Have you ever received a gift that touched your heart? What was it about that gift that made you feel that way? Was the gift expensive? Was the gift something you had been wanting? Was the gift something that the giver put a lot of thought into and picked something special just for you?
Personalized Ornaments are not just for Christmas anymore. As an ornament maker for over 15 years, I have had people buy special ornaments for their loved ones and friends year around. For new babies, new graduates, teachers, bus drivers, hair dressers, new mothers or grandmothers, and for newly marrieds or engaged couples are among the occasions that people with give an ornament as a gift. Some ornaments that are not particularly "Christmasy" looking can even be used as small wall hangings. You can buy ornaments for other holidays too such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and 4th of July.
What are the advantages of giving a personalized ornament as a gift?
Well, for starters, they are personal. It's something special, and unique for that person alone. You give that same ornament with the same things written on it to someone else, and odds are that person will not appreciate it. The ornament is personal to the recipient alone. It shows that you thought about the "giftee" and did not just grab anything off the shelf at Walmart.
Another advantage to giving personalized ornaments is that they are relatively inexpensive. Most of them range from $5 to $20. Where else can you get something handcrafted and unique for such a reasonable price?
Where can you find Personalized Christmas ornaments? There was a time when craft shows were the only place they were available. Now, although craft shows are still a good option, you can also find them on the internet, and you can make your own (there are plenty of tutorials, and booklets on this). You can also sometimes find them at mass retailers but you are not going to get something handcrafted there and you are very limited on what personalization you can have on them.
Tradition is a major reason people buy or make personalized Christmas tree ornaments. Something that alot of my customers do is collect personalized Christmas ornaments. They get a new ornament for their kids and/or their family every year. One woman buys every new ornament that I have out that year. Her tree is nothing but personalized ornaments and red glass balls. Really pretty.
Collecting personalized ornaments year after year chronicles the life of your family. You can see when new children were born, special occasions happened and of course there are memories of prior Christmases attached to each ornament.
If you prefer, you and your kids could start a tradition every year of making family members their own personalized ornament. Polymer clay is readily available in craft stores. Home made dough recipes are made from salt and flour, bread, or apple sauce and cinnamon for a fragrant scent. Below is a simple salt dough recipe.
Simple Salt Dough Recipe
2 c. flour
1 c. salt
1 c. water
Store these ornaments in a airtight bag in a cool, dry place away from possible infestation from rodents or bugs. Ornaments that you buy are sometimes made from this type of dough & require the same care but usually they are made from polymer clay or resin, are quite durable and will last pretty much forever.
So take the plunge. Make someone feel special. Or treat yourself. Start new family traditions. You won't regret it!
- Mix flour and salt.
- Add water, a little at a time and knead until dough is smooth.
- Roll out dough and use cookie cutters to create shapes. Or sculpt your ornament free hand.
- Make a hole for the hanger with a straw or skewer.
- For sculpted ornaments, use wire cutters and cut a paper clip in half. Stick the points of one of the rounded wires from the clip into the ornament and pull out. Dip the points in a white household glue and place back in ornament.
You can decorate with acrylic paints, glue on buttons, sequins, ric rac, and sprinkle glitter over wet paint. When dry, seal with an acrylic sealer. Personalize with permanent markers.
No comments:
Post a Comment