Crafting A Paper Christmas Ornament
A paper Christmas ornament project is fun for the whole family and can produce some surprisingly sophisticated tree decorations. With minimal supplies, you can create colorful, glittery Christmas ornaments. Paper Christmas ornaments are great fun for kids. They can use their finished ornaments to decorate a small tree in their own room or the family Christmas tree. Depending on the age of your children, you may want to supervise this paper craft activity.
A Craft, party or art supply store will have these items for your paper Christmas ornament project:
- poster board
- small X-ACTO knife or scissors
- jar of acrylic clear gloss medium
- color markers
- metallic markers in gold, silver or bronze
- poster paint
- glue gun and glue sticks
- small beads
- glitter
- rick-rack (zigzag trim)
- stickers
- small dried flowers
- small lace doilies
Gather your paper craft supplies together on your work table. Choose a shape to make a template from, such as round, diamond, star, snowman, or gingerbread man. Trace your master template on ordinary paper, and cut it out. Place your shape on poster board and trace around the outline. A tree decorated with paper Christmas ornaments looks best when each shape is equally sized. Use your X-ACTO knife to cut the poster board.
Decorate the shape as you like, using your colored markers. Look at all your art supplies, and let your imagination guide you. You might color a round shape in a one color, add a lace doily to the top and paint with the acrylic gloss. Snip a miniature bouquet of dried flowers and immediately apply to the center of the ornament before the gloss dries. A single color also looks good with a sticker in an Angel or Santa motif. Paint with the acrylic gloss and quickly sprinkle with gold glitter.
Acrylic gloss can serve two purposes in a successful paper Christmas ornament project. It works as glue for lightweight decorating elements like glitter, is transparent and… glossy.
For a natural looking ornament, gather some fresh flat green or red leaves. Hold the leaf gingerly with your fingertip and apply the acrylic gloss, carefully removing your fingertip to completely seal the leaf under the gloss. When completely sealed, the leaf will retain its original color for years.
Another unusual paper Christmas ornament is decorated with colored sand. Put sand in some small containers and get some red or green food coloring. Use a small amount of water to get the sand wet. Let sit until the desired tint is achieved. Drain the water and allow the sand to completely dry. Coat the poster board cutouts with acrylic gloss and quickly sprinkle with the colored sand of your choice.
Small children should not use X-ACTO knives or glue guns. You can help them cut out and glue their Christmas creations together. Glitter is also not recommended for young children as they have a tendency to spread it from fingers to mouth and eyes. Glitter can be applied last — by you — after they've painted their paper Christmas ornament masterpiece with acrylic gloss.
After you start your project, I'm sure you'll get some creative ideas of your own to create many beautiful paper Christmas ornaments. Have a merry Christmas!