Christmas is indisputably the most magical time of all for both oldsters and youngsters, but it seems the more do-it-yourself and less commercial it is, the better. These two ideas are easy enough for the children to do — and they will add the “home” to “homemade.”
Tin-Can Christmas Card Holder
Make your Christmas cards really stand out — as well as easy to read — with this handy holder.
Materials Needed:
- Tall, narrow can (such as a potato-chip can)
- Red or green yarn
- Masking or filament tape
Cut both ends from a tall, narrow can. Potato-chip cans work well. Secure red or green yarn to the inside of the can with masking or filament tape. Wind yarn up and down inside and outside of the can, until yarn completely covers it. Strips of yarn should be close together. Secure end of yarn to inside of the can with another piece of tape.
Slip Christmas cards under one strip of yarn so that yarn holds it to the can along the fold of the card. The cards hang open, making it easy to read the special messages all through the holidays.
DIY Terra-Cotta Candle Holders
Potted candle terra-cotta pots can be transformed into festive candle holders.
Materials Needed:
- Terra-cotta pot
- Plaster of Paris
- Candle (twice the height of the pot)
- Decorative items (buttons, seashells, polished stones, metallic paper, garlands, sequins, nuts sprayed with gold paint, etc.)
- Ribbon
- Glue gun
- Flame retardant spray (for flammable materials)
Mix the plaster of Paris according to package directions. Fill the pot half full of plaster. Center the candle in the pot, pushing it down to fill the pot to within 2 inches of the rim. Hold the candle in place until the plaster begins to set up and the candle doesn’t lean. Let it harden completely.
Decorate the pot and around the candle with any of the decorations listed above or others of your choosing. Spray flammable materials with flame retardant. And remember not to leave a lighted candle unattended.
