Creating Wedding Invitation Christmas Ornaments

A wedding invitation ornament is a thoughtful and subtle gift for a couple's first Christmas as newlyweds. This DIY project involves cutting, twirling, and stuffing the invitation paper into a glass ornament, adding a ribbon to match the wedding colours. It is a unique way to commemorate important events, such as baby showers, graduations, and birthdays, and can be personalised with meaningful songs or lyrics printed on cardstock. Creating these ornaments is a fun and easy way to make lasting memories.

Cutting, twirling, and stuffing wedding invites

First, gather your supplies. You'll need a wedding invitation, a glass ornament, a tool for twirling, such as a Crayola marker, and any desired embellishments like ribbon or twine.

Next, cut the wedding invitation into thin strips. The number of strips will depend on the size of your ornament, but aim for enough to fill it nicely. Once cut, take each strip and gently twirl it around your tool of choice. This will give the paper a curled effect, adding dimension to your ornament.

Now, it's time to stuff! Carefully insert the curled invitation strips into the ornament, one by one, being careful not to overcrowd it. You may need to adjust the curls or bend the paper slightly to get the desired look.

Finally, add any finishing touches. This could include a ribbon bow at the top, a hanging string, or even a small charm or two. Get creative and make it your own!

There you have it—a beautiful, handmade wedding invitation ornament, perfect for commemorating a special day or as a thoughtful gift for the happy couple.

Using a glass ornament

Now, onto the fun part! If you want to include the invitation itself in the ornament, cut it into thin strips, trying to cut along the lines of text to preserve important words and dates. If you don't want to cut up the original, you can always make a copy or use a spare that wasn't sent out. Once you have your strips, grab a pen or pencil and wrap a strip of paper tightly around it. Let go, and the paper will form a coil. Repeat this process with the rest of your strips. You might want to set aside the strips with important details on them and put them into the ornament last, so you can try to position them to be visible from the outside.

Fluff out the coils a little so they will fill the space in the ornament better, then open up the top of the bauble and place the coils inside. Once the ball is full, put the top back on and thread some ribbon through the hole. And there you have it—a personalised wedding invitation ornament!

If you want to include other wedding mementos, such as petals from the bouquet, you can carefully place them inside the glass ornament and use a BBQ skewer or pencil to gently open them up.

Choosing a twirling instrument

When it comes to choosing a twirling instrument for your wedding invitation Christmas ornament, there are a few options to consider. The purpose of the twirling instrument is to curl the paper strips that will be inserted into the ornament. Here are some factors to keep in mind when making your selection:

Type of Paper

The type of paper you are using for your ornament will play a role in choosing your twirling instrument. Heavier cardstock or thicker invitation paper may require a different instrument than standard printer paper. It is important to test out the curling process on a small piece of paper first to ensure that the paper curls without creasing or tearing.

Size of the Strips

The width and length of your paper strips will also influence your choice of twirling instrument. If you are using thin strips of paper, a smaller instrument, such as a pen or pencil, may work best. For wider strips, you may need a thicker instrument to create loose curls.

Ease of Use

Consider how easy it is to handle your twirling instrument. Some options may be more comfortable to hold and manoeuvre than others, especially if you are creating multiple ornaments. A longer instrument, such as a pencil or ruler, may provide more leverage and control during the curling process.

Curl Direction

The direction and tightness of the curls can also be influenced by your twirling instrument. Experiment with different tools to achieve the desired curl effect. For example, a marker may create looser, more relaxed curls, while a pencil may produce tighter, more defined curls.

Common Twirling Instruments

• Crayola markers
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Pens
• Rulers
• Chopsticks

When choosing your twirling instrument, it is important to consider the factors mentioned above and select an option that works best with your chosen paper type and strip size. Remember to test out the curling process on a small piece of paper first to ensure that you achieve the desired results.

Adding a ribbon

When adding a ribbon to your ornament, you'll want to start by cutting a length of ribbon that is long enough to comfortably work with and hang the ornament. You can save ribbon from packages or gifts to add to your ornaments or purchase new ribbon in your desired colour and material.

Now it's time to tie the ribbon! One simple method is to start by taking the left piece of ribbon and crossing it over and under the right piece. Then, you'll want to create a loop with the right piece, similar to the bunny ears technique when tying your shoelaces. Bring the left piece through the loop and tighten to create a knot.

Another option is to place the invitation in the middle of the ribbon and hold it closed. Wrap the two ends of the ribbon towards you until they meet, then tie a knot to secure it. This method creates a neat bow and ensures your invitation stays securely inside.

Experiment with different types of knots and bows to find the one that best suits your ornament and your aesthetic preferences.

Curling paper and cardstock

If you're crafting with paper or cardstock, you may encounter issues with curling. This can be frustrating when trying to create a neat, professional-looking project. There are a few reasons why paper curls, and several methods to prevent and correct it.

Firstly, paper curl is often caused by excess moisture in the paper. To prevent this, store your paper in a cool, dry area, reducing its exposure to moisture and humidity. Before placing the paper in the printer, fan it to reduce static between sheets, allowing the paper to breathe and minimising jamming issues. If you're printing large batches, consider that paper left inside the machine for a long period will absorb moisture from the fusing assembly, so be sure to fan, flip, and rotate the stack before printing.

The quality of the paper can also be a factor, as paper from different vendors and distributors may vary in weight, texture, and thickness. Using a rear output bin, if your printer has one, can help by allowing the paper to bypass portions of the paper path where curling might occur.

If you're experiencing intense curling with cardstock, it may be due to the weight of the paper. For example, the Phaser 6500 printer has an upper limit of 80-lb cardstock. Using a heavier weight may require a different model of printer with a straighter paper path to reduce curling.

Frequently asked questions