Handmade Holidays - Making Memories Together
This is the perfect time of year to share your hobby with family and friends! You never know what might spark a lifelong love of fiber arts--or become a holiday tradition to be enjoyed by everyone.
Read on for some of our best ideas and suggestions for making merry together:
1. Pom Pom Party
Making pompoms is a fun craft for kids or adults and it’s a terrific stash buster. Not only can they go on top of a hat, you can use them to make garlands, embellish bags or scarves, and even decorate your home.
Click the links below for tutorials on making pompoms and more using the Clover Pom Pom tool.
Clover pom pom maker tutorial by Red Ted Art
Sheep
Ice Cream Cone Garland
Monsters
2. Potholder Looms
Makers of all ages are hooked on these classic potholder looms--they're so easy to use, it feels like playtime! While you can use a traditional weave, there are lots of variations that beginners can try. Harrisville offers some ideas in this YouTube video.
3. Felted Soap
Kids love to play with water, and we all to have to wash our hands anyway, so why not make it fun? Our Felted Soap Kits have everything you need to make creative and colorful bars of soap.
4. Paper Stars
You may have noticed the beautiful paper stars in our window - aren’t they festive? Not only are they simple and cost-effective to make, even little ones can help create them. Here’s how!
5. Mitten Tree
Short on space for a tree this year? Want to try something unique? The perfect use for mittens that have lost their matches (or use pairs you already have): A triangular wall display that's right at home in a mudroom or other "bundle up" zone. Pin pom-pom ‘ornaments’ in pastel shades to the ‘branches’.
Check out the link below for some more sweet and doable Christmas Tree alternatives!
35+ Best Alternative Christmas Trees to Decorate Any Space in Your Home
6. Homemade Christmas Crackers
Christmas Crackers are a fun tradition that originated in England. Made from cardboard paper tubes, wrapped in brightly colored paper and twisted at both ends, Christmas crackers traditionally contain a tissue crown (paper party hat), a motto (joke, riddle or trivia question), and a small gift item.While you can buy them in stores, it’s even more fun to MAKE your own and customize the contents. Check out the link below to learn how to make your own this year. Make Your Own Holiday Christmas Crackers
7. Graham Cracker Gingerbread House
If you’re like me, sometimes a FULL gingerbread house is too much to manage over the busy holiday season.
But what if you could create a town’s worth of gingerbread that’s easy and something the kids in your life can manage too? Grab a box of graham crackers and you’ll be on your way.
Check out the link below for instructions to make your own Gingerbread Graham Cracker Houses:
Easy Graham Gingerbread Houses from The Decorated Cookie
8. Easy and delicious spiced apple cider
Out for a hike or a walk through town? Keep this in your thermos to keep you warm.
HOT SPICED APPLE CIDER from BettyCrocker.com
Ingredients:
6 cups apple cider
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cinnamon sticks
Steps:
1. In a 3-quart, saucepan, heat ingredients to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 10 minutes.
2. Before serving, strain cider mixture to remove cloves and cinnamon, if desired. Serve hot.
9. UNFUSSY Sugar Cookies
We all wish we had the time to bake extravagant cookies during the holidays! Here’s a stress free recipe for you and your family to make that’s easy, creative, and sure to become an annual favorite.