Family Friendly Christmas Crafts

If you are looking for Christmas crafts ideas to make this holiday season look no further. We spent the afternoon with Cheryl Jordan and Tanya Newman from The Country Cupboard in Petawawa, creating three projects filled with holiday fun.

Cheryl’s Pick: Twine or Burlap Christmas Ornament

Materials

• 2-3” ball
• Coloured jute or twine
• Hot glue gun
• Any decorations: stickers, beads, etc.

Steps

1. Glue twine loop on the ball so that it can hang off the tree
2. Wind twine around the bottom of the ball, glueing as you go
3. Glue periodically as you continue wrapping twine around the ball
4. Finish at the top, covering the base of the loop
5. Decorate your ornament however you wish
6. A word from Cheryl: Burlap and jute are very hot in decorating right now, so be creative and have fun! We would love to see photos of your creations so please share on our Facebook page or send us an email.

Tanya’s Pick: Snow Globe

Materials

• Small figurine, small toy, tree, or anything you can fit into the jar
• Water-resistant glue
• Glitter, fine
• Jar with a lid, must have smooth sides (lid can be spray painted)
• Water

Steps

1. Place a dot of glue on the centre of the inside of the lid and press the bottom of the figurine onto the glue.
2. Press firmly.
3. Allow glue to dry fully.
4. Cover the bottom of the jar with glitter.
5. Fill jar with water, leaving 1-2” space at the top.
6. Spread glue around the sides of the lid and secure it to the jar.
7. Screw lid on tightly.
8. Shake and enjoy.

A word from Tanya: be creative and have fun. We would love to see your snow globes, so please share your pictures on our Facebook page or send us an email.

The Country Cupboard’s Pick: Giving Tree

Create a Giving Tree this holiday season and watch your family’s random acts of kindness come to life. Starting on December 1, when anyone in your family helps a friend, family member, neighbour, or stranger, have them write it on a Giving Tree ornament and hang it on your tree.

Together, as a family, you can watch your tree bloom with colour throughout the month as you pass along the holiday spirit. Then on December 25, take time to reflect on how your family gave this holiday season. This craft is perfect for teaching children about generosity and kindness.

The Giving Tree is also a great craft project daycare, classroom, sports team, and seniors’ home. The list is endless.

Materials

• Twigs and branches
• Mason jar
• Hole punch
• Scissors
• Jute or curly ribbon
• Fine tipped marker
• Burlap, ribbon, or fabric for the bow
• 5” or 2” paper punch (or you could use an empty pill bottle as a guide to trace circles on the cardstock)
• Cardstock, scrapbook paper, or recycled Christmas cards

Steps

1. Punch approximately 25 circles out of the paper, then punch a small hole in the top of each circle with the hole punch.
2. Cut a 4” piece of jute or ribbon and loop it through the hole. Tie a knot at the end. Set aside.
3. Arrange the twigs in the mason jar.
4. Cut an 18” length of burlap or fabric and tie the piece around the rim of the jar, making a bow.
5. Add your circles to the branches.
6. Use one circle and write your family name on it: for example, The Jordan Family Giving Tree. Hang this circle off your bow.