Basic materials:
torn strips of newspaper
cardboard box
craft knife/scissors
pencil
plain flour and water
Other possible materials for decorating your ornaments could include paint, glitter, beads, buttons, ribbon, old book or magazine pages, herbs and spices … anything you have lying around, in fact!

Basic papier mache method:
1. Cut some simple Christmas shapes from cardboard.
Draw them freehand onto cardboard from an old box, or make yourself a stencil by drawing your shape onto a piece of paper (you can trace or photocopy a template from somewhere, if you don't want to draw freehand.) Transfer this onto the lid of a margerine or ice cream tub and cut out with scissors or a craft knife. This will provide you with a durable stencil that will last for ages.

2. Tear newspaper into strips along the grain (1-3 cm wide)
If you tear a newspaper along the grain it will tear easily into strips. The width will depend on the shape you have chosen. Smaller shapes need thinner strips, as do more complicated shapes (Christmas trees and stars, for example.) The thickness of your newspaper will also vary. Thinner paper is easier to fold and mould around corners; thicker paper is better for simple shapes, but gives a lovely rustic finish, if that's what you're after.

3. Prepare glue – mix one part plain flour to one part tepid water
You can also use diluted pva glue or wallpaper paste, but I like to keep things natural and eco-friendly, so always use flour and water. Whisk the flour into the water until smooth. Don't use warm water as this will make the flour begin to stick together and make a gloopy mess! But you can take the chill off, to save your hands getting cold.
TIP: Be prepared to make a mess! Keep some kitchen roll or an old tea towel to hand.

4. Spread plenty of glue over your shape.

5. Run strips through glue and then through fingers to remove excess.

6. Wrap strips round your shape, smoothing creases as you go.
Leave to dry thoroughly and repeat with a second layer. Wrap in at least two layers, but further layers will make your finished ornament more robust; add as many as you like, drying thoroughly between layers.
Paint with a base coat of emulsion paint. (This is a great way to use up scraps of paint you have hanging around. But poster paint or acrylic will do just as well, if you haven't any emulsion.) Sand gently and

repeat if you like, to make a very hard, smooth surface. (A simple, naïve finish can be very beautiful, though.)
Make a hole with a dremmel, a nail or a thick needle and add ribbon, string or wire to hang.
Now have some fun indulging your creativity!

Decorative Suggestions:
The simplest decoration is the paper you use to cover your ornament. Try recycling an old book (especially if it has a Christmas theme), or using sheet music as the final layer of paper.
Paint your ornaments using any kind of paint. Leave them simply painted or try spots/stripes or Christmas motifs. Try painting lots of hearts red, embellish with a gold pen (or perhaps white for a Scandinavian flavour) and hang together for stunning effect.
Unvarnished, your ornaments will last well if you take a little care, wrapping them carefully in brown paper for next year and avoiding any contact with water. But you might like to varnish one you make as a special gift to ensure it lasts for a long time ... or if you just want them to be shiny!
Once you have your basic ornament, you can add embellishments as you like. Your imagination is your only limitation, but here are a few simple ideas:
Glue on a simple ribbon bow.
Or a charm or card topper.
Cover in glitter or sprinkles. Try using the same colour and shape.
Or use the same colour but a different shape.
Or a different colour.