Christmas is only 27 days away, so we thought it would be fun to share our handmade ornaments. I decided on a ‘Winter Wonderland’ theme this year. So snow, snowflakes, trees, pine cones, feathers, reindeer, birds, owls, and polar bears were the main focus. Some are super simple, others are a little more complex, but all are cheap. I thought we should start with the easiest ones.
To start, find clear glass (or plastic) ball ornaments. HoLo (Hobby Lobby) sells a twelve pack for $7.99, but Christmas stuff was 50% off making the balls four bucks. While at HoLo, I bought a package of brown and teal feathers, also half off, costing $1.00.
I bought the feathers for the teal colored ones, so I pulled those out.
Then, it’s as simple as removing the cap, tossing a few feathers inside, replacing the cover and hanging on the tree. Ben said these are his favorite. I kind of agree, but I still have a few more ideas so we’ll see.
I bought the iridescent balls, but I think I’d buy plain glass ones for the feathers if I could do it again. The coating makes it difficult to see the feathers clearly.
After making six feather ornaments, I made six snow filled balls. Instead of spending money on fake snow, I poured a little Epsom salt inside.
For the snow ornaments, I think the iridescent finish is fabulous.
Once you’ve filled the ornaments, hang those suckers on the tree, too and admire the sparkle. Yes, I am a raccoon. I like shiny things, so Christmas is the best time to appreciate all things sparkly.
If you’re looking to keep your Christmas decorations cheap, these are perfect for you. I spent $4 on the glass balls and another dollar on the feathers for a total of five bucks for twelve ornaments. Each ball cost $.41 cents. Score.
The boys and I put up the Christmas tree this weekend while Ben installed our upper cabinets. We still have ornaments to make, so here’s a fun bokeh picture of the tree.
What did you do this weekend? Set up your Christmas tree? Did you make ornaments? Do some Black Friday shopping?
Emily@The Diligent One
/ November 28, 2011I love the feather ones!
Monique
/ November 28, 2011The feathered bulbs are my favorite as well. And the snow balls gave me an idea…I might add fake cranberries or red beads to add a bit more color. Love that you are making unique ornaments so your tree will be one of a kind. Great ideas!
melissamevans
/ November 28, 2011Great ornaments! I love the feathers!
Nora Rose
/ November 28, 2011Adorable! We set up our tree yesterday and I did a bunch of Black Friday shopping. I looked more than I bought so I’m still trying to get most of my present list. I love the handmade ornaments, they look very festive and beautiful. I wish there were more hours in the day or more days til Christmas so I could make some. I just opted for the $2.99 shatterproof pack plus gifted ones from the past few years. I figure I’ll have to build my collection up over the years rather than going all out in the first!
Lizzy
/ November 28, 2011Those feather ornaments are so cute! I also bought some clear ornaments at my local craft store (Michaels) but have yet to do anything with them. The one’s I bought were clear plastic as opposed to glass – with a 13-month old running around, I’m trying to steer clear of anything shatter-able!
Among other things, I was thinking of putting some rice inside and adding them to the tree along with a few other ornaments I made (shown here: http://anexcellentadventure.blogspot.com/2011/11/no-christmas-tree.html)
I can’t wait to see pics of your kitchen progress!
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove
/ November 28, 2011I love the idea of feathers in the ornaments! This is Joe and my first married Christmas so we need to get some ornaments to fill up the tree – I think this would be perfect!
ourhumbleabowed
/ November 28, 2011Thanks, Emily!
Hi Monique, That’s a great idea! I had a similar idea, but we’ll have to see how it goes.
Thanks, Melissamevans!
Hey Nora, You’re brave to go shopping on Black Friday. And, thanks for your compliments on the ornaments! We’re still building our collection, but I usually like to have some sort of theme, whether colors or other. I really like to make ornaments and decorations, so it’s fun to build a collection of hand made items.
Hi Lizzy, Thanks! I thought about getting plastic ones, but I liked the glass ones better. I hung the glass higher and wrapped the wire hanger around the tree. They’re pretty secure, unless the entire tree gets knocked over. The rice would be similar to the epsom salt. Love that you’re using what you’ve got.
Hey Kristen! Thanks so much! It’s really fun to make ornaments. Just stroll through a craft store (or Pinterest) and you’ll probably get tons of ideas.
Thanks again!
Amanda
Denise
/ November 28, 2011Ah, my husband says that our daughter and I suffer from “cooning” a love of shiny things!! I love the ornaments and the fact that you made them.
US
/ November 28, 2011Oooh! Love the fake snow and dried cranberries idea! I am hosting a shower next weekend (with a red and teal blue color scheme) and bought some clear ornaments as favors…was looking for something red (or teal) to put in them.
Kim
/ November 28, 2011Love the homemade ornaments Amanda! Those are fabulous gift ideas too. Thanks for the ideas!
SallyHP
/ November 28, 2011Those ornaments are gorgeous! We’re headed out of town for a vacation, so won’t do our tree until mid-month…but I should start on some ornaments now! Thanks for the awesome ideas! I love the snow-filled ones, and the feathers are so soft and ethereal. (I can’t wait to see your cabinets!)
pve
/ November 29, 2011you always tickle my fancy!
love your ideas.
pve
ourhumbleabowed
/ November 29, 2011Hi US, These ornaments are a great, quick solution. And, you could easily mix things up by adding things to the fake snow. Dried (or fake) berries, small fake animals (either clay or craft store ones), small trees, feathers. You could get a pack of multi colored feathers and pull out the red and teal to add with the snow… Happy crafting!
Hey Kim, Yes, definitely a great gift idea. I love to attach a hand made ornament on each gift. It’s just a little something the giftee can keep to put up year after year.
Hey SallyHP! Thanks so much! I’m glad they’re a hit! You could start crafting these, be done ten minutes from now and have a tree full of ornaments.
I just love that you can easily change up the look with different fillings. Which means you can also change them up next year without having to buy new glass balls.
Hi PVE, Aww, you’re so sweet! I love YOUR ideas. It’s so nice to be inspired by great people.
Thanks!!
Amanda
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication
/ November 29, 2011I bought the same balls at HL! I have plans for them, but I like them by themselves too. They look like bubbles floating on our tree!
Britny
/ November 29, 2011I bought that same pack of ornaments and made 4 jute wrapped ones, 4 with white feathers, and 4 with moss and fake butterflies. I think the iridescence looks amazing with the white feathers, but I wish I had gotten regular glass ones for the butterfly ones. Oh well you live and learn
Caitlin @ Hardly Housewives
/ December 4, 2011I’m making ornaments like crazy (one a day in December til Christmas) and I LOVE the idea of using epsom salts instead of fake snow! I have a hard time buying a big bag of fake snow when I’m only going to use a few sprinkles of it – I know that I’d just have flakes of the fake stuff around the house for the rest of my life!
I’m going to try to make an ornament using it…will keep you posted!
andrea @ theyellowcottage
/ December 5, 2011Totally pinned the snowball ornament. =)
Jen
/ December 5, 2011Love the salt idea. So pretty! You are always so smart my friend!
xoxo,
Jen