Every year, my maternal grandmother has the ladies of the family make Christmas crafts while the men are passed out asleep in the warmth of the wood burner after a huge holiday meal. None of the crafts came from kits. My grandmother would prepare a lot of the items ahead of time for our use.
This is my absolute favorite Christmas tradition, and I think it’s one of the things that led to me being a crafter. If I ever breed minions, I will carry on this tradition with them.
What I didn’t realize when I was younger is that those crafts would make up the majority of my Christmas decorations as an adult. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. What decorations I haven’t made have been made my family members, which makes them even more special.
Here are a few of my favorites that I’ve made:
This wreath is on my back door. It started with a plain wreath and I decorated it with the gingerbread men (also handmade from construction paper and batting), covered foam balls with scrap fabric and glued in pine cones, ribbon and a twine bow.
The Elf on the Shelf’s got nothing on this guy!
If this isn’t the first “adult craft” I made, it’s one of the first. I believe I was 13 or so when I made this, so it’s been through a lot. I love hearing bells when people enter my home.
And here are some favorites made by family members:
My aunt and great-uncle collaborated on these wood skates.
My sister made these cinnamon applesauce ornaments two years ago and they still smell amazing!
Cinnamon applesauce ornaments are really easy to make. The Frugal Girl has a great tutorial on her blog if you’d like to try it yourself.
December 11, 2012 at 5:49 pm
You have the most gorgeous tradition my friend too cute
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
December 11, 2012 at 6:07 pm
What a wonderful tradition and some great Christmas decorations to show for it!
December 12, 2012 at 10:13 pm
I have fond memories of the crocheted santa faces that my grandmother made that covered all the doorknobs. They had bells on the ends of the stocking caps.
December 13, 2012 at 3:42 pm
That is a great tradition! I love that your wreath with the gingerbread men on it. It’s adorable.
My in-laws have a similar one but for Thanksgiving: we put together gingerbread houses after dinner is cleaned up. It can double as second dessert, plus it’s more fun than sitting around watching football.
December 14, 2012 at 9:50 pm
All of these are cute, and I especially liked the skates. Thanks for sharing. Patsye
December 15, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Hallo,
I’ve nominate you for The Very Inspirer Award. You can see it here, http://summer4soul.wordpress.com/2012/12/15/blog-nominations-its-like-giving-a-christmas-present/
Congratulations!
Sweet greetings, Summer