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It’s the personal touches that help make the holiday season special. These nine easy Christmas craft ideas will help you deck the halls with homemade joy. They also make for thoughtful (and budget-friendly) gifts.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
If you’re looking for a fun holiday-themed game for the whole family, this Christmas version of pin the tail on the donkey is a big hit. Paint a tree on a drop sheet using sample pots of paint, and cut a star-shape into a coaster to use as the object you want to ‘pin’ on the tree.
Concertina shapes (circles and angels, for example) make for easy-to-make and elegant decorations for the Christmas tree or table. They are also a striking addition to gift wrapping. This Christmas craft can be created using cardboard or paper, and it’s a fun activity for the whole family.
Add your own creative stamp to this year’s gift wrapping with D.I.Y. stamped wrapping paper. Create prettily patterned, botanical-themed wrapping paper by making your own stamps. Draw or trace flowers, leaves, or plant stems onto adhesive-backed foam and cut out the shapes. Stick the shapes to craft coasters. (This will make them easier to handle.) Using a mini roller and tray, apply paint to the foam shapes and stamp the shapes onto rolls of kraft paper.
These cardboard gift tags are simple to create and they’ll add a special touch to any gift. All you’ll need is some twine, a few wooden beads painted in the colour of your choice, and slips of cardboard. Assemble the tags, carefully print or paint the name of the recipient, and now your gift has that extra something special!
Tip: For an extra Christmasy touch, paint a holiday shape (tree or star, for example) on one side of the cardboard tag.
Turn a simple piece of timber into a striking centrepiece for the table. This D.I.Y. project can hold 13 taper candles. (You choose the colours.) Mark evenly spaced, staggered hole centres on a piece of 90mm x 32mm pine, cut to your preferred length. (We used 400mm for our project.) Make 20mm-deep holes at the marked locations using a drill with a 20mm spade bit.
Sand the entire surface using 180-grit abrasive paper and wipe away the dust. Apply timber wax and insert 21mm taper candles into the holes.
Safety tip: Never leave lit candles unattended and do not let them burn down below 5cm.
If you want a new look for your Christmas decorations but yours are still in good condition, give them a makeover! Upcycle your ornaments using spray paint or texture paint. Play around with different colour schemes, or combine texture paste with craft paint to give them a unique textured look.
Safety tip: When using spray paint, always work in a well-ventilated area with a drop cloth to protect the surrounding area. Wear a mask and disposable gloves and avoid spraying on a windy day.
If you want to create your own Christmas ornaments, or if you’re looking for a more natural-looking theme for your Christmas décor, these D.I.Y. macramé ornaments are the ideal holiday craft project. You can create a variety of shapes, including circles, stars, and trees, and all you need is a set of beads, cotton cord and basic D.I.Y. tools.
This D.I.Y. project creates a triangular timber tree out of pieces of pine. You’ll even be able to string decorations or lights. It’s an atmospheric Christmas decoration that’s perfect for people who don’t have the space for a tree, or want a smaller or more portable option.
Take three 1.2m lengths of 140mm x 18mm dressed pine. Using a compound mitre saw, cut the two sides on a 40° angle at one end; butt together to make the triangle top. Cut a base piece with a 25° angle on one end and position against one side; mark the side to length with a 25° angle on the end. Repeat to mark out the other triangle side and base to length and butt on a 25° angle.
Join the triangle pieces using PVA glue and a nail gun. Leave to dry, then fill nail holes with timber filler. Let dry and sand smooth with 180 grit abrasive paper. Wipe away any dust. Apply two to three coats of Danish oil with a paintbrush. Leave to dry after each coat and sand in between with 240 grit paper. Using painter’s tape, mark locations of 15mm cup hooks on the insides of the sides, staggering them. Drill pilot holes with a 3mm bit and screw in hooks, removing the tape.
Create a classic-looking Christmas garland with recycled or spare gift-wrapping paper. This is a great project that makes use of those extra cuts and scraps of leftover paper. It’s also a good way to preserve your favourite pieces of wrapping paper that have been passed around through the years. All you’ll need are scissors, recycled or spare wrapping paper, jute twine and craft adhesive PVA glue, and you can create an environmentally-friendly, unique decoration to brighten your home.
Check out our website for more D.I.Y. projects that are sure to brighten your home this holiday season.
