Some of you may want to save this craft for next year after you have an empty chocolate advent calendar! However, if you are like me this sounds like a great reason to eat and entire box of chocolate by myself--- you know for sake of crafting!
My youngest son first made these gift tags in German kindergarten while we were living overseas. It has become a family tradition. All you need is the plastic insert that holds the chocolates in one of the flat thin Advent calendars (We found ours at Aldi's), Plaster of Paris, a small disposable cup and plastic spoon for mixing the plaster, paint (any kind will work), paint brushes, glue (hot glue works best), copy paper, colored corrugated cardboard and yarn.
Mix plaster according to directions. You don't need much--about an 8 oz. cup half full. Fill each of the tiny molds in the Advent Calendar. Tap the mold lightly to release any air bubbles. Let dry until hard in the molds, about 20 minutes.
Pop each figure out of the plastic and allow to dry another 20 minutes or longer. We re-use our molds year after year. IF YOU HAVE LEFT OVER PLASTER DO NOT POUR IT DOWN YOUR DRAIN, JUST THROW THE CUP AND LEFTOVERS IN THE TRASH.
Paint each of the plaster figures. I have found this is one of those great project you can leave out and the kids will work on over time!
We fold colored corrugated cardboard into a book shape, place a piece of copy paper cut slightly smaller than the cardboard inside and then fasten with a piece of yarn.
Glue your plaster shape to the front and you have a really cute gift tag!
How cute! What a great tradition.
I LOVE these! How fun to make with the kids. Where can you find corrugated cardboard?
So stinking cute – I am hosting a holiday craft day for the neighborhood next week! Thanks!
This is so fun! If I wasn’t under a winter storm I would be running to hobby lobby to supplies!
adorable..
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[...] DIY Christmas Tags [...]
May have to do this with my little girl this afternoon…I think I have some plaster of paris in my craft box! Thanks for the great idea!
This is such a great idea. I just wanted to add that the plaster shapes would also make great ornaments for a child’s Christmas tree. They could also be presents to others as ornaments…this is such a great and versatile idea. Thank you so much for sharing!!
I have these same molds! We’ve been using them for chocoaltes–I never thought of using them for plaster molds! Genius–and a lot less fattening!!
Every year I look at those inserts (we get our calendars at Trader Joe’s) and think “this should be good for SOMEthing!” But I never get farther than using it to mold melted chocolate (as if we needed more). But this looks fun! Thanks for the idea!
What a wonderful idea, they can be used for many different cards. Thanks
cute!
What a neat idea!!! Thanks for sharing
Stop on by and enter in some giveaways!
Wow … very nice. I really like this idea.
Fun idea.
OMG!!! So cute! You always have the best ideas!
this is awesome! we are always buying little plaster figures at craft stores to paint. this would be a great way to make bunches and even have pals over to paint. great idea and nice instructions & pics as always! xo
[...] Keep the kids busy with DIY Christmas Tags [...]