle up half way. Slide the two christmas trees in each slot and add colored dots or beads to it and you have small 3D christmas tree ornaments!

You will need toothpicks and small styrene balls. Take 3 small styrophome balls and you can shave them to make some smaller than others. Stick 3 of them on a toothpick (you may need 2 toothpicks). Add beads or colored construction paper to make the eyes, nose, and buttons and you have snowman ornaments.

I hope these help. They are very easy to do and are fun to try. As far as money goes... These don't cost much at all!

Answer 5

I was flipping channels today and on the Meghan Mullalay (is that her last name?) show, some lady was showing her how to make xmas tree gifts to give away to anyone who stops by.
1.) get those little cardboard boxes like the jewelry comes in and wrap them is brown bag paper.
2.) inside each box place an engraved stone or pewter trinket or some kind of trinket (heart shaped glass pieces are nice too) with a little piece of paper in it with a note of cheer.
You could say it would be similar concept of a fortune cookie.
3.) close the box up and tie colored raffia on the outside and place a soft white down feather where you knot it.
4.) hang these boxes all over a Christmas tree.

On the show, they used a potted tree that actually looked like an arborvitae or something thick, skinny, and dark green. It looked really attractive when finished.
They are ornaments to go but mabe you could get some glass stones and paint the name and date on them and put them in the box. I'm sure you will find something that rings your (Xmas) bell!!

Answer 6

Salt dough ornaments are much fun! Easy, cheap and very personal :D There are many recipes online for different doughs, but the basis jist is salt, flour and water. They can be baked or air dried, painted, stained or tinted before drying.

I have made small ornaments from Polymer clay molds, of animals and food items. Other kids of ornaments are easy to make, you just need an open mind.

Do some googling, check out what others have made, and have fun!

HTH!

TDK

Answer 7

We do the salt dough alot, but since that ones already posted, I'll give you another.

You know those CD's that you get for free internet offers. I had a ton & wanted to do something with them. I glued two together with shiney sides out. Be sure to put a loop of ribbon sticking out to hang ornament from. Glue a picture in the center (I used my kids, but you can use a winter scene or something else). Glued beads around the edges to decorate. Or, you could use fabric trim (the fuzzy kind would look neat) sandwiched between the CDs. I wrote their names & date on the backs.

You could get creative with the decorating.
Happy Crafting!

Answer 8

One year I bought large glass balls and had my kids put they're hands in white paint and had them handprint the balls. I also put some gold tinsle in them for the hands to stand out more. I dated each ball to with the year. In past yrs I also made cross stitch ornaments or door knob wreaths.. Coffee can cover with the middle cut out and you double crochet until the ring is completely covered. make a chain loop and a bow.. Wa la. Door knob wreath that you can hang anywhere.

Answer 9

You should look at orientaltrading.com They have a lot of Christmas ornament kits that you can make and personalize.

Answer 10

Pictures cut from old Christmas cards. Cut 2 pics, in a circular shape. Glue them back to back. Glue on rick rack to hang on the tree.