Enchanting Christmas Picture Frame Ideas You Can Do at Home

Every year it’s the same old decorations that come out of the box. We take them out the box of Christmas decorations, clean them up and place them out for display. At the end of season, back they go. Some may be looking a little tired. Decide on a change this year. Retire or restore some of these oldies (but goodies) and opt for some of these enchanting Christmas picture frame ideas. Okay, so some of us are emotionally attached to our decorations just the way they are and parting with them would bring undue stress. That’s fine. But, what’s terrific about these ideas is that some of them use your old decorations! Be proud of yourself because now you’re stepping into the “vintage” arena of design. Now that’s a step, isn’t it?

Does your manger display need a paint job? Preserve the life of your favorite scene by placing these figurines in a partitioned shadow box picture frame. Perform some quick touch ups with paint from a local craft store and let dry. Glue or tape your figurines so they don’t move when you move the box.

Preserve your smaller Christmas wreath by setting it in a picture frame. Whether you’re using natural or artificial materials, the beauty of your wreath can be viewed for many years to come. You might consider using a clear lacquer spray to encourage the pine needles to stay put.

Create a poinsettia print display using a picture frame. The pressed and dried leaves and colorful bracts of the poinsettia are lovely when accented with gold and silver colors. Consider using ribbons, braided cords or even paper and then, for a sparkling effect, try applying a glitter glue spray to the dried leaves.

Changing out your regular ones for glass picture frames will help to create your winter wonderland effect. Etched glass and frosted glass picture frames work well with almost anything. They will soften any effects that darker and bolder colored picture frames may have. This will help to create a wispy, whimsical effect of a snowy Christmas and may also contribute some sparkle when they catch the light.

Are you a Christmas card saver? A montage of Christmas cards set in a picture frame will add a distinctive and intimate touch to your home décor. Cut and paste your favorite parts of the card onto the backboard of a picture frame. If you’re not ready to put a scissors to your card just yet, consider placing the cards within a photo album.

Make use of your mistletoe all year long. Preserve your mistletoe with glycerin and set it in a gold colored or other colorfully designed picture frame. Learn how to preserve foliage with glycerin before attempting this. Another important factor to note is to be ready for kisses all year long!

Take a family photo every Christmas and display proudly on your wall during the holiday season. Consider using the glass frames mentioned above, but for an added effect, consider using glass picture frames that are decorated with metal artwork. The metal artwork adds a more dramatic effect to your family photos that will surely draw attention at family gatherings.

What makes these ideas great is that your memorabilia are preserved. The picture frames can be easily stored and retrieved. They can also remain as a part of your home décor well past the holiday season. Have fun making your enchanting home décor!

Keepsake Christmas Decorations – Part 2: Picture Christmas Wreath

Christmas memories always include the time I put aside for my children to make Christmas decorations. We love to make wall decorations and have many keepsakes of past Christmases, some 25 years old!  Remembering the activities that we shared making the decorations makes the holidays more special as you lovingly place your decorations on the walls. In the last article, Christmas Keepsake Decorations – Part 1, you saw how to make a “Rudolph Handmade Deer”, using your child’s hand for antlers. A perfect companion keepsake to place beside it is a Picture Christmas Wreath, using your child’s picture as the centerpiece.

 

Materials needed:  white poster board, red felt, scissors (both regular and Z edged), glue, green tempera paint, red wooden beads, tape, a protractor or 2 different sized bowls, some newspaper, and a picture of your child. If you can get your child’s picture in front of a Christmas tree, then it will really be cute! Doing these kinds of Christmas activities can make a family feel closer and helps make wonderful Christmas memories.

 

The first thing that you should do is draw 2 circles on the white poster board. The largest should be about 7 or 8″. The smaller circle should be 3 & ½ to 4 & ½” and centered in the middle of the larger circle. Let your child help you by cutting out the shapes. Use craft zigzag scissors to cut the outside edge on the larger circle like small Zs. Cutting the inner circle might be hard for children and they may need you to start the cut.

 

Next, lay down newspapers and let your child paint the larger circle with green tempera paint. It will be cute to see the ‘evergreen’ look or their brush strokes when it dries. While the paint is drying, take the 3 & ½ ” square cut red felt and draw a bow on it. The bow should use most of the square. The bow looks like a butterfly and the ribbon will be like an upside down V, about1″ wide and 1″ long. You should practice a few times until you get the design you like, then copy to the red felt square, and cut it.

 

Once the paint dries, you’re ready to assemble the wreath.  Turn the painted side down and tape the picture over the hole in the middle. Turn it over and check to see if the picture is centered. If the placement is good, then turn it back over and glue the edges to the wreath. Cut a 5″ circle from the white poster board and glue it over the picture, on the back.

 

You are now ready to finish the Christmas wreath. Attach the red bow with glue to the bottom of the wreath. Glue 5 red wooden beads on the wreath, like holly berries. Your child’s masterpiece is complete and ready to display alone or with the Rudolph Handmade deer. We enjoy making wall decorations that add Christmas spirit, memories and color to our home. If you and your family enjoyed this activity, then you can always use the remaining supplies to make other wreaths, and give them as Christmas presents from the child or family. More keepsake memory decorations will be explained in Keepsake Christmas Decorations

I am looking for Christmas cards that have a picture of the Arctic snowscape with the northern lights or?

aurora borelias on them. Either a website or snail mail address and it doesn’t have to be a yahoo business either.