Decor: Christmas Ornaments

Ornaments can last for decades, which makes sense, seeing as they’re only used once a year. For this reason, they also tend to become outdated and aged before finally being abandoned without a second glance. Luckily, they’re relatively easy to update for less than the cost of buying new ornaments.  Creating your own ornaments can be a fun project for the day with a friend or some family, but it does take time (read: a lot of waiting for paint/glue to dry). So get on your creative cap, and give your old ornaments the personal touch. Here are some ideas to get your juices flowing:

The Shopping List:

Mod Podge (Gloss)

Acrylic Paints (in colors of your choosing)

White Glitter

Ribbon

Typed on Paper

Sharpie Paint Pens

Paintbrushes

Old or Used Ornaments

Pen or Pencil

Ornament #1:

This ornament was inspired by my boyfriend’s sister who used sheet music instead of words. This ornament definitely requires patience. Begin by cutting sheets of paper into small strips. I recommend making them no longer than an inch and a half in length (any longer, and you’re going to be fighting the paper to lay flat on the ornament). Paint a layer of Mod Podge over clean bulb with top removed. Place strip of paper on ornament gently and brush edges down with more Mod Podge. Continue until bulb is covered. Allow to dry. Mix Mod Podge with white glitter and paint over entire bulb. Allow to dry. Decorate further with Sharpie paint pen and ribbon.  Place top back on bulb and hang on tree.

Ornament #2:

Take two different colored bulbs that you no longer want, place them in a paper bag and 
crush them using your shoes. Repaint a third bulb whatever color you desire (I recommend using a lighter color though, to offset to mosaic print you will be making), after removing the top, of course. Allow to dry. Using Mod Podge, glue bits of broken ornament in a mosaic print around a little over half of bulb. Allow to dry. For this bulb, I took a Sharpie paint pen and created a swirling design on the top part, but I think I’d prefer covering the whole ornament with the mosaic print next time. Paint over with more Mod Podge and allow to dry. Place top back on bulb and hang on tree. =)

Ornament #3:

Remove top of ornament and paint all over in desired color. This will probably require two coats. Allow to dry. Trace shape on back side of paper and cut out. Glue shape onto ornament and trace with Sharpie paint pen. I decided to mix the Mod Podge with more glitter and paint over the entire bulb again, but next time I’d paint over it without the glitter. Allow to dry, put top back on ornament, and hang on your tree.

When I get more time, I think I’d like to paint wintry forest scenes on the bulbs, or play with buttons on the ornaments! There are plenty of different things you can do for this DIY.

15 Days Until Christmas!