Want some inspiration for a DIY Christmas gift idea suitable for all ages? These super cute DIY Christmas Photo Frames are a hit in our classroom every year. My students make these as their Christmas gift to their parents. They are simple and fun to make and you can find materials cheaply or use materials you already have in your classroom.
You will need:
- Thick cardboard (from packing boxes or copy paper boxes – this will be the base for your DIY Christmas photo frames)
- Stanley knife
- Cutting mat
- Lead pencil
- Ruler
- PVA or other glue
- Scrapbooking paper, Christmas gift wrap or coloured card stock
- Scissors
- Christmas string, twine or ribbon
- Holly Template – download for FREE
- Red and green cardstock
- Cardstock of your choice (roughly A5 size)
- Sticky tape
- Photo of your choice (6×4″)
How to Make Your Christmas Photo Frames:
** For younger students I prepare steps 1 to 4 prior to beginning the activity.**
- Carefully cut a thick piece of cardboard to 24cm x 19cm (9 1/2″ x 7 1/2″). I like to use copy paper boxes and get the ladies in the office to save them for me throughout the year.
2. Place a dot or mark 5cm (2″) in from each corner.
3. Join the dots together with a ruler to form the inside of the frame.
4. Carefully cut along the lines with a Stanley knife. Make sure you do this on top of a cutting mat or other suitable surface.
5. Your frame should now look like this…
6. Select a piece of scrapbooking paper, Christmas gift wrap or coloured cardstock to cover your frame. 12″x 12″ scrapbooking paper is the ideal size – I bought a 120 pack of Christmas scrapbooking papers from Spotlight for $15 a few years ago and it has lasted several years!
7. Turn the paper upside down, so the pattern side is face-down.
8. Cover the entire cardboard frame with PVA glue. I get younger students to paste theirs on with a brush.
9. Carefully place the frame, glue-side down, into the centre of the scrapbooking paper.
10. Use scissors to carefully make a hole in the very centre of the scrapbooking paper, then cut a rectangle, leaving 1.5 -2cm around the inside edges.
11. Cut a slit in the paper on each corner.
12. Place glue on each flap.
13. Fold each flap up and over the edge of the frame. Hold in place for a few seconds.
14. Now place glue along the paper on the vertical sides of the frame.
15. Carefully fold each side up and over the edge of the frame. Hold in place for a few seconds.
16. Place glue along the two remaining edges of paper.
17. Carefully fold each side up and over the edge of the frame. Hold in place for a few seconds.
18. The front of your frame should now look like this… You are now free to decorate how you wish, or continue reading on for ideas!
19. Download and print the HOLLY TEMPLATE onto red and green cardstock.
20. Cut out the holly pieces and glue in the centre of the bottom of the frame.
21. Now cut a piece of Christmas string or ribbon to approximately 55cm (22″). If the ends are frayed, just wrap a small amount of stick tape around each end. I love the Christmas strings from Spotlight for $1.99 or there is always something in the dollar stores!
22. Carefully place a line of glue from the holly, all the way around the centre of the frame. The more glue you use here, the better – it may look like too much now, but it dries clear later!
23. Carefully place the string along the line of glue. You may need to hold each section in place for a few seconds before moving on.
24. Position your photo face-down onto the back of the frame. Tape each side down to keep in place.
25. Cut a piece of cardstock (similar colour to your frame) to roughly 21cm x 14cm (8″ x 5 1/2″). Place glue around the edge.
26. Carefully place the cardstock onto the back of the frame, in the centre.
27. Leave to dry and your DIY Christmas Photo Frames are complete! This photo of my four cherubs is a Christmas gift for Granny this year!
I hope you loved this DIY Christmas Photo Frame idea. Don’t forget to have a look at my other fun Christmas activities for your classroom!
