I have 5 kids between the ages of 3 & 10, finding the right activity on cold, winter days can be a challenge.  The right activity has to be appropriate for all age groups: too simple and the big kids are over it; too complicated and the little ones are crying in frustration!

Fortunately, I have a holiday project that could easily be made from scraps in your “rainy day” box.  If you aren’t familiar with a rainy day box, it’s a place to store all things crafty, like recycled scraps of paper, socks that have lost their pair, extra buttons and wrapping paper, along with all the tools like glue, scissors, crayons, paint etc. I use it on a rainy summer day or over a long winter vacation to get our creative juices flowing.

This project was inspired by Martha Stewart’s cookie cutter ornament.  Though I liked the concept, I didn’t want to use an actual cookie cutter.  This project is appropriate for all ages and will make for lasting memories too!

Personalized Holiday Gift Tags/Ornaments:

What you’ll need:

• Christmas Cookie Cutters (for tracing shapes only)
• Card Stock or thin card board
• Ribbons (shape and size of your choice)
• Wrapping paper or Christmas paper
• (Last year’s holiday cards would work great)
• Family photos (optional)
• Scissors, craft glue (must dry clear), small paint brush, pencil, glitter and other embellishments of your choice

Instructions:

• If you are using pictures print & center in cookie cutter of choice, trace & cut.
• Trace same shape out of card stock or cardboard and wrapping or Christmas paper.
• Glue ribbon of your choice onto card stock or card board.
• (Form a loop so you can hang it on a tree when removed from gift)
• Glue Christmas paper on one side of card stock or cardboard & photo on the other, being sure to sandwich the ribbon so it is firmly in place.
• (If not using photo just use another piece of Christmas paper)
• Wait 5 – 10 minutes.
• Use paint brush to apply thin layer of glue, sprinkle glitter, add rhinestones, more ribbons, bows and other embellishments of your choice.
• Let it dry completely.

That’s it!  Now you can use a marker to add “To: From:” and attach to your wrapped gifts!  These are very cute and a wonderful personalized touch for grandma & grandpa.  It’s also a great way to recycle paper scraps. Best of all its easy and fun!

Jenina is a Marketing/Communications consultant and the Founder/Creative Director for Intheclotheset.com, an online magazine for women.  When she’s not trying to find the perfect balance between style and affordability she’s getting crafty with her kids!