Christmas Tree Ornaments Your Kids Can Make

Getting kids involved in the holiday decorating is a not only fun for them and for you, but it can create wonderful, long-lasting memories and form traditions that are handed down to future generations. The best memories of Christmases past usually involve decorating the tree each year with ornaments the kids made in previous years. Each time an old handmade ornament is placed on a tree, the memories return, and another smile is formed.

Luckily, it's very easy for your kids to make their own non-breakable, Christmas tree ornaments, and the cost is extremely minimal, since you probably already have most of the supplies. That's worth a few memories alone, in this economy! Gather up the following supplies, clear off a space at the kitchen table, and have fun with the kids.

Supplies Needed:

Cardboard (old boxes work fine)
Child-safe scissors
Non-toxic glue stick such as Aleene's 2 in 1 Glue
One or more of the following:

Old left-over Christmas wrapping paper
Old Christmas cards
Christmasy felt or fabric (even an old Christmas tablecloth will work)
A cup, glass, jar, or cookie cutter with a round edge for tracing circles or shapes
Pencil or pen
Christmas ribbon (the kind you use when wrapping gifts)

Instructions:

Draw circle shapes on cardboard, using jar rims, or any object with a circular edge that can be used as a tracing guide. Cookie cutters work well too, and can be used to draw shapes other than circles.
Cut the circles or Christmasy shapes out of the cardboard.
Repeat the same process of drawing circles or shapes on old Christmas wrapping paper left over from years past, or on old Christmas cards, or on Christmasy felt or fabric.
Now simply glue the shapes cut out of the wrapping paper, Christmas cards, and fabric right onto the shapes you cut out of the cardboard.
Once dry, poke a hole near the top of each ornament and string a bit of Christmas ribbon through the hole.
Hang ornaments on tree and enjoy.

You and your kids have now created both memories and fun Christmas tree ornaments, without spending lots of money.