Christmas Craft Ideas

[lornabrown]

Share your crafty Holiday ideas!

1- Gifts to make. The kind of things that you could give to anyone (sister in laws, teachers, neighbors, etc)
My ideas so far
Spice bundles for hot cider
Cinnamon wrapped candles
Sweet & baked goods are a given - yummm

2- Crafts to do with the kids (Holiday decorations or just fun things to keep them entertained)
Jingle bell jewelry
Paper snowflakes


I think many ideas have already been posted. I thought it would be nice (and helpful) to have them in one place.

[Lynette]

One year for female family members I did bath baskets with cute baskets they could reuse filled with fizzers, beads, salts, soaps, etc. This year Salina is making pretty glass bead bracelets for her best friend and cousins.

As far as kid craft stuff I can think of paper chains and popcorn garland for the tree and cotton ball Santa heads or snowmen or those cut out hands in green paper to make up a wreath.

[justamom]

I went to IKEA a couple weeks ago and they have heart shaped gingerbread cookies. 10 for a $1. They even have a hole in them so you can decorate them and hang them, or just eat them, lol.

The kids made a chain garland for the tree one year out of construction paper.

Photo Ornaments are fun too!

[becky]

this year we are going to make paper hand cutout wreaths. We will trace thier hands and cut them out of green construction paper and then arrange them into a wreath. Kayla made this when she was really little so i want to do it again.

When myah was little I put her hand prints in white paint onto mitten cut outs that were tied together with a string of yarn. I might do that again for Shelsea.

[erin anne]

I once got a gift of mason jar filled with all the dry ingredients to made some craberry/white chocolate cookies, along with directions. Pretty cool (although I never baked them).

I've made scarves for people in the past, but my mommy brain has since stripped me of my knitting skills!

[howardvm]

Every year previously, I would always make some sort of candy (peanut brittle, fudge, toffee, etc) and put them in little boxes and give them out as gifts. I won't have time for that this year, and not sure when I will again.

[lornabrown]

Does anyone need a great fudge recipe? Fudge is great to make as a gift because it doesn't go in the oven. No matter what, I'd rather spend time in the kitchen creating gifts verses driving and fighting crowds.

[jellybeanmichelle]

I won't have time for that this year, and not sure when I will again.

I baked alot before V came along.
I didn't the year she was born until now.
So I know what you mean.
I'm just now getting back into it, since she is at an age that can maybe help me with some cookie making. Like sugar cookies.

[lornabrown]

I used to backpack the baby while cooking. Morgan is really good helping but then her brother tries to help too. Not so helpful. Lately I've been baking after the kids are in bed which has been really relaxing.

An FYI for making banana bread - put the bananas in a ziplock. While you do all the measuring and mixing your toddler can mash up the bananas in the ziplock.

[howardvm]

I baked alot before V came along.
I didn't the year she was born until now.
So I know what you mean.
I'm just now getting back into it, since she is at an age that can maybe help me with some cookie making. Like sugar cookies.

I'm so looking forward to Caitlin being able to help out, too! That will be so much fun!

[lornabrown]

Just found tons of ideas
http://familycrafts.about.com

[becky]

those are cute :)

[LMS]

i love looking through all this christmas stuff. Too bad brendan loses his patience with most crafts still :lol

[justamom]

I have a great one that I have sworn not to share. My Mother shared her recipe with me and said I could not share. There is a decent one on the Marshmallow Cream Jar I believe. Or was it the marshmallow bag. One of the two.

Does anyone need a great fudge recipe? Fudge is great to make as a gift because it doesn't go in the oven. No matter what, I'd rather spend time in the kitchen creating gifts verses driving and fighting crowds.

[lornabrown]

Here is mine. It's super easy. You can get creative too with the different types of chocolate chips.

CREAMY MILK CHOCOLATE FUDGE

2 Cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Cup milk chocolate chips
2 Cups miniature marshmallows
1 (14oz) can EAGLE BRAND Sweetened Condensed Milk (Not evaporated milk)
Dash Salt
1 Cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In saucepan, over low heat, melt chips with sweetened condensed milk,
marshmallows and salt
Cook and stir until marshmallows melt. Remove from heat; stir in
walnuts and vanilla. Spread
into aluminum foil-lined 8 or 9 inch square pan. Chil 2 hours or until
firm. Turn fudge onto
cutting board; peel off foil and cut into squares. (makes about 2
pounds)

DARK CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Omit milk chocolate chips and marshmallows.
Substitute 3 cups semi
sweet chocolate chips. Proceed as above.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CHIP FUDGE: Omit 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate
chips ans walnuts.
Stir in 1 cup peanut butter chips just before spreading in pan. Proceed
as above.

[Lynette]

I have a great one that I have sworn not to share. My Mother shared her recipe with me and said I could not share. There is a decent one on the Marshmallow Cream Jar I believe. Or was it the marshmallow bag. One of the two.

I never understood that mentality, why not share something wonderful???

[jellybeanmichelle]

Last year I got a mason jar with the dry stuff to make 7 bean soup.
It was good! When I finally made it.

Last year we had V finger paint pictures for Dan's parents and my parents.
This year I think we are going to help her make stepping stones for them.

[Marisa]

I love the stepping stone idea! Will you put her handprint in there?

I think we're going to make the Grandpas handkerchief drawings... we are using fabric crayons that set when you iron them. Come to think of it we could probably do shirts too.

[mom2colin]

Got this idea from a friend:

Bow Tie Angel Ornament

Supplies
Bowtie pasta, uncooked
small white bead
silver or gold pipe cleaner
silver or gold glitter
white paint
hot glue gun & glue
fishing line or some sort of string for hanging.

for each angel you will take one and one half bowtie noodle and glue them together with hot glue. once dry paint white both front and back, let dry apply a thicker second coat and while still wet sprinkle with glitter. repeat on back. once dry glue on bead for head, shape pipe cleaner into a halo and glue to back of ornament along with a piece of fishing line to hang.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/colinsmom/bowtieangel.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/colinsmom/bowtieangelback.jpg

[mom2colin]

I saw this on the food network the other day and thought it was a cool idea. The cookies are really pretty.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_35074,00.html

[mom2colin]

I'm back again. I got this from Martha. We have tons of buttons and this is pretty easy.

Button Wreath ornament (http://www.marthastewart.com/article/button-wreath-ornament?lnc=d3d67c769e7ee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aR CRD&rsc=navigation_holiday_christmas-decorations)

[mom2colin]

Sugar Cone Christmas Trees

Sugar Cones (ice cream cones) turned upside down. Slather them with green icing and stick candies on them for decoration. They are quick and easy for the kids to decorate. Eating it is half the fun!

[jellybeanmichelle]

Sugar Cone Christmas Trees

Sugar Cones (ice cream cones) turned upside down. Slather them with green icing and stick candies on them for decoration. They are quick and easy for the kids to decorate. Eating it is half the fun!

Another thing you can do is take the ice cream cone, spray paint it whatever color. glue some glitter to the rim and then place one of the ball ornaments on it. You now have an ice cream cone ornament. I still have mine on our tree from elementary school.

[jellybeanmichelle]

Got this idea from a friend:
Bow Tie Angel Ornament

I still have the one Lorna made for me while in Rainbow Girls.

[becky]

i love those bow tie angel ornaments! They are so beautiful

[karen-clark]

OK here is what we are making this year. Our parents always insist on not buying them something so the kids always make them something.

You know how everyone is starting to use cloth bags for their groceries? I am getting 3 canvas bags for each family, plain. Then on each one, one child will paint his/her handprint on the outside in green fabric paint. Then we will take fabric markers and write on top of the hand "Paper or Plastic?" and then the hand will be there kind of like in the "halt" position LOL and then underneath it will say "Neither!" Then everyone will have 3 bags they can keep in their car. I am getting the bags from a lady I know who had them leftover but I've seen them at craft stores or Oriental Trading etc. If I have time I will put some "groceries" in them like our cookies/candies we make, and other gifty type foods to fill them up. Oh yeah I am going to have each child write their name and '07 in black or something along their thumb.

[lornabrown]

Love that! I've been looking for a "green" idea. So I might steal yours. Do you have to pre or post wash the bags? If you have any tips for the paint or markers let me know. Do you use a template for the words or just free hand?

[becky]

what a great idea Karen. I never thought about doing a "green" gift.

[karen-clark]

Well I haven't even gotten the bags in the mail yet so I haven't tried. I guess prewashing is a good idea! LOL I was going to have my older kids (13 and 10) write the lettering but you could do it. I wanted it to be "home made" feeling or kid-like. LOL I hope they work cuz I don't have a Plan B and by the time the bags get here it will be cutting it close. LOL