Deck the Halls with Handmade Goodness, Host an Ornament Exchange

For the last 6 years I have hosted a handmade Christmas ornament exchange with friends or groups that I’m involved with.  I love making ornaments and the absolute best part is having a tree covered in hand made goodness.  Every year through the exchange I get (and give) around 15 ornaments so I have over 60 hand made beauties hanging on my tree.

The way it works is that people sign up and commit to making ornaments, the number depends on how many sign-up. If 15 people sign up then everyone makes 15  identical ornaments (this includes one for themselves).  Once the sign-up is closed the participants are notified as to how many ornaments they have to make and by when.  I have found in past years that groups of 15 and under work best.  If you have a larger group sign up you could split them into two gropus.

The ornaments can be as simple or as complex as the person making them wants them to be. The only rule is that they must be handmade NOT store brought!

Once the ornaments are completed they are then either dropped off to the host/hostess ahead of time or brought with the person to the actual exchange.  For the last 6 years I have asked everyone to get them to me ahead of time so I can have them all sorted in a nice bag before the exchange but people this year asked if they could just bring them with them the day of so that’s what I’m doing.  I’ll let you all know how it works out.

The actual exchange happens at the host/hostess’ house with wine, cheese and merriment!  The last an final thing is to place all of those wonderful hand made ornaments on your tree.

More on Ornaments

• 5 Places to Hang Your Ornaments – Other than on a Tree (apartmenttherapy.com)
• How to Make a Tiny Gingerbread House Ornament (CraftyPod.com)
• Handmade Ornaments Galore (allendesigns.typepad.com)
• Create beautiful handmade ornaments… in a snap! (inkitup.typepad.com)
• How-to Customized Drawing-Free Ornaments (craftzine.com)