Sammy has had quite a fascination with our Christmas tree. Specifically with decorating the Christmas tree. Even more specifically, making Christmas ornaments for our Christmas tree. We have made some simple Christmas ornaments, like these simple paper plate Christmas balls, and these burlap candy canes. I also found 6 awesome easy Christmas ornaments for preschoolers to make all on their own.
So, the next step for feeding this need of my little preschooler to make (and make and make) Christmas ornaments is… an invitation to create Christmas ornaments, of course! We had such success with our Fall Playdough Apple Pie Invitation to Play, I knew this one would be a hit too. And it was!
Before we get into it, you’ll also want to grab this FREE Christmas Countdown Calendar & Activity Pack! The calendar has one simple holiday-themed learning activity to enjoy with your little one each day leading up to Christmas—and the activity pages are perfect to pull out a Christmas get-together or during quiet time! Get yours right here:
An Invitation to Create Christmas Ornaments
This invitation to create Christmas ornaments was left very open-ended. Sometimes, I will give Sammy an example or model of the activity to create, but in this case, I didn’t. Since Sammy has been making so many decorations lately—decorations out of just about anything he can find around the house (he believes if it can be held to the tree with a clothes pin, it can be a decoration)—I knew he’d be very creative all on his own!
Materials
The setup was very easy. In fact, I just used Christmas craft supplies I had around the house! I laid out:
- 3 piles of foam sheets (but construction paper would work, too)
- 2 containers with ribbon, one gold and one silver
- 1 container with bells
- glue
- scissors
- makers
- stickers
For the first few ornaments, Sammy decided to cut the foam into circles and then decorate. After a couple, he decided he would leave some rectangular. At first, he was heavy on the glue and ribbons. Then he switched to being heavy on the markers.
I love watching him work while he is crafting and creating—it is so interesting to me! And it is hard for me not to offer suggestions, but I have gotten much better at restraining myself. If he asks for my help (which is not too frequent), I am happy to assist, but otherwise, I try to let Sam explore and discover his own process with these invitations.
The ornaments turned out lovely and were a great addition to our already almost completely decorated tree. They fit nicely beside the Mr. Potato head, Melissa and Doug wooden threading train set, and the straws with pipe cleaners inside. The making for a Christmas tree only a mother could love? Perhaps… but I really do love it!
Thank you so much for reading, my friend. I hope this has inspired you to set up an invitation to create Christmas ornaments for your own little one!
xo
Sarah
Amy Davis says
i never thought of using clothes pin to hang (homemade) ornaments on tree. that is so cute! Merry Christmas to you and your family and all of your furry pets and all! wow you have a housefull! I use to too when my son was little. we had a jellyfish.. we ended up taking it back to the beach and let it go! we had small snakes, hermit crabs.. lots of hamsters and cats, a couple birds and a dog. really anything my son could get his hands on or in a bucket he wanted it even if just for a little while. lol Anyway I enjoy your emails and can’t wait to hear back from you and your crafting for a new year, new season, new holiday!
Amy Davis says
oh i forgot… i love crafts like these for the little ones! its awesome watching them do and create their own things. giving them a variety of things to craft with. I get into it too with them. I even get my husband involved in childrens crafts sometimes… we actually just printed out a candy cane and clorored and decorated it for ourselves and we made crystalized snowflakes out of pipe cleaners.. lol its all fun and time spent together! even if it sounds silly for me. i guess its the child in me that will never grow up! lol
Sarah says
You are only as old as you feel Amy! I love that you enjoy crafting yourself. And what a wonderful way to bond with your husband as well.
Sarah says
Aww thank you so much Amy! Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. It sounds as though you have beautiful memories to cherish from your sons childhood. That is what I am working so hard towards accomplishing myself. Thank you for sharing your encouragement!
jackie says
I love the clothes pin “hooks!” How clever for children, well also for adults who struggle using those wire hooks (not that I am saying any of do, hehehe!) Have a wonderful holidays of merriment and wonder.
Sarah says
Hi Jackie, thank you! And YES! Who can properly use those tiny metal hooks?!?! Happy holidays to you and yours!
Sheila Anderson says
I too, like the use of clothespins to hang ornaments. I never thought to do that. All of your projects have the children’s needs and interests in mind. Thank you for not encouraging “craptivities” as the Oeey Gooey Lady says, or those product-focused projects.
Sarah says
Thank you Sheila! I am so happy to share a few helpful tidbits in amongst all my ramblings! I do try to focus on the process with my little ones. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.
Kerry says
The clothespin idea is great. I love it so simple yet functional. I love getting your emails plus we are in the same country. ? you are always full of good ideas and simple.
Sarah says
Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement Kerry – I really appreciate this comment very much! So thoughtful of you. I am so happy you like my emails and how cool that we are in the same country! Which province are you in?