Easy Gifts from the Kitchen: Berry Filled Ornament

Supplies Needed:

• Clear Glass Ball Ornament (Available at AC Moore or Michaels)
  
• Small Artificial Berries or Artificial Berry Picks
  
• 18" of 5/8" wide to 7/8" wide ribbon
  
• Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Scissors
• Wire Cutters

Instructions:

Use the photo as a guide

• Separate the 2 pieces of the plastic ornament.
• Use wire cutters to cut individual berries from the stems.
• Fill the plastic ornament with the berries.
• Replace other half of ornament and snap securely to close.
  
• Hot glue a small cluster of berries around top of ornament.
• Fold the ribbon in half and put a knot on the end, as shown.
  
• Hot glue the ribbon in the center of the berry cluster. You may have to glue a few berries to cover where the ribbon was added.
• Hot glue leaves or extra pieces from the remaining picks under the cluster of berries to give it an added accent.
  

Easy Gifts from the Kitchen: Mini Cranberry Wreaths

A great family or classroom project for young children. To make larger wreaths, use heavy-duty dinner plates. Experiment by using additional seasonal elements like twigs, leaves, acorns and other nature walk finds.

Supplies:

• 8 brightly colored, heavy-duty 7-inch paper plates
• White craft glue
• 2 to 3 12-ounce packages Ocean Spray® Fresh Cranberries
• Decorative ribbon or raffia

Directions:

With scissors, cut out the center of the paper plates, leaving rim about 2 to 2 1/2 inches wide. Squeeze a thick line of glue around plate, about 1/2-inch from edge Place cranberries, one by one, on line of glue. Squeeze another line of glue inside first row of cranberries. Place cranberries, one by one, on second line of glue. Let stand overnight to dry.

Thread ribbon or raffia through center of wreath and tie a bow. Hang wreath with ribbon.

This craft idea was taken from the Ocean Spray site. Please visit their site for more great cranberry Gifts from the Kitchen ideas. www.oceanspray.com

Easy Gifts from the Kitchen: Holiday Cranberry Kissing Ball

In eighteenth century England, kissing balls were traditional decorations hung in doorways. Our version pairs vibrant Ocean Spray® Fresh Cranberries, ribbon and mistletoe for a memorable holiday decoration.

Supplies:

• 5" foam ball
• Red acrylic craft paint
• 24-gauge beading wire
• Hot glue gun/glue sticks OR wooden toothpicks
• 1 2 12-oz. bags Ocean Spray® Fresh Cranberries
• Desired holiday trim: ribbon, mistletoe, holly, ivy, bells

Directions:

Paint foam ball with red craft paint. Set aside to dry.

Cut an 18" piece of wire and fold it in half. Push folded wire all the way through the center of foam ball, leaving a 1" wire loop extending at bottom of ball and 3" of wire extending at top.

Using hot glue gun or toothpicks, attach cranberries to ball, covering it completely. Twist wires at top of ball into a simple hook for hanging. Use ribbon to tie mistletoe and other desired holiday trim to wire above and below ball, and hang with hook.

Kissing ball will last several days. Discard once berries begin to soften. To extend the life of your decoration, you can spray with an even coating of shellac.

This craft idea was taken from the Ocean Spray site. Please visit their site for more great cranberry Gifts from the Kitchen ideas. www.oceanspray.com