Creating decorations for the tree or as gifts for friends and relatives will put your family in a festive mood. Try these fun and simple ideas, or participate in live classes to make décor that’s a step above stringing popcorn or making construction paper chains.

Michaels

Michaels Kids Club is offering 12 days of merry making from Dec. 1-12 at 3 p.m. Make a winter diorama, foam ice skates, a pop-out yeti card and more. These live classes are designed for ages 6 and older, and you can go back and watch any videos you miss.

Hobby Lobby

Check out Hobby Lobby’s seasonal crafts and projects for any skill level. Make Washi Tape Christmas Trees, Unicorn Felt Stockings, wreaths, ornaments and more.

Joann

Sort by time and skill to find the perfect creative outlet for your family. Create wreaths, ornaments, garlands, signs, pillows and more. It’s a bit of a harder project, but have the kids help you decorate Special Delivery Boxes for you to send to your loved ones for a sweet surprise.

Crayola

Crayola has a ton of fun ornaments that will work for any skill level and age: Marbleized, Melted Crayon, Scratch Art and more. Check out their classes on Facebook; free coloring pages and more at-home resources.

Cinnamon Ornaments

  • 3/4 cup applesauce
  • 2 (2.37 oz. each) bottles of ground cinnamon
  • holiday cookie cutters
  • straw or skewer
  • narrow ribbon

Preheat oven to 200°F. Mix applesauce and cinnamon in small bowl until a smooth ball of dough is formed. (You may need use your hands to incorporate all of the cinnamon.) Using about 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll dough to 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap. Peel off top sheet of plastic wrap. Cut dough into desired shapes with 2- to 3-inch cookie cutters. Make a hole at top of ornament with drinking straw or skewer. Place ornaments on baking sheet. Bake 2 1/2 hours. Cool ornaments on wire rack. Thread with ribbon and hang. Optional: use craft glue to adhere sequins, beads, glitter or other decoration before hanging.
Source: mccormick.com; Find more seasonal recipes here.

Shiny Strawberries

  • Whole walnuts (in the shell)
  • 2-3 small jars of glossy bright red paint; model airplane paint (enamel) works very well
  • small paint brush
  • small pearl-like beads
  • clear-drying glue
  • strong gold thread (stretchy thread works well, but is optional)
  • green craft felt (12-inch square is plenty for 30-plus ornaments)

Paint each walnut with the red paint; let dry. Glue the beads all over the surface of each painted walnut. Parents should first demonstrate how to carefully use a straight pin to pick up one bead, dip in a dab of glue, then place it on the nut. Cover each nut with about 20 or so beads, spaced apart. Cut gold thread into individual pieces (about 4-5 inches long). You need one for each “strawberry” you’re making. Tie each thread piece into a loop. Cut small “star” shapes out of the green felt, one for each ornament; the shapes don’t need to be perfect. These will form the “leaf” atop each nut. Place gold thread loop under each felt piece atop each “strawberry” and glue together so that you have a loop for hanging on tree. (Gold thread is glued in between the painted nut and the felt “leaf.”)
— Julie Bookman

HHAF6178-180521-120246.jpgToy Soldier Flower Pots

  • 4 terra cotta pots
  • 2 flower pot saucers
  • Glue gun
  • Paint
  • Liquid nails or adhesive
  • Detailing, such as ribbon, scrapbook paper, etc.
  • Paint brushes
  • Garden trowels

Paint one pot white, one red, one a skin tone color and one black. Paint the flower pot saucer black. Allow to dry completely. Glue the parts together, starting with the black saucer for the feet, white pot for the legs, red for the body, skin for the face and black for the hat. Allow to dry completely. Use the paint and paint brushes to create details to the face pot. Glue the garden trowels on the sides for the arms. Add any detailing you like to create finishing touches.
Source: hallmarkchannel.com; Find more DIY projects here.

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