Annual Christmas Ornaments

This year's ornaments include a foam penguin (from Target craft kit), handprint snowmen on a clear ball, ice cream spoon Christmas cats, and craft stick and felt reindeer.

Genevieve and Lorelei  proudly display their reindeer.
Genna wanted hers to have a sad face.
 Both girls liked the floppy ear style.


As often happens, I learned some tips for doing these crafts in the future.I will say that the cat ornaments had too many steps for young children. We had to paint one side, wait, paint the other side, wait, and so on. It would be better if they had been spray painted different colors in advance so all the kids have to do is select the ones they want and focus on decorating. I plan to make them with my kindergarteners next year. The snowmen balls are easy but it is difficult for very young children to draw the fine details of eyes, nose, etc. with paint pens. I drew most of the details but Lorelei did do half of hers. Even so, parents will love the fact that their child's little handprints are on the ornaments and will love getting them out in years to come. The reindeer were easy to make but I did go behind the girls with hot glue to redo the felt pieces. They don't adhere well with Elmer's glue. We made several sets of ornaments. As always, I saved a set for the girls. When they get married and get ready for their first Christmas, I wll give them the saved set. I also have a few for our tree at home. They as well put a few on their own tree. The girls will be wrapping and giving the snowman ornaments to their parents for Christmas.