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Melted Crayon Christmas Ornaments: A Creative Craft for the Festive Season

The festive season beckons with an array of delightful traditions, and among them lies the joy of crafting. One of the most enchanting and eco-friendly activities that can infuse colour and creativity into your holiday décor is making Melted Crayon Christmas Ornaments. Not only is this craft a wonderful way to reuse broken or discarded crayons, but it also results in stunning, customised ornaments that can be cherished for years to come.

What You’ll Need

Before embarking on this colourful adventure, gather the following materials:

• Broken Crayons: Any colours you wish! It’s a great way to use up those bits and pieces lurking at the bottom of your child’s art box.
• Silicone Moulds: Choose festive shapes like stars, Christmas trees, or even intricate baubles. The flexibility of silicone makes them easy to pop out.
• Oven or Hot Plate: For melting the crayons, an oven is ideal, but a hot plate can also work if you’re cautious.
• Baking Tray: If using the oven, a tray will help with stability.
• String or Ribbon: This is for hanging your beautiful creations on the Christmas tree.
• Safety Gear: A pair of gloves and goggles can be wise to have on hand, especially if children are helping out.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Ornaments

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 150°C (300°F). If you are using a hot plate, ensure it’s on a low setting, as you want to melt the crayons gradually without burning them.

Step 2: Prepare the Crayons
Remove the paper wrappers from the crayons and break them into smaller pieces, about 1-2 cm long. You can mix and match colours to create your own custom blends, or stick to a single shade for a more uniform look.

Step 3: Fill the Moulds
Place the crayon pieces into the silicone moulds. Be creative — you can layer different colours to achieve a marbled effect or stack them to realise a nice gradient.

Step 4: Melting the Crayons
Place the moulds on the baking tray and carefully put them in the oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, keeping a watchful eye. The goal is to melt the crayons completely without letting them dry out or burn. If using a hot plate, melt the crayons slowly, stirring gently until they are liquid.

Step 5: Cooling and Release
Once melted, take the tray out of the oven (use oven mitts!) and allow the moulds to cool for a few minutes. As the crayons cool, they will solidify fairly quickly. Once they are cool to the touch, flex the silicone moulds to release the ornaments.

Step 6: Attaching Hanging Mechanisms
Use a small drill or a sharp object to create a hole at the top of each ornament if you desire. Thread your string or ribbon through the hole, securing it with a knot to create a loop for hanging.

Decorating and Personal Touches

While your ornaments are stunning on their own, you might wish to add a personal touch. Consider decorating them with glitter, paint, or even stickers to add extra flair. For an even more bespoke touch, you could add the year or a festive message using a fine-tip permanent marker.

Eco-Friendly Festivities

Creating Melted Crayon Christmas Ornaments not only offers a unique aesthetic to your holiday décor, but it also promotes sustainability. By repurposing old crayons, you are reducing waste and showing children the value of upcycling. It is a perfect activity for families, schools, or community groups wanting to foster creativity while emphasising environmental consciousness.

Conclusion

As the holiday season approaches, make crafting Melted Crayon Christmas Ornaments a family tradition. Not only will you create beautiful decorations that will elevate your festive spirit, but you will also embed lasting memories through this shared activity. Gather your materials, let your imagination run wild, and enjoy the magic of creating something special for your home, all while celebrating the spirit of recycling and creativity.

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