Kids can brighten up the Christmas tree by creating their own ornaments and tree-toppers using pipe cleaners, foil, and felt.

Peppermints are the coolest holiday sweets -- especially when transformed into edible hanging ornaments. Lay five or so peppermint candies in a circle to form a wreath; bond sides together with icing. Adorn front with cinnamon candies or mints. Let dry two hours before hanging. Loop twine around ornament; knot.

Hanging old toys on the Christmas tree with the kids spreads joy: You will be pleased to have less clutter, and the toys will be happy to be rescued from their dusty corners. Ask the children to help pick which toys to transform.

To hang: Use needle and embroidery thread to stitch through soft toys, insert screw eyes into wooden toys, or wind embroidery thread through an opening or around a narrow part of the toy.

These easy-to-create wreath ornaments make great gifts as well as charming additions to your own tree.

Kids can spread holiday cheer by making these festive tassels for their tree. Wrap yarn around cardboard (ours was 3 1/2 inches high) at least 10 times. Loop yarn for hanger under top strands; pull tight. Cut through bottom loops. Tie yarn around tassel near the top; trim ends evenly.

Tape waxed paper over a hand-drawn snowflake shape. After dipping yarn in white glue, lay yarn on waxed paper, following design underneath. Let it dry for several hours until it's stiff, then remove. Tie on a thread loop and decorate the tree.

Bring winter indoors and make your tree twinkle with paper snowflake ornaments. Hang your lacy patterns with a paper clip bent open to form an S.

These tiny fabric creatures with their red-and-white-striped tails make charming Christmas ornaments for kids to make with mom.

Print the Mouse Template

Made out of sour gummy worms, peppermint, and gumdrops, these holiday carolers will look sweet hanging from the tree.

To hang, insert wire through ornament, from top to bottom, until end pokes out. Using your fingers, or needle-nosed pliers, bend the bottom at a right angle and clip off the extra with a nail clipper. Bend the top end into a hook.