For me, I think about Christmas pretty much all year long, but definitely from September on. I've learned over the years that doing projects early, even the small ones, can be so helpful.
These ornaments are one of those projects.
Fillable clear glass ornaments...use them as a gift in itself or as the "holder" of the gift.
You can buy clear glass ornaments in most craft stores and online too. I bought these at Michael's Craft Store. They're on sale this week too, 40% off!!
I made a new friend with one of the wonderful ladies who works at the Michael's in my town. Hi, Lois!! It was nice to meet you...you made my day by the way. Lol
There are so many things you can put in these ornaments...come on in and see!
The ornaments come in many different sizes. These are the smallest at about 2 inches, but I've seen them as big softballs. (that ring on the bottom is just mine to balance the ornament for the picture.)
These fillable ornaments are glass and can only be filled from the top once you pop out the spring cap. There are others that are plastic that hinge open in the middle of the ornament.
Decide what you want to put in the ornament before you purchase the ornaments. The hole on top differs with the ornaments too.
To fill them, remove the tops and keep them in the box they came in to keep them from rolling around.
Use tiny funnels to help with smaller items.
Now for all the different things you can put in your ornaments.
These are tiny seed beads. Great for the look of snow, but also great if your crafting friend makes jewelry or embroiders. When she receives the gift from you, she can hang it on her tree or "use" the beads in the ornament to craft with!
So cute on the tree...don't forget to add a bow and a little hang tag describing what to do with the beads!
For your sewing friend...
How about an ornament filled of buttons!
or sequins.
These are the plastic pony beads my kids crafted with all the time when they were little.
How about an ornament filled with them and then the cording, to make a bracelet, tied to the top of the ornament. Great for kids to make so many things!
This one is sentimental to me. This is an old costume pearl necklace of my mom's.
Just feed the necklace into the top of a larger ornament.
Love the memories of her, especially at Christmas.
This is perfect for a teacher's gift.
You can fill it with chalk too!!
and don't forget the man or dad in your life.
Golf tees...
or even little hardware items.
This graduation tassel idea was one I shared after Courtney graduated in May! You can click HERE to see that post.
I even dug through our old memory boxes and made some from my husband's and my high school and college tassels.
There are so many things that you can put in these ornaments...
- Christmas tinsel
- mini marshmallows for a white themed Christmas tree
- Epsom salt for the look of snow
- red and green m&m's
- colorful cereal for a candy themed tree
- candy sprinkles too
- Red hots...little cinnamon candies
- sprigs of evergreen
- sand and tiny seashell from a special vacation
The possibilities are endless. Have fun filling your glass ornaments!
If you start now, there will be less stress later...
Have a great day,
~Karen~
Great ideas....
ReplyDeleteFabulous idea! I'm looking out for these in the shops and will buy some ready to fill. Thanks! Maggie xx
ReplyDeleteHello,It's a good idea for me because I have so many nephews. Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteI've stuffed these glass balls with tinsel and love the effect. I love your tassel idea. I have my children's college tassels in my bedroom begging to be put to good use. I'll be passing them on this Christmas. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTwo years ago, I filled ornaments with little scraps of yarn and gave them out at our Knitting Group Christmas party. They were a big hit.
ReplyDeleteVery clever ideas! I love the red buttons for a sewist!
ReplyDeleteKaren, Thank you so much. It was great to meet you. I sure didn't expect you to post so quickly after purchasing your 'blank' ornaments. You are SO clever. Thank you for your constant inspiration. You made my day too ! Lois
ReplyDeletethe golfer ornament is my favorite. If you're able to find colored tees that would look great too!
ReplyDeleteWhy not run some glue over the inside and the add the beads? The ones that don'e stick get poured out for another ornament.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, I went to a Christmas party where the host gave us all an empty glass ornament and then had bottles of red, green, gold and silver glitter on the table. You took Elmer's Glue, squirted the glue into the ornament and then poured in the color or colors of glitter you wanted. Then, you held your thumb over the hole and shook the ornament. He put glue around the top, put the top back on and set each ornament aside. By the time it was time to go home, the glue had mostly dried and Elmer's dries clear, all you could see was this glittery ornament. I still have mine after all these years. I love your ideas. I might start by making a list of everyone's name and what I'd put in the ornament.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends has a crafting party some weeks before Christmas. People can bring their own projects to work on but she provides these ornaments and craft paint. Squirt a color or two in the ornament and then move them around to encourage the paint to roll about and cover most of the inside. Usually mine was not quite dry at the end of the party and would need some attention when I got home since if you leave them in one position too long while still wet, the wet paint will all pool in the bottom.
ReplyDeleteMore great ideas Karen. I read your previous post using the tassles and I'm making those for my kids this year.
ReplyDeleteSo many possibilities! Thanks.
Oh my goodness!! What a great idea!! I am going to have to do some of these! Thanks for sharing with us. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun project, Karen. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLast year for my Scouts I put in a sprig of fir from my pine tree and some tiny pinecones I'd picked up on a walk through the neighborhood in clear ornaments. Then I just used an ordinary Sharpie to write their names and the year on the outside. The year before for my son I put in sparkly looking pom-poms in red and blue - his favorite colors.
ReplyDeleteI did this last year with paper shreds that had lyrics or poems about being strong in support of breast cancer.
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas! I don't live near a craft store, any idea where one could buy these for reasonable price online? I have found plastic ones, but prefer glass.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for clear ornaments, coud'nt find one. Anyway, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Christmas Decorations
I saw an idea somewhere that was a baby's first Christmas ornament - take the baby's onesie, or anything from baby's first year, stuff it into the ornament, and decorate the outside with the name and year. Still trying to find a glass ornament with a big enough opening
ReplyDelete