Arts & Crafts

12 DIY Christmas decorations to make with the grandkids

Nov 25, 2014

Christmas is one month away today and if you everything a little last minute like me, than you may not have had time to buy or make decorations! These DIY ideas are a great way to make your house look festive for Christmas, and they are affordable as well. Why not try them with your grandkids or your friends?

1. Pasta shell vintage trees

These cute vintage trees are easy to make and look very sweet.

Items needed: pasta shells (various types), glue, styrofoam cones, spray paint in your favourite colours

Instructions: apply glue to your cones. Then add the shells in whatever pattern you like and let dry. Spray paint with your favourite colours and set up with little vintage animals.

2. Snowflake aerial

How great does the aerial look? It’s so easy to make and will be a stand-out at your party.

Items needed: paper, scissors, fishing line, hoop, protractor

Instructions: make circles on paper with protractor, cut out and fold in half. Fold the circle in half and in half again. Draw the pattern as above on the paper and cut out. Open up and you’re done!

3. Cork tree

If you have old corks lying around, why not put them to good use?

Items needed: corks, hot glue, small round wood piece, ribbon, cardboard (7 cork widths long)

Instructions: place the cardboard on the wood piece lengthways and glue on. Glue the corks on as shown in the photo. Tie off with ribbon!

4. Yarn star wreath

If you’re not one for tradition, this star wreath is a stylish and unique alternative.

Items needed: wood pieces, yarn, hot glue gun

Instructions: Use your pieces of wood (15cm long) to form a star and glue down. Grab your ball of yarn and wind around the shape, finishing off with a knot.

5. Spare baubles tree

After you’ve decorated the tree, you might have some baubles left over – this beautiful centrepiece will make use of them!

Items needed: baubles, star, ribbon spool, knitting needles, colourful patterned paper, blu-tak

Instructions: Cut the paper so that it is the right length and width to fit around your spool. Secure with tape or glue. Insert your knitting needles into the spool hole and secure with blu-tak. Begin to thread the baubles over the needle until you reach the top. Top with a star!

6. Printable Christmas scene

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This printable Christmas scene will no doubt be a hit with the grandkids. It is a cute and cheap way of celebrating the festive season..

Items needed: HP printable tabletop village (download here), PVA glue, faux snow, jars, double sided tape, scissors, glitter, twine, hot glue gun, white paint, wooden dowels, buttons

Instructions: Print out the holiday village. Cut the pieces out, fold along the lines and use double sided tape to attach buildings to your jars. It’s up to you which buildings you tape to the jars and which stand on their own. Apply glitter and your snow to the bottles. Arrange as you like!

7. Soft drink bottle penguins

This is one the grandies will love to help with! Get them involved and make their own penguin friends

Items needed: plastic soft drink bottles (2L), paint brushes, hot glue gun, fabric offcuts, assorted acrylic paint colours, black permanent marker, pom poms

Instructions: cut the base off the soft drink bottle, then fit over the remaining bottle so it fits neatly. Hot glue gun them together. Paint the bottle white and let dry. Draw the face as so on the bottle with the marker pen. Paint the rest of the bottle black except for the top – that’s the hat. Now hat the hat any way you like and top off with a pom pom. Paint on decorative features and face. Make little scarf with fabric.

8. Faux fireplace

Santa can’t visit without a chimney and fireplace, but if you don’t have one, some old boxes and paint will have you sorted.

Items needed: cardboard boxes, packing tape, white paper, red paint

Instructions: assemble the cardboard boxes on top of each other to form the fireplace and secure with packing tape. Cover with white paper and secure with tape. Paint on red bricks like in the picture and let dry! *Note* remember to put down newspaper before you start painting.

9. Paddlepop stick snowflakes

Even if you’re not having a white Christmas, these snowflakes are a pretty addition to any Christmas party house.

Items needed: paddle pop sticks, hot glue gun, paint, ribbon

Instructions: assemble your paddle pop sticks as shown above and hot glue gun in place. Let dry and then paint. Hang using ribbon.

10. Glitter centrepiece

If you’re in a rush to create a centrepiece, this can be done cheaply for a stylish and effortless table setting.

Items needed: painters’ tape, large vase, glitter paint, tea light candle

Instructions: Apply your painters’ tape in whatever pattern you like on the vase. Paint in the exposed areas and let dry. Peel the tape off carefully to reveal a stylish print on the vase. Insert tea light candle and light for a special Christmas.

11. Straw sparkles

If you’re running low on decorations or if you want to jazz up your tree or house, these simple sparkles will make it pop.

Items needed: straws, spray paint, zip ties

Instructions: cut your straws so they are about 20cm long. Collect in a bunch and secure zip tie around middle. Pull the zip tie tightly and splay out the straw ends. Spray paint your favourite colour and let dry.