My Fave Childhood Holiday Tradition
As a kid, my absolute favorite holiday tradition was what I called “Ravelette Balls”. They were basically balls that you unravel, and as you “unraveled” the ball you’d find treats and little presents in each layer. I was just a babe myself when I was given my first “Ravelette Ball”, and growing up my mom used to give us pre-made ones for every holiday. It was a tradition in our house, and I have such amazing memories of this little holiday treat. However, I’d never seen one of these “Ravelettes” in my adult life…
Cut to about a week ago, when I stumbled across this blog on HonestlyWTF.com talking about DIY Surprise Balls. OMG! I couldn’t believe it! These ‘Surprise Balls’ they spoke of were DIY versions of my beloved Ravelettes! I couldn’t believe I was seeing this long forgotten holiday tradition again, let alone seeing a DIY version. It was a sign sent to me from the blogosphere that I needed to reinstate the Ravelette tradition with my family.
Here’s how you can make your own Ravelettes/Surprise Balls/whatever you choose to name them based on HonestlyWTF’s fabulous tutorial:
- Start with a bunch of fine crepe paper (HonestlyWTF recommends this kind) and 10 or so fun little items. You don’t want the items to be too big, but you should mix it up and pick a bunch of your little one’s fave knick knacks. Make sure you have some items that are a little larger than the rest and are round shaped, and make sure you have some that are smaller and flat. Otherwise, you might end up with some seriously lopsided Ravelettes…
- Cut the crepe paper into 1 inch strips, length wise.
- Then, wrap the biggest item in the crepe paper in a criss cross pattern. Use 3 strips of the same color crepe paper to wrap this item. Once you’ve wrapped it, use a little bit of glue to seal the last strip down
- Add another item and wrap the same way but with a different color crepe paper.
- Continue this process until you’ve wrapped all of your goodies in different layers.
- Once the ball is finished, you can decorate it with thinner pieces of the crepe paper and any other adornments you want to add. HonestlyWTF added Dresden trim, which looks amazing.
And there you have it! My fave childhood holiday tradition, given the DIY treament. These would be great stocking stuffers, and could even look really cute sitting under your Christmas tree. I bet your little ones would love to open one of these guys on Christmas morning!
HonestlyWTF put these items in their Surprise Balls (pictured above), but you can put whatever you want in yours! It’s so fun for the kids to make, and even more fun for them to open. I remember how excited I would be about unraveling layer after layer and constantly uncovering new goodies. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, and I am obsessed with this DIY version.
Next year I think I’m going to make 25 of them and mark each day of December on them, so that the kids will get to open one a night until Christmas! You could also wrap them with blue and white crepe paper and make 8 of them for 8 nights of Hannukah
What’s your all-time fave holiday tradition? And will you be creating your own version of my long-lost Ravelettes?
Love,
T
Photo & Craft Credit: HonestlyWTF
9 comments
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I made these instead of party favor bags for my daughter's 7th birthday. They were a big hit. Thanks for the idea! -
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This post almost brought a tear to my eye. My mom use to buy each of us advent calenders, I think is what they were called. For the first 25 days of December each morning we got to open up the compartment and eat our piece of candy. It was so special, just like these surprise balls. That was the tradition in my family that I cherish most. It has a way of working a kid up to the big day like nothing else. Every morning for 25 days I counted down till Christmas morning. And I had never really thought twice about it, but my mommy made sure she had these calendars each dec 1st! She will become a Mammy in about a week or so, my first niece is due to be here soon. We might have a Christmas baby this year ( I hope not), or she might be born on my moms bday, the 28th which I think would be super cool!
Tori I love this idea, because it so similar to our tradition and you can make it so personal. And i love love even more that you want to count down the days till christmas with your babes! It would be so fun picking up little things through out the year to put in them. honey u will have to keep your eye out all the time. Lol. And call on the guncles and start in October to get them all done? If my math is right then 25 days times 4 kids is 100. And if you do the Hanukkah days also that's 32 more. 132 surprise balls sounds like an alful lot but if anyone can get it done you and you whole clan can! -
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Tori,
What little gifts would you find in your Ravelette Balls as a child? Also, what are some things that you would include now for your kids in these? -
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Oh - my kids would totally love those -- might be a fun thing for them to make as friend gifts. That way I don't have to do all the work ;)
One of our family's favorite holiday traditions is trying to come up with creative neighbor gifts every year. This year my 10 year old was inspired a bit by "Wreck it Ralph" and we made geyser gifts.
http://flipzles.blogspot.com/2012/12/geyser-gifts.html -
Totally the cutest thing I have ever seen! :) I am loving this idea!
http://www.thedoseofreality.com/2012/12/05/oh-just-go-elf-yourself/
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