Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Estimated time to make this decoration:
mere minutes

Materials:
a roll of thin craft ribbon in green or red

Instructions:
When some of the small toys have been outgrown, favorites can be used as tree decorations: train engines, small dolls or teddies, Trolls, and little cars, wooden alphabet blocks, etc.

How to attach the ribbon varies according to the item; just tying the ribbon on often works nicely, without ruining the toy. Glue (craft or hot glue) can be used if the item is not Too Special, but still cute.

Other comments or suggestions to consider:
This year, my husband's brothers and sisters are getting red VW microbus toys to tie onto their Christmas trees. My husband is one of 11 children, and that's what his parents drove about for a few years, for everyday, and during cross-country moves when Dad was in the Air Force.
It was cramped, to say the least! Attaching the ribbon could not be simpler for these li'l microbus thangs: I loosen up one screw on the underbody of it, pull that away from the upper part, slip the ribbon between body and underbody, push 'em back together, and reinsert the screw. All that's left is to tissue-wrap them and send 'em to the family party. It's up to Mom to explain how all those kids fit in one vehicle. ah, Memories...definitely sweeter than the on-road experience!

Rounding up a "baker's dozen" of these took a small bit of effort. I spotted them in one store in August, and in another in September. A clerk was kind enough to call other stores under the same ownership and round up others for me, saving me from running 'round like an idiot on a wild goose chase.

I had web-surfed and found an address for the toy company itself, but the letter came back "no longer at this address." So, I am really thankful for that clerk's time and courtesy!