Growing up my Mother always let my sister and I have a little Christmas tree in our bedroom. It’s one of the tender moments from my childhood holidays that stands out in my memory. I decided that it was time for my kiddos to enjoy the same tradition. I got the tree set up with lights and left the room, a few minutes later my boys were dragging me into their bedroom to see that they had “decorated” it. They had used an xbox controller, the tie from their bathrobes, pencils, stickers, and random toys. I got a good laugh, and then decided that I would adorn the tree with 3 easy paper ornaments.
1. Holiday paper garland
2. Paper ball ornaments
3. Moroccan shaped paper ornament.
Holiday Paper Garland
Supplies: Gift tags, or use our template to cut your own, Holiday scrapbook paper, a glue-stick, a glue-gun, scissors and bakers twine or string.
Step 1- Simply cut out the gift tag shape, I used a gift tag punch, but created a template for you the use if you don’t have one.
Step 2- Using cute scrapbook paper cut out various images. Some of the tags I free-handed using my scissors, but a lot of the images were already printed on the scrapbook paper and I simply cut them out and glued them to the gift tag.
Step 3- Attach the gift tags to the baker’s twine, using a small dot of hot glue and a teeny-tiny clothes pin that can be purchased at your local craft store. I spaced them 6-inches apart. This important step keeps the gift tags perfectly spaced on the garland string, not allowing them to slip around. If you don’t wish to purchase the clothes pins, you can also just use a single hole punch in the top of the tag and string the twine through each hole. If you choose this option, I would still recommend adding a dab of hot glue to secure each tag.
Ta-da… Christmas magic!
Next I made some paper ball ornaments.
Supplies: double-sided paper, string, glue dots, scissors, a round object to trace or a large round punch. If you plan on making several ornaments, I would highly recommend getting a circle punch. You will need 9 circles for each ornament.
Step 1- Trace and cut out 9 circles.
Step 2- Fold each circle in half.
Step 3- Stack all the circles into one stack and place 3 staples along the fold. This will secure all 9 circles together.
Step 4- Attach a piece of string around the center of the ornament. I tied mine and used a dab of glue along the paper. You could also tie the knot at the bottom and adorn a bead to hide the knot. This makes for a little more polished look for a fancier tree.
Step 5- Using glue dots (you can use regular glue if you have little clips to hold it together until it dries, If you use the permanent glue dots, they will adhere immediately and make your life much easier!) Start by putting a few glue dots on the top half of the circle
attach the two sides, then alternate to the bottom on the next circle and attach the two sides. Repeat this pattern until all the sides are complete. I added clips to this one to help you see the pattern of gluing.
Have a ball making these paper ball ornaments!
Easy Moroccan shaped paper ornament- I have made these several times in the past as an activity with the neighbor kids and to help deck the halls for the holiday season. You can follow the instructions for the Moroccan ornament here.
Deck the halls with scraps of paper fa la la la la, la la la la. Tis the season to save money fa la la la la, la la la la. Shout hooray for easy projects fa la la la, la la la, la la la.
Now that that’s stuck in your head you can thank me for holiday music for your crafting pleasure!
I’m not a crafter (I got into your blog because of the knitting) but I can really see myself making one or two of these ornaments. Thanks!
Thank you! I sure had fun making them with my kids.
This is EXACTLY what I needed. I knew my super delicate heirloom ornaments weren’t going to survive my almost-2-year-old, but I was picturing a tree with nothing but lights and some 2-D cut-outs. These ornaments are so pretty! Hurray, my tree can look like it’s on purpose! (FYI, I was also sucked in by knitting, specifically the Pint Sized Pines, but enjoy browsing lots of the site. Plus it just makes me happy that you all blog as a family.)
Awww, this is such a nice comment, Megan! Thank you so much for taking the time. Enjoy making your tree toddler friendly! <3