Ornament sharing is one of the best traditions we have started in our family. I love ornaments. Years ago, we were invited to a friend’s home for Christmas. Their children were well grown with families of their own. Upon seeing her tree, I was fascinated! I didn’t know any of their children, but you could almost know them just by looking at that tree. Her ornament traditions were very encouraging.
The Santa Lucia Story!
We used a paper stamp to make this pretty ornament!
Recorded by ©JoyousHome, LLC
Ornament Traditions
I looked at each one and could see so many loving memories she had to gaze upon. Little hands, quotes, pictures, sewn objects by a beginner. There were so many that the tree couldn’t fit another ornament. I decided then, our children would make ornaments every year for our tree, and for each other, when they could.
Not only can you make memories, but siblings can also make ornaments that express personality, and get really creative. It’s a wonderful way to give to each other! We write down names and have each child choose a name, mom, and dad participate too. We usually do this on Thanksgiving Day after we eat.
Born This Day, Baby Jesus Ornament
Supplies:
   1/2 walnut shell
   24 gauge wire (I found red!)
   1 Hazelnut
   A cotton ball and triangle scrap of fabric
   Colored cardstock/printer
   Fine Marker
   Hot glue gun
   Paint or stamp pad – gold
This is an easy ornament, the children will love this!
We used walnut shells for the manger in this ornament. You can really get creative with them! Splitting them in half so both halves are usable is a challenge. Always check the walnuts for blemishes or cracks before buying – and the cost for about 6 walnuts is less than $1! That will give you 12 halves if you don’t mess up.
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees and toss the whole walnuts into a pan. Bake for about 20-25 minutes. When you can pick one up, take a sharp knife (mom or dad only), and put the knife on the slit, and push gently down some. Give the knife a sharp push down, BE CAREFUL! The nut should fall cleanly in two. My 15-year-old daughter figured this out after I destroyed several walnuts. Note the rubber, it works to hold the slippery thing in place.
Make a tiny face with the marker on the hazelnut. I just did closed eyes and a tiny mouth. Glue the head to the pointed side of the nut. Cut a length of wire to hang, and glue each end inside.
Pull the cotton ball in half. A whole one was too much. Wrap your cotton ball like a little present, and glue – while hot, tuck inside the nut so it sits nice and cozy. Use a toothpick to ‘adjust it around’. It should fit snug but loosely like a blanket.
Print out on card stock Born This Day in Bethlehem. I made an image .5″ high and 2″ long and put the text on it. Cut it out and trim the edges with decorative scissors.
Tie raffia in the middle with another piece, making a sort of bow. Glue the wire between the sign and the raffia on the back. Do this carefully with minimal glue!
Cut out a star and paint it gold. I cut part of the star, stamped it, and then finished cutting. It was easy. Glue onto the front! All done!
Always write the year on your ornament. I wrote ours on the bottom of the ornament.
A few notes…
Take time to make these yearly memories. The Lord will give you ideas as you seek to make wonderful memories with your children. Ornament traditions can be so comforting in later years!
Our Christmas tree, 2021.
And Remember…
The little precious hand with a spunky attitude made that one! 🙂
Merry Christmas! Theresa
Christmas Ribbon Trees
Have fun making traditions!
On Joyous Home, we love publishing recipes, sewing and homemaking. We are children of Christ, and imperfect wives and homemakers. We’re happy you’re here!