Arts & Craft for Christmas

• Paper Bag Reindeer Puppet - Supplies needed: paper bags, red cardboard/ cardboard painted red, glue, scissors, marker pens, googly eyes (optional) • Stand-alone Star Ornaments - Supplies needed: stiff paper or styrofoam meat trays, scissors, marker pens • String of Gingerbread Men - Supplies needed: brown grocery bags or tan cardboard, marker pens, scissors, glue or a stapler, long piece of string • Pine Cone Christmas Tree - Supplies needed: large & open pine cone, cotton balls, glitter, super glue, dental floss • Metal Tree Decorations - Supplies needed: disposable pie plates, marker, scissors, large nail, string, scrap newspaper

(http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/) • Egg Carton Christmas Bells - Supplies needed: egg carton, scissors, string, small bells, craft glue, glitter, paint

• Doily Candy Bowl - Supplies needed: white crocheted doily, small margarine container, fabric stiffener, narrow ribbon, craft glue, wax paper, plastic wrap/sandwich bag, Christmas florals (optional) • CD Christmas Wreaths - Supplies needed: 7 old CD’s, hot glue, craft glue, Christmas scraps from other projects, acrylic paints

(http://www.make-stuff.com/hollidays/christmas.html)

• Christmas Card Ornaments - Supplies needed: used Christmas cards, pencil, scissors, craft glue, string, round template/coin (http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/card-ornaments.shtml) • Rustic Wood Christmas Tree - Supplies needed: different lengths of weathered wood, rope, post/broom handle, bucket, pebbles, decorations Tie bundles of timber together – four different lengths in a variety of thicknesses. Attach to a central post with rope. Secure the tree in a bucket filled with pebbles. Decorate. (Donna Hay Magazine – Issue 18, page 211) • Christmas Card Hangers - Supplies needed: ribbon, paper clips Tie lengths of ribbon to a curtain rail and secure Christmas cards with paper clips. (Donna Hay Magazine – Issue 18, page 212)

• Table Protector - Supplies needed: flowers & leaves (poinsettia/evergreen leaves), contact paper, plate to trace round, scissors, ball-point pen

(http://www.makingfriends.com/table_protector.htm)

• Shank Button Ornaments Supplies needed: shank buttons (the ones with the small loop on the back), pipe cleaners, scissors, ribbon

(http://www.makingfriends.com/button_ornament.htm)

DECORATIONS - REUSE Light bulbs – paint and use for Christmas decorations Homemade Christmas Gifts

• Candy Ball Door Knob Hangers - Supplies needed: styrofoam balls, gumdrops or candy cane pieces, hot glue, thumb tacks, ribbon

• Funky Frames - Supplies needed: old photo frame, buttons, puzzle pieces or sea glass, hot glue

• Potpourri Candle - Supplies needed: potpourri, plain candle, wax paper, hammer, iron, large pot, large can, canning wax

(http://www.mormonchic.com/crafty/homemade_christmas_gifts.asp#candyballs) • Snowman Pillow - Supplies needed: white bed pillow, black stocking cap, scarf, buttons, orange felt scrap, pair of gloves/similar shapes cut from felt • Babyfood Jar Christmas Tree Centrepiece - Supplies needed: 15 clean babyfood jars with lids, white glue, christmas ribbon, small fairy lights, hammer, large pliers, tin foil, cardboard, gold/silver metallic paint

(http://www.make-stuff.com/hollidays/christmas.html) • Sparkling Beaded Candleholder - Supplies needed: beading wire, wire cutters, glass/ plastic beads, old drinking glasses, hot glue gun (http://www.bhg.com.au/)

• Personalised Recipe Books - Supplies needed: old magazine recipe pages, small unused book, calligraphy/nice pen. If one of your recipients is a vegetarian or has a fondness for curry, loves anything with tomatoes or is a sucker for chocolate, make use of the fact. Start collecting appropriate recipes from books or magazines and purchase a small, inexpensive book to write them in. Copy them out in your neatest handwriting or use calligraphy if you are talented.

• Dress Up Box for Kids - You have to start this present halfway through the year as you can add to it as you go along. Obtain a large cardboard box from your local supermarket and cover it with pretty wrapping paper. If desired stick a large label on the front with the name of the recipient on it. Every time you go into town, browse round the charity shops and pick up cheap hats, scarves, veils, tutus, jewellery, gloves and small size dresses or jackets. Making this gift should motivate you to have a massive wardrobe clean out. Kids will go mad for something like this and you can tailor the clothing to a girl or a boy. (http://rubyglen.com/articles/handmadechristmas.htm) • Advent Calendar - Supplies needed: construction paper, scissors, 25 small treats, 5cm wide coloured tape, puff paint, glue, marker pens, string (http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10635) • Greeting Card Puzzles Supplies needed: greeting cards, craft glue, paddle pop sticks, scissors, razor blade, sticky tape (http://www.makingfriends.com/card_puzzles.htm)

• Angel Key Ring Supplies needed: 4 yellow, 7 orange, 5 ivory, 28 white, 20 clear pony beads, satin chord/fishing line, lanyard hook (http://www.makingfriends.com/ponybead/ponyangel.htm) • Photo Business Card Holder Supplies needed: photo, thick cardboard, empty cassette holder, craft & hot glue, scissors, gems/pebbles

(http://www.makingfriends.com/businesscardholder.htm)

• TV Remote Controller Holder Supplies needed: small Pringles can, 24 paddle pop sticks, vinyl scraps, craft glue, rubber band, scissors

(http://www.makingfriends.com/gifts/dad_remote_holder.htm) Glass Jars Glass jars are great for all types of gift ideas:

- make your own marmalade, tepanade, pickles and place them in a glass jar

- fill the jar with either dried food or dried flowers and plant matter for decorations

- use glass jars as vases – fill with pebbles and add your favourite flowers or succulents

- You can use the jar as the packaging, or make you own Glass Wine Bottles Paint wine bottles using no-toxic paints and fill with oil olive or salad dressings. Some ideas include

- Olive oil with garlic and rosemary