Giant Christingle Giant Christingles are a great way to explain the 4 symbols of the Christingle to a large audience. They are also really fun to make with children. Below are 4 different ways to make your own giant Christingle. Version 1 One giant-sized polystyrene ball 12" diameter if possible, available from craft shops or visit the Graham Sweet website (minimum order of 50) Four pieces of wooden dowelling (thickness depending on size of orange - from DIY or model shops) or bamboo garden cane Wide red ribbon Velcro tape (self-adhesive) Orange paint (suitable to paint polystyrene) bath sponges) Aluminium foil Paint the polystyrene ball orange and leave to dry. Using a sharp knife, cut a hole approx 2 1/2 " deep in the top to hold the candle. Cut a star shaped piece of aluminium foil with a central hole and stick to the top of the Christingle over the hole.
Sharpen the points of the 4 wooden doweling and insert into the top of the polystyrene ball to a depth that makes them stable (approx 2"). Attach the pretend fruits to the sticks by wrapping selfadhesive velcro around the sticks and placing the matching velcro on the fruits to be attached. Alternatively, make holes in the centre of the fruits to thread them onto the sticks. Fix a length of red ribbon or paper around the widest part of the sphere (use velcro if you wish to assemble as going along). To enable the Christingle to be freestanding it may be necessary to flatten the bottom of the sphere to make it stand upright. Version 2 Two fibre hanging basket shells DIY foam insulating filling (spray) Newspaper ball String Four pieces of wooden dowelling (thickness depending on size of orange - from DIY or model shops) or bamboo garden cane Wide red ribbon Quantity of velcro type tape (self-adhesive) Orange paint (suitable to paint polystyrene) bath sponges) Aluminium foil Prepare a large ball of tightly wrapped newspaper for the centre of the sphere. This should almost fill the centre of the two halves when placed together. Cut a hole in the top of one of the shells (large enough to take the candle). Take the second shell and spray a 2" layer of foam inside the shell starting from the centre and going round the inside in a spiral motion.
Place the paper ball on top of this foam in the centre of the shell. Put a foam layer on the outside of the ball so it is completely covered and quickly place the second shell over the top to form a ball. Please note the foam expands rapidly so it needs to be done quickly and carefully, please follow instructions on the can. Tie the two halves tightly together with string taking care not to make grooves in outer shell. Allow it to dry for at least three days or a week. When foam is completely set remove the string and with a sharp knife cut the excess foam from the hole and trim the lips of the two shells around the middle. Paint the entire shell orange. Proceed as above from point 3 in Version 1 above. Version 3 Large round paper lampshade Plastic plant pot (diameter a little larger than hole in top of lampshade) Newspaper torn into strips Wallpaper paste Orange paint Four canes or wooden doweling Flower arranger s oasis foam bath sponges), velcro to secure Aluminium foil square Thick red ribbon Soak the strips of newspaper in paste and apply to the lampshade in overlapping pattern from top to bottom leaving the top and bottom holes free of paper. Repeat the process to give the shape more strength. Dry in a warm place (e.g. airing cupboard). Repeat the process by adding another two layers of newspaper and allow to dry.
When sufficient layers have been added and are dry, remove the wire stretcher part of the lampshade via one of the holes. Paint the entire ball orange. Make the holes for the canes to go through. Cut four blocks of oasis approx 4" square and glue to the inside of the shape at the point where the garden cane sticks will penetrate it. When placing the garden canes into the Christingle they will pass through the oasis and should be held at right angles. The 'fruit' can be attached to the sticks as in version 1. Attach the red ribbon around the centre of the Christingle. Insert the plant pot into the top of the Christingle filled with oasis and wedge the candle into the oasis so it remains firmly upright. Stick the aluminium foil at the top of the Christingle around the base of the candle. Version 4 Large balloon PVA glue Newspaper strips Orange paint Red tape or ribbon Four kebab sticks Large dried fruit and sweets e.g. dates, marshmallows Large white candle Blue tack Inflate the balloon and use the newspaper and PVA to papier mache the entire balloon. Leave it to dry and apply another coat or two of papier mache. Once it is completely dry pop the balloon with a small needle and paint the entire Christingle orange. Another coat may be needed to ensure all the newspaper is covered. Attach the red tape/ribbon around the centre of the Christingle.
Skewer the fruits and sweets onto the kebab sticks and secure these around the top of the Christingle using the blue tack. Make a hole at the top of the Christingle slightly smaller than the bottom of the candle. Wrap a piece of blue tack around the bottom of the candle and carefully insert it into the hole.