How to make Traditional German Christmas decorations 

Do something a little different this winter school holidays. Make traditional German decorations for your Christmas in July, which can then be reused in December!

Hanging Christmas Tree Decorations

Walnut doves

These little birds are easy to make (with a little supervision) and can be adapted to any size and can be used with practically anything as the wings.

For traditional walnut doves, you will need:

1. 2 Walnut shell halves (crack them yourself for a delicious snack AND materials)
2. Stiff felt or cardboard
3. Markers
4. String / Ribbon
5. Hole Punch
6. Hot Glue Gun

Method

Trace and cut a bird shape out of the felt. Hole punch a small hole for the ribbon.

Let the creativity commence! Use markers to draw on the eyes and decorations for the bird. Don’t forget to decorate both sides.

Have an adult help hot glue the two halves of the walnut shell to either side of the bird.

String the ribbon through the hole and tie in a knot. Time to hang on the tree.

Extra fun: For a little more adventure, let the kids go exploring to try and find other ideas for wings. Feathers and leaves make nice additions, and why not add a small twig to glue to the dove’s mouth.

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 Beaded Stars

For the older ones (or even yourself), try making some traditional beaded snowflakes. You can make them whatever colour you like, but pearl or gold beads reflect the light beautifully.

You will need:

1. Pearl ended sewing pins (try to pick the same colour ends as your beads)
2. Beads
3. Cork rounds (can slice cork stoppers or cut rounds out of coasters)
4. String or sewing thread

Method:

            Cut your cork into small rounds approximately 1cm thick.

            Thread beads onto sewing pins

            Carefully stick pins into the edges of cork

            Repeat around the edge of the cork until you have a full star or snowflake.

            Tie the string around the base of one of the pins and tie the end in a knot.

            Hang on the tree with your Walnut doves and some bright ribbon bows.

Go all out! Tie your snowflakes together on one long string to have long strands of snowflake flurries. These can be tied up around the house, not only on the tree.