Homemade Christmas Ornaments

Christmas cards, garland, and glue, oh my!  Homemade Christmas ornaments were on the agenda today as we spent the morning at our local library for one of their special events.  I'm a huge fan of the library, they throw events year-round for the kids and I can stick it to HBO and Showtime by signing out original series like Dexter or Game of Thrones.  Every now and then I'll check out a book from some deceased Russian novelist so I don't look like a total idiot.

Today's event was a Christmas movie (Arthur Christmas) and craft-time that included homemade ornaments, or in this case, library-made ornaments.  The ornaments are a great way to upcycle your old Christmas cards and garland, plus it will keep your kids busy for a good twenty minutes.  Let's do this:

 Here's what you need:
Old Christmas Cards
Garland
Hole Punch
Glue
Ribbon






First, you need some Christmas cards.  If you're one of those weirdos that keeps every Christmas card you've ever received since the day you were married (Hi Mom!), it's time to stop hoarding and start cutting.  For the rest of us, you can just choose a card you've recently received.  Cut it out and punch a hole in the top of it.

Both of the kids were pretty excited with their choices.

Once the kids have picked out their Christmas scene, it's time to rip up some garland.  Cut out enough to cover the border of your card.  Turn your card over and spread some glue around the border.  Every time that we've done a craft at the library, they have the kids use glue tabs.  These things are amazing.  If you can find them, buy them.  There's no mess and the kids always use the right amount.  Slap your garland onto the card and you're almost done.

Once the garland is on, you're ready to cut some ribbon, slip it through the hole and tie a loop.  Finally, sit back and enjoy...

This Christmas craft project is also a great way to get back at those people that send you those glittery Christmas cards that dust your entire house in a sparkly, impossible-to-clean-up kind of way.  Wrap one of these babies up and re-gift.   Glitter Bomb!