Three Easy Christmas Ornaments to Make with Clear Glass Balls

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Make the holidays even more special by creating your own ornaments to trim the tree and give as gifts. Here are three simple Christmas projects using clear glass ball ornaments and other easy-to-find materials. Even if you're short on time, each project can be completed in minutes using straightforward techniques. The projects are suitable for all ages, so the whole family can join in the fun.

This cute ornament would make a great gift for the bird lover on your list. Or make several and trim the whole tree in a nature theme. Add a garland of pine cones and cranberries to complete the theme.

Materials and Equipment:

Clear glass ball ornament with removable cap

Bird seed

1 or 2 small sprigs of artifical greenery

Cinnamon stick

Small pine cone

Minature bird

Gold cord

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

How to:

Carefully remove the cap from the ornament and fill the ornament about a third-full with bird seed. (Don't use too much bird seed or the ornament will be too heavy to hang.) Replace the cap. Tuck the sprigs of greenery into the cap and secure with dots of hot glue. Glue the cinnamon stick to one side of the cap and the pine cone to the other side. Glue the miniature bird to the cinnamon stick so it looks like a bird sitting on a tree branch. Cut a 6-inch length of gold cord, thread through the wire loop in the cap, and knot to make a hanger for the ornament.

Kids will delight in a tree full of these cheerful snowmen ornaments. They also make great package trims. Use wrapping paper with a snowflake motif and tie the ornament to the package with yarn.

Materials and Equipment:

Clear glass ball ornament with removable cap

Artificial snow (or a shredded white plastic bag)

Black acrylic paint

Sheet of orange craft foam

Pipe cleaner

2 1-inch diameter pom-poms

1/4 to 3/8-inch-wide ribbon

Gold cord

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Small paint brush

How-To:

Carefully remove the cap from the ornament and fill the ornament to the top with artificial snow. Replace the cap. Paint eyes and a mouth on the ornament. Cut a small triangle shape from the craft foam to make a carrot nose and secure to the ornament with hot glue. Cut a length of pipe cleaner to go around the top of the ornament to either side of the face and bend to shape. Secure the ends to the sides of the ornament with hot glue and glue a pom-pom over each pipe cleaner end to make ear muffs. Cut a length of ribbon to circle the bottom of the ornament like a scarf and dot with hot glue to secure in place. Cut a 6-inch length of gold cord, thread through the wire loop in the cap, and knot to make a hanger for the ornament.

Give your tree some sparkle with these glittering glass balls. You also can use them to make an elegant centerpiece by nestling several in a crystal bowl with a purchased beaded garland and some evergreen sprigs.

Materials and Equipment:

Clear glass ball ornament with removable cap

Liquid glitter paint in assorted colors

Narrow metallic ribbon

How-To:

Carefully remove the cap from the ornament. Pour about 1 teaspoon of glitter paint into the ornament. Add a second color of glitter paint in the same amount. Use no more than 2 or 3 different colors of paint per ornament for best results. Turn the ornament around and around to swirl the paint. When the paint has dried, replace the cap. Cut a 6-inch length of ribbon, thread through the wire loop in the cap, and knot to make a hanger for the ornament.

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