Start a new family tradition—or expand on an existing one—by crafting this year’s presents, ornaments, and more. You don’t have to be particularly artistic to have the best holiday season ever with these easy, do-it-yourself projects suitable for a wide variety of ages, starting with a popcorn garland for the Christmas tree.
Fun for the entire family, all you need for this old-fashioned tradition is popcorn, a needle, and strong thread or yarn. The trick is to let the popcorn sit out for a few days to harden—it’s easier to thread that way. Add cranberries for a bit more panache. If you want to preserve the memories, spray the garland with a few coats of shellac, allowing it to dry in-between applications, to keep it for years to come.
