Ideas for Christmas ornaments with a tropical theme abound. Fish and birds, tropical flowers and fruits, seashells, and beach accessories all provide materials and themes for a tropical Christmas. Consider hanging your ornaments or draping garland on a palm tree or on an island pine, rather than using a traditional fir as your Christmas tree.
ORNAMENTS
*Tropical Fish
You can make two-dimensional and three dimensional tropical fish ornaments. For two dimensional ornaments, find bright colored photos of fish online, in magazines, or inexpensive fish care pamphlets. You can also color copy photos from books about tropical fish. When you have printed or cut-out your fish photos, laminate them between two sheets of laminating film, and trim the film to about a quarter inch from the edge of the photo. Use a paper punch to make a hole for a ribbon or metallic cord that will be used to hang your fish from your Christmas tree.
Make three-dimensional fish by sculpting fish from paper mache or sculpting dough. Make sure to pierce a hole through each fish so it can be hung. Allow the fish to dry thoroughly and then paint them with bright colored acrylic paints. You can obtain your color schemes from photos of real fish or you can paint “fantasy” fish with your choice of colors. Finish with a high gloss acrylic lacquer to enhance the fishes’ bright colors. When the paint is dry, thread a ribbon or cord through the hole so that the fish can be hung.
*Mermaids
Sew small mermaids from felt. Create features and details with embroidery thread. Add scales to the mermaids’ tails and fins with sequins, which may be either glued or sewn. Use crochet thread, yarn, or raffia for the mermaids’ hair. Be sure to pick bright iridescent colors for the mermaids scales and hair. Sew or glue a loop of ribbon or cord to each mermaids’ head so that they can be hung.
*Tropical Fruit
From paper mache or sculpting dough, create a variety of tropical fruits, such as bananas, pineapples, mangos, and papayas. Before the paper mache or dough is dry, insert a hook into the top of each fruit or pierce a hole through it so that it can later be hung. Allow the fruits to dry thoroughly and then paint them with acrylic paints in bright, tropical hues. When the paint is dry, add a final coat of high gloss acrylic lacquer to each fruit. The fruit can be hung on your Christmas tree, but they may also be made into a wreath to hang on your door or over your mantel.
GARLANDS
*Seashells
Collect or purchase a variety of small seashells. Seashells, such as spindle shells and cowries, that already have holes work especially well in a garlands. String the shells on a metallic cord or thread. You may wish to add a small amount of glitter in subtle colors so that your garland reflects more light.
*Hibiscus
Make crepe paper hibiscus flowers in pink, red and yellow or purchase silk hibiscus blossoms. String the hibiscus flowers on metallic cord or yarn. You can add greenery or lengths of dried bamboo between the flowers if you wish.
*Fishing Bobbers and Lures
Collect an assortment of fishing bobbers and lures. Bobbers come in a variety of weights and sizes, and lures come in a variety of bright colors and sizes. Use heavy transparent fishing line to string the bobbers and lures at regular intervals. If you plan to use this garland on a Christmas tree, make sure that the weight of the bobbers is appropriate for your tree.
These are just a few ideas you can use to add a tropical flavor to your Christmas. Be inventive and mix these and other tropical elements, such as parrots, flamingos, hula girls, leis, bamboo, coconuts, tiki statues and torches, and leis.
