The true beauty of a Christmas tree is the story that it tells. Some people prefer a theme to their tree. Others use a mish-mash of ornaments. Anyway that you approach it, a tree’s ornaments should symbolize the love and joy of the Christmas season. One way to truly express your personal feelings about Christmas is to make your own tree ornaments. Here are some ideas for homemade ornaments that say “Merry Christmas” with your hands and from the heart.
Potpourri Christmas Ball
This is a simple ornament that looks simply elegant.
Materials needed: Clear or white frosted glass Christmas balls, a bag of flower potpourri (I prefer using a potpourri with primarily rose petals).
1. Remove the top of a Christmas ball (the part where the hook is connected to the Christmas ball).
2. Gently stuff the potpourri in the hole at the top of the Christmas ball. Be careful not to crush the potpourri too much.
3. Replace the top to the Christmas ball.
Polymer Clay Ornaments
Polymer clay is an easy material to work with that makes beautiful, vibrant decorations. All you need to make these decorations is the clay, an oven, and a little Christmas spirit. You can shape polymer clay into holiday favorites such as candy canes and wreaths.
Materials needed: Polymer clay in desired colors (suggested: red, green, and white), Ribbon for hanging ornaments
Candy Cane
1. Break off a piece of red and white polymer clay. Knead each piece to make them pliable.
2. Roll the red piece of clay into a thin log, about the size of a worm. Repeat with the white clay.
3. Twist the white piece around the red piece.
4. Curve the entwined pieces into a hook to take the shape of a candy cane.
5. Bake according to clay directions on packaging since times and temperature may vary with brands.
6. Hang on the tree using a ribbon attached to the hook of the candy cane.
Pinecone Angels
Every tree can use a little glitter. This ornament combines the rustic look of pinecones with a little bit of glitz.
Materials needed: Pinecones, glitter, jingle bells, white paper, plastic wedding rings (available in bridal section of craft store), scissors, white glue, glue gun, and hot glue.
1. On the paper, design a pair of wings for your angel. You may also be find a good pattern for wings online if you don’t feel comfortable drawing your own. Make sure your wings are proportionate to your pinecone, which will serve as the body of your angel. Cut out the wings. Decorate and/or glitter the wings as you desire.
2. Drizzle white glue onto the pine cone and sprinkle or roll the pine cone in the glitter. How much glue and glitter you use depends on your own tastes.
3. Attach the jingle bell to the top of the pine cone (the thicker part that would be attached to the tree) using the hot glue gun. Make sure the bottom of the bell is the part attached to the pine cone. You need the loop at the top of the jingle bell to be free to attach the hook or string that will hold it to the tree.
4. Glue one of the plastic rings to the top of the jingle bell as if it was a crown, using the glue gun. This is the angel’s halo.
5. Finally attach the wings to the pinecone, using the glue gun.
6. Hang your ornament to the tree using a hook or string looped through the top of the jingle bell.
There really is no limit to the ornaments that you can make for your tree. Other ideas include the traditional popcorn and cranberry strung together using needle and thread (which takes a REALLY long time) or the festive paper chain made from strips of scrap paper. Ornaments can be made from any material from flour dough to popsicle sticks.  Take some time to search online, through magazines, and in books for inspiration and put your own creative spin on your very own treasured holiday tree trimmings.
