How to Make Tin Punched Christmas Ornaments

Crafters have been making tin punched Christmas ornaments since pioneer times. You can revive this nearly forgotten art to make your own tin punched Christmas ornaments. It's an appropriate project for adults and older kids, and an economical way to produce distinctive Christmas ornaments.

Things You'll Need

• Metal lids from biscuit cans or frozen juice cans
• White paper
• Pencil
• Scotch tape
• Block of sturdy wood
• Hammer
• Nail
• Glue
• Embellishments such as glitter or lace
• Ribbon or yarn for hanging

Instructions

1. Put the metal lid on a piece of white paper and trace around it with a pencil.

2. Draw dots on the paper circle in a Christmas-themed, pattern such as a star, candy cane, gingerbread man or a Christmas tree.

3. Tape the paper circle to the metal lid.

4. Put the metal lid on a block of wood, and use the hammer and a nail to punch a hole for each dot. If you create a hole that goes entirely through the metal lid, it will create a lantern effect when you hang it in front of Christmas lights. If you hammer only part way through, the result will be three-dimensional.

5. Remove the paper pattern and poke a hole in the top hang the tin punched Christmas ornament.

6. Glue ribbon or lace around the edge of the Christmas ornament, or leave it plain. Tie a piece of ribbon or yarn through the hole in the top of the ornament.