My Daughter's DIY School Christmas Wreath Project

Holiday vacation has been the busiest week I had since before the kick-off until the last days of it. Just today I browse through my iPad gallery and saw some pictures from last month. And, this one is truly a worth sharing picture for a blog post. 

Before my daughter had their Christmas break at school, they were grouped and instructed to come up with a Christmas wall decor that is mostly recyclable. They have given exact measurements a theme for it. I searched and browsed Google and led me to my Pinterest site and had an idea for it. 

My initial plan for the Christmas wreath was to use a Christmas tree design cookie cutter and will tweak the rest as we go along the way building the wreath.

Unluckily, I couldn't find that cookie cutter shape which will be the main material for the project. I resulted in another material which I saw at the thrift store, the aluminum cupcake molds. 

Let's begin the fun part of building this Christmas wreath. 

This Christmas decor consists of 90% recycled materials we have at home. The remaining 10% was the materials bought. 

Materials used:

1-styrofoam board, around half to an inch thick- bought

red aluminum foil

1-roll Christmas themed design gift wrappers

1-pack muffin mold cups (used or new ones)- bought

red ribbon lace

3-white candles

some gold glitters

spare plastic red Christmas tree ornaments (flowers)

pieces of red paper

twisted wire

scotch tape

double-sided tape

Elmer's glue

3-inches wire 

Instructions on how to do:

1. For the base of the wreath, we cut up the spare styrofoam to 18 inches round, measure it using a pin in the middle with a pencil tied in a cord on the other end. Making a circle figure, then cut the shape using a cutter. 
2. Wrap the styrofoam with the red foil, securing it with scotch tapes, maintaining the shape of the circle. Be careful not to disfigure the shape of the wreath, which can be made by tight wrapping. Cover all the white color of the styrofoam. Set aside. 
3. Cut up Christmas design from the wrapper, with this the cut-up where just exactly to fit the inner space of each muffin cups. Secure it with double tape or Elmer's glue, let it dry.
4. Get the red ribbon lace (recycled from the local cake shop which they use to tie the cake box when you buy). Cut approximately 4-5inches, make a ribbon out of it. We run out of the materials for this that's why some cups doesn't have one.
5. When the cups are dry, glue the base of the muffin cups in the styrofoam. Checking the design in a proper position. When two sides of the cups meet, secure it with red ribbon each, securing the cups first with bendable twisted fire and glue in the middle of the ribbon onto the top of the wire.
6. Fill-in the space of the wreath. Let it dry.
7. Cut a piece of styrofoam with a measured hole for the base of the candle to stick, glue the candles. (prepare candles wrapped in leftover red aluminum strips securing it with scotch tape). Cut pieces of red paper with a flame shape, glue it with the candle wick add sprinkle with gold dust. This will resemble as the candle is lighted with flame.
8. Secure the wreath with a wire you can use to hang it on the wall.

It is pretty simple to do, the key to this is to spend as little for the materials but it will pop-out with colors and the motif of the event. 

My daughter submitted their project and she got a good feedback from her teacher. I guess the wreath will be hung again next year, I certainly do hope for that. 

Did you make something colorful and fun Christmas project last holiday? If, yes share it with us by posting a comment link below. 'til next DIY project. :) 

Our Christmas Ham from S&R - Traditionally Smoked European Ham

Although holiday season is way behind us already, just now I am tweaking some of the blog drafts I have during that time. 
Sharing to you this brand of Christmas ham we got for the holidays. 

Christmas is about family tradition that we keep and pass along to our succeeding generation in the family. Christmas can be celebrated in a simple way but some can go as extravagant as possible, well this will always depend on one's family income.  

When I was little I always anticipate in opening that imported canned pear shaped ham for Christmas. Normally my father would bring a big sized can or sometimes two during their Christmas party at work. He used to work at the Subic Naval Base- Morale Welfare Recreational department, were Christmas season is like Christmas in the United States. Imported candies and chocolates for treats were also the highlights of that season. Nowadays, due to the open ports and the demand and supply everything is possible. Imported Christmas hams can be brought from supermarkets and some specialty stores and the variety are endless... also the price can fit according to you your budget. Our ham was from S&R their premium holiday Christmas ham. It's a traditionally smoked European ham and It was given to us as a gift, i'm not sure how much this cost... apologies for that. :) 

It weigh more than 500grams and when I opened the plastic pack container I instantly smelled of the smoke flavoured meat. I used the sharp butchers knife in slicing the ham and took a small piece to taste. It was tasty, smokey and the delicious. The ham can be eaten just like that or you can bake it drizzle some pineapple juice or sear fry it in a hot non-stick frying pan. No extender as you can see, it has whole meat that when I was slicing the meat were separating according to the chunks when it was moulded during curing process. You can also see the net marks plus some fat sticking outside the ham. That morning we paired some slices with homemade pancakes and it was a perfect match. Drizzled some pancake syrup on top to add a little sweetness to the ham slice. The meat was tender and delish! I would want the same ham for our next Christmas feast if only we have S&R supermarket here in the City.

Have you tried this ham last Christmas, did you like too? 

drop me a comment below and let's compare. 'Til next. 

Thanks for reading.:) 

Merry Christmas To All!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! 

May the birth of our Christ the Lord brings us peace, joy and harmony all year round. 

From my family to yours.