Spending time with family is always a highlight of the Christmas season.  What better way to bond with children and grandchildren than through this fun and easy craft project!  (Some steps do require adult supervision.)

Gather supplies:  a variety of Scrabble letters, a wooden yardstick, some acrylic paint in brown or Christmas colors, hot glue gun or white glue, a small hacksaw, ribbon, glitter, holly sprigs, jingle bells and any other embellishments that might be fun.

Choose words to spell.   Hope.  Joy.  Fa La La… Maybe your children would like to spell their names, or nicknames! The family pet would love to see their name as well!  The choices are only limited by the numbers of letters you have available.

Lay the letters out on the yardstick with some space before and after each word as well as space in between.  Setting up one word at a time, mark the spot to cut the yardstick with a pencil.  Using a small saw, cut the yardstick into these shorter pieces.

Stain the yardstick with some acrylic paint by lightly painting the surface and then wiping the excess paint off right away – before it has a chance to dry.  Or dip some paper towel in the paint and lightly rub onto the yardstick.  Don’t forget the edges! This will make a nice contrast with the lighter letter tiles.

Glue the letters to the yardstick using hot glue for an instant hold.  White glue works well also but will take time to dry. Glue small pieces of ribbon or yarn from the back of the yardstick to hang your ornament.  Glue embellishments of your choice.

Click here for printable instructions!