Rainbow Ornament Mantel

Here's a colorful display sure to brighten spirits in any home this Christmas. The secret: DIY foam ball "ornaments" are spray-painted in a gradient of color.
Updated October 09, 2020
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This idea comes from our friend Kara Whitten. These oversized, DIY glittery Christmas ornaments look lovely two ways: lined up on a mantel or hanging from a Christmas tree. You can even use one as a tree topper for a whimsical look. Her extra tip: "If you do not have juice lids for the ornament caps, cut a long rectangle and a circle from a piece of gold card stock and create an ornament cap by gluing the rectangle strip around the circle, punch two holes in the circle, then thread the wire through to create the ornament loop."

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What you need

Materials
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How to do it

Step 1

Spray-paint styrofoam balls in colors of your choice; let dry completely. 

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Step 2

Once dry, coat the foam balls with spray adhesive and sprinkle spoonfuls of coarse glitter; let dry.

Step 3

Spray-paint plastic lids with gold spray paint and drill two holes in the lid. 

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Step 4

Cut off a 6-inch piece of wire using your wire cutters and thread through the holes in the plastic lid to create an ornament hook, using glue to secure in place.

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Step 5

Once glue is dry, press the plastic lid "ornament cap" into the foam ball to make an indention, then remove the cap. Add a ring of glue around the indention and then replace the cap; let glue dry.

Step 6

Once dry, line up the ornaments on the mantel in a rainbow or ombré pattern. Try mixing up the sizes of foam balls to create a varied yet balanced look.

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