Christmas Decorations

The whole family will have heaps of fun creating these wonderful handmade Christmas decorations. Rita Hill says they are really simple to put together, yet they add that special touch to a Christmas tree.

Glitter Baubles

• corrugated cardboard roll, $4.95 from Lincraft
• glitter paint, $6.01 from Lincraft
• glitter glue, $3.01 from Lincraft
• craft ribbon, $1.57
• stencil
• PVA glue
  

1. Cut circles from the cardboard, using a stencil.
2. Paint the circles with glitter paint (allow 24 hours to dry).
3. Fold the circles in half and glue together. You will need 2 circles for a flat bauble, and 3 or 4 for a 3D effect.
4. Glue a piece of craft ribbon between the circles. Hold together with a clothes peg until it's dry.
5. Use glitter glue around the edges to finish off. Leave for several hours to dry.

Tinsel Spirals and Star

• chenilles, $1.13 for a pack of 13 from Lincraft
• wire
• beads
  

Spiral: with a small piece of wire attach a bead to one end of the chenille, then wrap it around a pen to create a spiral. Remove the pen.

Star: bend a chenille ten times at regular intervals to make a zigzag pattern. Leave the last piece a little longer than the rest. When you bring the ends together, it will make a 5 pointed star, with a little extra left over to twist it together and attach it to the tree.

Star Garland

• silver string, $5.55 for 35m roll from Lincraft
• star sequins with hole in middle, $3.95 from Lincraft
• tapestry needle

Thread stars through 1-2m lengths of string and knot at regular intervals.

Further reading

For more great Christmas decorating ideas from Rita Hill, see the December 2000 edition of the Burke's Backyard magazine.

Further information

We bought our materials from Lincraft. They can also be purchased at other craft stores, including Spotlight and K-mart.

Copyright CTC Productions 2000