I sent off my package this week for the Holiday Traditions Exchange by Montessori By Hand. I had trouble getting in contact with my swap partner at first, so Meg helped set me up with a new partner who also was having difficulty contacting her swap partner. My new swap partner doesn’t have a blog, but she’s a preschool teacher outside of Boston.
This swap asked for:
One handmade holiday decoration. Decorations made from any kind of medium are acceptable – from fabric to yarn, paper to paint.- Your favorite holiday recipe.
- A “Tradition†Tutorial. This is description of one of your family’s special holiday traditions.
- In addition, you could send a mix CD of your favorite holiday tunes, or a special book that is a seasonal classic in your family.
I had a little difficulty with this because Thomas and I haven’t built traditions together yet, but after thinking about what would really represent both of us, I decided to make ornaments for wild birds. As I made her set, I also made one for Thomas and I to decorate in our yard. We have had tons of birds recently at our feeders, so I’m eager to see what birds like which ornaments.
And now on to…Christmas is for the Birds.
Note: All of these ornaments are made with natural foods that can be eaten by birds. They are strung with either 100% cotton or raffia that can later be used by the birds in nests.
The Fruit Wreath
For this ornament, I strung dried oranges and pears with cranberries on thread and then tied it in a loop. This is one my favorites. It was very easy to make and the fruit smelled wonderful. To dry the fruit, I suggest putting them in the oven at a very low temperature – I burned a few on my first try and actually bought some dried fruit in the end.
The Birdseed Pine Cone
This is an oldie but goodie, and very easy for kids to make. Smear a pine cone with peanut butter and then roll it around in birdseed.
The Orange Peel Basket
This was another of my favorites. Cut two quarters into an orange, and be sure to leave the middle for the handle. Carve our the orange inside like carving a pumpkin. Fill the basket with fresh cranberries.
Birdseed Covered Bread Shapes
For this one, cut out shapes in bread with cookie cutters. Brush the bread in egg whites to act as glue and sprinkle with birdseed. Bake in the oven at 350 for 5 minutes.
Popcorn and Cranberry Garland
This was another favorite. I made this while watching Mary Poppins on TV. String popcorn and fresh cranberries. Be sure to use unsalted and unbuttered popcorn. I put the cranberries in the fridge to make them firmer and easier to string. Tie a cranberry at the ends so the popcorn doesn’t fall off.
So my swap partner didn’t just get a bunch of spoiled food in her package, I also included a birdhouse ornament for her indoors tree, and some printouts of typical Swedish holidays, including St. Lucia’s Day, Advent, and Christmas Eve. She said her package to me should arrive early next week. I can’t wait to see what tradition she shared.
Related posts:
These are really great. You did a great job.
I really love these. Especially the one with dried oranges. I like that they can take the string when the food is all gone and still do something birdy and useful with it!
What a lovely idea – the blackbirds are stripping my pyracantha of it’s berries very happily just now, but they are nearly all gone so perhaps some bird ornaments would be fun for them.
Those are great ideas, and so pretty! I esp. like the birdseed on the bread idea…that looks like something the boys would be good at. We did the birdseed pinecones last year and it was SO messy…but I think the bread would be do-able.
Hi Dallas, its me – your holiday traditions swap partner. Wes, my partner, and I hung the bird ornaments out in our backyard yesterday.
We are in the middle of a blizzard – but I saw several birds – mostly starlings and one blue jay – busily peeking at the various goodies. They seemed mostly attracted to the bread and seed ones. A big fat squirrel joined them – so the birds went to the piling snow for their much needed winter fuel. We really enjoyed hanging them. Thanks again from me and the Boston birds.
What a wonderful swap package! I love the photos on your blog..the one of the woodpecker was amazing. I’m hoping to try out some of the bird treat ideas later this week. I’d been thinking that this would make a good present for my kids teachers! The kids would adore making these culinary treats and have great fun packing them up as gifts. THANK YOU! Even though i had the idea in my head your photos are perfect in explaining to my oung ones what Mumma is actually talking about!!!
Happy holidays
xxx
(Oh i found your blog from domesticali…i was really admiring the bird you made her. Love the colours.)
I love all of them. You spent some time there, I hope the birds appreciate it. :)
What a fabulous theme for your partner gift! Love all the ideas for home-made bird treat/ornaments.
[...] little blue mitten ornament is from my Holiday Traditions Swap partner. I’m so behind on posting photos, but I thought I’d sneak it in there. She sent that, a [...]