There’s never been a better time to get crafty – so, if you’re after something easy, but gorgeous to whip up for decorations this Christmas, we’ve got you sorted. Lisa Evans from makekit.co.nz shares her top DIY Christmas decorations that are both easy and pretty enough that you actually want them in your house – not a pipe cleaner in sight!
SUPER SIMPLE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
Environmentally sound, super cute and super easy – ditch the usual plastic and tinsel for a far more elegant tree this year
You’ll need:
- A selection of patterned cards or papers
- Embroidery thread, string or twine for hanging your ornaments
- Colourful beads
- Template* (scroll to the very bottom of this page!)
- Glue stick
1. Print out the template and cut it out. Copy the shape onto the wrong side of your card/paper. Now use this piece of card to cut more shapes.
2. Each ornament needs 4 shapes, so put on some of your favourite tunes and get comfortable for a shape-cutting session!
TIP: You could use Easter egg foil from previous years and glue them to plain card as well. Reuse and upcycling in one!
3. Fold each shape in half with the pattern facing inwards. Make sure the fold has a nice firm crease. Now for the fun part!
4. Taking two shapes, glue ONE HALF together with another half. Make sure the patterns are facing outwards. Glue all the way out to the edges and top and bottom of the folded shapes.
5. Take another piece and glue ONE HALF together with another half.
6. Fold a small length of thread in half and add a bead (looped through both).
TIP: Embroidery thread or thin string is ideal because it isn’t too bulky between the card/paper. If you are using yarn just make sure you glue it down well.
7. Before adding the last (4th) piece shape, place the string/bead down the centre of a fold. Glue it down and place the last piece over the top of the string. Make sure the bead is sitting flush with the top of the ornament.
8. Pinch all shapes at the top and bottom to help adhere the glue.
9. Allow all of them to dry properly. Trim any sides that don’t quite join up.
10. Now your ornaments are ready to enjoy. Hang them on tree branches when kids have their Easter egg hunt, they look fantastic as Christmas tree decorations, or hang from a branch as a modern festive table setting.
ORANGE CHRISTMAS GARLAND
Make your house look like it’s come straight off the pages of a magazine with this simple garland that won’t make your place look like the inside of a toy store
You’ll need:
- 4-5 oranges
- Serrated knife
- Baking paper
- Oven tray
- Twine or string
- Cellotape
- Large needle (optional)
1. Heat oven to 1200C.
2. Slice oranges to approx. 5mm thick using a serrated knife and place slices on the baking paper.
3. Place on an oven tray and bake for 2-3 hours. Turn them over after 1.5 hours – this will help keep then flat and dry evenly too. (Cooking them slowly draws out the moisture without burning them.)
4. Allow slices to cool.
5. Thread string/twine through two parts of the orange flesh (not the skin). Wrapping tape around the end of the string makes it stiffer and easier to thread through the slices or use a large needle for threading.
6. Once all the slices are threaded on, make a double knot at each end.
7. You’re done! Hang your garland over a mantelpiece, shelf, on the Christmas tree or across a window frame.
Visit makekit.co.nz for more festive craft ideas!
*CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT TEMPLATE:
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