Chrismons Simplified

NEW 2010 version for children.
Outlines widened for easier cutting. Outlines are in light gray so glitter and coloring show off better. These Chrismons come in 2 sizes - standard size- same size as our original set, - and a smaller set great for a smaller tree or wreath, or near the treetop on a large tree. Some with new instructions.

Many sheets have dashed pre-cutting lines with more than one design for a symbol, This allows you to separate the symbols for more children, and it makes final cutting easier.

What are Chrismons? Here is the answer:

What do you use Chrismons for? What is a Chrismons tree? Here are the answers:

Why are Chrismon colors limited to gold and white?
As monograms of Christ, they are all made in combinations of GOLD and WHITE. White is the liturgical color for Christmas and stands for our Lord's purity and perfection. GOLD represents His majesty and glory. On the Chrismon tree, tiny white lights symbolize Christ as the light of the world.

Can Chrismons be used at Easter as well as at Christmas?
Yes, though traditionally they are used at Christmas, since Chrismons celebrate the life, teachings, mission and ministry of Jesus, they can be used on an Easter tree or Cross. These are Jesus symbol ornaments for many uses.

What do the individual Chrismons mean?
Each Chrismon page has information, or origin of the symbol.

Basics:
Pattern pages
Glue
Scissors
Green yarn
White yarn or string
Gold and white glitter glue
Clear tape

Secondary Materials:
Loose glitter - white, gold, pearl
Glitter pan
Qtip - cotton swab for glue brush
white iridescent glitter
Green yarn (see: Hanging yarn)
Small sequins - white, gold
1/2" sequins - white and gold
Toothpick or open paperclips
Cut apart egg compartments**

More Material Suggestions

These Chrismons can be a simple instant craft activity with just scissors, glue, copies of the pages, yarn or string, and gold and white glitter glue, but they can be so much more!

SHAPE BASE Methods:
1. FASTEST- EASIEST: Print or Print then copy the page on the heaviest weight paper or card stock dyour printer or copier will handle and decorate directly. (24lb and heavier paper sometimes can be sheet fed in a copier- check your copier instructions).

2 BACKING SUPPORT: Print the pages. Cut roughly around the pattern leaving 1/4 inch or more to the cut line. Glue over the entire surface of the back of the ornament to the edge of what you cut out. Stick it onto the backing. Now cut through the backing and the pattern together. This is the easiest and best way to assure you get the edges glued together.This is recommended if you only have standard copy or printing paper. Backing may be thin foam, thin cardboard, or any similar material.
See paper sandwich*** option in later info.

3. TRACE: Print the pages and then trace onto another material and use it for your Chrismon shape base.
See shape material alternate suggestions at the bottom of this page

HANGER YARN Options:
1 White Yarn for grapevine only
2 Green yarn (less visible on tree)
3 String
4 1/4 inch ribbon
5 Gold cord
(wire is not recommended)

*Dark green hanging yarn may be used as it is less obvious when completed.

See list of more decoration materials at the bottom of this page

Print or print and copy the entire set of Chrismons- Large or small set.

Gather gold and white decorations.

Tape ends of yarn or string

Glitter pan with paper scoop

This depends on whether or not you use the printed or copied page directly, or use other shape base material.

If you are using the pages directly, you are ready to cut and decorate these Christian symbols.

Teacher, talk about the meaning, origin, or information found on the individual page.

FOR ALL:
HANGING YARN LOOPS - 2 methods
Cut 10" of yarn.

A. PUNCH HOLE BEFORE decorating.
1 Put the strig or yarn through the hold.
2 Tie a knot as close to the ends as possible, leaving 1/2 inch tail.
3 Put glue on the back of the ornament below the hole.
4 bring the knot down on the back to the hole and into the glue
5 Tape the loose ends

This will prevent the hole from tearing away.

B. NO HOLE METHOD

1 Cut 10" of yarn.
2 Loop in half . (Right handed instructions) Hold the loop end in your left hand. Holding both ends together in your right hand, roll them around your right index finger and when you have completed a circle, push the ends through the circle.
3 Pull. (This was a tough instruction, hope you got it!)
4 Glue the knot and a little of the tail but not the very ends.
5 Tape over the tails to hold the yarn in place until it dries.

This one needs to be quite dry for handling, but looks better for most symbols.

When punch mark is shown on the front, it is to just give you an idea of where to glue it to the back - usually for balance or strength.

EITHER WAY

The loop goes over the tree branch without any hooks. The face of the ornament is to the viewer of the tree. (That's why it is not necessary to decorate the back!)

***PAPER SANDWICH
If you are making a paper sandwich of a printed sheet and heavier paper backing, 1 cut both pieces first, 2 glue the hanging yarn to the backing piece and let it setup a bit, 3 decorate the print copy by itself, 4-LAST cover the backing with glue including the yarn ends, and put t the decorated piece on top, which then sandwiches the ends of the yarn between both pieces. This is a little harder to do than #2 Backing Support shown above.

SEQUINS and similar decorations
It is helpful to have toothpicks or open paperclips handy to move sequins around on the glued surface.

EDGE GLITTERING:
Many of the Chrismons will do well with an edge of Gold or white glitter. It can make them a bit sturdier as well as covering the outline. Use a Q-tip or cotton swab with loose glitter to get the glue on the edge. Put something under the Chrismon to protect the table or desk before glue.

Other edge technique: Get a small "Stand" for your Chrismon- a little jar lid or cut apart an ** egg carton and flip one compartment over to make a tiny table (you may have to trim it a little to even it out). Put a sheet of paper or wax paper under it. Put the Chrismon on top - face up. If you use glitter glue, hold your glitter glue above the edge and go round the edge as close as you can. Don't worry if it drips - the paper is there to catch it. Let it dry where it is so it won't stick to anything else. If you use regular glitter, go around the edge with glue on a toothpick, then move all of it into your glitter pan to sprinkle on the glitter. (See above left)

RULES FOR COLORS COVERING:
You can usually cover white glitter with gold, but on the other hand, white glitter will not usually cover gold very well for top decorations. So do your white decorations first.

There are no other rules! Enjoy yourself and decorate with aplomb!

CURLING:
If the ornament curls the paper as the glue dries,which may occur if you surface cover it with glue to apply a texture, that's ok! It will add interest to the ornament. BUT you can roll a semi dry or dry ornament over your finger to flatten it out. If you can wait overnight, you can get a large piece of foam and straight pins and pin the corners down while they dry, though uncurling them over your finger works quite well.

GLITTER GLUE
While convenient in some ways, mine always takes eons to dry. And it can be drippy in the meantime.

SPEED DRY
You can try setting your creations near a radiator or heat vent.Be cautious.... don't let the children near these heat sources.