DIY Ice Candle Holders & Money Caterpillar: Festive Holiday Crafts!

A special Christmas project and activity can bring family and friends together during the holidays. Here are a few of my favorites:

Ice candle holder

Materials Needed:

• Plastic ice cream bucket (or similar container)
• Heavy plastic glass (large enough to hold a candle)
• Gravel (for weight)
• Duct tape
• Large candle

Fill the bucket with water and place it in the freezer. When the ice in the bucket is partially frozen, fill the plastic glass with gravel and place it in the center of the ice to make a hole for the candle. If it won’t sit flat, tape it down with duct tape. Freeze solid.

Turn the bucket upside down and dump the gravel into another container. Fill the glass with cool water to thaw the ice just enough to remove the glass. Remove the ice from the bucket and place a candle in the hole.

If the temperature stays below freezing, this sparkling candle holder will last outside for several days. It can also be used as an attractive centerpiece placed on a platter to catch the water as it melts. Decorate with pine boughs, holly berries, and pine cones.

 DIY Money Caterpillar: A Fun & Creative Gift Idea!

  Materials:
    • 7 to 8 rolls of coins
    • 1 piece (4-by-36-inch) green felt
    • 1 yard large yellow rickrack
    • Thread
    • 1 3-inch pompon (head)
    • 1 pair wiggly eyes
    • 1 small red pompon (nose)
    • 1 yellow pipe cleaner (antennae)
    • 4 yards yellow ribbon
    • Glue gun

Fold the felt in half lengthwise. Sandwich rickrack between the edges on the long side, allowing the rickrack to show. Stitch 1/4 inch from the edge to make a casing for the coins. Stitch one end closed. Glue a 3-inch pompon head to the closed end. Glue the eyes and a red pompon nose to the 3-inch pompon. Bend pipe cleaners to make antennae and glue to the felt. Fill the felt casing with coins and tie a yellow bow between each roll and at the tail.