This place is great because I get inspired to do all kinds of different projects, but those Christmas ornament posts started something out of control. I had quite the learning curve at first but now have developed a method that worked great for me and I think that others might be able to benefit by using my technique, so.....
To start out I take a 1 1/4" diameter light wood and cut it in roughly a 3" diameter. Dead center is a 3/4" hole. I was lucky to find this knule post at a local hardware shop and got it for $25. It will be turned into a ton of ornaments. The dark wood (mine is walnut) is roughly 9 1/2" long and 1" square. I use a nail punch to indent one end at its center for the tail stock.