Christmas Crafts

Tree Ornaments

To make each ornament, you will need wrapping paper or a used Christmas card; heavy, plain paper; scissors; colored construction paper; glue; and a short piece of thread.

1. Mount a picture from the wrapping paper or card on heavy paper; then cut the picture out, leaving tabs at the widest edges (see illustration).

2. Cut a strip of construction paper long enough to encircle the picture (see illustration) and overlap a little bit; glue the overlap.

3. Fold in the tabs and glue them to the inside of the construction paper circle.

4. Double a length of thread, loop it through the circle, then tie a knot.

Let It Snow

To make a snow jar, you will need a small, clean glass jar with a screw-on lid; acrylic paint and a paintbrush; a small plastic figure; waterproof glue; scissors; and a white plastic bag (or glitter).

1. 1. To make sure the jar won’t leak, fill it with water, screw on the lid, and turn the jar upside down.

2. Pour out the water and dry the lid; then paint the lid on the outside and let it dry completely.

3. Glue the plastic figure to the inside of the lid, and let the glue dry. (Don’t let the glue reach the edge of the lid, because this will break the seal.)

4. Cut enough of the bag into tiny pieces to completely cover the bottom of the jar. Glitter can be used instead of plastic.

5. Fill the jar almost full with water, then screw the lid on tightly. To make the jar even more leakproof, spread waterproof glue around the inside rim of the lid just before screwing it on.

6. Now turn the jar upside down, shake it, and let it “snow.”

Illustrated by Shauna Mooney Kawasaki