How do you have your kids help out with holiday decorations? I love to use my daughter’s crafts and let them double as Christmas decor. Christmas kids crafts are perfect for winter break too! Help them not get bored even after Christmas is over, these kids crafts are great ideas. Take a look at these kids crafts and our blogger friends who have a good selection of crafts that you will enjoy giving to your kids, and will enjoy bringing them out for years to come… even more!

18 Easy Christmas Kids Crafts to Keep Them Busy

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1. Candy Cane Mice

It’s the kids who will be doing the nibbling when these sweet mice are around. A combination of two Christmas icons — mice and candy canes — these tiny fabric creatures, with their red-and-white-striped tails, make fitting favors at a holiday dinner or delightful gifts for children to give to friends and relatives. How to make craft.

2. Pipe-cleaner Snowflake Ornament

Need a fun, easy-to-make project that will keep the kids busy? All you need to create these ornaments are wire cutters, needle-nose pliers (both for adults’ use only), and pipe cleaners. They make great gifts for teachers, to adorn presents, or to hang from your tree. How to make craft.

3. Old Toy Christmas Tree Ornaments

Festive Holiday Front Door and Entry Ideas

Your front door sets the tone for your home throughout the year, especially during the holidays. Too often this focal point of the front of your home is simply forgotten. However, you can bring the front door into the holiday spirit by remembering to trim the door along with the tree.

Christmas Decorations: Pine Wreaths are Perfect!

A lovely pine wreath will add warmth to the porch and let everyone who comes to your door know that you are feeling the holiday spirit. However, you don’t have to settle for a basic wreath. Liven it up with some colorful, wide ribbon in a shiny and luxurious satin or deep, elegant velvet. Add some battery-powered lights around the wreath so it will show up at night. Another option is to add some large pinecones to the wreath for a natural look that will stand out and draw attention.

Looking for more holiday wreaths? Visit our wreath site – How To Make a Burlap Wreath for holiday wreath ideas and tutorials.

Image via: Etsy – Pine Wreath Ideas – Designing Creations

Christmas Decorating – Garlands

These strings of natural pine boughs aren’t just for staircases. Mounted around your front door it becomes a focal piece that will make the entire area feel more impressive. Match the decorations on the garland to the wreath that will grace the center of your entry door.

Holiday Front Door Ideas – Who Doesn’t Love Jingle Bells?

Add an old-world feel to your home by hanging jingle bells in place of a wreath. Available at the local hardware store, traditional sleigh bells mounted on a leather strap can be dressed up with colorful, dramatic ribbon or added to a wreath. Complete the look by leaning an old-fashioned toboggan against the wall near the door. Need more creative front door ideas? Southern Living features creative Outdoor Christmas decorating ideas, too.

Holiday Front Door Decorations: Add Festive Decor

Match the star on top of your tree with a beautiful star on the front door. Choose one with vibrant colors that will stand out, and then finish off the door by putting a pine bough around that is adorned with smaller stars. Try adding a pair of vintage skates! An excellent match for the old toboggan you’re pulling out of the attic, hang a pair of vintage ice skates on the front door. Paint the skates to match your holiday color theme and include some colorful, matching pompoms on the laces. Fill the skates with small, wrapped gift boxes to complete the holiday feel.

Front Door Ideas – Why Not Add Some Stockings?

There are so many beautiful stockings now that can add interest and spark to your holiday decorating. Put one outside the house on your front door. Hung with a large bow behind it, the stocking is a fun decoration. Fill the top with greenery and berries or overflowing, wrapped gift boxes to complete the look.

Visit our Burlap and Succulents Shop for personalized stockings to decorate your holiday front door!

Christmas Door Swag Ideas

Pick up some large pinecones at the local craft store and attach them to long strings of festive ribbon or cording. Tie them to the front door with a large bow, allowing the ends to hang down alongside the ribbons. It’s an elegant and understated door decoration that could be the perfect finishing touch. Add a simple Christmas swag like this one from Etsy Shop – Chickadee Lore for a unique take on a holiday wreath.

Image via: Etsy – Christmas Door Swag – Chickadee Lore

There is no end to the amazing things you can do to make your holiday front door stand out this holiday season. Coordinate any wreaths and swags you use for a refined look and don’t be afraid to have some fun with the decorations. This is your guest’s first impression of your home and it’s your chance to show off some of your personality.

For more holiday season ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Christmas Craft: 3 DIY Wood Slice Ornaments

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Christmas Craft: Painted Wood Slice Ornaments

Etsy shop – Gretas Handmade Gifts – Christmas Craft

Fine ink markers

Wood slices

Pencil (optional)

Paint style pens in holiday colors, like gold or silver etc.

Chalkboard paint (optional)

Spray sealer (optional)

Matte mod podge (optional)

Stencils / stamps (optional)

Fabric, beads, decorations (optional)

Twine or ribbon

Visit Etsy shop – Gretas Handmade Gifts for creative ideas! – Wood Slice Ornaments

If you want, paint a layer of matte mod podge before starting to paint on the wood slice, in order to prevent ink bleeding; just be sure to let it dry completely. You can now apply two layers of chalkboard paint or using a marker or a pencil, draw the design you want on one side of a wood slice. You can write a phrase or draw a holiday figure, like a snowman, stars or a reindeer. You can also use a cute stencil or even stamps to make a design. Use markers and paint style pens to complete your design. Glue on fabric to make scarfs or hats and other decorations to bring your creation to life. Pull ribbon or twine through the hole and tie the ends together. Lastly, you can use a sealer to protect the ornaments and let them dry. Once dried, they are ready to beautify your Christmas tree.

Decoupage wood slice ornaments

You can easily apply the decoupage technique on wood slices. Black and white photos are great for this, but you could also use some Christmassy images that you can print and cut out. Here is what you will need:

A photo or other printed image (use a laser printer for printing or make a copy on a photocopy machine)

Acrylic gel medium

Mod podge

Small paintbrush

Pencil and scissors

Ribbon or twine

To make it, cut out your photo or image so it fits on the wooden slice. You can trace it with a pencil for help. Note: If you want to transfer words or phrases, be sure to use a mirror image of the word or phrase, in order for it to be readable after the process. Now coat the photo or image with the gel and put it on the slice, face-down. Use a credit card to smooth it out and remove any air bubbles. Turn it over and let it dry paper side down for a few hours, even overnight. Once dry, use a wet piece of fabric and lightly damp the photo and rub the paper away with your fingers very carefully. Use a circular movement to do that and add some water if needed. The paper will slowly come off revealing the transferred image. Now, coat it with a layer of mod podge and let it dry. When totally dry, you can use a ribbon or twine for hanging.

Etched wood slice ornaments

To make these you will only need:

Etching tool

Pencil

Ribbon or twine

Use the pencil to draw on the wood slices some simple items, like snowflakes, outline of a snowman or a tree or make even more complicated images if you can. Meaningful words are also wonderful. Now, having the drawing as your guide, use the etching tool to burn in the design. After that, all you have to do is to add a ribbon or twine to hang them.

Choose any one of these beautiful Christmas Craft: 3 DIY Wood Slice Ornaments to decorate your Christmas tree, door knobs, and chandeliers or use them as wonderful, unique gift tags. They will add a rustic look and your personal touch in whatever way you’ll choose to use them.

Kids Christmas Crafts: Reindeer Thumbprint Ornaments

Image via: Good Smiths

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Watch a Video on How to Make Reindeer Thumbprint Ornaments

Video link: How to make a reindeer thumbprint ornament

Materials

• Christmas ornaments of any color (the prints look better on matte ornaments)
• Different types of paint (white, brown, black, and red)
• A dotting tool or a toothpick
• Small paint brush
• Objects to hold the ornaments in place
• Paper plates (optional)

Process

1. Place your ornaments on the stabilizing objects.
2. Use the paintbrush to apply the brown paint on your thumb. If you are making the craft with your kids, pour the paint into the paper plates to allow them to easily dip their thumbs. It is also a good way to get more paint on the thumbs.
3. Press your thumb onto the ornament. You may have to repeat this procedure if the first print is very light.
4. Leave the paint to dry.
5. Use the dotting tool to add the antlers. You can use the black paint or mix it with brown to get a darker hue.
6. Use red paint to draw the nose and black paint to draw the eyes.
7. Leave the ornaments to dry then hang them on your Christmas tree.

Image via: My Name is Momma

You can make one reindeer per ornament or make several. You can also start with some test prints so you can learn how to place your thumbs and the amount of paint to use. For a special touch, write your kids’ names and the date at the bottom of the ornaments. You’ll feel wonderful when you remove the decorations next year to hang them. Your kids can make extra and give some to their teachers as gifts.

What would you add to these kids Christmas crafts to make them stand out?

For more Kids’ Christmas crafts on Stagetecture, click here.

Christmas decorations can be used for multiple decor ideas, especially ornaments, they are so perfect for so many uses, it is really a pity to have them just hanging from the Christmas tree. If you have some excess ornaments or are in need of more decoration for your home, here are some great ideas for using those beautiful items.

Christmas Decorations:  Using Ornaments in Clever Decor

Image via: The Home Depot

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Christmas ornaments are ideal for filling

Fill whatever bowl, vase or glass you have with stunning ornaments to create a great décor or even table centerpiece. Use only one or more ornaments, depending on the use but also on the size and uniqueness of the ornament.

• To make a stronger impact, choose one color or a great color combination that will work well with the entire decoration of the room.
• You can also fill trays, candleholders or planters, and filling lanterns and cloches will have a particular awesome result.
• You can combine the ornaments with some beautiful Christmas lights and greenery, even fresh flowers or pinecones will work great.

Another fantastic way to display some unique ornaments is to arrange them onto candlesticks or inside an upside down turned wine glass. On top of the glass, place a matching candle.

Image via: Pinterest

Use them for your table setting

Ornaments can be used in countless ways to create an incredible table setting. Tie them with some ribbon to the back of a chair or use them as napkin holders. A variaty of different colored mini ornaments can be great for using as wine charms. And larger, fancy ones would make great name card holders or favors. Especially frame ornaments are great for this kind of use.

Displaying them correctly, they can be wonderful centerpieces that are in full harmony with the Christmas atmosphere.

Image via: BHG

Hang them from about anything

Using beautiful ribbons of different lengths, hang the ornaments one by one or in a bunch from windows, chandeliers, mantels and even selves. They look amazing this way and they are better displayed then hidden in a tree. Decorate a banistar this way, too.

Use a branch that hangs on a wall to hang some ornaments to have a rustic effect.

Image via: Pinterest

If you like, you can glue little magnets on some ornaments and put them onto the fridge, creating a unique décor for your kitchen.

Small ornaments are a perfect decoration for gift wrapping and they are at the end a little gift all by themselves.

Another idea is to use an empty frame to display the ornament. Just hang some ornaments with ribbons from a frame, and you’ll have a unique décor.

Image via: House to Home

Make wreaths, garlands or other decorations

Ornaments are a great addition to any wreath or garland. Use only ornaments or combine them with greenery, both look great. Also, you can create the shape of a Christmas tree only with ornaments or form a ball of ornaments that will be great décor items.

Bubble ornaments can be used as little flower pots. Just glue an old CD on the base of the ornament to give them a stable foothold.

Also, ornaments look great arranged with fresh flowers to create a beautiful christmassy bouquet.

Image via: Midwest Living

There are really no limits to what you can do with ornaments and a little imagination. Even outdoor decoration could be done using these great Christmas décor items.

For more Christmas ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Baking cookies with your kids is a holiday classic and who doesn’t love Christmas cookie recipes? Why not take it up a notch and add some fun and yummy twist to them, making beautiful stained glass cookies? They taste great and look fantastic. Fit for the Christmas tree decoration and for giving them away as a treat present, you should try making them with your kids and just have a blast doing it.

Christmas Cookie Recipes: Kids’ Stained Glass Cookies

Image via: Pinterest

Ingredients

(the yield depends on the size you will make them, but you should get between 2 and 4 dozen)

½ cup sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

½ cup butter

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

1 tablespoon molasses

2 cups flour

¾ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

30-40 hard candies in various colors. You can use Life Savers or even butterscotch candies

Image via: Flickr

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375° F and line baking sheets with some parchment paper
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the butter and the sugars until they are fluffy with an electric mixer. That should take about 2 minutes. Then add the vanilla extract and molasses while continuing mixing. Now add the egg and mix until you have a smooth, light mixture. That takes about 1 minute using medium speed.
3. Sift together salt, flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Fold these ingredients into the mixture. Blend just until the flour is incorporated with the electrical mixer. Then, divide the dough into two balls and flatten them to have discs. Now, wrap the discs with plastic wrap and put them into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
4. Now the fun part. Unwrap the candies and divide them by colors. Put them into plastic zip bags and crush them using a mallet or something similar.
5. Take the one dough disk and roll it out between two waxed paper sheets to ¼ inch thickness. Choose your favorite cookie cutters and cut the dough. Transfer the cookies carefully to the baking sheets. Take care to have them about 1 inch apart from each other. Now use a smaller cookie cutter and cut shapes in the center of your cookies.
6. With a spoon, sprinkle some crushed candy into the holes. Try not to get candy on your dough.
7. If you want to hang the cookies later on, you’ll need to make some holes using a straw before you bake them.
8. Bake 9 – 10 minutes. The cookies should not get to brown and the candies should have melted. Take the baking sheets out and let the cookies cool on pans for at least 10 minutes so the candy can harden. When they are cooled completely, remove them. They can be stored in an airtight container or hang. Keep in mind that the candy center might melt away after a few days, especially with the presence of humidity.
9. If you want, you can decorate the cookies with some icing.

Image via: Pinterest

Thank you Simply Recipes for this recipe.

These cookies are really fun to make with your kids. You can even prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it. When you are ready to make the cookies, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Let the dough sit in room temperature so it softens up just enough to be able to roll it. And one last thing: You can use store-bought sugar cookie dough if you are in a rush! Have fun!

For more holiday dessert recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Cookie cutters – the name says it all, right? They are for cutting  beautiful Christmas shaped cookies that can be decorated. Maybe use them also to cut sugar paste and at best, clay or play doh. Do you think that’s it? Well, they have so many more uses! It would be a waste to not have them used to their full potential. Here are some of the ideas, both for Christmas season and for other celebrations.

Image via: Pinterest

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Christmas Decorations: Amazing Uses for Cookie Cutters

Using Cookie Cutters For Shaping Food

Use your favorite cookie cutters to bake your brownie mix directly in them and decorate them. They make a great looking give away treat for any occasion.

Fruit can be cut also with cookie cutters; especially watermelon, honey melon and mangoes are great for that. Stick them on a bamboo skewer and you’ll have a great treat fit for parties. Also consider cutting cheese, ham and toast bread to create a different sandwich for your kids.

Another way to use them is to make your jelly in them, so you’ll have some fancy looking dessert. You can also make a layer of jelly and then cut it with your cookie cutters. Or fill them with a few Jolly Ranchers and bake them up and you’ll get all colorful candy.

Cut rolled out pizza dough before you arrange the other ingredients on it with cookie cutters for a special buffet treat.

Finally, one can use them to help decorate cakes. Just lay the cookie cutter on the cake and fill it with sprinkles, either colorful ones or chocolate. Carefully lift the cookie cutter and you’ll have a great, quick and easy decoration for your cake.

Image via: Betty Crocker

Use Them For Christmas Decoration

They are great to use as napkin holders and as candle holders as well. Add some seasonal greenery like pine twigs and holly leaves, tie some ribbons, and they will be unique pieces on your table.

Tied together, they can make a beautiful Christmas wreath and if you hang them from a nice branch, you’ll have another eye catching decoration for your home.

Image via: Pinterest

Make Christmas Tree Ornaments Out Of Them

Also, they are great to use as Christmas tree ornaments. You can paint them with some glitter to add some sparkling, or wrap them with twine. Also, you can line the back of the cookie cutters with some patterned paper or cardstock.

Image via: Pinterest

Make Shaped Soap And Candles

Cookie cutters are just great to give shape to any of these materials. They will make a fancy gift for any occasion, together with some appropriate packaging, or beautiful decorative items for any season.

Image via: Spoonful

Everyday items that we all have at home have so many uses other than what we bought them for. Just think outside the box and be amazed of what they can do! What type of Christmas decorations do you place in your home? We’d love to hear.

For more Christmas ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Every year, I enjoy seeing what trends are big for the holiday season. I remember a few years ago, the rebirth of the eclectic aluminum Christmas tree was popular, and then the introduction of a non-traditional colored Christmas became popular.

Today, I thought I would highlight some trendy colored Christmas ideas, to bring into your home. Which ones do you like the best!?

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Match your decor perfectly

Image via: Knotting Hill Interiors

Bright and whimsical

Image via: Trend

Bold and colorful

A rainbow of colors

Who says red and green can be the only colors of the season? Grab your favorite colors and decorate your home interiors with festive colors!

Image via: Bright Bold Beautiful

Enjoy your fun filled and colorful Christmas this year!

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I’m always looking for home decor that is a little off the the norm.  Not too off the norm, but enough to make you take a second look as if to say, ” I wish THAT was in my home!”  I came across this great wallpaper and fabric site called Osborne & Little. Take a look at these beautiful fabrics and wallpaper combinations.

The Sylvania Collection features this pastel iridescent beautiful fabric.

Salix wallpaper from the Sylvania collection is rich in color and texture.

Gilty wallpaper is made up of “fish scale” pattern glimmering pieces.

Swan Lake fabric from the Sylvania collection is a larger print fabric, but still has a beautiful feel to it.

For more wallpaper ideas on Stagetecture, click here.