How to Make Christmas Ornaments From Fall Leaves

Pick out leaves that are bold and vibrant for your ornaments.

Take advantage of the vivid colors of fall. Collect leaves in brilliant hues and preserve them for holiday ornaments. Search for the bold red, orange, yellow or purple leaves from trees, such as maple, oak or sweet gum. Hang the ornaments around your tree for a natural touch to your Christmas tree. Or hook the ornaments on garland draped across your fireplace mantel. The bright colors of the leaves will add a pop of color to your holiday decor.

Things You'll Need

• 15 to 30 small leaves
• Spray paint, assorted colors including metallic
• Medium size pine cone
• Hot-glue gun
• Thin ribbon
• Clear glass ornament
• 1/4 tsp. glitter

Instructions

Leaf-adorned Pine Cones

1. Wipe off 15 to 30 small leaves to remove any dirt, dust or spiderwebs from both sides.

2. Spray paint the underside of leaves with white, gold, silver or copper. Spray paint pine cones using the same color paint as the leaves or a contrasting color or leave the pine cones natural, if desired.

3. Attach the stem end of a leaf to the bottom of the pine cone with hot glue. Turn the pine cone a quarter of a full turn. Add a second magnolia leaf to the pine cone by hot-gluing the stem in between the layers of the cone. Place the leaves with the spray painted side facing down.

4. Continue revolving the pine cone a quarter of a turn and attaching leaves into the cone. Space the leaves 1/2 to 1 inches apart, depending on how full you want the ornament.

5. Cut a piece of thin ribbon. Loop the ribbon and affix the ends to the top of the pine cone using hot glue so you can hang the ornament.

Leaf-filled Ornament

1. Remove the metal top from a clear glass ornament of any size. Pour 1/4 of a tsp. of colored or metallic glitter in the ornament.

2. Roll a fresh leaf lengthwise into a tube shape so it will fit into the opening of the ornament. Hold the rolled leaf by the stem and insert it into the ornament.

3. Apply hot glue to the top of the stem and press it into the inside of the metal top. Attach the metal top of the ornament in place. Attach a metal hook to the top of the ornament for hanging.

4. Shake the ornament gently so the curves of the leaf can catch small amounts of the glitter before hanging.

Tips & Warnings

• Use fresh leaves instead of dry leaves for these ornaments so they are less likely to crumble apart.

• Do not use any leaves with nits or egg sacks that most likely contain small bugs that will hatch inevitably.

References

• Kaboose: Magnolia or Poinsettia Flowers
• Apartment Therapy; Semi-Custom Tree Decor -- Clear Glass Ornaments; Regina Yunghans; Dec 2010

Resources

• Kids Crafts Online: How To Make Waxed Paper Leaves