Christmas Decorating With Glass Blocks

Cindy has made glass block Christmas decorations to give as gifts and has also decorated her own home with this elegant and easy craft.

This elegant craft is surprisingly easy to make.

Glass Block Christmas Present Decorations

This Christmas, several lucky people will be receiving these beautiful glass block Christmas present decorations from me. They are so easy to make and so pretty displayed wherever an outlet is nearby in which to plug them. I have used them on end tables, under the Christmas tree, and in the bathroom. They also make a great night light. They make a wonderful accent wherever you decide to place them.

Supply List

1 glass block, pre-drilled from a craft store or whole from a home improvement store such as Home Depot or Lowe's (to see instructions for drilling a hole in a glass block, click here).
1 package of Christmas lights (35–50 lights. 35 lights are shown in the pictures you see in this article), your choice of color
1 1/2-inch-wide wire-edged ribbon, your choice of color
pipe cleaners to match the ribbon

Instructions

Spread a towel or soft cloth over your work surface. This will protect the glass block and the surface on which you are working. Step-by-step pictures follow these instructions.

Remove any labels from the glass block and clean the block thoroughly with glass cleaner.
Remove the string of lights from the box, and work out the kinks. Then stuff the lights through the block's pre-drilled opening or the 1/2" opening that you cut into the block. Be careful not to cut yourself. It's easier to push the lights in one at a time, protecting the integrity of the bulbs as you push them into the opening.
If the glass edges are sharp, you can wear gloves to protect your hands. If pre-drilled block comes with a cover to insert into the hole, cut a slit halfway through the plastic - from the edge of the circle to the center.
Thread the Christmas light wire through this slit in the cover and place the cover into the hole. All lights should be secure inside the block with the plug-in portion of the cord extending from the block.
Wrap ribbon around glass block, just as if you were wrapping a real gift. This is best accomplished by wrapping the ribbon around two sides of the glass block, meeting on the underside, crossing the ribbons and then turning and going up the other two sides. Pull the ribbon's ends together at the top and secure with a knot.
Then wrap one cut end of the ribbon around the ribbon laying flat against the top of glass block, and secure with another knot.
Make the bow. (A bow making video can be found below.)
Using the pipe cleaner or floral wire, secure bow around both ribbons on top of the glass block, covering the knot that was previously tied in the ribbon.
Fluff and form bow to the desired position (wire-edged ribbon holds its shape really well for this step), and you have finished your beautiful lighted Christmas decoration.

Step One: Clean and Prepare the Block

glass-block-christmas-present-decoration

Step Two: Prepare and Insert the Lights

Step Three: Cut a Slit in the Plastic

Step Four: Secure the Lights In

Step Five: Add Ribbon

Bottom of Glass Block Christmas Present Decoration

Step Six: Tie the Knot

glass-block-christmas-present-decoration

Top of Glass Block Christmas Present Decoration

Step Seven: Make the Bow

Make the bow out of the same ribbon per the instructions in the video below.

Here I am making my bow in the pictures above and below. I made a 5 loop bow, with 5 loops on each side.

Step Eight: Secure the Bow

The Finished Project

The illuminated decoration.

The Half-Block Decoration

I needed to make another one to give as a gift, but when I went back to the store, all the larger blocks were gone. I purchased a half block, instead, which was 4" x 8". The pictures of the rectangular gift above show the finished product displayed in my bathroom. If I placed some nice greenery around it, you can see that it would make a fantastic decoration anywhere in your home.

A Great Gift for Anyone

There you have it. This decoration would make a wonderful gift for anyone on your gift-giving list.

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on July 21, 2020:

Great note, Patty!

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on July 21, 2020:

Thanks, Maggie. They do make wonderful gifts.

Patty Snider on December 20, 2016:

I add a card with this note when I make them for Christmas gifts. The greatest gift ever given is Jesus .........the light of the world.

Maggie on March 23, 2016:

BEAUTIFUL, so BEAUTIFUL..wonderful gifts..thank you

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 23, 2011:

Hi, debbie! Sure, go ahead and create a hub about it. I sure would like to see it. I take photos of most everything now, so if I want to write a hub about it, I can. But if not, then I just delete the pictures. I am looking forward to seeing it.

Thanks so much! Here's wishing you and yours a very merry

Christmas.

Debbie Roberts from Greece on December 23, 2011:

Hi,I keep trying to get five minutes on the computer...No chance at the moment....If you don't mind me creating a hub about it then I will. I didn't take photos as it didn't occur to me, but after the holidays I can dismantle it and take them then, there is always next Christmas after all!!

I'll be sure to link it to yours too...

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 20, 2011:

debbie - I hope you took pictures. You could write a hub about it, and then we could link them together. I would love to see your marvelous creation. It sounds beautiful. I am glad that I helped to inspire you.

For future reference, the block advertised in the middle above is actually acrylic, so it might survive the journey.

Here's wishing you and all your loved ones a truly blessed Christmas. Thanks so much!

Debbie Roberts from Greece on December 20, 2011:

Hiya homesteadbound, I just wanted to thank you for this hub , it helped to give us an idea to make an attractive decoration to add to our collection. We couldn't get the block as even Amazon would have been hard pressed to get it here in one piece with the Greek postal system!! So we used a large glass cylindrical vase filled it with mauve lights wrapped in silver tinsel then the whole vase covered in a mauve netting. It makes for a very attractive Christmas decoration and without your hub we would never have done it.

Have a Merry Christmas & goodluck with your new job next year!!

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 11, 2011:

Movie Master - I was looking at the pictures again, and they just do not do it justice. If you make one of these I believe that you will be very pleased.

thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the votes.

Movie Master from United Kingdom on December 11, 2011:

This is so creative and so pretty!

I have never used a glass block before, suddenly I am buzzing with ideas!

Many thanks for sharing and voting up.

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 10, 2011:

brittanytodd. I really enjoyed making this wonderful Christmas decoration. A glass block Christmas present decoration would be an excellent Christmas present at the last minute.

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 10, 2011:

mary615 - I hope you do get a chance to try this. If you can get the pre-drilled block, it is so easy. Thanks for stopping by.

Brittany Kennedy from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on December 10, 2011:

Wow! This is such a creative idea! Great work, HSB. You explained everything so clearly. Thanks for sharing, voted up, etc.

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 10, 2011:

mary615 - I am pleased that you enjoyed this craft project. Glass blocks make beautiful "Christmas presents"!

Thanks for stopping by.

Mary Hyatt from Florida on December 10, 2011:

What a great idea! I'd like to try this craft. I've used glass blocks in construction, but never a craft. I voted this UP, etc. Thanks for sharing.

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 10, 2011:

debbie roberts - You can get this blocks at a home improvement store, or you can order them from amazon - I provided a link.

These really are pretty and easy to make.

Thanks for stopping by!

Debbie Roberts from Greece on December 09, 2011:

What a great idea, I love twinkle and lights at Christmas and this decoration looks so effective. Unfortunately we have no craft shops here but if I can find a suitable glass holder that hubby he can drill a hole into I'll be giving this a go myself...Excellent hub that I thoroughly enjoyed

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 09, 2011:

WillStarr - These glass block Christmas present decorations are really great, whether you are making them for yourself or others. Let me know how they turn out!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 09, 2011:

billips - When ever the recipient receives them, they are sure to love them.

How wonderful to be finished with your Christmas shopping already.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 09, 2011:

VirginiaLynne - You might take a look at the bow video that I included with this hub. It appears to be even easier than any I have seen before. I have a couple more of these to make and I will be using the techniques shown in this video.

But yes, they can be purchased also.

Have a very merry Christmas! And thanks for stopping by!

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 09, 2011:

Hillbilly Zen - You've been reading about my conversations with my husband I see. I don't give him such a hard time when I need him to do something. LOL

I hope you get a chance to make one of these. They really are pretty!

Thanks for stopping by, and here's hoping you have a merry Christmas.

WillStarr from Phoenix, Arizona on December 09, 2011:

What a great idea! We'll try it.

billips from Central Texas on December 09, 2011:

What a great idea, and it looks pretty easy - would certainly make a lovely and unusual Christmas gift - I've finished all my gifts for this year, but will definitely make a few of these next year - regards, B.

Virginia Kearney from United States on December 09, 2011:

Great project idea--thanks for the photos. I'm not a great bow maker but a person could also just buy a bow if they aren't crafty. Votes up and beautiful. I also like the copyright info at the end of the hub. I probably ought to put something like that on mine.

Hillbilly Zen from Kentucky on December 08, 2011:

How cool is this! Wonderful photos and easy to follow instructions. Thanks for sharing this great idea, Ms. Cindy.

Voted up and all across including funny, because I could just imagine you talking your husband into drilling the holes.

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 08, 2011:

carol3san - it really did not take that long to make these glass block Christmas presents for gifts. In fact it took me longer to down load the pics than it took e to make it. And then it took longer to write it and insert all the capsules than it did to make. So it really is an easy project to make.

You ought to give it a try. It really is easy.

Thanks for stopping by and for commenting.

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on December 08, 2011:

Gail/Happyboomernurse - I purchased one of these several years ago. I love it. My husband did not want to drill the holes to make them, but yesterday when we went to the craft store, the blocks were half off! That was a deal I could not pass up. They are so pretty.

Thanks for stopping by!

Carolyn Sands from Hollywood Florida on December 08, 2011:

This is very interesting. I truly admire anyone who has the time to do this sort of thing. Both the glass and the bow are very beautiful. voted up,useful and interesting.

Gail Sobotkin from South Carolina on December 08, 2011:

What a beautiful, unique, economical and thoughtful craft gift to make. Great step by step instructions and photos. I've never seen one of these in person but it looks awesome in the photo. Voted up across the board except for funny. Thanks for sharing this information.