The holiday season is a time that is full. Full of parties, full of shopping, full of fun, and maybe some stress thrown in there too, and full of so many blessings. While we know that this time of year is supposed to be wonderful, sometimes we can get distracted by everything that is happening or needs to be done or attended, and we don’t make it a priority to think of all the ways we are already blessed.
Since my family has grown this year, my mind has strayed to the future and thinking about what Christmas will be like as my little boy grows up. I keep wondering things like, “What Christmas traditions should we incorporate?” or, “I wonder if he will like…” and so on. During our devotional time this morning though, I started thinking about what the focus of Christmas is really supposed to be – on the birth of Jesus Christ, and how He is the greatest gift of all. It made me realize that I want to use this time of year to focus on being grateful and acknowledging all of the blessings that we have already been given to help my family and I have the right perspective about this season.
Now, I realize that people celebrate Christmas for different reasons and in different ways, and I am not saying you have to do what my family does. But I did want to share with you some of the story behind my creating this DIY Ball Ornament for the Year. The ornament is an opportunity for you and your family or friends (or even by yourself) to reflect on your blessings and look at all that you have already been given. I am always trying to work hard to have a grateful attitude, and Christmas is a great time of year to be grateful. Gratitude is the best attitude, especially in a season of giving!
Personally, as a teacher, I have loved giving kids moments to think about what they were thankful for, and they learn best by following an example. Creating this ornament could be such a fun family activity that emphasizes the importance of gratitude, and it provides a way for you to exemplify how you are thankful too and what it looks like. However, even if you don’t have kids, I think this project allows you to refocus your mind on the blessings in your life.
How I plan to set up this DIY time is with just my hubby and me this year, and I hope we will be able to keep it as a tradition from one year to the next. For this project, I will explain how I set up my plastic ball ornament and supplies first. Then, the explanation of how to fill the ball ornament will follow.
What do you fill ornament balls with?
For this project, I will be using mainly double sided Christmas paper. I often buy it in booklets at craft stores, but you could use red and green paper or even white paper. I will also be adding some fun glitter, or you could add Christmas colored sequins, or fuzzy pom pom balls, or confetti. Really, there are so many extras you could add in. My suggestion is to use whatever matches your style or likes. It’s your ornament; make it look how you want!
Tips:
-If you have a Cricut machine, you could easily cut the “2022” out of vinyl and stick it where you liked on your ornament. Or, you could use a stencil to help you paint the numbers on the ball ornament.
-When choosing double-sided decorated Christmas paper, make sure at least one side is light colored enough to see writing on. This will make it easier to see each blessing that is written out.
Supplies:
–Clear Plastic Ball Ornament & Hanging Ribbon: The size of ball ornament you need will depend on the number of people you have participating in the creative process. My family will have a small ornament for this year since it’s just my hubby and I, but the more people you have involved, the larger the ornament you might need. I suggest starting with a 4-5inch ball ornament and seeing how it works for your family.
–1.5 Inch Circle Lever Punch: I used this to make cutting out the circles easy, but you could use any lever punch you have that has enough space for a few words. Christmas trees or stars could be fun alternatives!
–Double-sided Christmas Paper: I buy the paper pads that contain lots of options, but many craft stores provide single-sheets that you can choose from for this project. Double-sided is not required, but it does mean there will be more color in the ornament.
–Acrylic Paint with Paint Brush & Palette OR Paint Pen: To decorate the outside of the ornament, you can use a thin brush and paint, or if you don’t feel confident with a brush, you could always use a paint pen with the tip you desire.
–Pen: I chose to use a fine tip ink pen, but any fin tip pen will do.
–Extra Add-ins (optional): You could also use glitter, colored sequins, fuzzy pom-pom balls, or confetti if you wanted to. Really, whatever craft supply that will fit through the top of the ball ornament and that you would like to add is an option.
–Family or Friends: Gather everyone together to help you create this ornament!
How do you make the Ball Ornament for the Year?
-Step 1: Gather supplies together!
-Step 2: Decorate the outside of the plastic ball ornament with the paint or paint pen. I put the year so we can remember when we made it, but you could add snowflakes, polka-dots, or whatever you would like. Set the ornament to the side to dry (set on a bowl or cup to keep it from rolling around).
-Step 3: While you wait for the ornament to dry, use the circle level punch to cut out several circles for each person to write on. The number will depend on how many you choose to have each person fill out.
-Step 4:
For adults or older children: Hand out the circles to each person and have them write out what they are thankful for or what blessings they have received this year. Then share with one another, if you wish, and place in the ball ornament.
For families with toddlers or kids who can’t write yet: Help the kiddos think of things they are thankful for or what blessings they have. Write them out on the circles for them, and then have them put their own in the ornament once you have all finished sharing.
-Step 5: Put in any extra add-ins that you would like. Replace the top on the ball ornament, and hang on your tree!
I hope you enjoyed this step-by-step diy guide, and I hope you will try making this ornament for yourself! I hope you make one, and if you do, you can share it with me by tagging me @godsgiftofcreativity on Instagram or share with me on my Facebook page, or you can even comment below to let me know how it went! Also, if you enjoyed this content, please like and subscribe to my blog. This lets me know what you are interested in reading and what you want to see more of in the future.
Thank you for reading, and stay creative!
-Chelsey
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