Growing up I was lucky enough to be able to help decorate two Christmas trees every year. Next to the presents, decorating the tree was my favorite thing to do as a kid. We would help with my grandmas tree first and then do ours at home. The one thing that I loved about both trees was all the beautiful homemade ornaments. My great grandma, grandma and my mom were [and are still!] the craftiest people I know. So when I make something that involves sewing, hot glue or ribbon I always think of them. These easy homemade craft mason jar lids reindeer ornaments had two of the three and are perfect for your kid friendly Christmas tree!
I loved making these mason jar lid ornaments because they were easy and they are shatterproof. When I walk through the Christmas aisles I marvel at all the shiny ornaments and how one day my tree with have pretty things that are breakable. As for now our tree is full of love and durable ornaments.
To make the ornaments, I first glued the two pieces of the lid together with hot glue. Some of the glue oozes through but once its dry its easy to peel off. Just because careful, hot glue on metal is extra hot! [My left middle finger can attest to that.]
I then painted the mason jar lids brown and left them dry over night. I added the eyes, nose and antlers [chenille pipe cleaners] the next day with hot glue. A little green ribbon and these guys are Christmas tree ready. [If you have older kids, this would be a great craft to do together! My kiddos are still young so we avoid hot glue right now.]
Ryley gave them her seal of approval – “Cool reindeer mom!”. I can’t wait to start the tradition of decorating two trees with her this year! This will be our first big tree, we haven’t had the space before now. So we will decorate grandmas tree and then ours. And when that time comes, our reindeer will be glad they are made of metal and not glass.
Looking for more Christmas crafts? Check out:
- Felt Christmas Tree
- Homemade Salt Scrub [Great for gift giving!]
- Personalized glitter ornaments [under $2!]
Or sign up to have easy homemade crafts and gifts delivered to your mailbox!
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Deonna Wade says
Hey Kelley! It’s Deonna from the Child at Heart blog! I love this post and would love for you to link up to the Merriest Blog Hop each Friday until Christmas and share your creations! These ornaments are fun! I always got to decorate our tree, my nana’s tree, and my aunt’s tree. We had traditions at each house and it was so memorable. http://www.thechildatheartblog.com/2013/11/the-merriest-blog-hop-week-1.html
Kelley says
I will be sure to stop by Deonna!
Julie says
Cute little reindeer, I love ideas for things kids can make too which are this simple and achievable for them.
We still put up everything the kids have ever made (unless they’ve fallen apart and are beyond repair) they still like to see things they’ve made over the years being used and valued, even though it means we don’t have especially classy decorations!
Kelley says
Oh I love the homemade decorations! I have some that my great grandma made that mean so much to me!
Susan @ Oh My! Creative says
Thanks for linking to last weeks Whimsy Wednesday! I featured your ornament in this RED Christmas Crafts & Desserts post! Just adorable! You can see it here http://www.ohmy-creative.com/holiday-crafts/christmas/red-christmas-crafts-desserts/
Hope to see you again tonight!
Susan
Kelley says
Awesome! Thanks so much for the feature!
Lori Sallows says
Great Idea! What kind of paint did you use? Just wondering what sticks best. Thanks!
Kelley says
Hey Lori! I just used regular acrylic paint. It worked well, but a coat of gloss on top would have been better for longevity. Hope that helps!