New Year Tree…

The unforgettable aroma of fresh pine and bedazzling sight of twinkling gold lights are as identifiable with Christmas as Santa and sleigh bells. For many, Christmas trees symbolize the warmth and spirit of the holiday season and tree decorating has become the ultimate seasonal art form.

According to Christian lore, the first Christmas tree originated in Germany around 700 B.C., but the custom didn’t become widely recognized until the 18th century. Germany’s Prince Albert, husband to England’s Queen Victoria, is credited with spreading the tradition throughout Europe. The royal couple were said to have a tree, adorned with apples, placed in the Palace every year at Christmas.

Early iterations of the Christmas tree featured hand blown glass ornaments, homemade sculptures, nuts, fruit and candles, which were lit in celebration of Christmas Eve and Christmas night. Today, the candles have been replaced with light bulbs and plastic usually takes the place of hand blown glass, but the homemade crafts never seem to get old. DIY ornaments can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, clay, dough, textiles - even household items.

Making ornaments with Orange Elephant products is easy as 1, 2, 3. To make a signature Christmas ball you need:

· 2 shades of Orange Elephant A-Clay - We use red and white in the demo below, but feel free to mix it up.
· Gold Deco paint
· 1 shade of A-Ball Clay
· Plastic pizza cutter
· Scissors
· Paper clip/Wire
· String/ribbon

Roll your red A-Clay into a ball and attach your clip or mold your wire into a horseshoe shape and stick into the top of the ball.

Roll out a long, flat piece of white A-Clay that will fit around your ball (you can use a rolling pin to accomplish this). Use the plastic pizza cutter on the clay to create unique edges and wrap the piece around the middle of your ball.

Break apart some small, round pieces of A-Ball clay and stick them on your ball. Outline the decorative edges of the ball with the gold DECO paint.

Add any other embellishments you want. When you are finished, tie your string or ribbon through the clip and leave it to dry.
In 2-3 hours, viol?…your ornament is ready to be hung!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fun fact:
The world's biggest Christmas tree decoration - a blue ball with a snowflake pattern, made of polystyrene and rubber - was crafted in 2003 and weighed in at a ton, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!