15 DIY Christmas Ornaments
15 DIY Christmas Ornaments
There’s nothing quite like hanging ornaments you made yourself — each one carries a little memory of a cozy December afternoon. Making your own Christmas ornaments is easier than you’d think, and you’ll love how personal your tree feels when it’s decorated with pieces that actually mean something.
These 15 DIY Christmas ornament ideas range from five-minute crafts to satisfying weekend projects. Most use inexpensive supplies, and several make wonderful handmade gifts too.
Dried and Natural Ornaments
1. Dried Orange Slice Ornaments
Slice oranges thinly, dry them low and slow in the oven, and string them with twine and cinnamon sticks. They look beautiful, smell amazing, and cost almost nothing. Add a few sprigs of dried rosemary for a natural, rustic look on your tree.
2. Pinecone Mini Trees
Paint the tips of small pinecones white to mimic snow, then stand them on tiny wooden bases or glue them to bottle caps. Add a miniature star on top and you have adorable tiny trees to tuck between branches.
3. Cinnamon Stick Bundles
Tie three cinnamon sticks together with ribbon, add a sprig of dried berries or a small pine sprig, and hang with twine. They’re fragrant, festive, and take about two minutes each — perfect for making in big batches as gifts.
4. Walnut Baby Ornaments
Paint walnut shells in gold or silver, glue a tiny ribbon loop to the top, and nestle a small felt or paper figure inside a cracked-open shell. These delicate little scenes are some of the most charming ornaments you’ll ever hang.
5. Salt Dough Ornaments
Mix flour, salt, and water into a dough, roll it out, cut with cookie cutters, bake, and paint. Salt dough ornaments are a classic for a reason — kids love making them, and with a coat of clear sealer they last for years. Stamp names or dates into the dough before baking to turn them into keepsakes.
Clear and Fillable Ornaments
6. Snowy Scene Baubles
Fill clear plastic ornaments with fake snow, a miniature tree, and a tiny figure. Close the cap, add a ribbon, and you have a little snow globe hanging on your tree. Layer the snow at the bottom first so the scene sits naturally.
7. Hot Cocoa Ornaments
Fill clear ornaments with layers of cocoa powder, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips, then attach a tag with instructions. They’re adorable decorations and genuinely usable gifts — just don’t hang them where they’ll get too warm.
8. Glitter Swirl Ornaments
Pour a little floor-polish sealer or clear glue inside a clear ornament, swirl it around, drain the excess, then add fine glitter and shake. The glitter coats the inside for a mess-free sparkle that catches the tree lights beautifully.
9. Dried Flower Ornaments
Tuck small dried flowers — lavender, baby’s breath, rosebuds — into clear ornaments for a soft, romantic look. They’re lovely on white or neutral-themed trees and double as pretty package toppers.
10. Memory-Filled Baubles
Fill an ornament with ticket stubs, a photo strip, dried flowers from a wedding bouquet, or a handwritten note. These memory ornaments become the most treasured ones on your tree year after year.
Fabric and Yarn Ornaments
11. Fabric Scrap Baubles
Wrap Styrofoam balls with strips of festive fabric — plaid, velvet, or anything from your scrap bin — pinning or gluing as you go. It’s a wonderful way to use up leftover fabric from other projects.
12. Yarn-Wrapped Ornaments
Coat a foam ball in glue and wrap it tightly with yarn in Christmas colors. Add a small bow or bell at the top. The texture is wonderfully cozy, and this is a great craft to do while watching holiday movies.
13. Felt Ball Garlands-as-Ornaments
String small wool felt balls in red, green, cream, and gold onto twine and drape short lengths on the tree like mini garlands. You can also glue single felt balls into clusters and hang them as individual ornaments.
Paper and Keepsake Ornaments
14. Paper Star Ornaments
Fold strips of pretty paper into three-dimensional stars — there are simple tutorials for the classic Scandinavian folded star. They look intricate but use a repetitive fold you can master in minutes, and they pack flat for storage.
15. Handprint and Photo Ornaments
Press a child’s handprint into salt dough or air-dry clay, or frame a favorite photo in a small ornament frame. Date them on the back. These are the ornaments you’ll still be hanging decades from now — and if you’re feeling gift-y, a set of handmade ornaments pairs perfectly with thoughtful DIY gifts for her.
Storing Your Handmade Ornaments
Wrap each ornament in tissue paper and store them in divided ornament boxes or egg cartons. Keep them in a cool, dry place — attics that get very hot can melt glue and fade paint. With good storage, your handmade ornaments will decorate your tree for decades. For more seasonal inspiration, browse these DIY Christmas decor ideas to coordinate your whole home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest DIY Christmas ornament for beginners?
Cinnamon stick bundles and filled clear ornaments are the easiest — they need no special skills, take just a few minutes each, and look great even on a first try.
How do I make ornaments that are safe for kids and pets?
Stick to shatterproof plastic ornaments instead of glass, avoid small detachable pieces that could be swallowed, and use non-toxic paints and glues. Felt, fabric, and salt dough ornaments are all great kid- and pet-friendly choices.
Can I make DIY ornaments in bulk as gifts?
Absolutely. Dried orange slices, cinnamon bundles, salt dough ornaments, and hot cocoa ornaments are all ideal for batch-making. Plan an afternoon, assembly-line style, and you’ll have gifts for everyone on your list.
How long do salt dough ornaments last?
With a good bake (until completely dry) and a coat of clear sealer, salt dough ornaments can last many years. Store them dry and handle them gently, since they can chip if dropped.
