Host an Ornament Making Party and Create a Family Tradition

Hello again friends!

As Thanksgiving approaches each year, I look forward to another special tradition…our family’s ornament making party! A few days before Thanksgiving, we host an ornament making party for friends and family. This began at least ten years ago (I can’t even remember when…) with cinnamon and applesauce ornaments. In the past years, we have seen masterpieces and some years, the ornaments weren’t finished and the kids ended up just playing with the craft paint. Even when the ornaments didn’t turn out as planned, we still had a lot of fun.

I have learned after many years of hosting that it is better to give everyone a basic ornament to make and allow them to customize it any way they like. I will fill the table with all kinds of supplies and the kids will just amaze me at the end of the day with their creations.

Here’s a photo of one of last year’s ornaments. Mary made this darling unicorn with pink flowers.

Since my family enjoys this tradition so much, I am going to share with you how we made our glittered ornament from last year (and a few of the finished products) in hopes that you’ll start your own tradition with your friends and family!

The cost is small and this craft can easily be completed in a few hours.

The supplies you’ll need to make the glittered ornament are:

Round, clear plastic ornaments (I got mine at Dollar Tree and bought small & large sizes)
Pledge floor cleaner (see photo below)
Fine and/or extra-fine glitter
Small plastic funnel (or paper rolled into a funnel)
Plastic cups
Egg carton (optional)

I know what you’re thinking…Pledge floor cleaner? Yes. Believe it or not, this is what makes the magic happen.

And glitter in multiple colors…

As you will see in the photos, the kids that’s been part of my parties for so many years have grown up. Even if your guests are old, I highly recommend setting up an outdoor station when using large amounts of glitter. Trust me.

I sat up a table with cups, egg cartons, glitter bottles and the floor cleaner outside my front door. The egg carton was used mainly to stabilize the ornaments and make sure that they didn’t fall off of the table.

Step 1– Remove the top from the clear plastic ornament.

Step 2– Pour approximately 1-2 tablespoons of Pledge floor cleaner in the ornament. Place your finger on top of the opening and gently swirl the floor cleaner inside the ornament until it is completely covered.

Step 3– Pour out remaining cleaner in a plastic cup. (You can recycle the leftover cleaner.)

Step 4– Use a funnel (or a piece of paper rolled into a funnel) to pour glitter into the ornament. Start with about a tablespoon and swirl the glitter around to coat. Add more glitter as needed until the entire interior of the ornament is covered.

Step 5– Pour out remaining loose glitter.

Step 6– Let the ornament sit for at least an hour. (This is the perfect time to break for lunch or a snack.)

Step 7– Place the top back on your ornament and decorate as you want!

Below are some of last year’s ornaments.

Emma made a glittered ornament into a reindeer and then took one of the smaller clear ornaments and a painted bucket to make a gumball machine.

The eyelashes used on the unicorn and reindeer came in a pack from Hobby Lobby. I found a lot of the stickers in the scrapbook section.

Kiley made two glittered ornaments…and isn’t that gingerbread man face adorable?

Neil made a narwhal. The narwhal’s nose as well as the unicorn’s horn was made with Crayola air dry clay. Twist the clay and use a toothpick to hold it upright on styrofoam to dry. Paint any color you choose using craft paint.

Alex made two ornaments…a small ornament covered with silk flowers and a Baby Yoda.

Tripp made a Poke Ball.

Didn’t they do great?

Next week, we will have this year’s ornament making party and I am still not sure what our craft will be. I am brainstorming as well as looking at Pinterest for inspiration. No matter what ornaments we make, the memories and traditions will outlast them all.

Thank you so much for stopping by Mulch and Paint today! I am so thankful for friends like you that visit this little blog of mine!