Quick Gilded Ornaments

Gold ink really shines
on the brightly colored
ornaments.

• Opaque glass ornaments in jewel tones
• Clean soft cloth
• Medium-point permanent marker with metallic gold ink (available in crafts and stationery stores)
• Extra-fine-point marking pen with gold or black ink
• 10-inch lengths of 1/4-inch-wide gold ribbon

1. Gently clean the surface of the ornaments using a soft cloth to remove any dust or debris.

2. Add designs. Use the medium-point gold pen to add swirls, squiggles, or other decorative marks all around each ornament. (You may want to doodle a bit on paper with an ordinary marker before you pick up an ornament.)

3. Sign your work of art. Using the fine-tipped pen, sign your name and print the date in small lettering on the bottom or back of each ornament.

4. Add ribbon for hanging. Thread a 10-inch length of ribbon through each ornament top and knot or tie in a bow as desired.

• Use pens with silver or colored-metallic ink for a wide variety of looks.
• Have each person in the household design and sign an ornament.
• Hang the ornaments with inexpensive gold chain (available from jewelry supply stores or catalogs) to heighten the elegance.
• Make matching wrapping paper by drawing bigger versions of the same design on solid-color gift wrap (you can do this either before or after wrapping the gift), then embellish by tying an ornament to the package ribbon.