When Christmas is just around the corner, many people find themselves a few decorations short. Instead of going to the store to buy one, why don’t you try making your own for a little personal touch on your Christmas tree or around the house?

Clay Ornaments

If you’re looking for something fun and quick, this is perfect for you!

Materials: - 

Air-Dry Clay - Multiple colors or just one

Something to maintain the circle (ex., a pencil)

Cookie Cutters

Toothpick (Optional)

String/Wire

Parchment

You’ll want to lay out a piece of parchment paper to prevent it from sticking.

Place down a cookie cutter; use something to keep the hole’s shape. Push in the air-dry clay.

You can use the toothpick to swirl the clay, or use other colors to add shapes on top. (Optional)

Wait for it to dry, then insert the wire or string.

Now hang it on your Christmas tree! (Or save it for next year.)

Tie-dyed Paper Snowflakes

A bit craftier, this is a refreshing twist on a classic design.

Materials: -

Square Paper

Shaving Cream

Food Coloring

Toothpick

Open Container (for example, a small open box or tub)

First, fold up a piece of paper into a triangle. Repeat two more times.

Make random cuts along the edge. (Be careful it stays together, though.)

Put shaving cream in your container.

Put in food coloring. Swirl it with your toothpick.

Unfold your snowflake and dip it in the shaving cream.

Clean off any excess shaving cream. Use a paper towel.

It’s done! You can make multiple to put up around the house!

I hope you really enjoy making these. I loved doing them myself, and they’re great fun to do with family and friends. Enjoy the holiday season!

- Raven Greengrass, Journalist, Proof-reader (temporarily volunteering proof-reader for this month), Hogwarts Monthly Magazine.