Turn Christmas decorations into.. Child's play

Sunday Mirror, Dec 14, 2008

MAKE it a crafty Christmas with these easy projects. You'll save money, get the kids more involved... and your creations will have that personal touch.

1. 'CANDY' CANES

DECORATE a mini tree with these "candy canes" made out of pipe cleaners - they're more fun than the real thing and not eating them is a lot better on your teeth!

Twist the bottom ends of two cleaners - one red, one white - together so they are attached then wind them together for a striped effect. Bend one end to form a hook.

Finish your tree with pretty bows and small baubles.

2. FELT CARDS

CRE ATE per sona lised Christmas cards using just felt, card and a glitter pen.

Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter as a template to make your shape.

Place it on the felt and draw around it with a pencil before cutting it out.

Glue the felt on to the card and, to finish off, dab with a glitter pen to create the effect of baubles on the tree.

3. PAPER CHAINS

THEY'RE fun, traditional and very cheap to make.

Use patterned or coloured paper - or add glitter for a sparkly effect.

Cut the paper into pieces at least 20cm long, then draw lines at 2cm intervals on the back and cut into strips.

Bend each strip to form a loop and stick with glue or staple. Thread the next strip through the first and repeat until you have a chain.

4. GIFT TAGS

CUT out a rectangle of coloured card and snip the corners diagonally to form a label shape.

Next cut some smaller pieces of white paper ready for stamping. Use a Christmas stamp (or make your own with a potato) and apply stamping ink.

Place the stamp firmly on the white paper. Leave to dry and glue the paper on to your card and attach to a gift.

Taken from Christmas Crafting with Kids, by Catherine Woram and Polly Wreford (Ryland Peters and Small). Buy the book for pounds 10.99 including P&P (recommended retail price pounds 12.99) from Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699, quoting GLR Y11.

Local art shops, haberdashery departments and Hobbycraft (www.hobbycraft.co.uk, 0800 027 2387) all sell craft materials.