Crabmommy Loves: Holiday Angels

As a half-Jewish atheist, I have no business getting hopped up with joy over Christmas decorations. I was also one of those moms who swore she'd never tell her kid some claptrap about a man in a red suit on a one-horse open sleigh. But as many of you know, I'm a momocrite, and nothing warms my crabby heart more than a Christmas tree, especially when it's decked out in sweet handmade angel ornaments from Etsy.

Could anything be more screamingly gorgeous than these paper ladies (above)? The technique here is called quilling. Quilling, or paper filigree, is the art of rolling and shaping strips of paper to form an object such as these delectable angels ($8 apiece). Fancy that! (Snag incredible presents for everyone on your list and keep your budget in tact with these great gifts for under $25)

Perhaps they're not as haute-design as their paper cohorts above, but I still think these scallop-shell angels are charmingly retro-fabulous. And at $5.50 for a set of 3, I'd call that a small miracle. And yes, it's tacky but that doesn't stop me digging the golf tee angel at right; in fact it may even be the tackiness that makes the tee angel so appealing. Perfect for anyone with golfers in the fam, these angels tee off at $2.50 apiece. 

I'm def planning to snap up a few of these heavenly delights for my tree this year, though per my family tradition, I will reserve the tippy-treetop for the Crabtot Angel I showcased here last year. What it lacks in fine handiwork it makes up for in attitude. Speaking of attitude, if angels and tradition don't cut it for your holiday celebrations, consider a set of felt Darth Vader/Storm Trooper ornaments, which I think are about as religiously all-inclusive and multi-culti as it gets. The dark side made Etsylicious! Can you resist?

Stay tuned for my best cheapmommy gift ideas later this week: fab loot for $20 and under!

Related: We've found the best online holiday cards—so you can scratch one more thing off your to-do list.

More from Crabmommy:

• Make the Most Out of Your Dollar
  Teach your kids—and yourself—about money management with a little assistance from our financial experts
• Confessions of a Mommyblogger
  Are blogging moms writing an Internet love letter to their kids, or just violating their children's privacy?
• Cookie's All-purpose Gift Guides
  New mom? Birthday? Find the perfect present for everyone you know.
• Subscribe to Cookie for Just $1 an issue - Get an Exclusive Red Striped Tote Free!