DIY Tree Ornaments | Photo by Grace Ramsdell | The Wright State Guardian
During the holidays, there are always opportunities to make new memories and add new decorations to your evergreen tree. Here are seven do-it-yourself ornaments that can be made with friends or family, serving as holiday memories that can return to the tree for years to come.
Jingle bells
Ribbon, large bells, silver pipe cleaners and hot glue are the only items necessary to create this ornament. Bend a pipe cleaner to form the hanging loop and add a large bell to each end. Use a second pipe cleaner and add a third bell before wrapping its other end right below the loop of the first pipe cleaner. The bell decoration can be embellished with a ribbon bow kept in place by a small piece of pipe cleaner.
Salt dough ornaments
Making salt dough only involves three ingredients: flour, salt and water. After mixing the ingredients together, knead the dough and roll it out. This dough can be cut into shapes with a hole in the top to hang a ribbon, and after spending some time in the oven, the ornaments are ready to hang!
Wooden bead snowman
Jute cord, wooden beads, fabric scraps and paint/markers are the only items needed to create a wooden bead snowman. Tie a loop on one end of the cord and thread the beads through it. Add some facial features with craft paint or markers and finish off by tying a small strip of fabric between the top two beads to make a scarf.
Beaded candy cane
Bend a red pipe cleaner in the shape of a candy cane and place alternating red and white beads onto the pipe cleaner until there is no more room. At that point, curl the pipe cleaner over the end beads. Create accents for the piece by tying small strips of fabric to the candy cane and adding a small metal star.
Sheet music stars
Share a favorite holiday carol this winter by displaying its sheet music on a cardboard star for all to see. Add a small bow and some twine to the ornament to finish it.
Another option is to fold the sheet music to form a star and apply mod podge to seal the decoration.
Origami bird
The best way to make an origami bird for the tree is to use colored paper. Fold the paper to form the bird of choice, thread a ribbon through the top and apply mod podge. Mandarin ducks, seagulls, cranes, and other creatures can adorn the tree this way.
Pinecone owls
One other bird can perch on the tree this holiday season: the owl. This craft requires only pinecones, felt, scissors and a hot glue gun. Trim the felt into the shape of wings and facial features (eyebrows, beak, etc.) and glue these parts to the pinecone to create the owl.
