Christmas Craft: DIY Snowmen Ornaments

DIY BEAD SNOWMEN ORNAMENTS

We have a special place in our holiday hearts for Frosty the Snowman, or any snowman for that matter. There’s something so playful and magical about building a snowman with our kids every winter.

These DIY snowman don’t require gloves, or coats. In fact, you don’t even need snow. These adorable DIY snowmen ornaments are made from wood beads. If you’re looking for a fun afternoon craft, or a gift for the kids to make teachers and friends, try these cute DIY bead snowmen.

Materials:

Directions:

Step 1: Draw buttons, a nose, mouth, eyes and cheeks on the beads. We tried Paint Pens, and those worked as well; however the ink bled with the grain of the wood sometimes, so the paint and paintbrush method worked better for us.

DIY BEAD SNOWMEN ORNAMENTS

Step 2: Apparently finger pulls meant for doors make the best mini snowman hats. You can get creative with other shaped beads, or felt for the hat if you don’t want to drill anything. If you don’t mind the power tool step, drill a hole in the top of the Finger Pull in the center.

Step 3: Cut suede cord, and tie a knot at the bottom, and begin to stack the beads, bottom first, working your way up to the head. Once all three beads are on, add the hat, and then tie another knot. Next, wrap a loop around the top, and tie another knot.

DIY SNOWMEN ORNAMENTS-WOOD-BEADS-CHRISTMAS-CRAFT

Step 4: Cut small strips of fabric straps, and wrap between the head and body for a scarf.

Step 5: Gift to friends and family!

DIY BEAD SNOWMEN ORNAMENTS

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Day 6: Your Cocktail’s Best Accessory, a DIY Drink Stirrer

diy drink stirrer_holiday cocktail

On the 6th day of Christmas, j. sorelle gave to you…a DIY drink stirrer.

We accessorize our outfit for holiday parties…so why not accessorize our cocktails too? This year our drinks will be a bit more festive – cheers to that!

snowman drink stirrer

Snowman Drink Stirrer

You’ll Need
:

  • 3 mini styrofoam balls
  • Hot glue gun
  • Shredded carrot sticks
  • Black puff paint
  • Drink stirrer
  • Red and white striped twine
  • Mini branches

How To:

 

  1. Glue the 3 styrofoam balls together.
  2. Push the carrot in the face for the nose.
  3. Add three buttons with the puff paint on the middle ball or ‘belly’ of the snowman.
  4. Tie a small piece of twine around the ‘neck’ of the snowman so he/she has a scarf.
  5. Add a mini branch to each side of the snowman so he/she has arms.
  6. Push the top of the drink stirrer into the bottom ball.

tinsel and ornament drink stirrer

Tinsel and Ornament Drink Stirrer

You’ll Need:

  • Mini ornament from your local Target or Walmart
  • Tinsel
  • Drink stirrer
  • Hot glue gun

How To:

  1. Wrap a small piece of tinsel around the top of the drink stirrer. Add a dab of hot glue to the end tip of the tinsel to keep it in place.
  2. Wrap the string attached to the mini ornament around the top of the drink stirrer and add a dab of glue to keep it in place, too.

Now that you have two adorable drink stirrers to make, you just need a cocktail to fill your cup. Stay tuned because we have a yummy and festive drink recipe we can’t wait to share.

{images via j. sorelle}

Snowman Soup Recipe and Gift made with Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows

With the snow falling and cold temps, it’s the time of year for snowmen and hot chocolate – and this DIY gift is the best combination of both. Call them ‘marshmallow snowmen’ or ‘snowman soup’ – either one works. This makes for such an adorable gift or party favor for friends, family or teachers this time of year.

You’ll Need:
small glass jars with lids
festive holiday socks
hot chocolate {individual packets}
bag of mashmallows
buttons for the eyes
orange crayons for the nose
hot glue gun
pom ribbon

How To:
Glue two buttons on the jar {where you want the eyes to be}.
Use a sharp knife to cut the tip off the orange crayon.
Hot glue the crayon in the center of the jar {where you want the nose to be}.
Fill the jar with one packet of hot chocolate mix.
Fill the remainder of the jar with marshmallows until it’s completely full.
Add the jar’s lid.
Add the sock {the top of the sock – where the elastic is}. If your sock is long like mine, just cut it to the length you want.
Use a piece of ribbon to tie around the middle of the sock, so the snowman’s hat is complete.
Print these tags, printed by Fleur de Lis, attach…and give away with a smile on your face! Seriously, you have to download the tags – the poem is so, so adorable!

{images via Tutto Bella}

snowman fun

It’s been a snowy couple weeks in the mountains, and my kids are loving the wet, snowy playdates outside. Followed, of course, by some hot chocolate in our favorite snowman cups inside. It could be double or triple the fun with friends. So, if I get my act together, I’m going to host a Snowman Party for my kids friends…and mine too.

ACTIVITIES

Be sure to tell everyone coming to the party to dress warm. Bring their gloves, hats, mittens, etc for playing outside. Form groups of 3-4 people {depends on the total number of rsvp’s} to compete in a Build the Best Snowman competition. Have plenty of carrots, scarves, oreo cookies, tree branches, buttons hats, clothes, etc available so the kids can get creative. The winning team {judged by the party hostess} gets a cute new winter hat/beanie.

Sleds make for a fun playdate in the snow too.

A fun indoor activity {and snack} is Snowman on a Stick. This was the activity at our local library’s story hour this week and the kids loved it.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU

Serve 2-3 different kinds of soups and grilled cheese for the kiddos too. Easy to prepare ahead of time and warming to the soul and belly. Don’t forget the fresh baguette.
Lasagna Soup
Winter Lentil Soup
Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Bites

Have a hot chocolate bar ready for when the kids come in from playing in the snow for dessert, served of course with snowman donuts {simply place a candy corn down in a mini powdered sugar donut, and use black icing or chocolate for creating eyes and mouth}. For the hot chocolate bar, fill bowls with all the yummy fillings…marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, candy canes, whipping cream, sprinkles, chocolate syrup, cherries and Bailey’s Irish Cream {for the moms of course}.  To make this easy on yourself, prepare the hot chocolate ahead of time, and keep in a large thermos. Set as many cups as you need on the bar, along with all the toppings, so when everyone comes in from the cold, they can go straight to the hot chocolate bar.

Serve irresistable Milk Men from Bakerella too for a cold glass of milk. You MUST check it out here.

FAVORS

I was smitten when I saw this Snowman Soup party and printable on Celebrations at Home awhile back, and Snowman Soup served in little mason jars would be an adorable favor for all the kids. Visit here for photos of the party and a link to FREE printable for the soup label. You will need hot cocoa powder, marshmallows, chocolate chips and peppermints to fill the mason jars.

{images via Giggles Galore, Celebrations at HomeFête Fanatic, Disney Family Fun and Bakerella}