by Joan Collins

Created on: October 30, 2009   Last Updated: January 10, 2010

You can create beauty or whimsy this Christmas by decorating regular clay pots.  Whether you are making gifts for your friends or decorating your own home, the versatility of the clay pot make it the perfect base for your newest projects.  

Clay pots offer an endless variety of ways you can create whimsical or beautiful crafts for your home. During the Christmas season you can use them to add a touch of personalization to your home. These projects are so cute, you may wish to give a few of them as gifts too!

Flower pot:

While it is already a flower pot, a little creativity can turn your clay pot into a decorating asset. Paint a base coat on the exterior of the pot. To make the pot more festive, add a little glitter to the paint used for the base coat.  Once that has dried, paint a large poinsettia, a Christmas scene or a snow scene on the side. You can stencil a Christmas message around the upper edge. Spray the outside of the pot with a sealant. Set a potted flower inside the pot and set it out to be enjoyed.

Decoupage pictures onto the painted pot.  Trace them with glitter glue or fabric paint to create a 3-D look to the pot.  You could also trim the pictures with rickrack or ribbon.

Gift basket:

Paint the clay pot as directed in the flower pot above. After the sealant has dried, add bath items like gels, soaps and shampoos. Add a loofah or bathing net. Wrap the "basket" in cellophane.

Christmas Bells

You will need a two-inch clay pot, two silver or gold jingle bells, Christmas ribbon and thin metal wire. You will also need a can of spray paint in the Christmas color of your choice.

Spray paint the outside of the clay pot. After it has dried, paint the inside of the pot. Once it is dry, you can decide if you wish to decorate the outside or keep it simple with just the color for decorations. Cut a four-inch piece of ribbon. Form a loop and knot it.

Place the end of the wire through one of the jingle bells and twist it. Leaving enough wire for the bell to hang down but not show at the bottom of the bell, add the other jingle bell to the wire and twist it tightly. Wrap the wire around the knot of the ribbon. Add a little glue to the top of the knot and pull it through the hole on the bell. Allow it to dry. The knot and second bell should keep the ribbon from pulling through the hole. Hang your bell alone or create a string of them to hang together.

Christmas Tree

You will need three clay pots, (a 2-inch, 1.5-inch and 1 inch), green paint,

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