Four ways to get your kids crafty on a budget this Christmas

DRESS your Christmas tree with creations by the children for sentimental festive style on a shoestring budget.

Here are great ideas for easy decorations to make yourself. 

PIMP A PINE CONE: Hunt for cones with your little ones in the woods, or Hobbycraft stocks them from £3.

The kids can then paint them with glitter or bright colours. Cut some string long enough to attach to the cone, glue or tie it to the bottom to form a loop and hang on the tree.

If you have old ribbon, it looks fab in a bow around on top of the pine cone, with the ribbon ends hanging.

LITTLE DAZZLER: Draw and cut out star shapes in cardboard as a base for the decoration.

Then cut smaller star shapes of different sizes out of coloured paper, old bits of wrapping paper or white paper, which you can paint.

Mix and match the stars, sticking smaller ones on the bigger shapes. Finish by looping string or yarn through the end of a point to hang.

DOUGH FOR IT: Create a batch of salt dough by mixing one cup of flour to half a cup of water and half a cup of salt. Children can cut out Christmas shapes with cookie cutters — The Works sells a pack of ten for £3.

Use a straw to poke a hole at the top of each decoration ready for hanging. Then bake the shapes in the oven on a low heat for around two hours until they are hard.

The kids can paint the decorations with festive colours and glitter and use ribbon to hang.

SNOWFLAKES: Re-purpose some old wooden lolly sticks for a Christmas feature, or you can buy packs for £1.50 from Hobbycraft.

Children can then get creative decorating each stick. Take two sticks and glue together to make an “X”; shape.

When dry, stick two of the crosses to each other to give a snowflake shape. Hang after gluing a ribbon or string loop to the back.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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