Door hangers are inexpensive to make and can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make them. Kids can participate with some help and supervision, depending on their age. 

This project can also be adapted for use at other holidays. The first one I made was for Halloween; it said “Boo!” and was decorated with painted wooden shapes in the forms of a black cat, jack-o-lantern and witch. Since then, I've made many more to sell at a Swedish holiday boutique using brown craft foam and cookie cutters to make gingerbread boys outlined with “icing” (white puffy paint). I've incorporated other Swedish Christmas symbols such as woven hearts, pigs, and stars. I've also added bells and used letters to spell God Jul (“Merry Christmas” in Swedish). Another idea is to make one out of yarn, decorate it with a special little girls' name and silk flowers, and she can clip barrettes or scrunchies to it. 

You need: 

• 1 ball of medium-weight jute (may substitute with sisal or hemp)
• KI chipboard alphabet
• KI chipboard shapes
• KI sashes or other coordinating ribbon
• glue gun
• ink or paint in a dark color of your choice

Optional:

• wooden shapes, or shapes cut from craft foam
• photos
• rub-ons

1.  Cut twelve 6-foot lengths of jute (or more if you want a fatter braid) and two pieces about 6" each. Drape the long pieces evenly over a doorknob and, using one of the short strands, tie about an inch below the doorknob so it can slip on and off easily. Divide into 3 equal sections and braid to the desired length . Tie off and trim ends. 

2.  Paint or ink any wood or craft foam shapes. Add photos if desired. Paint or ink the edges of the chipboard letters and shapes. 

3.  On the braid, lay out your letters first; then your decorations. Use a glue gun to attach. (You can peel the paper off of the KI chipboard first, but don’t rely solely on the glue already on the chipboard.)

4.  Add ribbon to cover the jute ties at the top and bottom, as well as to fill in (and even up) the spaces.  You’re done!

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