A paper Christmas ornament with its own hanging tab
Cut one broad tab as part of a paper ornament, bend it behind the picture and glue its end down. Try the loop size before gluing, then check the light decoration after the glue has set.
Choose where the ornament will hang
A paper Christmas ornament can carry its own broad hanging tab. Cut the picture and tab as one piece, then bend the tab into a loop behind it. This gives you a place to hang the light picture without adding string.
Choose a short display peg or a slim branch tip first, with an adult helping to find a spot you can comfortably reach. The loop must slide over that point without being forced. Keep this ornament light, with a drawing rather than heavy glued decorations.
Take paper that holds its shape but bends easily, pencil, scissors, crayons and a glue stick. Also keep a scrap strip for trying the loop size.
Try the tab length with a scrap
Bend the scrap strip into a roomy loop around the chosen peg or branch tip. Hold its ends together, leaving extra length where an end will be glued. Mark that length and use it as a guide for the ornament's tab.
On the main sheet, draw a broad circle with a wide rectangular tab extending from its top. Leave enough paper above the circle for the tested length. Keep the join broad, not a narrow neck that will tear easily.
Cut around the whole outline, with adult help as needed. Do not cut across the join between circle and tab. You should still have one piece.
Decorate the circle, then test the bend
Your child can draw a star, tree or other Christmas picture on the circle. Keep the back's upper area clear for the glued end. The tab can stay plain.
Curve the tab backward and bring its free end onto the upper back of the circle. Hold it there without glue. Check that the loop remains open and will fit the chosen display point. If the tab is too short, make a new longer outline before attaching anything.
Once the fit works, glue the free end to the circle's back, keeping a broad area of overlap. Press that glued patch gently without flattening the loop.
Let it set before hanging
Lay the ornament picture-side down, with its loop pointing up, while the glued patch sets. An adult can help slide the dry loop over the display point while your child supports the picture below.
Check whether the join holds and the picture hangs freely. If it slips or tears, take it down. Your child can glue the circle onto a backing sheet instead. One finished flat picture is a useful ending too.
OUR PAPER ORNAMENT AND TAB Display peg or branch tip chosen: ______ Scrap loop fits without force: ______ Tab length includes a broad glued overlap. Circle and wide tab cut as one connected piece: ______ Christmas drawing: ______ Unglued bend checked before fixing: ______ Free end glued to upper back; loop stays open. Glue set before adult-assisted hanging: ______ Finish: hang if join holds / take down / make a flat picture
