Crafty Christmas

DIY some holiday cheer this year

Crafting played a huge role in my childhood, especially during the holidays. Each year, my mom would break out the hot glue gun (for her) and purple glue sticks (for me), and we’d get to work on whatever DIY project she’d read about online or in the pages of one of her magazines.

At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate my mom’s dedication to this particular activity. But as I’ve gotten older, I’m grateful she forced me to sit with her each year and make paper garlands, beaded ornaments and bespoke Christmas gifts. It was a bonding ritual that inspired jokes we still laugh about today. Plus, it made the holidays feel like the holidays. What else are traditions for?

In adulthood, I’ve realized another pro to holiday crafting is that it’s a cost-effective way to decorate the house and tree. It’s no secret that everyday costs—rent, food, clothes, etc.—are skyrocketing. That being said, you’d be amazed at just how far some construction paper, glue, and paint can get you.

With the right movies, music, and snacks, you can turn crafting into an all-day activity that’s so much more fun than going out. Wear tacky Christmas sweaters or holiday pajamas to keep things festive and comfortable, and don’t forget to hang some lights.

So, grab some felt and invite some friends, queue up a good playlist and get to work. Remember, when it comes to crafts, it’s not the final result that counts, but the memories made.

Happy DIY-ing!

CRAN-ORANGE GARLAND

By Paige Aigret

During Winter Solstice’s short days, orange slices can be used to decorate the home, symbolizing light and warmth and bringing brightness to our cold, dark days. Orange slices are also known to represent prosperity and good fortune throughout the holiday season. The cranberry’s vibrant red hue has made the fall and winter fruit a symbol of rebirth and renewal, encouraging new beginnings for the coming year.

Channel the positive energy from these colorful fruits and craft a cran-orange garland with a few simple materials and a little time.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

1 bag of cranberries

3-5 large oranges or 1 bag mandarin oranges

2-4 cookie sheets (with cooling racks if possible)

Parchment paper » A large sail or yarn needle

Jute, hemp, or cloth twine

Optional: Add some pine cones or cinnamon sticks to the mix for a neutral tone and natural fragrance.

It can be helpful to prepare your orange slices at least one day ahead of crafting, as the dehydrating process can be lengthy.

Preheat the oven to 200 F. Slice oranges about ¼-inch thick. Thinner slices are best for dehydrating, but slices cut too thin won’t hold up to threading and wear and tear. Large oranges should yield about 10 slices. You’ll need about 25 slices for a garland suitable for a mantle. For a tree-length garland, you’ll need 50 or more orange slices, depending on the size of your tree.

Place parchment paper across each cookie sheet. If your sheets fi t lengthwise, you can put up to 4 in the oven at one time. If your sheets have cooling racks that match in size, place these into the sheets, on top of the parchment paper—this will help shorten your dehydrating time. Line orange slices onto sheets. Pat-dry orange slices with a cloth or paper towel. Place in the 200 F oven for 2 to 4 hours. Flip every 30 minutes. Remove once no longer wet to the touch. Set aside to cool.

Gather all materials, including the raw cranberries and the dehydrated orange slices. Before threading your garland, design your pattern by lining up your fruits and any other optional additions. For example: 1 orange, 3 cranberries; or 1 orange, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cranberries, 1 cinnamon stick. Thread your needle, and begin threading your pattern, repeating until you reach your desired length.

Tie a loop at each end of the twine. Drape across a fi replace mantle, along a stair rail, around your Christmas tree, or anywhere you like. Over time, the cranberries will dry out. You can keep the garland as is to rehang each year or reuse the orange slices for a new decor craft.

GLASS GLOBES

By Kim Harris Thacker

Decorative glass ball ornaments originated in Germany in the mid-1500s, but their popularity really surged when a photo of Queen Victoria’s Christmas tree, which was loaded with glass balls, was published in a London newspaper.

Remove the metal prongs from the tops of several clear glass or plastic ornament balls. Drip a small amount of acrylic or tempera paint (no more than ½ teaspoon) into the opening. Place a paper towel and a fingertip over the opening and shake, shake, shake! Add more paint, if necessary. If you choose to use more than one color of paint per ball, be sure to use colors that blend well. For example, while red and green are traditional Christmas and Kwanzaa colors, if you use them together, you’ll end up with brown paint— unless you let one color dry before you add the other. Keep in mind that a little bit of black paint goes a long way.

Remove the paper towel and turn the glass ball upside down over an egg carton or disposable cups, so the excess paint can drip out. When no more paint drips from the ornament, turn it right-side up and allow it to dry. Add some pretty ribbons.

DIY FLANNEL CHRISTMAS TREES

By Sara Santora

According to a Martha Stewart article, miniature Christmas trees were popularized in the 1970s after Department 56 released its first-ever set of ceramic houses known as the Original Winter Village. Still in production today, the village contains dozens of individually sold homes, buildings, townspeople, pets, and other fun figurines to choose from, including, of course, Christmas trees.

That said, Department 56 isn’t the sole manufacturer of mini Christmas trees; you can find them just about anywhere. You can also make them yourself with a few, easy-to-source materials.

First, you’ll want to grab some cardboard cones. You can find these at craft stores like Hobby Lobby or other retail giants like Walmart and Amazon. Then, cut some flannel fabric into long strips, about 1½-2 inches wide. If you don’t have fabric, don’t worry—you can use an old flannel shirt or purchase one at the thrift store.

Next, it’s time to hot glue the fabric to the cone. Start at the bottom and allow the fabric to overlap a bit as you work your way up to the top. Once the cone is completely covered, cut off any excess fabric, add a decorative star, and voila! You have a mini plaid Christmas tree, perfect for the coffee table, kitchen island, or any other surface in your home.

FESTIVE FILMS

None of these crafts are so complicated that you can’t enjoy a movie marathon while working. Stream some Christmas classics to keep spirits high while hot-gluing the day away!

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (1964) Gather ’round and watch as the heroic, stop-motion Rudolph guides Santa’s sleigh through a particularly bad Christmas Eve storm, despite being ousted from the reindeer games.

Where to stream: Apple TV

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (1966) The mean Mr. Grinch wants nothing more than some peace and quiet. To get it, he hatches a plan to steal Christmas from Whoville, but a brief encounter with a young Miss Cindy Lou Who changes everything.

Where to stream: Peacock (free with subscription); Prime Video.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) George Bailey is so distraught that he contemplates ending his life. That is until an angel appears and shows him what his town of Bedford Falls would’ve looked like without him.

Where to stream: Apple TV; Prime Video; YouTube; Fandango at Home

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) This hilarious, modern classic follows a young boy named Ralphie Parker in his quest to receive the ultimate Christmas gift: a Red Ryder BB Gun. Italian leg lamp and pink bunny costume not included.

Where to stream: Apple TV; Prime Video; YouTube; Fandango at Home

HOME ALONE (1990) Feeling misunderstood and upset, 8-year-old Kevin McCallister wishes his family would all just disappear. However, after spending a few days home alone, he learns the all too important lesson, “Be careful what you wish for.”

Where to stream: Disney Plus (free with subscription); Apple TV; Prime Video; YouTube

SNACK TIME!

A day of holiday crafting wouldn’t be complete without snacks! This board will satisfy your sweet tooth and give you the sugar rush you’ll need to assemble all your glorious, handmade creations

INGREDIENTS

1 container of chocolate hummus

1 cup peanut butter, melted

1 container of strawberries

2-3 apples, sliced

2-3 bananas, sliced

1 bag of pretzel twists, sticks, or crisps

1 package of Biscoff cookies

1 package of dark chocolate almonds

DIRECTIONS

Place the hummus and peanut butter in the center of a charcuterie board or dessert tray. Then, arrange handfuls of each snack around the tray, forming fun patterns or shapes. Replenish each snack as necessary.

For a heartier savory twist, add brie cheese, prosciutto, and salami to your board, along with crostini crackers.

DANCE BREAK

A few hours of crafting may leave your eyes feeling strained and your back muscles tight … sitting hunched over a table will do that to you. So, dance it out! There are so many upbeat, dance-worthy Christmas songs you and your friends can groove to in-between projects, including:

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU by Mariah Carey

CHRISTMAS WRAPPING by The Waitresses

SLEIGH RIDE by The Ronettes

WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME by Stevie Wonder

UNDERNEATH THE TREE by Kelly Clarkson

CHRISTMAS (BABY PLEASE COME HOME) by Michael Bublé

LIKE IT’S CHRISTMAS by the Jonas Brothers

JINGLE BELL ROCK – DARYL’S VERSION by Daryl Hall & John Oates

SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN by The Jackson 5

STEP INTO CHRISTMAS by Elton John

COOL TAKES ON HOT DRINKS

By Jules Aron

WINTER SLEIGH

(Serves 1)

A straightforward and balanced sour, the original Sidecar dates to around World War I. This seasonal take on the classic infuses the cognac with chai flavors for an unexpected warm interpretation and features a golden pear garnish.

1½ oz. of cognac, such as Pierre Ferrand 1840

¾ oz. of orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao

¾ oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed

3 oz. of chai tea

Garnish: orange twist and a slice of gold- dusted pear and gold-dusted sugar rim (optional)

Coat the rim of a heat-resistant glass with sugar, sprinkled with edible gold flakes, if desired, and set aside. Temper a heat-resistant glass with hot water, then add the cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. Top with chai tea and garnish with an orange twist and pear slices.

FUYU HOT TODDY

(Serves 1)

Among the most universal of the hot alcoholic drinks, the Hot Toddy originated around 1862 and featured a simple recipe of brandy, white sugar, and hot water—a mixture that has been reimagined time and time again through the decades. Below is an Asian-inspired iteration using an unfiltered sake style with a creamy white finish and a burst of citrus flavor from the yuzu and kumquat.

2 oz. of nigori sake, such as Kikusui Perfect Snow

1 oz. of yuzu juice

1 barspoon yuzu marmalade

3 oz. hot chamomile tea

Garnish: black and white sesame sugar and fresh kumquats

Coat the rim of a heat-resistant glass with sugar sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds and set aside. Temper a heat-resistant glass with hot water; then add the sake, yuzu, and marmalade. Top with tea and stir well. Garnish with fresh kumquats.