Homespun-y, Easy, Fun Homestead Ornaments to make!
These are simple, inexpensive, and FUN for the whole family to make together to decorate the family tree and to give as gifts! Children love doing these (with adult supervision, of course), and they turn out great! We have done these with our children at our little homestead as a family project and at our church's annual "Homeschool Ornament Day."
Gather:
Pinecones (easily available at most craft stores if you don't happen to have these on your homestead!) Glitter Hot glue gun and craft glue (tacky glue) Ribbon, cut in 3-5" pieces depending on preference 2 egg cartons per person, cut in half and top separated from bottom Old newspaper to cover your work area
Turn on some wonderful family favorite holiday music!
Take your pinecones, standing them up in an old egg carton, pointed end down, and cover tips with hot glue or tacky glue.
Note on Glues: I have used Elmer’s, and it takes quite a bit of dry time and doesn't come out as well. Hot glue dries quickly and works great, but you have to get your glitter on fast! Craft glue works great too and is a “happy medium.” You can cover the whole pinecone with glue, then shake your glitter on, and not have to work as fast as you do with the hot glue gun. Children can use craft glue without the supervision the hot glue gun requires, too!
Shake glitter all over your pinecone while holding it over the “box side” of the egg carton to catch excess glitter.
Let dry—timing will vary depending on type of glue used.
When dry, shake off excess glitter into “box side” of egg carton to reuse on the next pinecone.
Put a dollop of hot glue (THIS is where I definitely recommend the HOT GLUE GUN) on the top flat part of the pinecone, and take your 3-5" (depending on preference and use) piece of ribbon, form a circle, and place both ends in the glue, pressing them into the glue (make sure these are firmly pressed into the glue, as this will be what they hang from—and be careful not to burn your fingers!) Place into your second egg carton to completely dry.
You now have a pretty ornament, from God's creation—all decorated for Jesus’ birthday!
This was featured in HomesteadBlogger's December issue Enews, sign up for all The Old Schoolhouse Enewsletters at www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourlittlehomestead scroll down on the left, sign up :)
