Christmas Decorating Ideas

Mason Jar Snowmen

These Mason Jar Snowmen are a great project for kids to help create; they make wonderful gifts for teachers and neighbors when filled with homemade holiday goodies.

Materials and Tools:

large glass or plastic jar, such as a Mason jar or clean mayonnaise jar
1 cup lukewarm water
medium bowl
craft glue, such as Elmer's School Glue or Eileen's Tacky Glue
5 large sheets white tissue paper
scissors
6" plastic foam ball
knife to cut foam ball
white craft paint
hot glue gun
empty toilet paper roll
sheet of thin cardboard (an old gift box or card stock will do)
blue craft paint
paint brush
silver glitter
small beaded eyes
orange Tic Tacs
small plastic gems or small buttons
2" wired ribbon
small red bow
1 red pipe cleaner

Steps:

1. Clean jar thoroughly and allow to dry. Paint lid with white craft paint, let dry completely.

2. Cut tissue paper into two-inch wide by five-inch long strips.

3. Mix together water and glue to make decoupage mixture. Use approx 1/3-cup of glue, enough to make mixture tacky but not too thin.

4. Gently dip tissue strips in decoupage mixture. Carefully slide each strip through index and middle finger to remove excess mixture. Beginning at the bottom, apply strips to jar, overlapping each course, until the jar is fully covered. Smooth out strips as you apply them to eliminate air bubbles. Let jar dry thoroughly overnight.

5. To create the snowman's hat, slice toilet paper roll into 2-1/2 inch sections. Using toilet paper roll as a template, trace onto cardboard to create a same size circle for the top of a hat and a larger circle for hat's bottom. Glue on both circles and allow to dry.

6. Paint the hat blue. Once hat has dried apply thin coat of glue and sprinkle glitter onto hat.

7. To create the snowman's face, cut away a section of the plastic foam ball, creating a flat bottom so it will sit flush against the jar lid. Attach plastic foam ball to jar lid with hot glue.

8. Attach hat to Snowman's head with hot glue, if necessary cut away a section of the plastic foam ball so hat will fit securely.

9. Cut one-inch piece of red pipe cleaner and hot glue on to create snowman's smile.

10. Using hot glue, attach snowman's eyes and orange Tic Tac nose to snowman's head and glue three buttons or sequins to front of jar.

11. Tie ribbon around the neck of the jar, shape wired ribbon to create fullness. Add small red bow to the center of each ribbon.

12. Fill the jar with holiday treats.