How-to Feature article

Make Something Out of Nothing

How to Make Money Out of Old Christmas Decorations

By Sarah Jane Rodriguez

S

eptember, October and November are what we call the “Ber” months wherein the countdown for celebrating the birth of Christ ranges, before we reach this very important occasion- Christmas day. Prior to the actual date of this celebration, it is the Christmas decorations which herald the arrival of the holiday season. You will find people getting busy buying accessories, looking and thinking about ideas for decoration and coming together to help the family deck up the house in fineries. Christmas decoration is a very old tradition, and many changes have been incorporated in these yet simple decorations always score over complex and flamboyant ones. So, whatever idea one might have in mind, make sure that he keeps it simple. Decorating ones house for Christmas does not always have to be expensive. Even if you are a little short on money, there are some easy ways though which, you can deck up your home. Buying Christmas decorations every year will turn out to be very expensive, so it is sensible to preserve the decorations of this year to be used in the next year. Be creative, be resourceful, keep in touch with the trends and make your own unique Christmas decorations that can outstand others and make extra income out of it.

There are a lot of Christmas decorations that has been used pervasively by the families all over the globe. Some of them are Christmas trees, Santa Claus’ figures, Christmas lights, candles, Christmas balls, angels, or even Christmas cards. If you have them last Christmas, mind you that don’t trash them because these can lend you an extra income in near future. There so many things that you can make out of nothing by only using your internal senses. These are some suggestions and easy steps to make money out of your old Christmas decors (cited from www.hubpages.com):

1

CHRISTMAS CARDS

You will need, old Christmas Cards, white or colored card, envelopes, Pencil and Ruler, glue, scissors, craft knife.

If you would like some embellishments to give your cards some glitz you will need, silver or gold bows or ribbon, stickers, scrapbook charms, confetti etc, fabric scraps, pictures cut out from wrapping paper etc, glitter, you could even have a cut out photo of yourself.

1. First spread out all your old cards onto a table and choose categories for your cards, such as snowmen/snowflake cards, Father Christmas cards, reindeer cards, personalized cards, and then begin to cut out the pictures you want to use.

2. Next you take your base card and fold it in half, make sure you line up all the sides before you press in the fold, and then run some scissor handles down the line fold to create a permanent press crease.

3. Now decide which image you are going to glue on to your card, you could also stick down a image using a folded up piece of card stuck to the back, you glue the folded up card down instead of the picture giving it a 3D effect.

4. Then add your embellishments, such as glitter or ribbon to give it a more professional look.

5. Write a message at the top or bottom of your card using Glitter Gel pens, or paint.

6. Add your personalized message on the inside of your card, or you could cut out the original phrase or poem from your old card, and stick it in your new card, then just outline it with a colored or glitter pen.

2

GLITTER TREE DECORATIONS

You will need White heavy white paper, Christmas shape templates or cookie cutters, clear drying craft glue, white glitter, scissors or craft knife, hole punch, ribbon or decorative cord.

1. Firstly trace templates on heavy white paper and cut them out.

2. Punch a hole at the top centre of your cut out, if the hole punch is to large, use a pin or tooth pick etc to make the hole.

3. Apply glue to one side of the paper cut out, and then cover it with glitter and leave to dry.

4. Check the first side is completely dry and then turn your cut out over and repeat step 3.

5. Once your decoration is completely dry, dust off any stray glitter and tie a piece of decorative ribbon through the hole, now it is ready to hang on your tree.

3

ANGEL CHRISTMAS TREE TOPPER

This lovely Angel can be used year after year to sit at the top of your Christmas tree. You will need 2 Doilies (8inches each), Scissors, Waxed Paper, White Craft Glue, Toothpicks, 6inch Foam Cone, 1 1/2 Inch Porcelain Doll Head, Paring Knife, Straight Pins, One Can Spray Stiffener, Two Rubber Bands, Hot Glue Gun, Glue Sticks, 15 Inch Gold Ribbon (1/4 Wide), Wire Cutters, Four Gold Ribbon Roses (1/2 inch each).

1. Clip a 1-inch-diameter hole in center of a doily. Lay doily on waxed paper, and apply white craft glue to edges of cut out center.

2. Stick 2 or 3 toothpicks in top of foam cone. Place porcelain head over toothpicks. If head wobbles, use paring knife to thin top of cone.

3. Slip center hole of doily over angel's head. Press glued edge of doily to top of doll's torso

4. Arrange deep folds in doily. Pin bottom of folds to cone to keep folds in place. Place on waxed paper and spray with stiffener. Rearrange folds as needed. Let dry.

5. Cut another piece (about 11 inches long) of waxed paper. Place rubber bands on each end of the remaining roll.

6. Lay out last doily on waxed paper piece. Spray with stiffener until soaked. Place waxed paper roll across center of doily, folding half of doily over roll. Let dry.

7. To form wings, fold top half of doily back up to center fold so edge extends a little beyond center fold. Hot glue in place. Hot glue wings behind head.

8. Remove pins and take angel from foam cone. Find holes in dress to push arms through. Make sure placement looks reasonable before you glue in place. Turn over and apply hot glue to underside of angel dress, where arms stick through, to hold arms.

9. Make 3/4- to 1-inch bow from 1/4-inch gold ribbon. Hot glue under chin. Trim ends of ribbon.

10. Use wire cutters to cut off wire close to bottom of roses. Hot glue roses to folds of dress at bottom.

See, there are so many things in this world that money can’t buy but can only be afford by your creative imagination. The items mentioned above are traditionally used for decorations, but you can always come up with something new. Sell your creativity to others. In this way, you do not only help others but also yourself.  It is all about using your imagination and coming out with some interesting things, so if you have some old Christmas decors, always keep in mind that yes, they are old and rusty but you can always put magic to make some worse things great.