by Leigh Wood Landry
If you’re looking for holiday decorations that are quick, family-friendly, and cost-effective, check out these ideas for using three simple items, in three different ways.
Mason Jar Lids
Map Memories
Trace the outside of the jar lid around a map of your city or province, and cut out the circle you’ve traced. Loop ribbon or twine through the ring to use as an ornament hanger. Carefully glue the map segment into the back of the ring. Using a marker or puffy paint, add embellishments such as a heart, or the year you were posted to that city/province.
*Photo example from happy-mothering.com
Snappy Snowman
Paint the jar lid with white acrylic paint, then allow to dry. Dig into your craft supply – markers, googly eyes, buttons, paper or foam scraps, sequins, pom poms, etc. can all be used to make the snowman’s face. Add a ribbon to hang the ornament on the tree.
*Photo example from happybrownhouse.com
Merry Material
Lay a jar lid on a small piece of fabric (or thick, decorative paper); cut a square large enough to wrap around the back. Wrap the fabric/paper around the back of the lid and secure with hot glue. Tie ribbon, twine or jute around the lid ring, making sure the knot is in the back, by the edge. Add dots of hot glue in the back of the ring, and insert the fabric-covered lid. Leave as-is, or add embellishments (stickers such as the one in the example can be found at dollar stores or craft stores).
*Photo example from thefrugalhomemaker.com
Pom poms
Christmas Tree Ball
Glue a piece of ribbon to a wooden or Styrofoam ball, then cover the ball with pom poms.
*photo example from frugalfun4boys.com
Photo Frame
Create a frame by tracing and cutting a shape of your choice from cardboard, then remove a small circle from the middle. Glue a loop of ribbon or yarn at the back of the frame, and cover the front with pom poms. Cut a favourite photo or small piece of artwork to fit the circle; attach it to the back of the frame.
*photo example from onelittleproject.com
Mini Tree Trimming
Cut a triangle from construction paper, wrapping paper or card stock, and glue it to a popsicle stick. Cover the triangle with pom poms (leaving space for the star), and decorate as desired with sequins, smaller pom poms, buttons, etc. Cut a star from cardboard or paper – this can be painted gold or silver, or covered with glitter, for extra sparkle. Glue the star to the top of the triangle, and add a piece of ribbon to the back of the ornament before hanging on your tree or attaching to a gift.
*Photo example from thejoysharing.com
Cinnamon sticks
The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Glue cinnamon sticks into a modified V shape, as shown. Add googly eyes, as well as a red bell, pom pom or gem for Rudolph’s nose. Attach a loop of ribbon or yarn to the back of the ornament.
*Photo example from craftymorning.com
Scented Snowflakes
Layer cinnamon sticks in a snowflake shape, and glue or tie them in place. Add berries and greenery, or decorations of your choice, and attach ribbon or twine to the back of the ornament.
*Photo example from engineermommy.com
Wrapped-up Wreath
Trace the inner and outer edges of a mason jar lid on sturdy cardboard. Cut out the wreath template you’ve traced. Glue cinnamon sticks around the template, using thicker sticks at the base and thinner sticks to fill in gaps. Add a loop of ribbon or fabric to both decorate the wreath and use as a hanger.
*Photo example from TheFrugalHomemaker.com