How to Make an Easy Felt Christmas Tree Ornament

How to Make an Easy Felt Christmas Tree Ornament | redleafstyle.com

Inside: Take some time for yourself this holiday season and make this simple felt Christmas tree ornament to trim your Christmas tree. Do you ever get a little depressed the day after Christmas? Because the holiday season suddenly went into fast-forward mode and you feel like you missed it? One minute you were prepping Thanksgiving dinner and the next you’re taking out the trash loaded with ripped Christmas wrapping paper and wondering where the time went. You regret not enjoying the season enough. You didn’t make cookies or go ice skating like you wanted to. And every time you turned on Christmas music in the car and started singing along, you found yourself at a stoplight mentally going through your to-do list. Like emerging from a fog, you realize you were so busy planning when you’d fit gift shopping into your lunch break that you long missed everything after the first verse of Jingle Bells. The Problem with the Never-Ending Holiday To-Do List Checking off items on your holiday to-do list feels satisfying. But you know what will make you feel even better? Actually enjoying this time of year. You know, before the New Year ball drops. That means...

Cookie Cutter Ornaments With Old Photos

Cookie Cutter Ornaments With Old Photos | redleafstyle.com

Trim your tree this year with ornaments that have a personal touch. Made from aluminum cookie cutters and old photos, these do-it-yourself ornaments showcase family members present and past. These ornaments are super easy to make. Just whip out your grade school skills of tracing, cutting and gluing, and you’re good to go. Whether you need an inexpensive method to fill your Christmas tree or a creative way to personalize your tree, these cookie cutter ornaments are eye-catching and easy-to-make. I came up with this project when tasked with producing a Christmas-themed craft using old photos for the December issue of VintageKC magazine. I didn’t have any old photos on hand, so I headed to my favorite antique mall. As I sifted through bins of black and white photos, I couldn’t help but feel sad for the people pictured. How had the photo memories of their marriages, babies and special events ended up in a nameless bin? At least the few I took home with me would find new life, if only on a stranger’s Christmas tree. I also found a few aluminum cookie cutters for $1 each at the antique mall. Besides your cookie cutters and old photos,...

DIY Homemade Christmas Ornaments with Cinnamon Sticks

DIY Homemade Christmas Ornaments with Cinnamon Sticks

These easy-to-make cinnamon stick Christmas ornaments will fill your home with the enticing scent of cinnamon spice. You can construct these simple Christmas ornaments using just cinnamon sticks, cardboard and a hot glue gun. It’s a great way to use up any extra cinnamon sticks in your cupboard. I put together this crafty Christmas project for Organic Authority, a food, home and lifestyle website dedicated to living organic. Head on over to Organic Authority to find out how to make these homemade cinnamon stick Christmas ornaments for your Christmas tree. Get more decorating inspiration when you sign up for my e-newsletter!...

DIY Ornament Wreath For $10 or Less

Wreaths made with ornaments have a Christmasy look all their own. An ornament wreath just feels a bit more fun—and festive—than a traditional garland wreath. It’s something about the shiny baubles reflecting Christmas lights that I love so much. I’ve wanted an ornament wreath to add a little sparkle to my front door for a while. But after seeing the prices of store-bought ornament wreaths, I knew I wanted to make my own. ($40 for a wreath!?) Besides saving money when you make your own ornament wreath, you can also customize it any way you want. You get to choose the exact color combination and size. I crafted mine with a mixture of gold hues. I also chose to make a medium-sized wreath, but now I really want to make a mini version too. Putting together an ornament wreath couldn’t be easier. Here’s how you can make your own homemade ornament wreath for $10 or less. Supplies: Ornaments, $5 (I bought five tubes of 12 ornaments at Dollar Tree. I would recommend buying a few more if you’re making a large wreath. I supplemented with a few ornaments I already had.) Wire hanger, Free (You could use any wire...