Christmas Crafts--Links

I spent about an hour or so early this morning looking for things for the kids and I to do to make Christmas somewhat "homemade." I focused primarily on making ornaments for our tree.

A few of my classmates at Simplify 101 expressed interest in what I'd found, so I'm going to publish this list, as is, now. I had been going to wait and post it with pictures after we had chosen what to do (and done it!)--but hey, I can do that later, too!

So, I apologize for a (mostly) pictureless post--there are pictures at each link. (You will notice I went off on a rabbit trail chasing snowflakes. Those will be fun to do as a home school "lesson.")

Paper Chains.
Remember those? The easiest garlands, ever.
You can make them out of any sort of paper: shiny paper is nice.

Martha Stewart has a twist: make them out of ribbon instead. (Pictured above.)
http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/recycled-ribbon-chain?backto=true

The staff at Martha Stewart are truly creative. Here are a few more of their ideas which appeal to me:

Button Wreath Ornament
Instructions: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/button-wreath-ornament?backto=true

Fabric covered balls
Instructions: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/fabric-balls?backto=true

Jingle Bell wreath:
Instructions: http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/jingle-bell-wreaths?backto=true

For our first Christmas as a "family," (our son was three months old), I made what was probably the world's longest popcorn garland. AT MS, it's been transformed into a wreath. Adorable.
Intructions: http://www.marthastewart.com/good-thing/popcorn-wreath?backto=true

Others:

Hanging paper ornaments (double sided scrapbook paper would be best for this. As well, instructions forgot to include cutting two strips 12" long):
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/christmasornaments/ovalpaperornaments.htm

Pie plate ornaments:
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/christmasornaments/pieplates.htm

Felt monogram ornaments:
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/christmasornaments08/monogramfeltcircles.htm%20

Felt Gingerbread man ornament:
http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/other_crafts/make_a_felt_gingerbread_man_ornament.php

Lots of ideas to choose from at Kaboose:
http://www.theknackkids.com/ProjectView/Code/kn0474.aspx

Specifically, Polka Dot Glass ornaments: http://crafts.kaboose.com/polkadot_orn.html

More clever ideas with clear glass ornaments:
Using paint: http://www.save-on-crafts.com/howtomakcero.html Same idea but with easy to follow pictures for the visual learners among us: http://parentingteens.about.com/od/christmasornaments/ss/ornaments3.htm

Stuff with interesting stuff: http://www.save-on-crafts.com/babfiror.html

3-D Paper ornaments.
http://www.theknackkids.com/ProjectView/Code/kn0434.aspx
(Use cardboard and cookie cutters for templates. Paint, decorate.)

String and Ribbon Ornaments:
http://www.holidaycrafter.com/article1086.html

Bread Dough Ornaments.
For older children or adults, I think. http://www.save-on-crafts.com/doughornaments.html

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6 sided snowflakes
http://www.papersnowflakes.com/6sided.htm

How to fold:
PDF File: http://ms-t-inc.com/pdf-file/snowflak.pdf

The Science Lesson to go with:
http://expertvoices.nsdl.org/polar/2009/02/03/teaching-about-snowflakes-a-flurry-of-ideas-for-science-and-math-integration/
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Hope that was helpful.