Sock snowmen - an inexpensive Christmas craft

Christmas brings visions of sugar plums and Santa and candy canes and, now, at least for me, sock snowmen! Sock snowmen are the perfect way to use those extra socks you have lying around - you know the ones - the dryer ate the other one. All you need to make this adorable Christmas craft is tube socks, twine, rubber bands, uncooked rice, buttons, or whatever you want to use as decoration for your own unique snowman. I say 'unique' as you'll never find 2 identical sock snowmen; they each have their own personality. I think these snowmen would be an adorable addition to a Valentine's Day gift too. Just find some fun Valentine's Day socks (think hearts) with which to fashion these snowmen.

Those of my readers who know me know that I was my Mom's caregiver for 5 years before her death at 95 in Feb, 2012. During those last few months, she required more care and that's when I really leaned on my friends. So, when I saw sock snowmen, I knew what I had to do - turn some of Mom's socks into sock snowman mementos. My friends loved them.

All pictures are mine - that's right - they're all mine. But, if you want to use one, just let me know. I share.

During the 5 years I was my Mom's caregiver, I wrote a LOT - actually, we wrote a lot as she frequently helped me find products to go along with my articles.

So, I started a whole new website called: GoodGiftsForSeniorCitizens.com (you can click that link to come see me). You'll find an entire site filled with over 300 items that are tried and proven to be wonderful for the elderly. There's even some you've never heard of, I'll bet - like a day clock.

I thought that all hot glue guns were created equal - boy, was I wrong! When we were making these sock snowmen, I was in WV so I just bought a cheap glue gun at the local dollar store. Don't do it!

Cheap hot glue guns heat the glue at a much lower temperature so you'll have strings of glue everywhere. Get the best hot glue guns on the market and you'll have a clean bead of hot glue anywhere you want without all the mess.

Ok, in my wanderings around the internet, I found these really cool things - Glue Dots! They adhere to almost any surface and would be much less messy than hot glue. Disclaimer: I have not tried these on Sock Snowmen or any other Christmas craft so I can't guarantee they work. If they don't though, they're still great to use with Christmas wrap and Christmas bows.

You'll need long white tube socks to make your Christmas snowmen. I found the tube socks I needed for this Christmas craft cheapest online, but you can use your own socks or look to Walmart or Target and check prices. Regardless, here's some socks for your look at for your Christmas sock snowmen.

And, remember: one pair of tube socks with make 2 sock snowmen.

This Christmas craft 'recipe' will yield you 2 sock snowmen. You can individualize every sock snowman any way you choose. The below 'ingredients' are only the things that I used to create my very own sock snowmen.

Here's a sampling of what eBay currently has for crafting supplies. If you're looking for a deal, you can sometimes find inexpensive craft supplies here:

I really think that these Christmas box of treats are a great way to show your friends your appreciation, regardless of why or when. And, the fact that these Christmas box of treats are not just square boxes is a bonus in my book.

Or, if you're looking for some great gift of the month clubs, you can find them on my website, GoodGiftsForSeniorCitizens.com on the Christmas gift page.