DIY College-Themed Christmas Ornaments

Your college kid's mascot, university logo or even a graduation picture and colorful sprinkles fill a clear glass ball ornament in this simple, inexpensive craft project for the family Christmas tree.

These photo ornaments capture that incredible passage of time, with a baby photo on one side, and a graduation portrait on the other. Ready-made ornament frames tend to be very heavy - and one-sided. Instead, use a photo pendant frame, available from craft stores with jewelry making supplies, such as www.photojewelrymaking.com. These lightweight metal frames come in all sizes (including some designed specifically for ornaments), with a loop on the top for a necklace chain or, in our case, an ornament hook. Some come with clear glass or plastic covers, but you add a layer of glossy sealant, such as Diamond Glaze, instead.

This little cheerleader ornament was inspired by a Family Fun magazine craft project from years ago. It uses wooden beads, pipe cleaners, embroidery floss and felt, but where the original "Pipe Cleaner People" project made goofy little kids and Halloween icons, this one wears a campus cheerleading uniform and totes a pompom.

Whether it's an Oski, a Banana Slug or Alabama's ferocious Crimson Tide elephant, every campus has a mascot plastered on T-shirts, scarves and even fabric by the yard.  That makes it easy to make your own stuffed little ornaments, with beaded or embroidered embellishments.