Make a Sandman This Year

     Christmas is less than one week away! Thank goodness I've gotten more shopping done. I'm not big on going to the mall. How about you? I love clothes, of course, but it takes coaxing to get me to a mall. First of all, I always feel like a hobo when I walk in and secondly, I feel totally lost when it comes to shopping for clothes for others. I kept putting together outfits in Macy's the other day and then bringing them to the cashier asking "Does this match?" Each time the answer was "No". Luckily I called in some reinforcements this week and went up to Fashion Island in Newport with my mom and Maddie. I'm finally feeling ready for the gift-giving chapter of Christmas so I had some time for a craft. 
     The first official day of winter isn't until Friday and this little guy can hang in your home well into winter if you want him to (my way of saying that I didn't post this holiday craft too late). Just look at this cute guy (or girl). Don't you think he'd love to be in your home? "Yes!", he says he would. 

Add as much or as little of the following to create your sandman scene.

What You'll Need/What I Used

1 mason jar

3 styrofoam balls of varying sizes to create the snowman (proportional to the size of your jar)

A handful of sand to fill the bottom of the jar and to decorate the styrofoam balls (mix in some glitter for a little extra sparkle)

2 twigs for the arms 

orange paper to make the nose

black paint (or a sharpie pen or paper) to make the mouth and eyes

fun printed wrapping paper for the hat

card stock (or strong paper) cut into a circle for the sandman's "stand"

a small ribbon for the scarf

various small shells to place in the sand

any other ornaments of your choosing 

hot glue gun

elmer's glue

Instructions

• Lightly cover the styrofoam balls in elmer's glue and then cover them with sand. Set them aside and allow them to dry. 
• Hot glue the styrofoam balls together to build your sandman. 
• Cut a piece of card stock in the shape of a circle that is a tad smaller than the mason jar. Hot glue the sandman to that. 
• Paint on the eyes and mouth (or draw them on or cut small pieces of black paper out and glue them on. I did the latter). 
• Cut a piece of orange paper, roll it and glue it together to make the nose (I used orange magazine paper; it's shinier, and stiffer). Hot glue the nose to the sandman. 
• Cut a piece of wrapping paper, roll it into a cone and glue it together. Glue it onto the sandman's head to make a hat!
• Tie (or glue) a tiny ribbon around the neck for a scarf.
• Stick (or glue) in the stick arms. 
• Place the sandman in the mason jar. 
• Add the sand and glitter mix to the jar making sure to cover the piece of paper that the sandman is standing on. 
• Add shells and any other decorations of your choosing.
• Close the lid and admire your new winter friend.