DIY Kiss-mas Tree Craft

This craft is so insanely simple and adorable that you’ll want to do them every year and for different holidays (Easter trees, anyone?)! Here’s what do:

What You’ll Need:

• Styrofoam tree form from a craft store
  
• Hot glue gun
• Hershey Kisses

Directions:

1. The styrofoam trees come in many sizes, so choose whichever you like best! Try them all for fun.
2. Starting at the very top, put a dab of the hot glue on the styrofoam where you are putting the kiss.
3. Work your way down from the top in circles, swirling the way down the to the bottom.
4. Experiment with different decorations (ribbon, glitter, etc.) and different candies for the “star at the top” of the tree.

Let us know how yours looks and what you find works best! Thanks to Sweet Nothings NYC for the tutorial!

Handmade Icicle Ornaments

Looking for a simple, fun, and festive art project for the kids? These Icicle Ornaments are exactly that, plus it is a cute and sparkly sensory experience for the kids while decorating the tree!

What You’ll Need:

• metallic pipe cleaners
• pony beads
• thread (for hanging on the tree)
• pencil

Directions:

1. To help keep the beads from falling off the end, bend the tip of each of the pipe cleaners around a few times.
2. Put fun colored beads along the pipe cleaner. Leave space between them so you can see the sparkly metallic.
3. Loop the pipe cleaner around the pencil to give it the spiral look.
4. Loop a thread through the top bead and tie in a knot. Hang on the tree. It’s that simple!

Thanks to Happy Hooligans for the adorable idea!

Handmade Puzzle Wreath Picture Frame

If you’re like us, we have tons of random puzzle pieces all over. If you’re not, then go to your thrift shop and get a 100 piece puzzle for $1 or so. Either way, this is a fun and thrifty gift that the kids can make, and when you fill with a picture, the grandparents will love for years to come!

What You’ll Need:

• paint brush
• glue
• red pom poms
• red ribbon
• a small round picture frame (craft store or dollar store)
• puzzle pieces
• green craft paint
• newspaper or something else to protect your work surface

Directions:

1. Lay your puzzle pieces on the  protected surface, and paint one side of each of your puzzle pieces green. Allow the puzzle pieces to dry. Double check that they are painted well enough to be opaque. If not, then put on another layer and let dry.
2. Start gluing the puzzle pieces around the frame. Glue a single layer and allow that layer to dry completely before adding more layers.  Add more puzzle pieces until the frame is completely covered and green.
3. Once the puzzle pieces are dry, glue red pom poms around the frame, then tie a bow with red ribbon and glue it to the top of the frame to make it look like a wreath. Put chosen picture inside and gift. That’s it!

DIY Napkin Rings

These napkin rings are so cute, easy and CHEAP! You can make them for any or all holidays you choose from things you can buy at the dollar store or craft store.

What You’ll Need:

• Felt
• Popsicle sticks
• Tacky glue
• Small paintbrush
• Buttons in assorted colors (you can buy them by the bag in many craft stores)

Directions:

1. For each napkin ring, cut a 4- by 5 1/2-inch piece of felt.
2. Starting at one short end of the rectangle, glue on 12 Popsicle sticks (it’s less messy if you use a small paintbrush to spread the glue), lining them up side by side. You should end up with a margin of uncovered felt at the end.
3. Once the glue dries, form a ring by gluing the overlapped felt together.
4. Now comes the fun part: glue on rows of buttons, Let the glue dry completely.
5. When it’s time to use the rings, roll up napkins. Insert one in each ring.

Thanks to Spoonful for the easy craft!