If the thought of stocking up the craft box on top of everything else that needs doing this Christmas is an added stress, then take a look around your home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s amazing what you can create from what you\u2019ve got with no need to go to the shops. Reuse and recycle what you have around your house, turn on the carols, turn off the screens, then slow down and connect with your kids,\u201d says craft expert, Shannon Wong-Nizic, who runs online parenting resource, @ohcreativeday.<\/p>\n
Here are Shannon\u2019s top tips for creative, eco-friendly Christmas craft:<\/p>\n
1. Reuse and recycle<\/strong> \u2013 In a season where excess and over-spending is promoted, be inspired by what you already have at home and reuse and recycle to create new Christmas projects. Get in the habit of collecting household items such as toilet roll holders, cardboard, scrap paper and cereal packets that can be turned into works of art!<\/p>\n 2. Keep things simple and low-mess this festive season<\/strong> \u2013 Have a core set of materials for Christmas crafting that you can use again and again across different projects. For us, this means Pintor paint markers, scissors and sellotape. These items sit in a basket that can be pulled out at any time and packed up super quickly. I\u2019ll often just leave the basket on the table as an enticing invitation and my children devise their own creative festive projects.<\/p>\n 3. Craft connects us to loved ones far away<\/strong> \u2013 Handmade Christmas cards are such an easy but beautiful way to spread festive cheer, near and far. Try cutting up old cards and gift-tags, then re-make into new. It can be so rewarding to re-use old cards which often just get thrown away and creatively re-purpose them (and a cheaper alternative than buying new too!)<\/p>\n