Homemade Trader Joe's Christmas Ornaments
Ever since I was in fifth grade and heard the speech from my teacher about how important it is to recycle, I always find ways to try to recycle items in my house for other purposes. This Christmas ornament craft is one of the many fun DIY projects that helps use your left over Trader Joe's grocery bags for a great, cheery purpose and it's great for the little ones who may want to destroy the Christmas tree! Let's begin!
Supplies:
2 Trader Joe's paper bags (or any brown paper bag)
1 pair of good scissors
1 single hole puncher
1 spool of red and/or green ribbon
1 pack of multi-colored pipe cleaners (99 cents at the Dollar Store)
1 pencil
1 fine point marker or calligraphy pen
1 or more cookie cutters
Directions:
1. Cut the brown paper bag along the folded lines of the bag so that it eventually unfolds into one long, flat piece of paper. Don't worry about perfect cutting or taking off the handles of the bag. The inside "meat" portion of the bag is what's most important.
2. Trace the cookie cutters with a pencil on the brown paper bag. Try to not trace it over a seam because this will make the shape bumpy.
3. Cut out the traced shapes with the scissors and punch a hole in the top of the shape. Try to not punch too close to the edge or else it could easily rip
4. Using your fine-tipped pen or permanent marker, write different words on the paper shapes that represent Christmas to you and your family. You can also write the names of your family members, too.
5. Cut the ribbon cord to be about 12-inches long. Try to make all the ribbon pieces the same length for consistency. (This is where you can substitute other ribbon or pipe cleaners for a different look.)
6. Loop the ribbon or pipe cleaners through the holes of the cut-out shapes. You may prefer to tie the ribbon on the base and top of the loop for a stronger hold or you can also twist the pipe cleaners with two different colors for a pretty sparkle of color.
**Stay tuned for more kid-friendly decorations, and ways to recycle and keep Christmas pretty and simple.
