It's Reindeer Time...Bring Out The Craft Supplies!

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the variety of crafts that you have to choose from. My favorite are the ones for kids. They are so simple, yet adorable! My absolute favorite is the Craft Stick Reindeer. It's easy enough that I can do it, but extremely versatile so that anything can be done to make each and every Reindeer unique.

Craft Stick Reindeer

Supplies:
*Glue Gun
*Ribbon (Any color)
*Craft Sticks
*Glue-on Eyes
*Small Colored Pom Poms
*Newspaper to work on (Optional)

Instructions: 

 First, place a drop of glue at the tip of one of the craft sticks. Add another stick, forming a V with the tip placed on the glue.

Second, place one drop of glue on each stick - about one inch below the top.

 

Next, add the third craft stick by placing it on the two drops of glue (try to keep it center to the V- as you can see, I was a little off!)

 

Glue eyes on, just below the newly added craft stick. It's starting to come together!

 

Choose a Pom Pom. I went with red on this one. When I did this with the kids at church, they had a blast picking out what color nose to use! We had everything from Green, to Black to Purple!

 

 For the hanging ribbon, I used a thin, almost string-like ribbon which had silver sparkle with a bright red. Cut it long enough that it can go over a tree branch to hang on the tree. Put a drop of glue on the cross stick and carefully push the two loose ends into the glue so that they will stay when it dries.

 

This next step is optional, but adds character and distinguishes between male and female reindeer. Using a thin ribbon, cut a small piece and tie it into a bow, and glue it to the top. Your reindeer is now complete!!! Wasn't that easy!

 

There are many variations to these reindeer, which makes them fun! Some that I want to try in the future are to paint the craft sticks a light brown first or maybe use a glitter paint to make it sparkle. The possibilities are endless!

 

One of these Reindeer ornaments has been on my family's tree since I can remember. They are too cute not to include on any Christmas tree, and the materials are cheap enough to make several at a time. They would make great gifts for kids to make for friends or relatives, such as grandparents. Don't forget to write the child's name on the back with the year they made it! It is sure to be a hit!

 

Merry Christmas!!!

 

It's Time To Decorate!!!!

Life around the holiday season always seems to be busier than usual as it is filled with special events, traditions, parties, etc. The list is endless as to what we fill our lives with. I say this because my life has already begun to become busy! And it has nothing to do with the holidays, just family. But through all of it, I decided to keep up the traditional date of decorating for Christmas, November 15th! So last night I started decorating!

Some people have traditions as to what they put up first, or where things go in the house, or who can put the star (or angel) on the tree. I don't have too many of those. The tree went up first, but only because it was easier since it was all put together. This year my grandpa and I got a new tree! It's smaller than the one we have been using, but we like that. Here it is first put up:

 

I just love it! Some people have this knack with putting Christmas up at their house to make it look like it came out of a magazine. Me, not so much. If there's space, it doesn't matter what goes there, just as long as it fits and looks good. It's my goal this year to make a few decorations myself, ones that will look unique. For now though, I love what I have.

 

One of my most favorite decorations is my very first stocking from when I was a baby. My sisters and I each got an animal stocking: a dog, a panda, a reindeer, and a bear. We used them for quite some time, and then we upgraded to new, bigger stockings. We may have gotten new ones, but I always put my first one up. It's just so cute!

 

 

I always listen to Christmas music while decorating. Putting up Christmas is a very magical time, and with the music in the background, it just adds to the season and helps me remember the true meaning of the season. Usually I'll play songs on Cd's I have, but this year I used the TV, and chose the traditional Christmas station to listen to. Most songs I knew, some I didn't....and no matter who sings it, "Baby It's Cold Outside" will always be my least favorite song!!! Ugh! Sorry to anyone who likes it, but that is not this girl's favorite!

 

 

 

I'm not quite finished all the way. It takes a lot, and there was a lot to do today as well, but it's almost done. I just have to finish putting up the garland and put the mostly empty boxes away....oh, and fix some decorations that got broken.

 This is an angel ornament that my mom made for my sister's bridal shower. I will not claim the idea as hers, or mine. They turned out beautiful though. We got the idea from a picture on pinterest, and followed it to this website: http://www.happybirdscraftinghaven.com/2011/05/sparkly-ribbon-angel-ornament-tutorial.html





 

 

Well, as the season has begun, I wish you all good luck in your decorating endeavors, both inside and outside! And please be careful if you're going on the roof to put up lights!!!

 

Merry Christmas!!!