sparkly christmas crafts

Christmas is just a few weeks away! Yipeey! This season really excites me. ;)

So I tried finding some things to do that we'll make my christmas more enticing!

Add a little shimmer to your Christmas this year with these simply brilliant crafts.

Elegant Ornaments

Pretty paper globes are a cinch to pull together.

What you need: Colored cardstock, ruler, scissors, glitter glue pens, chenille stems, 1/8-inch mini hole punch.
To make: Cut cardstock into eight 1/2 x 11-inch strips. Decorate strips using glitter glue pens. Let dry. For smaller ornaments, cut cardstock into six 1/4 x 11-inch strips.
To assemble: Punch three holes in each paper strip: one in the center and one 1/4-inch from each end. Insert one end of a chenille stem into the center hole of strip. Bring paper ends around and insert over the other end of stem, forming a sphere. Repeat, alternating colors and designs.
To finish, form top of chenille stem into a loop for hanging. Twist to secure. Coil bottom of chenille stem to secure; trim ends if necessary.

Glamourous Gift Boxes

Glam up a gift box with a coat of paint and clear glitter.

What you need: Kraft-paper box, white acrylic paint, paintbrush, clear glue, white glitter, ribbon.
To make: Paint exterior of the box and lid with white acrylic paint; let dry. Put lid on box (this prevents glitter from getting underneath the lid, which could cause it to fit improperly). Use a clean paintbrush to coat exterior of box with clear glue. Sprinkle glitter all over the box. Let dry. To finish, tie with a blue velvet ribbon.

Glowing Votives
Add shiny snowflakes to candleholders for instant sparkle.

What you need: Snowflake punch, double-sided adhesive sheets, votive candleholders, glitter. To make: Punch snowflake shape out of double-sided adhesive sheets. Peel off one side of adhesive, and stick to front of votive holder. Peel off top layer of adhesive, and sprinkle snowflake with glitter. Brush off excess.

Personalized Gift Tags
Use your child's alphabet stencils to make personalized gift tags.

What you need: Blank gift tags, letter stencils, clear glue, glitter, ribbon.
To make: Trace circles of varying sizes on front of bag. Fill in using glitter glue pens. Let dry. Punch two holes each at the top front and top back of bag. Thread a chenille stem through each set of holes; coil ends to secure.

Crystal Balls
These shimmery cookies are almost too pretty to eat.

What you need for cookies: 18 3 1/2-inch to 4-inch round-ornament-shaped sugar cookies (with holes for hanging), one batch Royal Icing (see recipe below), blue and green icing colors, assorted colored sugars
To decorate: Divide icing among three bowls. Tint one bowl blue and one green, using icing colors. Place half the icing from each bowl in a resealable plastic bag, and set aside. Add a drop or two of water to each bowl of remaining icing, and stir to combine. Using the tip of your index finger, spread thinned icing over cookies. Let dry 30 minutes. Snip a tiny corner off each bag of icing, and make decorative patterns on cookies. While piped icing is still wet, sprinkle on sugars.
Let dry completely.

Royal Icing
1 box (1 lb.) confectioners' sugar
2 Tbs. powdered egg whites
5 to 6 Tbs. water

In a large bowl, with mixer on low, beat together confectioners' sugar, egg whites, and the water until well blended. Increase speed to high, and continue beating until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Transfer icing to a resealable container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Bring to room temperature before using.

Treat Tote

Grab a glitter glue pen and add pizzazz to an ordinary party bag.

What you need: Favor bag or lunch bag, glitter glue pens, two chenille stems, one-hole punch.
To make: Trace circles of varying sizes on front of bag. Fill in using glitter glue pens. Let dry. Punch two holes each at the top front and top back of bag. Thread a chenille stem through each set of holes; coil ends to secure.