It seems that no matter what I do, I'm always surprised when I see the stores starting to fill with holiday décor and come to realize that the hectic holiday season will soon be in full swing.

This year I wanted to make a few special ornaments for family and friends. These are nice simple projects that you can make in large groups so that you can use them to decorate packages, or attach to gift bags and baskets.

You could also create sets of four to six ornaments and give them as a holiday gift to someone special.

I think the key to these projects is starting with something already available, and making it unique by adding your own special touches. I've picked up some inexpensive, unfinished ornaments from my local craft store and altered them, so that they are exactly what I like! Here is a "before" photo of the ornaments I picked up at my local craft store.

This wooden "wish" sign was plain white. I added patterned papers, embellishments, and created a wire-and-bead hanger to make a whimsical, oversized ornament.

Supplies:

• wooden word - Nicole Crafts
• patterned paper - Be Merry, EK Success
• metal charm - Making Memories
• sealer - Aleene's Paper Glaze, Duncan Enterprises
• wire - Darice
• beads - misc. unknown.

A plain, ivory-colored ceramic ornament was given a special look with vintage inspired rub-ons. This whole project took about 10 minutes! You could easily do a whole set in under an hour.

Supplies:

• ceramic ornament - Darice
• holiday rub-ons - Noel, Creative Imaginations and Alphabets by K&Company
• misc. ribbons

This set of inexpensive wooden ornaments each received a different treatment. The star was covered with patterned paper on both sides, and embellished with vintage tinsel I found at an estate sale. The unique hanger was made with wire, beads, buttons, and alphabet letters.

The snowflake was painted and glittered, and a hanger was crafted from ribbon and lovely snowflake buttons. Last I painted the country heart with alcohol inks, drilled holes all around the outside edge and used a large needle to thread sheer ribbon through those holes. All three of these projects are fast, inexpensive, and easy to create in multiples.

Supplies:

• wooden ornaments - Darice
• patterned papers - Be Merry, EK Success
• paint - Sky, Making Memories
• glitter - Doodlebug Designs
• alcohol inks - Tim Holtz, Ranger
• snowflake buttons - Dress It Up
• wire - Darice
• wire, beads, letter beads, buttons - unknown
• vintage tinsel

This set of chipboard ornaments could be several individual ornaments, or if strung together on a ring it makes a great mini-scrapbook ornament. What a great way to add a personal touch to your Christmas tree! Each side was covered with patterned papers, and large scalloped squares and circles act as photo mats until photographs can be added.

 

Supplies:

• chipboard ornaments - Creative Imaginations
• patterned paper and embellishments - Be Merry, EK Success
• holiday rub-ons - Noel, Creative Imaginations
• acrylic letters - Oriental Trading Co.
• metal charms - Making Memories
• snowflake buttons - Dress It Up
• snowflake brad - Making Memories
• scallop punches - Square, EK Success and Circle, Marvy Uchida
• misc. ribbons - unknown

Okay, now it's your turn! Bust out those holiday papers, beads, and glitter. Grab the kids, or a couple of friends and start making ornaments that will bring a smile to the faces of your family and friends lucky enough to receive one!