How to Make Decorative Nutcrackers
Nutcrackers originated in Germany and were used to crack nuts for recipes and snacking. Traditional nutcrackers are made of wood, typically in the shape of a soldier. These nutcrackers open at the mouth by moving a wooden handle at the back of the nutcracker, and when the handle presses the mouth closed, the nut breaks. Decorative nutcrackers add holiday charm to your home or Christmas tree, and can be made to look like the real thing with just a few everyday items. This decorative nutcracker pattern is also an appropriate child's craft project for holiday parties or at home.
Things You'll Need
- Empty potato chip cans, both short and tall
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Black, red, flesh-color pieces of felt
- Black construction paper
- Yellow yarn
- Cotton batting
- Craft glue or tacky glue
- Buttons, ribbons or other decorations
Instructions
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1
Draw lines with a pencil on a potato chip can where the different colors of felt will go. Use black for the pants, red for the coat, flesh-colored for the head and black for the hat.
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2
Cut strips of felt the same widths as the lines you drew on the can, and glue them to the can by folding them around until they meet and gluing at the back. Let dry.
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3
Draw a line down the middle of the pant’s section and glue on a strip of yellow yard to show the legs of the nutcracker. Add a line of yarn with glue down the middle of the red jacket section to show where the jacket closes.
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4
Cut a small piece of red felt for the mouth and two small pieces of black felt for the two eyes.
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5
Draw a circle on black construction paper by tracing around the plastic cap from the potato chip can. Add a second line about 1 inch from the first line you drew. Cut around the outside circle, and then cut out the center circle. Slip the black ring down over the hat section and glue in place with a few drops of glue to create the hat band.
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6
Glue cotton batting to the face for a beard and to the bottom of the hat brim for hair. Look at pictures of nutcrackers and add other decorations to make your decorative nutcracker look as much like the real thing as possible. Let dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the shorter potato chip cans for decorative nutcrackers for your Christmas tree.
For both short and tall nutcrackers, make sure the open end of the can in on the bottom.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
