Faux stained-glass candle holders

Setting aside an afternoon to make gifts with your children is a way to slow down the hectic pace of the holiday season and focus on what kids are so good at — the here and now. The messiness and the laughter glue together more than gifts.

From my archive of craft ideas — many of which have appeared in past Pioneer Press columns — here are some last-minute gifts you could make with your children to give away.

1. FAUX STAINED-GLASS CANDLE HOLDERS

Materials: Recycled juice glasses or small jars, bright tissue paper and household glue.

  • Cut tissue paper into 1-inch squares, triangles and rectangles. Older kids might want to try heart, fish, star and flower shapes as well.

  • Squeeze white household glue into a bowl and dilute with a few drops of water. Brush a light coat of the glue mixture on the outside of a clear glass or clean jar (remove labels). Overlap the tissue shapes onto the glue. Smooth each piece with your fingers as you go along.

  • When the outside of the glass is covered, apply another coat or two of the glue mixture. Let dry several hours and set a votive candle inside.

    2. 2009 MEMORY SNOW GLOBE

    Materials: Jar with tight fitting lid (label removed), small items to create scene, waterproof glue,

  • Come up with a vision for your scene. Will you need a little jar, fat jar or skinny jar? A tall jam jar might accommodate that plastic bear figure as a reminder of a camping trip at a national
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    park. A baby-food jar would make a perfect home for a little rubber starfish to conjure up that visit to the local aquarium with a grandparent.

  • Fill jar with water and shake to test the lid for tightness. Pour the water out, remove the paper label and let it dry completely.

  • Choose a clean waterproof toy, game piece, travel souvenir or trinket to inhabit the imaginary world. Set it temporarily inside the lid and lower the jar over it to make sure it fits and allows enough space
    2009 memory snow globe
    for the "snow" to fall.

  • An adult should glue the object on the inside of the lid with water-resistant glue, such as aquarium sealant from your local pet store. Let dry 24 hours.

  • Fill the jar almost to the top with baby oil, or use distilled water with a few drops of glycerin added. Sprinkle glitter or waterproof confetti into the liquid. An adult should apply water-resistant glue to the outside grooves of the jar rim and carefully screw on the lid. Stand the jar with lid end up to dry for 24 hours.

    3. CD CLOCK

    Materials: An old adding machine, transistor radio, alarm clock or other small machine; a recycled CD, a quartz battery-operated clock mechanism (available at craft stores)

  • Put the machine on a
    CD clock
    work surface covered with newspaper. With screwdrivers, hammers and pliers, remove the cover of the machine and begin taking it apart. If the machine has an electrical cord, clip it off for safety's sake. An adult should remove and properly dispose of any old batteries, glass and sharp parts. As you disassemble it, try to figure out how the machine works, and enjoy speculating on its mysteries. You'll need to end up with 12 small parts.

  • Cover the label of a CD or DVD with a piece of poster board or construction paper cut to size. Glue in place.

  • Arrange the machine parts on the front of the CD to represent the numbers 1 to 12 on the face of a clock. Diodes from radios are especially good. You can choose a specific shape
    Stencil art
    for the hours of 3, 6, 9 and 12. Smaller parts in various colors can be arranged evenly between them. Glue them in place with strong nontoxic glue.

  • Insert the clock mechanism through the center hole of the CD.

    4. STENCIL ART

    Materials: Drawing paper; a sheet of acetate, an index card or a large clear plastic lid from a deli container; sharp scissors or X-acto knife; fabric paint in squeeze bottles; makeup or household sponge; clothespins; double-sided tape; paper plate for paint; newspaper for work surface; cotton potholder in solid color.

  • Have your child draw a simple holiday design on paper. This could be a Christmas tree, star or wreath.

  • Trace the drawing onto the acetate, index card or lid. An adult
    Crystal ornament
    should cut on the lines of the drawing with a scissors or X-acto blade on a cutting board. You are now left with a sturdy stencil.

  • Put double-sided tape on the stencil back and firmly attach to the potholder.

  • Pour a small amount of paint on a paper plate. Cut a sponge into 2-inch pieces. Clip clothespins to each one. Use one for each color. Using the clothespin as a handle, dip the sponge into the paint. Blot a couple of times on newspaper, and then lightly dab the sponge on and around the stencil. Gently remove the stencil to reveal a design on the potholder. If you add other stencil designs, let the paint dry completely between applications. Add falling snow by dipping a pencil eraser in white paint and dabbing around the design.

  • The same technique can be used to embellish other inexpensive basics, such as placemats, canvas totes or holiday cards or labels.

    5. CRYSTAL ORNAMENT

    Materials: white pipe cleaners, borax powder (available in laundry section of grocery stores.

  • Help your child twist the pipe cleaner into a festive shape such as a star, snowflake, Christmas tree or spiral. Twist one end of a second pipe cleaner onto the top of the shape to create a hanger or attach a hanger of wire, fishing line or ribbon.

  • Pour 3 cups of boiling water into a clean, wide-mouth, heat-resistant glass jar, such as a pickle jar. (The water must be hot, or the project won't succeed). Slowly add 9 heaping tablespoons of borax and stir until it's no longer cloudy. Suspend your pipe-cleaner shape into the mixture and tie the hanger to a pencil laid across the mouth of the jar. Make sure the shape does not touch the bottom or sides of the jar.

  • As the mixture cools overnight, the borax will come out of suspension and by morning, the pipe-cleaner shape should be sparkling with crystals. Gently lift the ornament from the jar and let air dry.

    Donna Erickson's award-winning television series, "Donna's Day," is airing on public television nationwide. Watch it in the Twin Cities at 7:30 a.m. Fridays on tptLife on channels 13 and 17. Sign up for Donna's e-newsletter at donnasday.com. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families."