Keepsake Christmas Album

Seasons Greetings Blocks 
Rotating blocks display holiday greetings.

Fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas

Snowman:
http://home.att.net/~critterp/craftsnowman.html

Snowman Craft Patterns:
http://www.freecraftz.com/snowman.html

Snowman Centerpiece:
http://www.scoutinglinks.com/GSRC/crfts400.htm

Winter Crafts:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7997/wintercrafts.htm

Egg Snowman:
http://www.crafts4kids.com/projects/egg_snowman.htm

Lightbulb Snowman:
http://members.surfsouth.com/~patches/freebie_01.html

Snowman Necklace:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Gluesnowman.shtml

Snowflake Printing:
http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/snowflake.htm

Snow Globes:
http://www.kinderart.com/crafts/snowglobes.htm

Snowman Jars:
http://www.personality-creations.com/xmas/snowmanjars.html

Snowflakes You Can Make:
http://members.surfsouth.com/~rlogue/snowup.htm

Ben and Jerry's Paper Snowflakes:
http://www.benjerry.com/yule/snowflakes.html

Winter Arts and Crafts:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/9087/winter/arts.htm

Borax Crystal Snowflake
http://www.teelfamily.com/activities/snow/boraxsnowflake.html
Grow a snowflake in a jar!

Spice Up the Holidays with Personal Touches on Your Gifts
http://www.youmarriedhim.com/channels/current/chr/0022.shtml

Last minute Christmas Stuff to Do - Great Site!!
http://www.graphicgreetings.com/christmasgalleryindex.htm

Recipes from Your Kitchen
http://recipestoday.com/resources/articles/gifts.htm

Christmas Tags:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7134/Christmas/chrtags.htm

Christmas Crafts:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/1170/crafts.html
http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/christmas/crafts.htm

A ChildFun Christmas:
http://www.childfun.com/christmas/

Candy Cane Ornament:
http://www.night.net/christmas/f-o-cane.html

Christmas Crafts and Decorations
Enjoy some great Christmas decorations and crafts that you 
can make with your family.

More FREE recipes and crafts to create with your kids! Bake a huge
Christmas Tree or make a train out of items you have around the
house!
http//www.verybestkids.com/index.asp

Recycled Gift Tags
If you saved last year's holiday cards, there's no need to
buy gift tags this year. To make tags, cut an image from
the card that has enough blank space surrounding it to
write "From" and "To," and fill in the names. Punch a hole
at the top of the tag, thread a ribbon through and attach
it to your gift. Use fancy-cut scissors if you have them.
Can't visualize it? Click the link below to see examples.
See examples of recycled gift tags.

Christmas Fun And Crafts:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7134/Christmas/chrcrafts.htm
http://www.imagitek.com/xmas/crafts/

Gingerbread Paperdolls

Christmas Ornaments
http://www.preschooleducation.com/achristmas.shtml#orn 
http://www.preschooleducation.com/achristmas.shtml

Christmas Sticker Fun

Christmas Crafts

Snow Fun Art

Simple Holiday Pins 
These can be adapted to any holiday.

SecondhandCrafts.com
Site presents several arts and crafts ideas for products made from
thriftshop items. . .

Hewlett Packard - Creative printing projects, including seasonal, 
scrapbook, cards, photo keepsakes and more!

Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Crafts List

Home and Garden Television Christmas Crafts

Simple Christmas Crafts

Dishcloth Angels

Merry Gifts - Gift Mix And Jar Gift Recipes

Holiday Gifts from The Kitchen

Christmas Tablecloth

FREE paper craft projects for Christmas

Edible Christmas Gifts - These edible Christmas Gifts are
the perfect answer to those little gifts! Present them in
jars that you, or your children, have decorated just for
that special someone.

Make Your Own Miniature Gingerbread House! 
Great For The Kids!!

Easy Angel & Snowman Ornaments
There are plenty of holiday and seasonal ornaments
you can make with few supplies and a little creativity.
Here are some to get you started, but be forewarned!
Once you begin, you may not be able to stop!

Holiday Magnet Cards

Quick Easy Gifts - These simple, quick gifts might just be
the answer for those last minute goodies.

Easy Holiday Crafts for Kids! - Easy crafts for the whole
family that can be used as decorations, package toppers or
teacher's gifts!

"Kids in the Kitchen," highlighting creative crafts for the whole family to 
enjoy together. This December, kids will get into the spirit of giving - and 
making - with our Cocoa Kit, a personalized present to warm the belly 
and the heart.

Make Your Own Potpourri Pie!

Make Your Own Candy Sleigh! This makes a decorative and edible 
table decoration!

MERRY CHRISTMAS CRAFTS  
Okay, some of us get a little carried away when it comes to Christmas 
decorating, expecially us crafters. If in the past you've made every 
"HO HO HO" doily, every reindeer soap collection and every Santa 
Claus centerpiece, then you're ready for some new stuff to adorn your 
home for the holidays. Of course, you're very busy this time of the year, 
so you'll want to make something which is quick, easy and impressive. 
You'll enjoy making these festive holiday decorations to add to your 
collection--now the only problem is finding a place to put it all.

Holiday Crafts

Make those mixes in a jar! Decorate them with Christmas
patterned materials and ribbons. 

Christmas Projects
Christmas craft projects, gift ideas, decorating tips, and recipes. 

Christmas-Activities.com
Includes instructions for several different festive craft creations, 
as well as a fun range of Christmas images for kids to print 
and color. Great fun

Baby Snowmen
Babies are irresistible, so your customers are bound to fall 
in love with these pint-size, wiggly-armed charmers. Make 
them from infant socks and colorful snippets and scraps.

Arts & Crafts

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

Painted Tiles - The tiny ones make delightful tree ornaments; 
the big ones can be used as holiday....

ORNAMENTS
Lots of good pictures and directions:)

JUICE LID ANGEL

"CLAY POT SNOWMEN"
This darling snowman and snowwoman make the
perfect couple. All bundled up for a cold winter's
day, and so easy, the kids can make them too!

Fabric Angels
Fabric Angels make great tree, gift, or wall decorations.

Holiday Greenery

10 creative uses for those Christmas cards!

Make Your Own Jingle Bell Wreath!!

Free Pattern: Lightbulb Snowman

Make Your Own Wire Hanger Christmas Tree! Very Pretty!

Make Your Own Lighted Christmas Potpourri!!

Make Your Own-HOLIDAY LIGHT BALL!! FREE Instructions!

Make Your Own Baby Food Jar Christmas Tree!! Very Pretty!!

HOW PRECIOUS! PAPER SNOWFLAKES...
Folding/cutting instructions on how to make your very own
paper snowflakes! Lots of cutsey snowflake games, too!
What could be more fun?

Make Your Own Merry Kisses® Chocolates Wreath!

Ornaments

Mini Hanging Longjohns
These adorable longjohns make an ideal gift for
Grandparents, new parents, or just about anyone!
Adorned with it's own hanger, they are ready for
display on Christmas morning.

Easy Ornaments For Kids To Make
Entertain a group of children by helping them hand-
craft gifts. Along this theme, homemade ornaments 
can be simple gifts for children of all ages to make. 
For ornament projects, and ideas for an "ornament 
party," .
FamilyFun magazine's craft expert, Ann Hallock, tells you
which projects are appropriate for which skill levels. For
instance, even small children can thread beads onto a pipe
cleaner to make festive ornaments.
Find ornament projects for the kids!

Wood Scrap Snowmen
If you have access to some small wood scraps, or
perhaps a board you can cut up, you can make these
cute little additions to your holiday shelves. But wait,
don't stop there! The creative possibilities of this craft
are endless; try Santas, Christmas trees, reindeer,
Nativity scenes, elves, and more!

Clay Pot Santa & Mrs. Claus - Santa & Mrs. Claus are ready
to bring joy to all the girls and boys. What a fun way to
say Merry Christmas to your holiday host, your child's
teacher, or a member of your family.

Gift Wrapping

MORE COUNTRY CHARM
Craft a beautiful herb ball, a herb and spice posy or
an herb wreath this holiday season for yourself or for gifts!

Christmas Salt Dough Ornaments

Christmas Crafts Links

Make Your Own Advent Calendar And Count Down The Days Until
Christmas With A Calendar Filled With Sweet Surprises!!

Pasta Snowflake Craft

Christmas Crafts Ideas

Make Your Own-HOLIDAY LIGHT BALL!! FREE Instructions!

Make Your Own Baby Food Jar Christmas Tree!! Very Pretty!!

Make Your Own Patriotic Ornaments!!

Make Your Own Hershey's Chocolate Kisseltoe Ball!

Make Your Own 3D CANDY CANE!!

Holiday How-To: Stockings
Create these simple, festive decorations to hold those little 
goodies we all enjoy receiving.

Santa's Hungry Reindeer
Here is a simple craft that children of all ages will
enjoy making, and to help feed Santa's Hungry
Reindeer too!

Flower & Spice Table Toppers
Special ideas to help decorate for the holidays!

Home, Sweet Home
Turn your kitchen into a construction zone for a gingerbread 
dream house

Make Your Own Legend of the Candy Cane Card Craft!
This craft project makes a great Christmas card. It can also be used
as gifts to give people in nursing homes and shelters as an outreach.
What you will need: Paper, fine markers, candy canes, and red ribbon.
What to do: Print out the pattern (Link Below). Cut around the solid
line. Fold inward toward the picture at the dotted line. Punch holes
on the folded flap. Tie a candy cane on the side by threading ribbon
through the holes. (You can also use candy canes made from pipe
cleaners and beads for people who are not allowed to eat candy.)
Color the picture.

Make Your Own Clay Pot Snowman Or Reindeer!!

Gingerbread House
Making a gingerbread house can be a fun holiday project for
the whole family. Supermarkets carry many "kits" to produce
a quick house that you basically assemble and decorate.
These are fun if you are on a limited time schedule. If you
really want to take on the "classic" gingerbread house, try
making one from scratch. A useful Web page (complete with
detailed recipes) is at the link below this tip.
Click here to make your own gingerbread house!

Winter Books
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/winter/books.html

Make an Origami Box from Holiday Cards
http://my.hsonline.net/~kidatart/htdoc/lesson16.htm

Snowflakes
http://www.kinderart.com/dec7.htm

Ben and Jerry's Paper Snowflakes
http://www.benjerry.com/yule/snowflakes.html

Snowman Clipart
http://www.christmas-graphics.com/galleries/frosty.html

Snowman Ornament or Necklace
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Gluesnowman.shtml

Winter Arts and Crafts
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/9087/winter/arts.htm

Winter Theme Paper
http://www.abcteach.com/MonthtoMonth/January/writing1.htm

Snowflakes You Can Make
http://members.surfsouth.com/~rlogue/snowup.htm

CHRISTMAS PROJECT MAILING LIST 
Most of the lists we recommend here are meant to be longer-term 
commitments, at least in theory, but this one has a pretty obvious 
expiration date. Judging by the activity back in November, things 
should be heating up on this site, with plenty of suggestions for 
holiday lawn decorations, rooftop displays, anything to set your 
holiday spirit on point for the neighborhood to see. For help with 
your plans for a ten-foot Nutcracker or an animatronic (that's a kind 
of robot) yard Santa, turn to the Christmas Projects Mailing List this 
holiday season. To subscribe, visit 
http://markbutler.8m.com/xmas_proj-home.htm 
To look over the archived posts, visit 
http://listbot.com/archive/xmas_proj 

SOME CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT IDEAS
"Hang your stockings on your tree -- tiny infant socks, that is! 
They can be decorated with ribbon or glitter or simply 'as is'. 
Tiny gifts (toys, key chains, lipstick, earrings, etc.) can even 
be placed in them."
"Buy or crochet a small round doily-weave ribbon through 
stitches to gather-use a canning lid or a heavy cardboard 
circle and glue a picture to it-insert this into the doily and 
adjust the gathers and tie a bow. Attach a cord or ribbon 
to act as a hanger."

Light bulb Santas: 
"The round decorative light bulbs (usually over vanities) 
make excellent ornaments. Just paint your favorite design 
on it.... hot glue decorative ribbon or adornments around 
the metal top and hang." 
Note: I have seen these done with all kinds of light bulbs 
from Night lights to the chandelier bulbs and 60 watt lamp 
lights. Santas, reindeer, penguins and snowman would all 
lend themselves to painting on a bulb. So now we have a 
great reason to save all those dead bulbs. 

Something to include your children:
"I am going to make this, this year for my home....I'm 
going to trace the kid's hand prints on green construction 
paper and cut out .....about 12 ~ 15 and put them on a 
wreath....in various ways....to make a wreath....I'll probably 
do 3 one for me and one for each set of grandparents!"
I have also seen this done as a Christmas tree. With one 
hand (fingers pointing down) at the top then fanned out to 
make the tree shape. This would also be cute as a sweatshirt 
with children's hands dipped in acrylic paint. Adding a 
ribbon bow would make a great gift for grandma. 

Pinecone Crafts
Wax-Glitter ornaments - tie a cord around the top and dip into wax.
Set in egg cartons to dry. Decorate with glitter when still moist and
hang from a tree. (To just wax the tips, pour wax into a shallow pan
and roll the pinecone in it.)

Jingle Bell Wreaths
* Thin florist wire on spool
* Jingle bells
* Wire cutters or old scissors
Cut wire into desired length. Make a loop at one end.
Thread bells onto wire. Form into wreath shape. Twist wire ends
together to secure. Clip off excess wire. Hang on doorknobs, trees or
anywhere!

Ribbon and Rose Ornament
Large plastic or glass ornaments
Dried Rose Buds (see note for variations)
Glue gun
1/4" satin ribbon
Raffia or 3/8" Satin Ribbon
Premade Ribbon Roses
Remove the tops from the balls or open-depending on which type
you purchased. Place one large rosebud or a handful of miniature
rosebuds in the ornament. Close the ornament and use the glue
gun to secure. Using glue gun again, attach a small piece of 1/4"
ribbon around the top to decorate. Once this is dry and in place,
glue the ribbon roses around the edge either directly on the 1/4"
ribbon or slightly below. You can also cluster the ribbon roses, if
you use the tiny ones, in threes. Use strands of raffia or the 3/8"
ribbon as a hanger for the ornament.
Variations: Use tiny pinecones instead of rosebuds and red ribbon.
You can also fill with potpourri and use a combination of the raffia
and the ribbon. I love the variety of ribbon roses available and
think they are charming accent for the outside of the ornament.

Candy Cane Candles
skill level: easiest
cost: under $5
craft time: 10 minutes
candy canes, enough to go around the candle
thick round white or red candle, try to match the height of the
candy canes
white glue
pretty ribbon
Glue the candy canes all around the candle.
Let the glue dry.
Tie on the bow. 

Easy Gift Bags - Your gift bags can be elegant or homey, it
is your choice. These directions are so easy, you will have
all kinds of them made up in no time.

Seasons Greetings Blocks 
Rotating blocks display holiday greetings.

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
"I love this recipe. It is very simple, the kids can help
make it, and it smells wonderful for a long time."

A Waste Not Snowman
This adorable snowman was created from a condiment
bottle, fabric scraps, and lots of imagination.

Tri-Bead Candy Cane Ornament 
An easy group craft for a child to make. 

Tri-Bead Wreath Ornament 
Another easy group craft for a child to make. 

Victorian Potpourri Ornaments 
Gives the tree an old-fashioned feel.

Snowflake 
A sparkly snowflake that lasts all year! 

Snowman Ornament or Place Setting 
Cute little ornament for your tree or to be used as a place setting. 

Christmas At Making Friends

Sparkling Stars 
Make some easy sparkling decorations for your tree or home. 

Stuffed Snowman Ornament 
Easy to do and a great package tie on!

Christmas Tags

Holiday Crafts

Holiday Toppers!
Here are all kinds of fun ideas to use for "Bag Toppers" all you 
do is print them up, and staple them to a baggie filled with goodies:)
(You will get it after reading a few of the ideas!)

Hugs & Kisses Bag Topper
Put 10 each of Hugs and Kisses in a Baggie
The front of the bag topper just says Hugs & Kisses. 
The back says: 
A hug is two arms wrapped around you tight 
A hug is a sign of affection and love
A hug is a sign from the heavens above
A Hug is MOM 
( A picture of a mom and child is a good picture for the bag topper, 
the mom and child could look like a hug and kiss piecs)

Angel Dust
Put large iridescent glitter (also called buffalo snow at Michael's) 
in a small zip lock bag with the poem below and use a small angel 
rubber stamp for an accent with the poem:
Within this little bag
Placed with loving care,
Is special angel dust
My Guardian placed there.
It is to share with special friends
When they're down or feeling blue,
To lift their heart and share a smile
As special friends should do.
( A picture of an angel, or photo of the person you are giving it to)

Snowman Soup
This bag topper is good with a picture of a snowman on it.
1 pkg. hot choclate mix
3 Hershey Kisses
15 (or so) marshmallows
1 candy cane (I use the straight ones from See's Candy)
Put these in a clear baby bottle liner.
Attach bag topper:
Was told you've been good this year,
Always glad to hear it
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the spirit!
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick
Add hot water, sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick!

Wallpaper Envelopes
Outdated wallpaper sample books
Small mailing envelope
Cereal box cardboard
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Go to your local wallpaper store and ask for outdated wallpaper sample
books - they are free. Take a small mailing envelope and carefully 
pull the glued edges apart so you have a pattern. Trace the envelope 
on a piece of cardboard (cereal boxes work good) so that you have a 
durable pattern. Place your cardboard pattern on the wallpaper and 
trace. Cut out, fold and glue.
You have a beautiful, usable envelope.

GINGERBREAD ORNAMENTS
1/2 cup cinnamon
1/2 cup applesauce
2 Tablespoons glue
Mix together and roll out onto wax paper. Use a gingerbread
cookie cutter to cut out the shape. Poke a hole on the top
with a straw. Let air dry for a couple of days. Then you can
paint them if you like.
Yield: approx. 6 ornaments

"M&M's"(r) Paper Cone Ornaments 
Add something special to your tree-trimming this year with these
delightfully festive, easy-to-make ornaments. 
What you'll need:
* Old Christmas cards
* Double-stick tape
* Hole punch
* Thin red ribbon
* 1 bag "M&M's"(r) Milk Chocolate Candies for the Holidays
What to do:
1. Make small paper cones out of old Christmas cards by wrapping
the sides of the card around each other so the bottom is a 
point and the top is wide.
2. Double-stick tape the ends of the paper so you have a strong
cone. 
3. On the sides of the cone, punch two holes and tape the 
ribbon with clear tape to the inside of the cone. 
4. Fill with "M&M's"(r) Chocolate Candies and hang as a 
decoration. 

Christmas Holiday Spice Potpourri
4 Oranges
4 Lemons
1/2 c Whole cloves
1/2 c Whole allspice
10 Cinnamon Sticks, broken
10 Bay leaves, crumbled
8 oz Decorated jelly jars with bands lids
Using a vegetable peeler, peel fruit carefully, removing
only the peel, not any of the white pith. cut or tear into
one inch pieces. Spread peel on paper towel lined pan.
Place in preheated oven to 175, or set oven to WARM.
dry in oven for 1 1/2 hours, tossing occasionally. Peels
should be leathery and/or slightly crunchy. spread peels
on dry paper towels and let air dry for 24 hours.Combine
with remaining ingredients. Fill jars with mixture, place lids
on and screw bands on tightly. Yield: 3 or 4 half pint jars.
T o use: Remove lid and leave band on for decoration to
fragrance a room. OR put one Tblsp into a jar and fill
jar with boiling water to release fragrance.

Christmas Wreaths For Doors Or Tables
First gather together:
A circular wire wreath frame
Lots of moss
Florists wire on a roll
Florists stub wires
Wire cutters
Evergreen foliage, anything you have available, possibly holly,
Christmas tree cuttings, ivy, anything you can find in the garden.
Pine cones, natural or sprayed gold
Walnuts, natural or sprayed gold
Bunches of twigs cut to approx 3" long, natural or sprayed gold
Berries from the florist or the garden
Dried orange slices (Slice, then bake in the oven on a very low heat 
for 15 minutes, turn 
then leave for cook another 15 minutes.)
Ribbon for bow if desired.
Cover your frame with moss
Begin by taking handfuls of the moss and attaching it to the frame by 
binding it on with the wire from the roll. Continue all the way 
around until the whole frame is covered with moss. Twist two or three 
stub wires together to make a hanging loop and fix this to the top of 
the frame. If you are worried about your door or table being damaged 
by the wreath this is a good time to fix a piece of plastic to the 
back, don't worry it will be completely covered by foliage when the 
wreath is complete.
Wire your materials into bunches 
Make little bunches of your foliage by wrapping a few stems together 
with a stub wire, then twisting the wires so that you have a little 
wire stem to fix into the wreath. Do this with all your materials. To 
wire a pine cone, hook a stub wire into the almost closed layers at 
the bottom of the cone, then twist the ends together to make a little 
stem as with the foliage and berries. Wire walnuts by sliding a wire 
through the bottom of the nut. Wire orange slices by bending a stub 
wire in half like a hairpin and using that to secure the slice.
Wire your twigs into little piles and wrap with wire. Tie with a 
piece of ribbon or raffia.
Add your bunches to the base
Starting with your green foliage, secure bunches all the way around 
the wreath into the moss until the moss is completely covered. Now 
add the berries, orange slices, twigs, walnuts and cones at regular 
intervals in any design that pleases you.
Add a bow
Mist your wreath thoroughly with water, and continue to do this once 
a day throughout the holidays. Add a beautiful bow, hang on the door 
and wait for the compliments.
For the table.
Wreaths such as these can also be used on the table, perhaps circling 
a display of candles. Be sure never to leave a lighted candle 
arrangement unattended.
Other types of wreath
Grapevine or willow wreath forms can be used as the base for lovely 
everlasting Christmas displays of dried or silk flowers and Christmas 
decorations. Wrap with ribbon or artificial foliage before adding your
decorations. The easiest way to attach these to the form is with a 
hot glue gun.
Make large or tiny for the tree wreaths from cardboard circles to 
which you attach a small piece of wadding/batting to give a slightly 
padded look, then cover with ribbon or fabric, (glue or staple in 
place) before decorating as above. This is a super project if you 
have to entertain lots of children as they can all take a few home 
for the tree. Finish with ribbon hanging loops.

Holiday Coasters
~ scraps of holiday material (about the size of your hand with the 
fingers spread out)
~ pieces of quilt batting about same size as material
~ a round circle from cardboard cut the size you desire the coaster to be.
~Place a piece of quilt batting between 2 pieces of material and pin together.
~ place cardboard circle on top and lightly trace around it with a 
pencil. The material should be a little bit larger than the cardboard circle..
~ while still pinned together sew around pencil mark.
~ allowing about 1/4 inch outer edge beyond
seam/pencil mark, use pinking shears to cut out.
~ remove pins

Unique Gift Labels 
Have you noticed how pretty the designs are on boxes of Kleenex 
and other brands of tissue? There are some beautiful floral pictures. 
The cardboard is too heavy for decoupage, put it is just right for labels.
Pull the boxes apart, and then cut out square or rectangular
pieces. You can cut them out with plain or decorative scissors.
Fold them in half, and then write on the inside. They make a
very decorative gift label.
If you're sending someone things like handmade knitted slippers,
a hole in the top of the label, and then run yarn through the hole, 
and also through the slippers so that they stay together.
To add to the presentation, attach a little crocheted animal, with 
a few embellishments.
I know there are many other ways of recycling Kleenex boxes, but
next time you buy a really pretty one, think about pulling it
apart and cutting it up for gift labels that you can use year
round. 

Refresh Old Ornaments
Do you have a bunch of old ornaments that need spiffing up,
or perhaps mis-matched ones from Christmas' past that need a
unifying look? It's easy to refresh tired glass ball
ornaments with a little sparkle and flair by using some
craft punches from your scrapbook supplies.
You'll need:
a.. Paper punches (try basic shapes like dots, stars,
starbursts, squares, ovals, swirls, etc.)
b.. Therm-O-Web's PeelnStick Double Sided Adhesive
c.. Glitter or Glass Seed Beads
Tools:
Scissors, Newsprint to protect your work surface
Instructions:
1.. Start by punching several shapes out of the double sided
adhesive. For stripes, simply cut strips from adhesive.
2.. Peel one side of the paper backing off design and dip
into glitter or seed beads. Prepare several shapes
repeating steps above.
3.. Peel remaining paper backing off of sparkling design and
adhere to glass ornaments in random patterns.
Mix, match, and have fun creating your works of art.

Christmas Poppers:
1. Fill an empty toilet paper roll with small candies that are 
individually wrapped. You may decide to include small toys or maybe a 
hand written message depending on the recipient of the popper.
2. Carefully wrap the roll (making sure none of the candy escapes!) 
in brightly colored Christmas paper or tissue paper tying the ends 
with yarn or ribbon.
3. Decorate the outside of the roll with stickers, glitter or attach 
a name tag if you are using them as place cards OR just leave them 
plain!
4. Have the recipient hold on to the roll with each hand and pull 
quickly! All the candy will spill out on the table. Kids and older 
people love it equally.

Handprint Crafts
This site has some very cute ideas using both your hand print and 
foot print:)

Lots of Holiday Crafts
This site has fun ideas for every holiday. Simple to do with any age.

Craft Fun

Gifts & Pictures
This site has great gift ideas, and pictures of the item, so you can 
see wha tyou are making:)

Rudolph Decoration

Christmas Wish Wands

Christmas Wreaths

Santa Salad

Popcorn Snowmen

Yule Log Sandwiches

Poinsettia Punch

Christmas Confetti Dip

North Pole Sundaes

Reindeer Nibble

Rudolph's Magic Treats

Wacky Wassail

Jingle Bell Popcorn Balls

Veggie Christmas Tree

Candied Popcorn Balls

Suntanned Snowman Salad

Pineapple-Cherry Fruit Kabobs

Santa's Midnight Munch

Holiday Nog

Snow Oranges

Prancer's Fruit 'n' Yogurt Snack

Away In A Manger

Holiday Candles

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT WREATH
Styrofoam wreath
Assortment of different sized glass ornaments (1 dozen large, 2 dozen 
medium, 2 dozen small, and several dozen miniatures)
1 yard Ruffled Christmas trim
Christmas picks
Hot Glue Gun
Picture Hanging Wire
Miniature Foil Wrapped packages
Wide Fabric Ribbon for bow (optional)
Straight pins
As this project entails working with glass balls, suggest you wear 
gardening gloves and safety glasses. Remove hangers from glass balls. 
Using a screw driver or a pick, make a small starting hole in the wreath 
shape. Place a dollop of hot glue in the hole. Starting with the 
largest glass ornaments, gently put neck of ornament into hole. Space 
them unevenly. Do same with next smallest size of ornaments. Once this 
base has been made, fill in holes with smaller and smaller ornaments 
gluing them on top and sides of base of larger and medium ornaments. 
Fill in spaces with Christmas picks and miniature packages. Cut a 
length of picture hanging wire and make a hanger for the top. When 
wreath is filled completely, let dry at least three hours. Turn upside 
down and pin ruffled Christmas trim on back. Make a bow if you want 
and pin it to the top of wreath (optional)

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT TREE
Styrofoam Cone
Assortment of different sized glass ornaments (2 dozen medium, 2 dozen 
small, and several dozen miniatures)
1 yard Ruffled Christmas trim
Christmas picks
Hot Glue Gun
Miniature Foil Wrapped packages
Wide Fabric Ribbon for bow
Straight pins
1 sheet of red or green felt
Measure a circle of felt and hot glue to bottom of cone. This is 
assembled similar to above starting with larger ornaments at bottom. 
When finished and dry, pin ruffled Christmas trim around bottom of base 
of tree. Make a bow and pin to top of tree. 

Clever and Frugal Gift and Basket Wrapping Ideas.
Instead of buying expensive shrink wrap or clear cellophane
paper from craft stores, purchase the cheapest shrink film
window insulating kit you can find at a hardware store
... and various ideas to wrap your gifts pretty.

GIFT TAG "Sayings"
to go with Clever and Frugal Gift Ideas.

Incredible Edible Crafts

DOG BONE CHRISTMAS WREATHS
1 medium artificial green wreath
28 colored dog bone shaped biscuits for small dogs
Wide Christmas fabric ribbon
Picture hanging wire
With wire cutters, untwist wreath and cut into two strips. Reshape on 
strip into a circle shape and twist ends together. Spread individual 
branches to make a full flat circle. Taking two individual branches 
twist them around a doggie cookie. Continue until you have used up 
between 12 to 14 cookies (depends upon how close you have spaced them) 
leaving an inch at the top. Tie a bow at the top and twist a length of 
wire to make a hanger. When all the cookies have been eaten, you can 
easily replace them. Remove any leftover cookies and save the wreath 
for next Christmas.

More inexpensive gift ideas

Yuletide Garland
http://www.thefamilycorner.com/homegarden/crafts/centerpieces.shtml

Shredded candles
Shredded candles are just that...shredded candles. If
you have several old candles laying around the house,
you can use them. I had to buy more from the dollar
store. Just make sure they have color all the way
through. Then take as many or as few colors as you
want (I made one that was about 5 different shades of
blue. It turned out beautiful). "Grate" the candles
with a cheese grater. The pieces will end up coming
out like little curly-q's. Make sure to put the wick
in the candle holder, then just pour in as much of the
grated candle as you want. These are really simple to
make, and VERY pretty.
The wick you put in has to have the little silver "foot" on the 
bottom and be prewaxed type so that it stands pretty much 
by itself. When the wick burns it burns hot enough to melt 
the wax curls so that there is a puddle of wax for it to
fuel the burning wick. Works good. And they are very 
pretty. You can buy candle "beads" to do this with from 
most craft stores, but doing shredded candles are prettier 
and less expensive. : )

Evergreen Centerpiece
http://www.thefamilycorner.com/homegarden/crafts/morecenterpieces.shtml

Santa wooden spoon craft: 
http://www.tallmouse.com/projects/xmas/santaspoon.htm

Seasonal Crafts for kids to make
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/childseason/childseason.html

Lots Of Christmas Fun--Games, Printables, Crafts
http://www.night.net/christmas/fun12.html-ssi


Tips for Great Looking Gift Baskets

Making your own gift baskets is easy and you can't
beat the savings over those expensive premade
baskets. Gather together items to make create a
theme such as grilling, bath time, baking, gardening,
movie night, football fun, reading etc. Here are
some tips for creating the basket itself:

Stuff the bottom of the basket with either craft paper
or packing peanuts, then place shredded paper on top
of that. Create small "pockets" in the shredded paper
to place your basket items. Larger items should be in
the back and then fill forward as you go. If you want
to accent your basket with silk flower or picks, bury
pieces of floral foam in the shredded paper and insert
your picks. This will hold them in place.

You can use cellophane that comes in rolls to wrap the
basket or buy tulle by the yard in the fabric store for a
nice alternative. Place the basket on top of the material
and pull up the ends so they are even. Then gather the
ends, pulling up tightly, and tie off with some curling
ribbon or raffia. Then on each side, gather and fold the
material and tape to the underside of the basket. Add
a bow and a pretty gift tag for your final touch!

Scented Pinecones

2x2-inch pinecones (about 24)
Frankincense powder (1/4 cup, approximately 2 ounces)
Myrrh powder (1/2 cup, approximately 4 ounces)
Gold Glitter (1-1/4 cup)
White Crafts Glue
Cellophane bags (available from florist or crafts supply store)
Shallow container, such as a shoe box lid
Gold filigree ribbon
Newspapers

Rinse pinecones with water. Lay cones on an old cookie sheet and place 
in 300 degrees F oven for one hour. Spread cones out on layers of 
newspapers and set aside to complete drying. Blend frankincense, myrrh, 
and glitter in a shallow container. Dab glue on tips of pinecone petals 
and on the bottom of the cone. Roll cone in mixture of powder and 
glitter. Set cones aside to dry.

Package in a handful of dried cones in cellophane bags to give as gifts. 
Tie bag shut with gold filigree ribbon. Attach a label with a holiday 
greeting and instructions for using the pinecones:

Enjoy the aromatic incense the cones release when burned. Toss a cone 
or two onto hot embers, and inhales the earthy fragrance. Or, set the 
cones in a dish for a more subtly fragrant decoration.

CANDY CANE  

MATERIALS:  
small amounts of  worsted weight yarn in red and white 
Crochet hook, size F  
6" pipe cleaner  

NOTE:  
 Be sure cane is turned right side out after first several rounds.  

With red, ch2, work 5sc in 2nd ch from hook.  Remove loop from 
hook, but do not cut.   With white, make loop on hook, join with 
sc in same ch, do not turn and do not join.  With white, work 1sc 
in back loop of each of the next 4 red sc, remove loop from hook,  
but do not cut.  Pick up red loop, work 1 sc in each of the next 4 
white sc. Drop red lp,  pick up white loop, work 1sc in each of 
the next 4 red sc.  Drop white loop, pick up red  loop, work 1 sc 
in each of the next 4 white sc.  Repeat from * until piece 
measures 6".   Pick up white loop, (work a dec over next 2 red sc) 
twice, break off white. Fold pipe  cleaner over about 1/4" at each 
end and insert into tube of candy cane. Pick up red loop,  work a 
dec over next 2 white sc, sc in last white sc, sl st in next red st. 
Break off and  fasten.  Bend to shape.  Hanging loop (optional); 
leaving ends of  2", ch 13, break off.  Tie  ends together and tie 
on top of candy cane.

BELL  

MATERIALS:  
small amounts of  worsted weight yarn in green and white  
Crochet hook, size F  

With green, ch3, join with sl st to top of 1st sc.  

RND1:  Ch1, 10 sc in ring, join with sl st to top of 1st sc.  

RND2:  Ch2, dc in same sc, *ch1, 2 dc cluster (2 dc in 
next st, holding back last loop of   each st, yo and draw 
through all loops on hook), repeat from * around, ch1, 
join to top of  1st ch.  Break off.  (10 clusters)  

RND3:  Join white in any ch1 sp, ch2, 2dc cluster in same 
sp, *ch1, 3dc cluster in next sp,  repeat from * around, join.  
Break off.  

RND4:  Attach read, repeat rnd 3.  

RND5:  Attach white, repeat rnd3, except ch2 (instead of 
ch1) between clusters.  

RND6:  Attach green in any ch2 sp, in same sp, work (sc, 
hdc, dc, hdc, sc), * in next sp,  work (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc), 
repeat from * around, ending sl st in 1st sc. Break off.

CLAPPER:  

With red, ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join.  

RND2:  1sc in each sc around.  (6 sc).  

RND3:  (1 dec over next 2sc) 3 times, (3sc) (Optional, 
stuff with a tiny bit of polyfil).   Remove loop from hook,  
insert hook in opposite side of rnd (under 2 loops), pull 
loop  thru.  Ch12.  Turn bell inside out, sl st in back 2 
loops of any sc on Rnd1 of bell, ch 12 for  hanger loop, 
sl st in back 2 loops of a sc on opposite side of Rnd1 of 
bell. Break off and fasten.  Turn bell right side out,
pull loop up through center hole.