It’s the week of Christmas and, whether it’s because of holiday parties, general celebrations, or just because, you’ve been throwing back a few more beers than is typical. I’ve found a way to put all that good drinking to use…and it’s something you can do even after throwing back a full bottle of something higher than 15% ABV. Allow me to introduce: beer label Christmas ornaments! I shamelessly stole this idea after seeing Tierney of Stouts & Stilettos post a picture of a Tröegs Mad Elf ornament I assumed she had made and figured that, even with my limited crafting skills, I could accomplish the task.

It’s no secret that Bob and I collect labels (use this link to learn how to get labels off of your beer bottles), which leads to interesting bartering when we attend tastings together, so I had that key part of the process already. Other than that you can absolutely do this with stuff you have lying around the house:

Label

Empty six pack

Coaster

Pencil

Posterboard/cardboard

Tape

Glue

String or ornament hooks

Easy: Beer Labels

The first step is to choose which label you want to decorate your tree with. I went with some old favorite: Lagunitas Sucks, Tröegs Perpetual IPA (the 22oz bottle version), and Bruery Otiose. Lay the labels out on some cardboard or posterboard and decide how you want the final product to look.

Start by tracing the outside of the label and drawing the key aspects inside the box. For the Lagunitas label, I drew out Lagunitas and where the Santa was. That way, when I got to the cutting stage, I wouldn’t be disappointed with a ruined label. For Tröegs, I wanted to replicate the never-ending tap handle that’s the focus of the label. I thought that the Bruery label was ready-to-hang as it was! Always remember: measure twice, cut once.

Next, cut out the cardboard (without the labels!). Fix the cutouts to the back of the label with some tape, and carefully cut the label.

Now all that’s left is to glue the cardboard to the label, and press inside a thick book until dry and flat. Add a hook and put it on the tree for all to see!

Easier: Six Pack

Don’t have any labels laying around? You’re in luck! You can do basically the same process with a six pack. You can skip the whole cardboard process (because six packs are cardboard…) and draw the outline on the back of the six pack. Cut, hook, and hang. Look at you being all crafty!

Easiest: Coaster

This one could be accomplished by any person with finger dexterity. Do you have a coaster? Poke a hole in the top, add a hook, and place on the tree!