by Jessica Wolfe

Created on: September 15, 2009   Last Updated: September 19, 2009

My family and I love decorating the house for the holidays. That's why these easy Christmas crafts are great for decorating and spending quality time with each other. Here's some quick and easy Christmas crafts you should try.

1. Glittery Christmas Tree Skirt:

Cut a piece of bright red felt into a 24 inch square. Tie a string on a black marker and pin end of string to folded corner of felt. Keep string taut and draw a quarter of a circle 2 inches from corner for the inner circle and 12 inches from corner for the outer circle. Cut out the large circle, cutting through all layers of the felt. Cut out the middle circle. Using white glue, draw a large wavy line along the outer edge of circle and sprinkle with glitter. Be sure to shake off the excess. Draw a 2 inch tall star on paper, cut it out, and use as a pattern. Trace the star pattern around the tree skirt. Draw around stars with glue, then fill in the centers with glue. Sprinkle with glitter and shake off excess. After glue has dried, cut a slit in the tree skirt and then you're ready to wrap the skirt around a miniature Christmas tree.

2. Mistletoe Ball:

Measure and cut ribbon to twice the length you would like the ball to hang, plus yd. Wrap a piece of wire around midpoint of the ribbon and poke it through the top area of twig sphere, then pull it out nearby. Remove wire. Bring ribbon ends to meet above ball, forming a loop, then tie ends together into a bow. Then again, thread a piece of ribbon at bottom of sphere, then thread another to crisscross it. Bring ribbon ends up around the sphere and tie in knots. Cut artificial mistletoe from wire stems with wire cutter. Hot-glue springs into ball, squeezing dabs of glue into the holes and inserting clipped stems. Continue until ball is full and round. Tie two bows with same ribbon and hot-glue them to the top of the ball on either side of hanging loop. Wait till dry. Now you can hang them up for everybody to enjoy.

3. Happy Snowman Box:

Paint four popsicle sticks white and one red. Paint red and green caps on the white popsicle sticks (which will end up being snowmen) and use the white paint to write think snow on the red stick. Draw cap details, eyes, and smiles with black marker. Paint toothpicks orange and cut to about inch; glue noses to sticks. Wrap a sturdy shoebox with corrugated paper and glue the snowmen to the box. Glue red sign diagonally across the snowmen. This cute, tabletop box can keep warm scarves and mittens in one handy spot.

4. "Welcoming" Bells:

Determine the desired length of each bells ribbon hanger; double the length, adding yd. Cut three pieces to this length 3 inch wide ribbon. Thread a large, brass jingle bell unto each ribbon, then tie ends into a bow to form a hanging loop. Repeat these steps for the other two bells. Cut pieces of holly leaves and berries and hot-glue the sprigs around the tops of the bells surrounding the ribbon. These Christmas chimes are great for dangling from a doorway to herald the arrival of guests.

Making these crafts will bring new traditions to the family and also memories to live on forever.

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