Preschool Christmas Crafts: Snowman Ornament

By Sirena Van Schaik

Christmas trees are always so beautiful when I see them in the stores. They have all the best ornaments, the ones that are perfectly matched and expensive, and they have been put together by a professional. I am always awed by the beauty of them and sometimes I give a wistful sigh when I think about my tree at home since the ornaments aren’t perfectly matched and although I have several expensive sets, I have more inexpensive ornaments on the tree.

Of course, once I leave the store and walk in the door, I remember that I do in fact, have the most beautiful tree around. It has nothing to do with the cost of the ornaments or how many match and has everything to do with the number of ornaments on my tree that were made by my children. Sure, they may not be the most refined but they were lovingly crafted and each one has a memory of a large smile greeting my gaze as I hold up my Christmas present.

So, my tree isn’t hung with baubles and expensive ornaments but is instead, hung with memories that are shining bright and beautiful for the world to see.

For this reason, I love making ornaments with my children and I have made a few over the years. Generally, the crafts are easy to make and require very little help on your part for your child to make.

And this brings us to our very cute snowman ornament. It is easy to make, and can be done in a very short time.

What you need:

• 3 wooden balls: The size really depends on how large of an ornament you want and what your end look will be but generally, you want three balls with each one being slightly smaller than the first, just like when you make a snowman.
• Wooden thimble: You can find these at many craft stores, usually in the same area that you found the balls.
• White paint: Use acrylic so it sticks to the wood better.
• Black paint: For the top hat, face detail and buttons, again, use acrylic.
• Orange paint: For the nose, again, use acrylic.
• Wire: Find a medium gauge wire that can be bent easily but is still strong enough to hold the ornament up on the tree.
• Drill: You will need a drill to put holes in each wooden ball. Usually one with a ¼ inch bit.
• Hot Glue: This is one of the only times that I will use hot glue but you need it to make sure the holes are plugged.
• Wire cutters: to cut the wire.
• Clear coat sealer

Directions:

1. Drill a hole through the center of each ball. It should be clean through so the wire can be threaded through the balls. Also drill a hole through the thimble so the wire can be threaded through it.
2. In the ball that is medium size, the one you will be using for the main body of the snowman, drill two more holes at the front mid-point of the snowman where you want the arms to go.
3. Prep the wooden balls at this point by sanding any rough spots. Make sure you sand around each drilled hole.
4. Paint each ball with the white paint. You will need to do this in stages so you can make sure you have full coverage. Allow to dry completely.
5. Paint the thimble with black paint and allow to dry.
6. Cut a piece of wire that allows about 4 inches of overhang after you attach the ornament.
7. Create a loop at one end and then thread the balls, starting with the biggest and working up to the smallest on the wire.
8. Thread the top hat onto the top of the snowman and bend the remaining wire into a hook for hanging.
9. Cut two more pieces of wire, about 6 inches in length and fold them in half and twist them together.
10. Put them into the holes on the middle ball that you drilled for the arms.
11. Glue into place with the hot glue gun.
12. Secure the bottom ball to the loop with the glue but allow the others to move freely on the wire.
13. Add the embellishments by painting on the buttons, nose and face details.

Hang on your tree or wrap up to use as a Christmas present.