Holiday Crafting Ideas for Active Adults

A holiday themed putz house is a great holiday craft activity to take on this year.
A holiday themed putz house is a great holiday craft activity to take on this year.
A holiday themed putz house is a great holiday craft activity to take on this year.

Holiday crafting is a way to bring families and friends together, creating decorations that brighten our lives during the darkest days of winter. However, if you feel like you may be falling into a crafting rut around the holidays, check out some of these ideas for new and interesting projects to try.    

Putz Houses

These models homes, often crafted with improvised or recycled materials, were brought to the United States by primarily German immigrants in the late 1800s. Also known as ‘glitter houses’, these charming holiday-themed houses take their name from German-American vernacular usage of “putz”, which roughly translates to “to putter around”, referring to how putz house crafters continually make improvements and tweaks to their creations during the holiday season.

Construction of a putz house is easy, requiring only an X-Acto knife or rotary blade, something to hold it together with, and a bit of patience. Any sort of construction material can be used with recycled cereal boxes being a favorite among many builders, though matboard and other thinner cardboard will work well. All sorts of plans are just a Google search away.

Traditional holiday village styles are by far the most common but, for something a bit different, check out these retro-style, Mid Century designs from Retro Renovation. After you’ve built the structure, it is time to decorate. While wintery motifs are by far the most common, there aren’t any hard and fast rules to speak of.

If you live in, say, Florida, why not add palm trees and other tropical touches? ‘Found’ materials with interesting textures and patterns (think packaging and shipping materials) can make for clever fences, walkways, or simulated roofing shingles. Lighting of the putz house interiors is common and enhances the holiday feel. A single eight watt lightbulb is more than enough — just be mindful of the heat it generates. Small LED bulbs are not only vastly more efficient but generate little if any heat, alleviating safety concerns.

Furoshiki and Alternative Gift Wrappings

Estimates vary but most sources agree that somewhere between four and five million tons of wrapping paper are discarded on an annual basis, much of it unable to be recycled due to the inks and reflective materials used in creating the bright and festive patterns. While it’s undeniable that the sight of a child excitedly tearing through wrapping paper to unveil a prized gift is part of the magic of the holiday season, reusable wrappings make for not only an environmentally conscious, but creative and easy crafting project for the holiday season.

First, you’ll need some fabric. Even the most modest fabric or crafts store will have a wealth of festive holiday prints, or you could take the more seasonally neutral route, selecting plush fabrics with decadent colors – think gold, green, and rich blues and reds.

For a more unique approach, look for vintage printed fabrics. There are loads of vendors on Etsy selling reclaimed and vintage prints. Alternatively, thrift stores can be a gold mine as well – look especially for children’s sheet sets that often feature fun and bright patterns. Drawstring bags are easy to make and can be used beyond the holiday season.

This handy guide makes this an approachable project to even novice seamsters/seamstresses. If you can tie your shoes and fold your laundry, you have all of the skills needed to practice the centuries-long Japanese art of Furoshiki, a fabric folding technique that is most often used for simple yet elegant gift presentation. There are plenty of tutorials online and this chart from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment provides examples of how to wrap all sorts of items, from the simple to the awkwardly shaped. You can even create your own fabric wrappings or use a store bought bandana or handkerchief.

DIY Snow Scenes and Snow Globes

Unless you’re among the lucky few who live in parts of the country with year-round warmth, the holiday season brings cold weather and, in many cases, plenty of snow. DIY snow globes and snow scenes are a great way to enjoy a winter wonderland without having to actually go out into the cold.

Building them is a fun DIY project that’s easy to do and perfect for involving the grandkids. Table top snow scenes are especially trendy now and require only a minimal amount of supplies. With a few tufts of cotton or other faux snow, perhaps some glitter, a few model evergreen tops, and a glass container, you have all that’s needed for a charming winter scene. Your imagination is your only limit in where to go from there.

Check antique or resale shops for unusual and unique glass jars or visit a hobby shop for an extensive selection of miniatures or, if you really want a huge selection, visit a model railroad supply website for just about any type of miniature foliage, automobile, people, or building you could imagine. Much of the same design and technique can easily be applied to making your own snow globe, albeit with some extra materials. Glitter, especially blues and silvers, make for ideal “snow”.

For the liquid, be sure to use distilled water, as the minerals present in tap (even filtered) water can leave unsightly deposits on the inside of the container. Add a few drops of glycerin, which is usually inexpensive and available at pharmacies and natural food grocers, to add viscosity to the water, creating the desired effect of gently falling snow. Jars are ideal here as the decorative elements can be easily glued on the inside of the jar lid – just be sure to use an oil-based adhesive or marine-grade epoxy that will not degrade when in contact with water.

Can you spot the $207,744 difference between these identical homes?

Financing is the difference!

Get the details in The 62+ Loan Homebuyers Guide.

55places Mortgage is a joint venture between Mutual of Omaha Mortgage and 55places.com.
Details here.

Share this post:

We're here to help! (800) 928-2055

Call us to speak with a customer service representative.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get Weekly Updates

I agree that 55places and its affiliates, partner providers or agents may call, text, or email me about my inquiry, which may be made with automated means. I understand that my consent is not a prerequisite for buying a property. I may revoke my consent at any time by contacting optout@55places.com. Message/data rates may apply. I also agree to 55places.com’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

The Best Places to Snowbird in 2021

We’ve gathered 25 of the best places for snowbirds, including cities in Florida, Arizona, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Nevada. For each entry, we’ve also provided a list of recommended 55+ communities in the area. If you’re ready to find your own winter retreat this season, here are some of the best places to consider.

Interest Rate vs. APR (And Other Mortgage Questions)

The mortgage process is pretty complicated. Even if you’ve gone through it before, it’s easy to get tripped up with all the steps, documentation, and financial jargon of it all. Are you planning on applying for a mortgage soon? Before diving straight in, here are some answers to commonly asked mortgage questions.

Two 55+ active adults relaxing in lounge chairs by the beach.

How to Decide Which State to Retire In

It’s common for active adults to relocate to a new state for retirement, and with thousands of 55+ communities across the country, it’s difficult to find the perfect place without narrowing the search first by state. The best guideline is to move to a state that can provide the lifestyle you’re looking for.

An asthmatic 55+ woman reaching for an inhaler.

The Best Places to Retire If You Have Asthma

Climate, geography, and access to health care providers are all key considerations for those with a chronic health condition. Let’s explore some of the best places to retire if you have asthma and what factors may be particularly important to you in a retirement destination.

Happy senior couple relaxes while fishing together by the lake in their 55+ community.

55+ Communities for Lake Lovers: Discover the Top 5 Destinations

Boating, fishing, swimming, and other water sports are popular pastimes for many active adults. While these activities are frequently found in coastal areas, water-loving retirees can enjoy living inland when they choose a community that offers access to a lake!

A mature woman explores an art gallery with her granddaughter in one of her favorite retirement cities.

The 4 Best Places to Retire if You Love Art

Retirement is your chance to devote yourself to the pastimes you love! If you love art, a handful of places across the U.S. will suit you best. Today, the team at 55places.com is here to explore communities all over the nation that you’re sure to love.

Blueprints and tools on a desk as home builders plan a construction site.

The Top Active Adult Home Builders

Active adults at the start of their home search often come across multiple communities by the same developers. That’s because the most well-known 55+ community developers in the country have crafted hundreds of luxury communities in many retirement destinations across the nation.

About 55places

We’re changing the way people 55 and older are searching for their perfect next place. With a national network of hand-selected real estate experts, plus comprehensive information, unbiased content, and on-the-go insight about thousands of communities across the country, we’re a trusted resource paving the way from here to home. Whether you’re interested in a low-maintenance single-level residence, an active lifestyle or age-qualified community, an intimate enclave, or anything in between, we can help you make your next move the best one yet.

Scroll to Top