With the smell of cinnamon in the air, a plentiful bounty of chocolate orange and piles of presents waiting to be wrapped, hidden in the airing cupboard, you know that Christmas is on the way.
Besides assembling a precariously balanced gingerbread house (and reminding everyone to watch out for toothpicks whilst eating it, as they provided necessary structure support during construction) you could get crafty in other ways to make this a DIY Christmas that all the family can enjoy.
So once you’ve picked up enough ribbon, paper, glue gun refills and stencils to last you a lifetime from Craft Superstore, you should be ready to get started on some craft projects, for the most wonderful time of the year…
Whimsical Wreaths
Christmas wreaths were born from a long line of tradition, we’ve all hung them on our front door as a festive welcome, without giving much thought why. Traditionally, in terms of Christian religion, the wreath supposedly represents Christ’s crown of thorns and the red holly berries his blood, symbolizing the sacrifice he made.
We’ve mixed up the styling of the wreath in this day and age and no longer rigidly stick to this traditional design, although it is a popular one with the addition of pinecones, snow spray and a large red bow. It’s a good idea to get started early on your wreath, as putting them together can be quite time consuming.
Create something a little different this year and use Christmas baubles to make your wreath design. You can buy wreath bases from craft stores or online and use a glue gun stick to add a mix of different sized and colored baubles all over, for real impact.
Another fun design is to use a red feather boa. Wrap this around the wreath base, then tie a black belt with a gold buckle around the middle to create Santa’s coat design.
Beautiful Baubles
Clear glass baubles offer the perfect opportunity to get creative and put your very own designs on the tree. You can find packs of clear baubles online, which once the stems are removed, can be filled with decorations or painted.
Why not try mixing some PVA glue, which dries clear, with some red or multi colored glitter and pour inside the bauble, turning it as you pour to cover the whole inside. Another fun idea is to squeeze a miniature Christmas tree into the bauble, using tweezers and a lot of patience, and stick it to the bottom with a generous dab of hot glue-on its stump.
You could use a dollhouse Christmas tree or make one yourself using a branch from a conifer tree. Once your tree is secure pour in some white glitter, to create the effect of snow, replace the stem and hang on the tree. We’ve found a great how-to guide here.
Gorgeous Gifts
Christmas is essentially a time to appreciate what we have and to give generously to people we love, as well as stuffing our faces with everything bad for us over the whole of December. This year you could try your hand at creating something handmade, to place under the tree for your family.
For the girls mix up a batch of homemade lip balm, using coconut oil, mango or coconut butter, beeswax and a flavoring, such as vanilla extract. Package your lip gloss up in tiny glass jars and finish off with decorative labels, this tutorial gives clear instructions on how to create your chapped lips life saver.
For the guys create something original and practical with a magnetic wristband, perfect for when they are completing those odd jobs around the house and need somewhere to keep those random screws and bolts safe.This gift might take a little time to construct and source the materials for, so is a great craft project to start working on in good time.
With a magnetic wristband all the screws and bolts you could need are handy and safe on your wrist! Follow this tutorial to learn how to make this necessary fashion accessory and the man in your life will thank you forever. It’s also great for people who craft a lot and make jewellery or use a sewing machine (forget about the pin cushion!) You’re thinking about making one for yourself now aren’t you?
