Holiday gift exchanges are fun, fun, fun! Even more so when it’s with a group of super creative and talented DIY bloggers from all over the US! We had one simple criteria..the gift had to be made. Of course I planned on making something coastal. I made a DIY beach themed Christmas ornament. My partner in creativity for this event is the talented Leslie from House Along The Way. I’m sharing today how I made my coastal Christmas tree ornament and I get to share what my secret Santa sent me as well! Looking for more ornament ideas? I collected 102 Handmade ornaments, you’re sure to find one you love.
I met Leslie last year at the Haven Bloggers Conference. She’s super nice and very creative! I happen to know that the beach has a special place in Leslie’s heart. So for my gift exchange I thought sending her a piece of our beach was an excellent idea!
Here’s what I used to make the DIY beach themed Christmas ornament for Leslie. I started out with a large clear plastic round ornament.
I collected a few of my favorite beachy items. Sand, driftwood, shells and couple starfish. Everything but the starfish came from our local beach.
Just because you can’t have enough glitter at Christmas, of course, I had to add some clear diamond dust glitter to the sand.
After adding the sand and shells, my DIY beach themed Christmas ornament was still looking kind of plain. So I decided to made a little beach sign out of paper and a wooden skewer. Hot glue worked great for putting it together. Here’s a little tip (because I learned the hard way) If you’re adding a sign, be sure to make the stake (skewer) long enough to go to the top of the ornament. The narrow ornament top will hold it upright. Otherwise, your sign will sadly lay on the bottom of your coastal Christmas ornament. 🙁
getting the sign into the ornament was easy, I wrapped the paper edges around a pencil and carefully slid it in. I straightened it out once it was in place.
To finish my ornament gift off I spray painted the ornament top with my favorite beachy blue color and topped it off with a twine and gold glitter ribbon bow.
Of course I had to take a photo at the beach where the sand and shells came from 🙂
And then I carefully boxed up my DIY beach themed Christmas ornament and sent if off to Leslie’s house.
A few days later…my box from Leslie arrived!
I absolutely LOVE the burlap sign she made. I have the perfect place for it too.
…and yes, Christmas is better at the beach! At least in our family!
Thank you Leslie!!
If you love a coastal Christmas, you’ll want to see my Coastal Wreath , Coastal Christmas Tree Ornament, and Silver and Gold Christmas Tree Ornaments .
But…wait! There’s more! Take a look at the rest of our talented group’s Christmas decorations below!
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Nancy says
What size ornament did you use? Thanks tons. Love this
Wendi says
Hi Nancy. That’s a good question. I believe I used the large size. It was about 3 – 4 inches across. Sorry I don’t have the exact size! Enjoy making your ornament!
Denise says
Love the ornament! Where did you get the base clear ornament? The ones I’m seeing online don’t have a hole at top large enough for even small shells? (Your shells don’t look teeny tiny but “average” small in size) Thamks for sharing your cute idea!
Denise
Wendi says
Hi Denise and thank you so much! The shells I used are pretty small. The ornament is about 3 – 4 inches across in size. I hope that helps, I know it’s not the exact size but I gave this ornament away as a gift and I have to go by memory! Thanks so much for your visit and I hope you make one!
Pastor Katie says
My granddaughter (a Texas native) got to see the beach for the first time in her 13 years this past summer. She found your beach ornament & asked me to make her & her brother each one. Gonna use sand from the beach they enjoyed SO much! ONLY problem & concern is shipping…Will UPS honor the “THIS SIDE UP” lettering all over the shipping box?! Shells will be hot glued barely touching, but using non-aerosol hair spray to secure sand as I DO glitter on other craft projects will be nearly impossible with the sand. Any hints??
Wendi says
Hi Pastor Katie 🙂 I’m certain that no one will ship and keep the right side up on the ornament, especially this time of year. I made one of these and shipped it to Spain a while back. I put the sane in a plastic baggie and let the people at the end put it in the ornament themselves. I hope that helps. Good luck and I love the idea that you’re using sand from a special place. I’m sure your Grandaughter will cherish her ornament!