Show Me Christmas

One of my kids’ favorite family-time arts and crafts projects is decorating glass Christmas ornaments. I order plain, clear glass ornaments online or purchase a basket-full around the holidays from the local craft store. When we get home we adorn the ornaments in whatever way we want.

The smooth exterior of glass Christmas ornaments makes them easy for painting. Acrylic paints work the best for creating intricate designs. Applying frosted glass paint makes the ornaments appear seasonal. Another way to decorate glass ornaments is by filling them with colorful objects. This can be glitter, confetti, marbles, beads, or even small toys.

When it comes to Christmas, every family has their own traditions. Some people string popcorn garlands while singing Christmas carols. Others create elaborate outdoor light displays for the whole neighborhood to enjoy. In my family, we spend a ton of time baking the week before Christmas.

All the women and children gather at my mother’s house to bake traditional Christmas cookies, cakes, and pies. We make up care packages for each family member to take home and munch on throughout the holiday season. We also create edible handmade Christmas ornaments. They come in all sorts of shapes from church bells to angels, and we decorate them with frosting and edible glitter for a bit of sheen.