What happens when you combine Christmas, a VBS decorator, and children’s ministry spaces? You get amazingly creative, super-affordable DIY Christmas decorations to delight kids of all ages.
Perhaps you’ve seen how VBS inspires kidmin leaders to transform church buildings and captivate kids’ imaginations each summer. Group’s VBS Decorating Designer has a knack for cooking up creative, crafty decorations using everyday items. So we gave her a challenge: Create over-the-top DIY Christmas decorations using mostly materials from children’s ministry supply closets. Then capture and describe how kidmin leaders can create their own versions to delight kids and families.
And did she ever deliver! We’re thrilled to share brand-new DIY Christmas decorations with you. Spruce up your holiday trimmings with these merry and bright decorations to invite kids to truly celebrate Jesus’ birth.
DIY Christmas Decorations to Deck Kidmin Halls
1. Tubular Christmas Tree
Tired of fluffing fake Christmas tree branches? Or perhaps you just don’t have room for a tree this year. Try this tubular tree instead! Wrapping paper and cardboard tubes stack on a 4-foot dowel to make this whimsical giving tree.
You’ll need:
- wrapping paper in shades of green
- wrapping paper tubes (or paper towel tubes)
- ½-inch dowel 4 feet long, painted green
- clear tape
- scissors
- flowerpot
- floral foam
- hot glue (optional)
Step 1. Begin by laying out the tubes and trimming them to create a tree shape. If needed, tape tubes together to create longer lengths.
Step 2. Once tubes are shaped like a Christmas tree, determine a pattern. Then wrap each tube with festive paper.
Step 3. Find the center of each tube. Use scissors to make an “X” on the center top and bottom so the dowel can pass through.
Step 4. Stack tubes one at a time onto the dowel. Glue or tape tubes to keep them from sliding.
Step 5. Put floral foam in the flowerpot. Turn the flowerpot upside down so the opening is facing the ground. Then push the dowel through the flowerpot and into the foam. (You may need to drill a hole in the flowerpot.)