Handmade Photo Ornament

One of our favorite family traditions has been a new ornament each year.  Sometimes there is one for the family from a place we have visited, but always one for each child.  I try to choose something that is either special to that child or about that child.  It may be a favorite activity or pastime.  I've always purchased these from various places.  I've been fortunate to find some really neat ones over the years.  I'm often amazed by the "perfect" one for someone.

Well, this year I just couldn't find ANY that I liked.  Some would be ... alright.  But not just right.  Not special.  I didn't want to pick something just to have an ornament.

So at the last moment, I decided I would make ornaments.  I wanted them to be special and I began pondering ideas.  I thought about photos and I really wanted to be able to add a note.  (I often write notes on the boxes that the ornaments come in.)  I asked friends for suggestions and then wandered around the craft store.

Then, I found it.  Just the right item that would fill all my desires.  I found little star-shaped paper mache' boxes.  Perfect for adding something to - and putting a little note inside.

I found a photo of each child and mod-podged it to the star.  Then I hot glued ribbon around the box, tying it at the top.  I used a red sharpie to add dots to the sides and the year on the back.  I love how they turned out!

I love giving ornaments to our children each year.  It's fun to surprise them and to bless them as well.  This year was no different. 

I always take a picture of each child with their ornament.  Wouldn't it be a neat thing to have a scrapbook of each year with each ornament?  Hmmm ... maybe sometime in the future.  LOL  Here are the rest of the pictures.

I wanted to share this idea in case anyone else is looking for a neat ornament to make.  I know it's too late for this year, but perhaps next!

Blessings
Leslie