How To Make A Lighted, Hanging Twig Star For Christmas

Cut the cost of Christmas and hang a hand-made lit star in the window

A lighted star made from twigs makes a really lovely Christmas decoration, especially hung in a window, and what’s more can be made for a fraction of the cost of buying one on the high street. If you gather the twigs from the garden or a walk in the countryside the only expense will be the battery lights which are about £4 – £5, some ribbon, glue and something to bind the joints. The decorations can be some small baubles left over from doing the tree, buttons, sprigs of fresh greenery, saltdough decorations or dried citrus slices and pieces of cinnamon.

 You will need:

• 6 lengths twig; all the same length
• glue and glue gun
• raffia, rustic string, metallic string, coloured wool
• string of LED battery lights
• decorations
• florists spray paint (optional)

Form three of the twigs into a triangle shape and place a dab of glue at each intersection. Place one triangle on top of the other to form a star and glue into place. Once the glue has set bind the joints with the raffia to hide the glue and to add a decorative element. If you are making this star with children use cold glue as both the hot glue and the gun can cause serious burns.

Now you have your basic star you get to the fun bit of decorating. Wind the LED battery lights around the star starting with the battery pack at the bottom of the star. Wire the battery pack to the star and cover with a bow, cluster of baubles or a small bunch of greenery. If you are using the raffia to bind the joints it goes well with a natural palette of dried fruits, cones, greenery and Scandi-type ornaments. Raid the button box and pair multi-coloured buttons with different colours of wool, and metallic thread goes well with nice shiny baubles. Remember to make a loop at the top to hang up your star.