Sparkly Snowflakes

Christmas ornaments so easy a 2 year can (and did) make them.

You will need:

• Popsicle sticks
• Glitter
• Sparkly sequins
• Ribbon, cut into 4-inch strips
• Glue
• Glue gun* (optional)

How to:

1. For each snowflake use four popsicle sticks. I found it easiest to make two "X"s with two sticks and then layer each "X" on top of one another in a star pattern.
2. Let dry completely.
3. Spread glue on to each snowflake.
4. Sprinkle generously with glitter.
5. Add dabs of glue and press sequins on.
6. Using glue gun (or glue) attach ribbon on to back side of ornament in a loop.

Thoughts:

My sister started our family tradition of our boys making Christmas ornaments for family members each year and it has become the gift I most look forward to each year. If you choose to start a tradition like this, be sure to enclose a picture of your child making or holding the finished product.

This sparkly snowflake was Elliott's 2009 ornament.

Anything involving shaking a big bottle of glitter will be a huge success in this house and this ornament was no exception. However, the real fun in this craft was apparently in upturning the bag-o-sequins. Over. And. Over. For those of you wondering, picking up sequins is ever so fun. Our sequins have made multiple appearances for different crafts and pouring them on to the floor is par for the course. I don't even bat an eye anymore and I'm no longer above vacuuming the stray suckers right up.

*Notes:
I hesitated to suggest using a glue gun with this craft after seeing one of my husband's co-worker's hands from a hot glue gun accident. Seriously, layers of skin gone. Layers! (Google it to see just how severe these burns can be!) However, I did find that attaching the ribbon loop to the ornament just worked better using a glue gun. If you choose to use one, use caution, especially with little ones. I won't let the boy near my glue gun.