Thrifty Miniature Christmas Decorations

Okay you guys, these little darlings are so stinking cute!  You are definitely going to want to make some of these to give as gifts and some for yourself too.  And they don't cost a lot to make either.  But the most amazing thing is that they are made out of those knit magic gloves they sell for about a $1 or so.  We found 2 packs at Walmart for $1.49 so at 75¢ a pair this makes the gift just that much thriftier!

We picked up several pair at Walmart as well as a pair of fuzzy ones at Dollar Tree.  Also at Dollar Tree I picked up a 2# bag of their rice to use as the stuffing.

First, you cut off a finger, or a thumb, and stuff it as full as you can with white rice.  

Next tie it off with an elastic hair band.  

We happened to have some of my oldest daughter's leftover orthodontic bands to use up so I didn't have to buy any new ones.

Shape the finger into a sausage shape.

Then you add another band about two thirds down to make the head and body.  Trim the top  excess off and cover with glue.  This will do two things.  First it will secure the rice inside the finger and second it will help keep the hat in place.

Cut another finger from a glove and fold to make a brim.  Place it on top of your snowman and pull it low in the back.

Cut a strip from a the palm of the glove to make a scarf.  Stretch it and then tie along the neck.  A dollop of hot glue will hold it in place.

Cut a nose from some orange felt or foam.  Glue it in place.  With a marker add some eyes.  

Embellish as you see fit.

For the penguins you will need some white and black felt.  I used the orange foam (from the dollar store) to make noses, beaks and penguin feet (heart shaped cut outs).

Two white felt circles, one for the body and a slightly smaller one for the face.  Flipper shapes cut from the black.

Then embellish as well and you have the cutest little penguin ever!

How cute are these?!

You can use a Q-tip and some blush to add cheeks

How about these?!  

To tell you just how thrifty this project is, two pair of gloves (Walmart $1.49) and half a package of rice (Dollar Tree $1) will make 10 of these.  I think they are adorable, my girls think they'll be hard to part with.  They could be right.

Do you think you'll make some?