Handmade Christmas Ornaments

Hanging on my parents' tree are years of memories.  This tree holds school ornaments created by my brother and me and given to my parents as Christmas gifts when we were children.  Next to them, it holds a paper angel created by my great-grandma while she lived in the nursing home.  The starched white yarn, crocheted snowflakes handmade by family friends throughout the years are sprinkled throughout.  These ornaments were made by the hands of loved ones, and as each is pulled out of its special resting place, the story of the person who made it comes forth as we lovingly reminisce on the days and people that have gone.  

A handmade ornament made with love tells a story for years and years.  They're beautiful and unique, each one having been intricately put together by a person who thought it would make a perfect gift.  They're special and sacred, and they fill up a Christmas tree with love.

I hope you find a spot on your tree for these handmade ornaments this Christmas.

Jar Ring Wreath

Materials:

• Old jar rings (rusty ones that can't be used for canning work great!)
• Green yarn
• Hot glue (optional)
• Beads (optional)
• Red felt (optional)

Directions:
To make the wreath, begin by tying a knot around the jar ring with your yarn.  Then, wrap the yarn around the jar ring repeatedly until the entire ring is completely covered.  Add decorations to your wreath like beads and a red felt bow using hot glue if desired.  Tie a string onto the final product to hang to the tree.

Painted Pinecone

Materials:

• White paint
• Paintbrush
• Glitter
• Yarn/String
• Pinecones

Directions: 
After gathering pinecones, allow them to dry.  You may consider drying them(read about the process here) in the oven to open them up and kill any bugs who may be hiding inside.

Using the paintbrush, add white paint to the tips of the pinecones to mimic snow.  Sprinkle glitter onto the wet paint and allow to dry.  Use string/yarn to tie to the pinecone and make a hanger for the Christmas tree.

Stick and Yarn Christmas Tree

Materials:

• Hot glue gun and hot glue
• Yarn
• Yellow Paper
• Small sticks

Directions:
Break the sticks into smaller pieces, then form a triangle using three sticks.  Using hot glue, connect the three sticks together and allow it to dry.  Add a stump by attaching a small piece of a stick to the bottom of your triangle.

Tie your yarn around the bottom right hand side of your triangle.  Wrap your yarn around the triangle's outside repeatedly and randomly.  When you run out of yarn, tie a knot around the closest stick.  

Cut out a paper star and attach it to the top of the tree using hot glue.

Birdseed Ornaments

These are more for your feathered friends (or furry friends in our case....I had to chase down a giant gray squirrel who had literally chewed off the ribbon holding it onto the tree and stole the ENTIRE ring!  I got it back, too!...the first time....)

Materials:

• Choice of melted lard, melted suet, melted coconut oil 
• Peanut Butter
• Birdseed 
• Corn
• Oatmeal
• Jar rings
• Plastic Straws
• Twine or rope

Simply melt all ingredients over the stove until they are easily able to stir.  Place old jar rings with the top side down on a greased baking sheet, then fill the jar rings with the birdseed mixture.  Place a straw in the top of the filled jar ring and place in the freezer until frozen.  Remove from freezer, cut the straw to be level with the birdseed, and string twine or rope through the straw.  The birds will love it!

I hope you enjoy making these ornaments to add some simple and homemade decorations to your Christmas tree this year!

​What homemade ornaments do you make?

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