Most who celebrate the holiday season have a surplus of glass Christmas balls, which have accumulated throughout the years. Rather than hang them all on your tree, or leave some in the box,use all of your Christmas resources in crafty ways.
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Fill-Er Up
Most ball designs detach from the hook and base. Take off the metal base and fill the inside with pieces of wreath, ribbon, and colorful Christmas candies. It’s a fun way to add pizzazz to an otherwise redundant arrangement.
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Letters to Santa
Tear pieces of paper into square fragments and write a number of brief letters to Santa asking for particular items. It’s a cute way to remind onlookers of the magic in believing and expecting gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. For added effect, write in different handwriting or ask others to help you supply the ‘letters.’
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Snowball
Make a ‘snowball’ by detaching the top of the ball and adding glitter and a bit of water to the inside. Ask visitors to shake the snowballs to create a ‘winter storm’ of Christmas tree décor.
Hang the snowballs on wreaths, trees, and from mistletoes in doorways.
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Snowmen
Transform your common Christmas ball ornament into a smiling snowman. Fill the inside of the ball with a white filling (baby powder or flour). Draw snowmen faces with a permanent marker on the outside. Finally, use a baby’s sock to fit over the ball, using a ribbon to make the sock appear as if it’s the snowman’s cap.
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Wine and Cheer
Add cheer to your kitchen or bar byhand painting wine glasses and placing equally decorative balls on top. Choose a variety of enamel colors for the project. If you’re not the family artist, ask an artistic friend, or child who anxiously wants to be involved, for help.
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Rolls of Ribbon
Wrap pieces of ribbon into small balls and shapes small enough to fit inside of the glass balls. For an added effect, choose a complementary seasonal-colored ribbon to wrap on the outside.
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Jolly Belly
Make the glass balls look like the bountiful belly of Santa Claus. Fill the inside with red-colored ribbon or pieces of paper, andpaint a belt and buckle on the outside of the ball.
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Snowflakes
Use templates to trace snowflakes on paper and then cut the small flakes with scissors. Place the flakes on the inside of the balls for a snow effect. Create ‘the ground’ and write seasonal sentiments across the top of the outside of the ornaments.
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Jingle Bells
Spread the holiday jingle all the way to your tree by filling Christmas balls with small bells. The balls will appear seasonal, but provide holiday sound effects for visitors too.
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Christmas in July
If you’re a beach and summer lover, you may be missing the sun and surf during the holiday season. So, pour sand and tiny seashells into your balls to present your evergreen with a sunny disposition to complement the glowing lights.
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Holiday Pop
What’s more fun than (just) looking at Christmas ornaments? It’s opening the top of them and eating the contents on the inside. Fill balls with pieces of popcorn and seasonal candy for child visitors to take home with them.
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Wrapped Ornaments
Wrap the outside of the balls with decorative Christmas paper. Buy a variety of paper (or fabric swatches) to place on the uniform-looking balls to make an otherwise redundant theme appear random and unique.
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Blocked Regards
Purchase small wooden blocks from an online arts and crafts vendor. Using a pin or small metal rod, skewer the blocks to form Christmas messages, such as ‘cheer’ and ‘merry.’ General sentiments work well in complementing personalized Christmas tree ornaments.
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Beaded Balls
Buy beaded necklaces at the dollar store and fill the inside of your Christmas balls with a single color for a more dignified and chic look. Alternatively, buy colors associated with a favorite team to emulatea sports theme.
Helen Moser is a holiday crafter with a mild addiction to glitter and paint. With a sharp eye for beautiful style and a host of tricks for decorating the home, she loves sharing her joyful holiday inspirations with others.
