5 Cardinal Bird Christmas Ornament Ideas

Cardinal birds are a beloved and iconic symbol of the holiday season, with their vibrant red plumage and cheerful songs evoking the spirit of Christmas. If you're looking for a unique and creative way to incorporate these majestic birds into your holiday decor, consider making your own cardinal bird Christmas ornament. In this article, we'll explore five cardinal bird Christmas ornament ideas that are sure to add a touch of festive flair to your tree.

1. Felt Cardinal Ornament

Create a charming and rustic cardinal ornament using felt and a few basic crafting supplies. You'll need:

• Red and black felt sheets
• White felt sheet for the belly
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• String or twine for hanging
• Stuffing material (optional)

Cut out the cardinal's body and wings from the red felt sheet, and the beak and legs from the black felt sheet. Cut out a small oval shape from the white felt sheet for the belly. Assemble the cardinal by gluing the wings and beak to the body, and attaching the belly to the front. Add some stuffing material to give the ornament some depth and dimension. Finally, attach a string or twine to the top of the ornament for hanging.

Adding Details

Use a black marker to draw on the cardinal's eyes and nostrils. You can also add some texture to the wings and tail by cutting out small shapes from the red felt sheet and gluing them on.

2. Glass Painted Cardinal Ornament

Add a touch of elegance to your tree with a beautifully painted glass cardinal ornament. You'll need:

• Clear glass ornament
• Glass paint
• Paintbrushes
• Sealant (optional)

Paint a stunning cardinal design onto the glass ornament using glass paint. Start with the body and wings, using a combination of red and black paint to create a realistic color scheme. Add some white paint for the belly and a black paint for the beak and legs. Use a small paintbrush to add details such as eyes and nostrils.

Sealing the Paint

If you want to ensure that the paint lasts for years to come, consider applying a clear sealant over the design. This will protect the paint from fading or chipping.

3. Paper Mache Cardinal Ornament

Create a unique and eco-friendly cardinal ornament using paper mache and a few basic crafting supplies. You'll need:

• Newspaper or paper strips
• Glue
• Water
• Balloon
• Scissors
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• String or twine for hanging

Inflate a balloon to the desired size and shape for your cardinal ornament. Cut strips of newspaper or paper and dip them into a mixture of glue and water. Wrap the strips around the balloon, overlapping them to create a solid layer. Allow the paper mache to dry completely, then pop the balloon and remove it from the ornament.

Adding Details

Use scissors to trim the edges of the ornament and create a more defined shape. Paint the cardinal design onto the ornament using acrylic paint. Add details such as eyes and nostrils using a small paintbrush.

4. Recycled Material Cardinal Ornament

Get creative and eco-friendly with a cardinal ornament made from recycled materials. You'll need:

• Old CDs or DVDs
• Red construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• String or twine for hanging

Cut out a cardinal shape from the red construction paper, including the body, wings, and tail. Glue the shape onto an old CD or DVD, positioning it to create a 3D effect. Cut out small shapes from the construction paper to create the beak and legs, and glue them onto the ornament.

Adding Shimmer

Use a glue stick to attach some glitter or small sequins to the ornament, adding a touch of shimmer and sparkle.

5. Salt Dough Cardinal Ornament

Create a charming and rustic cardinal ornament using salt dough and a few basic crafting supplies. You'll need:

• Salt dough mixture (flour, salt, water)
• Rolling pin
• Cardinal shape cookie cutter
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• String or twine for hanging

Roll out the salt dough mixture to the desired thickness and use a cardinal shape cookie cutter to cut out the ornament. Use a rolling pin to flatten the edges and create a more defined shape. Allow the ornament to dry completely, then paint it with acrylic paint. Add details such as eyes and nostrils using a small paintbrush.

Adding a Hanger

Use a needle to poke a small hole at the top of the ornament, then thread a string or twine through the hole to create a hanger.

We hope these cardinal bird Christmas ornament ideas have inspired you to create your own unique and festive holiday decor. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a beginner, these projects are sure to add a touch of magic to your tree.