Christmas Craft: Coconut Pots

Materials:
•Whole coconut husks
•Potting soil
•Small plants such as ferns, air plants, succulents or herbs
•Decorations such as tinsel, ribbon, string lights or paper snowflakes
•Agar or superglue
•Paint or stain (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start with a fresh, whole coconut husk. Carefully peel away the thick brown husk until the white coconut shell is exposed.
2. Make a drainage hole in the bottom of the coconut shell using a drill or hobby knife and sandpaper. Agar or superglue can be used to seal any cracks.
3. Fill the coconut shell about 2/3 full with well-draining potting soil. Add a small plant, air plant or succulent.
4. Continue filling the coconut shell with soil around the plant, leaving some of the top exposed for decorating.
5. Secure a lid to the top of the coconut shell to keep dirt and debris out. The lid can be another coconut shell, or you can cut a circle of wood, styrofoam or cardboard to fit the top.
6. Decorate the coconut pots with tinsel, ribbon, string lights, paper snowflakes orpainting/staining for a festive look.
7. Place the decorated coconut pots on tables, counters, mantels or any surface for display.

Some tips for making coconut pots:
•Use a drill to make evenly spaced drainage holes for the best results.
•Add perlite or vermiculite to the potting soil for extra drainage.
•Chose plants with similar light and water needs for easy care. Air plants, succulents and herbs do well in coconut pots.
•Seal any cracks in the coconut shell with superglue or agar to prevent leaks.
•Paint or stain the coconut shells to match your home decor before adding plants.
•Use a matching or contrasting ribbon, tinsel and lights to decorate for cohesion.
• Display the coconut pots together for a dramatic look or space them apart for a scattered vignette.
•Keep the coconut pots on surfaces out of direct sunlight for best plant health.

Other Christmas Craft Ideas:
•Paper snowflakes: Fold colored paper in half, then cut out shapes to make intricate snowflake designs. Tape them to windows for a winter wonderland effect.
•Candle luminaries: Fill a paper cup 2/3 full with sand or kitty litter. Place a candle inside and decorate the cup to make a personal luminary.
•String popcorn or cranberry garlands: Pop popcorn and string popped kernels or thread cranberries onto string or thread for an edible garland.
•Baked clay ornaments: Roll out aluminum foil or wax paper over clay, then roll and shape into ornaments. Bake at a low temperature until hardened.
•Felted wool decorations: Wet washable wool felt sheets and shape into decorations, ornaments or garlands in the washer/dryer.
•Gingerbread houses or ornaments: Roll out gingerbread cookie dough and cut out shapes to decorate gingerbread houses, trees or make ornaments.
• DIY wreaths: Make a pine cone wreath, popcorn/cranberry wreath, paper chain wreath or woven greenery wreath.