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Make Free Christmas Crafts

Updated on September 29, 2016
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Sweetiepie is an artist and a blogger. See more of her artwork by visiting the website listed on her profile page.

Crafting projects are perfect for the holiday season. Also, I love to paint and draw, and Christmas allows me to do quite a bit of that. I took a few art classes in high school and college, but it was in my late twenties I rediscovered my inner artist. Some days I would like to devote more time to painting, drawing, and crafting, but I do at least try to do a few project each month. Christmas is a wonderful time to make free crafts from objects that are already in your home.

Not only can you make your own cute decorations, but these also make thoughtful gifts for family and friends. In this economy many of us are experiencing financial difficulties, and just do not have the funds to spend on elaborate gifts at the store. During the last couple of years, I actually have made handcrafted gifts for most people I know, and it gives me a true sense of satisfaction. I have bought little items here and there, but my philosophy about Christmas gift giving has completely changed. Most likely within a few years many people clear out their closets and get rid of many of their Christmas gifts, so why spend lots of money on something that might just be thrown away?

Free Christmas crafts are ideal because you can create cute decorations people would keep from year to year for decorating. Even if some unthoughtful friend or relative does throw away your creation, at least you created it for a very small amount of money, as opposed to spending hundreds on an electronic device some will send to the Good Will once it is a year out of date. Think I am exaggerating? I knew someone that was gifted a Palm Pilot back in 2000 and had no need for it, so it went unused for years, eventually being donated during a spring house cleaning. I am not trying to be overly cheap here, but one of the reasons so many people are in debt is because they shop, and charge up their credit cards during the holiday season. This hub will give you the alternative of making some free Christmas crafts for family or friends.

How To Make A Gingerbread Boy Ornament

Turn this cute cross stitched gingerbread boy into a magnet for your fridge.
Turn this cute cross stitched gingerbread boy into a magnet for your fridge.

Take a glance at the pictures to see step by step instructions on how I created this cute, and might I add free, holiday ornament.  If you put magnets on the back it is a great way to show off those Christmas cards. By adding a ribbon the gingerbread boy turns into an ornament for the Christmas tree.

Step One: Sketch Out The Head

Sketch the head of the gingerbread man onto the cardstock template.
Sketch the head of the gingerbread man onto the cardstock template.

Step Two: Sketch Out The Gingerbread Boy

Fold the card stock in half, and make sure the half head is equal on both sides.  Use the scissors to even out if it is not.  Next, draw half of the gingerbread boy's body onto the card stock.  Cut the figure out of the card stock.
Fold the card stock in half, and make sure the half head is equal on both sides. Use the scissors to even out if it is not. Next, draw half of the gingerbread boy's body onto the card stock. Cut the figure out of the card stock.

Step Three: Unfold The Gingerbread Boy

Unfold the gingerbread boy.
Unfold the gingerbread boy.

Step Four: Use The Gingerbread Cut-out As A Template

Use a permanent marker to trace around the gingerbread template.
Use a permanent marker to trace around the gingerbread template.

Step Four: Cut Out The Gingerbread Boy

I used scissors to cut out the gingerbread man.
I used scissors to cut out the gingerbread man.

Step Five: Stitch On The Collar

In this step I am stitching on the gingerbread boy's collar.
In this step I am stitching on the gingerbread boy's collar.

Step Six: Stitch On The Right Hand Cuff

Here I am stitching on the gingerbread boy's white hand cuff.
Here I am stitching on the gingerbread boy's white hand cuff.

Step Seven: Add The Left Hand Cuff

Here I stitched on the right hand cuff.
Here I stitched on the right hand cuff.

Step Eight: Stitch On The Red Stripe On The Bottom of The Sweater

Here I stitch on the red bottom band of the sweater.
Here I stitch on the red bottom band of the sweater.

Step Nine: Stitch On The Buttons

Here I cross stitched three buttons onto the gingerbread man's sweater.
Here I cross stitched three buttons onto the gingerbread man's sweater.

Step Ten: Stitch On The White Sweater

Here I cross stitched on the gingerbread boy's white sweater.  Red and white are festive colors for the holiday season.
Here I cross stitched on the gingerbread boy's white sweater. Red and white are festive colors for the holiday season.

Step Eleven: Stitch On The Eyes And Nose

Here I stitched on the eye's and nose of my cutie pie gingerbread guy.
Here I stitched on the eye's and nose of my cutie pie gingerbread guy.

Step Twelve: Stitch On His Smile

Here I am stitching on that lovely gingerbread smile.  It looks like the yummy frosting I would ice onto a real gingerbread man!
Here I am stitching on that lovely gingerbread smile. It looks like the yummy frosting I would ice onto a real gingerbread man!

Step Thirteen: Stitch On The Face

Stitch on the Gingerbread boy's face.
Stitch on the Gingerbread boy's face.

Step Fourteen: Add The Hands

Stitch on the gingerbread boy's hands.
Stitch on the gingerbread boy's hands.

Step Fifteen: Begin Stitching On The Legs

Here I am stitching on the gingerbread boy's legs.
Here I am stitching on the gingerbread boy's legs.

Step Sixteen: Take A Look At The Completed Gingerbread Boy

Here I made sure the gingerbread boy was cross stitched neatly.
Here I made sure the gingerbread boy was cross stitched neatly.

Step Seventeen: Add The Magnets

In this step of the process I am adding the magnets to the back of my gingerbread boy.
In this step of the process I am adding the magnets to the back of my gingerbread boy.

Step Eighteen: Enjoy Your New Fridge Magnet

Now I have a festive Christmas ornament for my fridge.
Now I have a festive Christmas ornament for my fridge.

More Free (Or Inexpensive) Christmas Decorations

Here are some other cool, and free Christmas decorations you can make. The good news is most of the supplies needed are already on hand, so the cost is practically none!

A Miniature Christmas Wreath

Create a sparkly wreath decoration with pipe cleaners.
Create a sparkly wreath decoration with pipe cleaners.

Would you like to create a fun and unusual Christmas tree decoration? These miniature wreaths made out of sparkly pipe cleaners could add sparkle and flair to any tree. Do not have a tree? Then hang a few on the wall instead.

A Cross Stitched Candy Cane

Make a cute cross stitched candy cane for the Christmas tree.
Make a cute cross stitched candy cane for the Christmas tree.

This cross stitched candy cane would be cute to hang on the Christmas tree, or on the wall.  These make charming gifts as well.

Make Snowflakes

Make cute snowflakes to decorate this holiday season.
Make cute snowflakes to decorate this holiday season.

Paper snowflakes are free Christmas decorations most anyone can create, especially since these can be made out of paper just lying around. Most people I know have paper in their homes.

Make Your Own Christmas Cards

I like to make my own Christmas cards.
I like to make my own Christmas cards.

Also, remember you can save money this holiday season by making Christmas cards for family and friends. The ones I make each year are quite a hit, and several people have told me it means more to receive something handmade.  Have fun making crafts for decorations and gifts this holiday season!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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