Creative Ways To Upcycle Plastic Christmas Balls

what to do with plastic christmas balls

Plastic Christmas balls can be used in a variety of ways to create unique decorations. They can be filled with items such as glitter, fake snow, pom-poms, or small trinkets and charms. They can also be painted or covered with tissue paper, yarn, or twine. These decorations are inexpensive, easy to make, and can be adapted to fit any colour scheme or theme. They are a great option for those who want to create homemade ornaments without spending a lot of time or money.

Characteristics Values
Cost Inexpensive
Time Quick to assemble
Craft Fill with shredded paper, glitter, pom-poms, paint, etc.
Age Suitable for children
Occasion Christmas

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Fill with pom-poms, yarn scraps, or shredded paper

Filling plastic Christmas balls with pom-poms, yarn scraps, or shredded paper is a fun and easy craft activity for kids and adults alike. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating these unique decorations:

Prepare the Materials:

Firstly, gather your supplies. For filling, you can use colourful pom-poms, yarn scraps, or shredded paper. You can even make your own pom-poms from yarn scraps, creating unique and colourful pom-poms with various textures. Clear plastic ornament balls are ideal for this craft, as they showcase the fillings. You will also need a paintbrush, Mod Podge or glue, and optional decorations like glitter or paint.

Fill the Balls:

Start by removing the lid or plug from the plastic ornament ball. If using pom-poms, stuff them into the ball one at a time until it is full. For yarn scraps, you can fill the ball directly or make scrap yarn pom-poms first and then stuff them into the ball. With shredded paper, you can fill the ball to your liking and even add artificial snow or glitter for extra sparkle.

Decorate and Personalise:

Once the ball is filled, you can decorate the outside with paint, glitter, or stickers. You can also add a personal touch by labelling the ornament with a name and the year. This craft is versatile, so feel free to experiment with different fillings and decorations to create unique ornaments.

Display and Enjoy:

Finally, replace the lid or plug on the ornament, and it's ready to hang on your Christmas tree or display as a festive decoration. These DIY ornaments make great gifts and can be treasured for years to come. Enjoy the satisfaction of creating something fun and festive while also finding a creative use for leftover craft supplies!

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Coat inside with paint, glitter, or Polycrylic

Painting plastic Christmas balls is a great way to transform them into beautiful, unique decorations. If you want to coat the inside of a clear plastic ornament with paint, glitter, or Polycrylic, here are some steps you can follow:

First, remove the top of the ornament. If you plan to use paint, you can apply a primer first, such as Kilz spray primer, and then use acrylic craft paint. You can also use spray paint, such as copper spray paint, or regular craft paint with various brush sizes to create abstract designs. Let the paint dry, and then add more paint or decorations if needed.

If you want to add glitter to the inside of your ornament, you can coat the inside with a layer of Polycrylic, which can be found at Walmart and will give your ornament a shiny finish and strong hold. Gently swirl the ornament around until the entire inside is coated. Dump out any excess Polycrylic. Then, use a piece of rolled-up paper as a funnel to pour glitter into the ornament. Cover the opening with a paper towel and shake until the inside is thoroughly coated. If needed, add more glitter and shake again. Finally, dump out any excess glitter.

You can also get creative and experiment with different materials inside your plastic ornaments, such as shredded book pages, sheet music, artificial snow, or felt balls. These unique decorations will surely add a personal touch to your Christmas tree!

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Decorate outside with twine, ribbon, or photos

There are many ways to decorate plastic Christmas balls with twine, ribbon, or photos. For a simple yet elegant look, you can wrap twine around the ornament, starting at the top of the ball and covering the metal hook. You can then add some flair with a ribbon in your chosen colour scheme.

If you want to include photos, you can cut them into small pieces and decoupage them onto the ornament with Mod Podge. First, cover half of the ball with Mod Podge using a paintbrush, then add your photo pieces. Once dry, you can go back and add more pieces to any missed spots.

For a unique time capsule ornament, you can fill the plastic ball with meaningful trinkets, gems, or charms, and add a special photo of your choice. You can also add fake snow, glitter, or Epsom salts for a wintry effect.

Another idea is to fill the ornament with pom-poms, which is a fun activity for kids, and then add a photo and label with a name and year.

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Fill with fake snow, trinkets, or charms

Filling plastic Christmas balls with fake snow, trinkets, or charms is a fun way to create unique decorations. This craft is simple, quick, and inexpensive, making it a great option for those short on time or money during the busy holiday season. Here are some ideas and tips to get you started:

Materials and Where to Find Them

You can find plastic Christmas balls at craft stores or online. They come in various sizes and styles, including clear balls and coloured options. Some have a removable top, while others separate into two parts, making filling easier.

For the fillings, you can use a variety of materials, many of which you may already have at home. Fake snow, also known as artificial snow, can be purchased from craft stores. You can also make your own snowy filling by using Epsom salts or sea salt, which creates a beautiful, icy effect. If you're looking for some sparkle, add some glitter to your snow or salt mixture.

Trinkets, charms, and small items with personal meaning can be used to add a special touch. You can find these at craft stores or use items you already own. Some ideas include small gems, confetti, letter beads, miniature candy canes, jingle bells, or shells.

Filling Ideas and Instructions

Once you have your materials, it's time to start filling! Here are some step-by-step instructions for different filling ideas:

Snowy Scene:

  • Remove the top or separate the plastic ball.
  • Pour in fake snow, filling it about halfway.
  • Add foil confetti, small trinkets, or charms for a personalised touch.
  • Replace the lid and shake gently to mix the contents.
  • Tie a ribbon at the top to match your Christmas theme or add a hanging hook.

I-Spy Ornament:

  • Sprinkle faux snow into the plastic ball.
  • Add a few small trinkets or charms that are meaningful or fun to find.
  • Replace the lid and shake gently to distribute the items.
  • Label with a name or date if desired.

Pom-Pom Ornament:

  • Remove the lid or top of the plastic ball.
  • Stuff the ball with colourful pom-poms, one at a time, until full.
  • Replace the lid and secure it in place.
  • Label with a name and year if desired.

Creative Options

You can get creative and experiment with different fillings and combinations. Try using colourful Sharpies and rubbing alcohol to create a marbled effect or fill the ball with items like seashells, moss, pearls, or even small toys to create unique decorations. These filled plastic Christmas balls can be hung on the tree, given as gifts, or used as festive decorations around the home.

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Make reindeer, penguin, or emoji ornaments

Plastic Christmas balls are a versatile craft material that can be used to create a variety of ornaments. Here are some ideas for making reindeer, penguin, or emoji ornaments using these plastic balls:

Reindeer Ornaments

Reindeer ornaments are a fun and easy craft for kids to make during the holiday season. Start by gathering some brown glitter and clear plastic ornament balls. You can either fill the balls with the glitter or coat the inside with brown paint. To make the reindeer face, you can use a Silhouette machine or hand-paint the face using a stencil. Add some holiday cheer to the outside of the ornament, such as a red nose and antlers.

Penguin Ornaments

For a cute and simple craft, try making penguin ornaments using plastic Christmas balls. You will need white filling, such as yarn, shredded paper, or poly-fil beads. First, transform your clear plastic ornament ball into a frosted glass background. You can do this by adding a layer of white paint or using artificial snow. Once dry, add black and orange details to create the penguin's face and beak. You can use a Sharpie or paint to create the features. Finish the ornament by gluing on some small pom-poms for the feet and a pipe cleaner for the penguin's hat.

Emoji Ornaments

Emoji ornaments are a fun and modern way to decorate your tree and involve filling clear plastic ornament balls. You can fill them with yellow glitter or coat the inside with yellow paint. Use a Silhouette machine or hand-paint emoji expressions using a stencil. Get creative and choose your favourite emojis to feature on your ornaments. You can also add some extra sparkle by including glitter or sequins inside the ornament.

Other Ideas

There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating plastic Christmas balls. You can fill them with photos, candy, pom-poms, or traditional glitter. For a unique twist, add plants, yarn, or sequins. You can also paint the outside of the ornaments to create a cohesive colour scheme or add gold beading and garland for a luxurious touch.

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Frequently asked questions

There are many ways to decorate plastic Christmas balls. Some craft ideas include filling them with glitter, fake snow, pom-poms, shredded paper, or other craft supplies. You can also paint the outside or inside of the ornament.

Kids can fill plastic Christmas balls with colourful pom-poms or puffy paints. They can also add fake snow or glitter to the ornament and put small trinkets, gems, or charms inside.

You can buy plastic Christmas balls at Walmart or your favourite craft store.

Plastic Christmas balls are inexpensive and easy to find.

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