When the Christmas lights outside the window gradually light up and the aroma of mulled wine wafts through the street corners, it’s the perfect time to curl up in a warm room and do some crafting! Today, we’ll teach you how to make three super simple Christmas-themed “squishies”—they have a soft, fluffy texture and a soothing bounce. They can be used as desktop decorations or stress-relief toys, and are perfect for gifting to friends or keeping for yourself!
I. Prepare Materials: Easy to Gather, No Pressure for Beginners
Making squishies doesn’t require complicated tools—you can use common household materials. If you don’t have some items, you can buy them online and get them delivered the same day:
- Basic Shaping Materials: Super-light clay (white, green, and brown are essential; red, gold, and silver for accents), high-elasticity cotton (choose high-fluffiness cotton for a softer squeeze).
- Fixing Tools: Hot glue gun (low-temperature models are safer), double-sided tape (for small-area fixing).
- Decorative Items: Mini Christmas bells, glitter flakes, small colorful beads, ribbons (red-green or gold-threaded styles), black marker (for drawing faces).
- Auxiliary Tools: Plastic mat (to prevent sticking), small scissors, toothpicks (for adjusting details).
II. Tutorials for 3 Christmas Squishies: From Easy to Moderate, Done in Half an Hour
1. Wandering Snowman Squishy (Difficulty: ★☆☆)
This soft snowman feels like holding a cloud when squeezed, and can also be hung on a bag as a charm!
- Make the snowman’s body: Take 20g of white clay, knead it into a 5cm-diameter ball. Gently press a “small hollow” with your thumb, stuff it with fluffy cotton (fill to 80%—overfilling will make it hard), then seal the opening with clay and knead it into a smooth ball again. Similarly, make a 3cm small ball for the head, and use a little clay to stick the body and head together.
- Add Christmas decorations: Knead red clay into a thin strip, wrap it around the snowman’s neck as a scarf; knead two small black clay buttons and stick them on the body; stick a little gold clay on a toothpick, shape it into a small hat, and place it on the snowman’s head.
- Create the “squishy feel”: Gently press the snowman’s surface with your fingers to adjust the cotton distribution, ensuring every part feels soft when squeezed. Finally, drill a small hole on the top of the snowman’s head, thread a ribbon through it, and tie a small bell—shake it and it jingles, squeeze it and it bounces back. So soothing!
2. Mini Christmas Tree Squishy (Difficulty: ★★☆)
This layered Christmas tree lets you feel the soft bounce of the “leaves” when squeezed, and works great as a small desktop ornament!
- Make the tree base: Take 10g of brown clay, knead it into a cone shape as the tree stump, and draw a few wood grains on the surface with a marker.
- Make the tree crown: Take 30g of green clay, divide it into 3 equal parts, knead each part into a “water drop shape”, then pinch it into a thin “tree leaf” with your fingers. Stack them on the stump from bottom to top— the bottom layer is the largest, the top layer the smallest—leave a little gap between each layer (to allow deformation when squeezed).
- Add cotton + decorations: Gently pull apart one “leaf” from the side of the tree crown, stuff a small amount of cotton inside (don’t use too much, or it will stretch out of shape), then put the leaf back in place. Finally, sprinkle glitter flakes on the tree, stick a small red bead on the top as a star, and wrap a gold-threaded ribbon around the tree stump—when squeezed, the green leaves will sink slightly, and bounce back when you let go. It has a great tactile feel!
3. Gingerbread Man Hug Squishy (Difficulty: ★★☆)
Modeled after a gingerbread man, squeezing it feels like holding a soft “Christmas cookie”, and you can even write a blessing on its back!
- Make the gingerbread man outline: Take 25g of brown clay, knead it into a round cake, then use scissors to cut it into a gingerbread man shape (round head, rectangular body, and small arms/legs). Use a toothpick to press “cookie lines” on the surface.
- Add cotton + seal the edges: Gently split the gingerbread man-shaped clay (like opening a book), spread a thin layer of cotton inside, then use a little brown clay to seal the edges. Rub the edges smooth with your fingers to avoid cracking.
- Draw the face + decorate: Knead white clay into small dots, stick them on the gingerbread man’s face as eyes and buttons; knead red clay into a thin strip, shape it into a smiling mouth and a bow tie. Finally, use a gold marker to write “Merry Christmas” on the back of the gingerbread man—when squeezed, the gingerbread man’s belly will sink softly. Looking at its smiling face, all stress fades away!
III. Tips: Make Squishies More Durable and Cuter
- Prevent cracking: If the clay joints are prone to cracking, dab a little water (not too much) and gently rub with your fingers to make the bond stronger.
- Adjust softness: For a softer feel, add more cotton; for a more structured shape, add less. Adjust according to your preference!
- Creative extensions: You can also make a Christmas stocking squishy (use red clay to make a stocking shape, stuff it with cotton, and stick white fluff on the stocking opening), a gift box squishy (use colored clay to make a cube, and stick a ribbon and bow on the surface). You can even put a small scented sheet inside the squishy—when squeezed, it will emit a faint fragrance!
Place your finished Christmas squishies on the desk as decorations; when you’re tired, give them a squeeze—the soft texture instantly lifts your mood. When gifting to friends, wrap them in Christmas wrapping paper—they’ll definitely be surprised when they unwrap it! This Christmas, why not make a few squishies by hand and “squeeze” warmth and joy into your days!
