Paper Christmas Craft

To make this cute paper roll snowman all you need is a little construction paper, a toilet paper roll and a couple of markers. It's interesting to note that not all paper tubes are the same size. These are the sizes that worked for our tube:
White paper for covering roll: 4"x 11" (makes 2 wraps around tube)
For scarf: one piece 3/4" x 6 1/2" long
For scarf fringe: 3/4" x 1 1/4" (bend fringe up a little)
For hat: 1 1/4" x 6 1/2" (fold up 1/4 inch as shown below to resemble hat brim)

Cover tube in white paper securing starting end and then tag end with tape. Add strip for hat (already turned up 1 or 2 turns at 1/4 inch each) securing start end and then tag end with tape. Add scarf securing with tape. Then tuck small fringe piece under scarf leaving fringe to show. Add face and buttons.

All paper can be attached with tape so no glue is needed. Scarf fringe can be tucked under scarf wrap.

Got extra tp rolls? Check out this beautiful ornament craft.

When I was a kid I always loved hats like this. For some reason they made me feel special. This paper reindeer hat uses traced hands for the antlers and a simple band to complete the hat. Or take a look at these more realistic looking antlers which are placed more toward the front of the hat band.

Decorate the hat band with markers, Merry Christmas greeting or shaped punch outs.

This one is so simple, yet stays very popular with kids. I think it's the magic of pulling the paper apart after cutting out the shape. The accordian style repeating pattern is fun to see and make. Construction paper traditionally comes in sheets 9" x 12". It can be folded back and forth to make 4 or 5 sections. We found four sections easier to fold (fold in half and half again accordian style) and also easier to cut.

The key is making sure at least part of the image overlaps the edge of the paper when tracing. Adding a solid base helps with support too like this Christmas Tree we made.
Sample template offered at bottom of page.

I chose a Candy Cane pattern for this garland because I like the striking red and white, but lots of other images can be used. Here we glued down strips of red construction paper for the stripes, but the stripes could easily be colored in with markers.

Check out where crafter D. Sharpe used snowmen for garland (really really neat). In a classroom, kids could add all sorts of faces and scarves on the snowmen. Or decorated Christmas Trees would be neat too. Mittens hung by clothespins would make a really neat decoration for a fireplace, Sunday School room or classroom.
Sample template offered at bottom of page.

Using different lengths of paper, make an ornament by gathering and stapling the ends. For example, we experimented using 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 inches etc. (increasing lengths by 1/2 inch each layer). For younger kids, use at least 5" or 6" for the shortest middle piece - the shorter the pieces, the harder they are to gather for the last staple.

A difference of 1/2 inch length gives a small space between layers, and one inch gives a wide space between layers. All you do is start with the shortest piece in the middle and then sandwich it with increasing long pieces. Shortest in middle (only need 1 of those) and pairs of longer pieces after that. Hold the stack of pieces in your hand and jog then to one end. Staple in place on the jogged end. Then carefully gather and line up the pieces at the other end and staple.

Note about paper: What I like about using construction paper is that it is colored on both sides. What I don't like it that it fades over time. What like about using scrapbook paper is that it comes in fabulous colors and patterns and won't fade. The only catch is that it is usually only printed on one side. You can see in the picture above where the backside of the paper is white. If you can get your hands on 2 sided scrapbook paper - that's the way to go.

*Check out this very sophisticated version of this craft using pages from a Shakespeare play!

This one comes from Family Fun. The results are really neat and look nice hanging in a window.

I actually DID have a gold star button for the top of the tree (as the instructions suggest), but I couldn't get it to stay in place so we used a star sticker. Something I want to mention is that when you do the final assembly on the tree you have to make sure the pieces are all facing the same way. In other words, if one of the colored pieces from the middle has gotten flipped over, the colors won't show through correctly. You'll see what I mean. My other hint would be to use fairly thin paper in the middle for ease of punching holes.

My daughter (my tester :-) thought this one was "cool" and immediately wanted to try extra colors etc.

You won't believe where I got this idea. My daughter has a cute pair of reindeer earrings (I'll try to add a photo) and the reindeer is in 3 layers. I thought...humm...I can make that idea into ornaments of all kinds. I'm sure someone will improve on it. We are going to try Christmas Trees and Snowmen too. This particular pattern has some detailed cutting around the antlers so I'm adding an option for simpler cutting.

Using template, cut out the 3 pieces from brown construction paper. Punch holes through all tabs and add reinforcing circle sticker to back of tabs (optional). Add eyes, nose and hooves with black marker. Cut 2 small lengths of drinking straw (red is nice if you can find red - check a convenience store counter) about 1/4 inch or shorter. Add pieces to string (or pipe cleaner hanger) as shown. Hang as ornament or for decoration.
Template offered at bottom of page.

So simple, yet amazing, this paper flower craft epitomizes how simple paper strips can be transformed into a stunning ornament. Crafter extraordinaire Jessica Jones at How About Orange shares this craft with the world. We made two of these using her instructions. Teens and pre-teens will love this one.

A few things we learned while making this craft:
Depending on the depth of your stapler, it may be difficult to reach the middle of the paper strip. My regular stapler was too short, but thankfully I had recently purchased a long reach stapler that worked.
The thicker the paper, the less sheets needed to fill out the flower. I used 11 strips of scrapbook paper (as recommended) but removed 2 of the strips since my paper was rather thick and I didn't need as many. My daughter used regular thickness paper (yellow) and 11 layers worked well.
If you use scrapbook paper that is printed on one side, you'll have to switch directions half way through gluing to keep the color to the outside.

Check out this really neat spin off version here at flickr.

I can think of lots of ways to use this idea. Here, my daughter used small squares to make a pattern. Larger triangles could also be used. Below you'll see where I made a pattern for the front of a greeting card. For a classroom, each child could make one or two quilt squares and then assemble them all into one big quilt for a wall hanging.

Paper quilts, just like fabric quilts, have all sorts of possibilities. Use scrapbook paper or construction paper. Use square or triangles. Christmas sillouette shapes could even be layered onto the patterns.

We used glue sticks for this project.

Take a look at this pattern at Family Fun.

This stocking is made to hold a treat or surprise (something small). The base piece is the entire stocking. Then glue down the cuff, heel and toe. Then punch holes around the edge, lace it up and tie off the string. The only thing I'll add is that the yarn can get frayed as it is sewn. We taped the ends of ours with a small piece of tape to reinforce it a little. Even though my child is 13 years she enjoyed sewing the stocking! For sewing, it's best to find the middle of the yarn and then start lacing from the bottom center up each side.

My first thought with this craft was to fill the stocking with some sort of goody and take it to a nursing home. I'd like to do that.
Sample template offered at bottom of page.

Currently I don't have a way to offer pdf's for these template shapes. I can, however offer these rough templates for use by copy and pasting into a folder on your hard drive. Feel free to right click and "Save Image As..." on your computer. Then print out at the desired size. Free to copy and share.