The holiday season is a time for joy, creativity, and togetherness. What better way to get into the festive spirit than by making your own Christmas ornaments? Homemade ornaments add a personal touch to your tree and create lasting memories for you and your loved ones. Whether you’re looking for simple projects to do with kids or elegant crafts for your tree, these DIY ornament ideas will inspire you to get crafty this Christmas.
Table of Contents
1. Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are a classic and easy project that’s perfect for kids and adults alike. All you need is flour, salt, and water. Mix the ingredients to form a dough, roll it out, and use cookie cutters to create shapes like stars, hearts, or Christmas trees. Don’t forget to make a small hole at the top for hanging! Once baked and cooled, you can paint and decorate them with glitter, beads, or markers.
2. Cinnamon Stick Stars
Cinnamon stick stars bring a rustic charm and a wonderful scent to your Christmas tree. Arrange five cinnamon sticks into a star shape and glue the ends together. Once the glue is dry, tie a piece of twine at the top to hang the ornament. You can leave the stars natural or add some sparkle with a dusting of glitter or faux snow.
3. Pine Cone Ornaments
Pine cones are nature’s perfect ornament. Collect some from your yard or a park and turn them into beautiful decorations. You can paint them in festive colors like gold, silver, or red, or leave them natural for a rustic look. Add a loop of ribbon or twine to the top for hanging. For an extra touch, glue on small embellishments like tiny bells, beads, or berries.
4. Mason Jar Lid Ornaments
Mason jar lids make great bases for homemade ornaments. Paint the lids in your favorite holiday colors or cover them with fabric or paper. Inside the lid, you can create mini winter scenes using small figurines, fake snow, and a bit of glue. Alternatively, you can insert a family photo or a holiday message. Add a ribbon for hanging, and you’ve got a personalized ornament.
5. Felt Christmas Characters
Felt is an excellent material for creating soft, colorful Christmas ornaments. Cut out shapes like snowmen, Santas, reindeer, or gingerbread men from different colored felts. Use fabric glue or a simple stitch to assemble the pieces, and add buttons, beads, or embroidery for details. These felt ornaments are lightweight and perfect for little hands to help with.
6. Paper Straw Snowflakes
Paper straws are a fun and modern material for making snowflake ornaments. Cut the straws into various lengths and glue them together in snowflake patterns. You can experiment with different shapes and sizes to create unique designs. Once assembled, add a bit of glitter or spray paint them in metallic colors for extra shine.
7. Wood Slice Ornaments
Wood slices make rustic, natural ornaments that can be personalized in countless ways. Paint a winter scene, write a holiday message, or glue on a favorite photo. You can also use a wood-burning tool to carve designs into the wood for a more intricate look. Finish by drilling a small hole at the top and adding a ribbon or twine for hanging.
8. Beaded Ornaments
Beading is a simple yet elegant way to make Christmas ornaments. Use wire or pipe cleaners as the base and thread beads in festive colors to create shapes like stars, candy canes, or snowflakes. You can find beads in various sizes and finishes, from shiny metallics to translucent crystals, allowing you to customize your ornaments to your tree’s theme.
9. Ribbon Christmas Trees
Ribbon Christmas tree ornaments are charming and easy to make. Cut several pieces of ribbon in varying lengths and tie them onto a small stick or twig, layering them from longest to shortest to create a tree shape. Trim the edges to your desired shape, and top with a star bead or button. Hang the ornament using a loop of twine or ribbon at the top.
10. Button Wreath Ornaments
If you have a collection of spare buttons, turn them into adorable mini wreaths. Choose buttons in green, red, or a mix of festive colors. String the buttons onto a piece of wire, bending the wire into a circle as you go. Once the wreath is formed, twist the wire ends together and add a bow or small embellishments. These tiny wreaths are a lovely way to upcycle old buttons and add charm to your tree.
11. Dried Orange Slice Ornaments
Dried orange slices bring a natural, fragrant touch to your Christmas tree. Slice oranges thinly and dry them in the oven at a low temperature until they’re dehydrated. Once dried, thread a piece of twine through the top of each slice to hang. These ornaments catch the light beautifully and can be paired with cinnamon sticks, star anise, or greenery for a traditional look.
12. Paper Quilling Ornaments
Paper quilling involves rolling and shaping strips of paper into intricate designs. Create delicate snowflakes, stars, or other holiday shapes using this technique. Quilling requires some patience, but the results are stunning and make for unique, lightweight ornaments. Choose festive colors like red, green, and white, or go for a more sophisticated look with metallic papers.
13. Glass Ball Ornaments with a Twist
Clear glass ball ornaments are a blank canvas for your creativity. Fill them with anything that catches your fancy: fake snow, tiny pine cones, glitter, or even small keepsakes like a piece of ribbon from a special gift. You can also paint the outside of the ornament or apply stickers and decals to personalize it.
Conclusion
Making your own Christmas ornaments is a joyful way to celebrate the season and create lasting memories. Whether you’re crafting with kids, looking for budget-friendly decor, or wanting to add a personal touch to your holiday decorations, these homemade ornament ideas will help you deck your halls with creativity and love. Happy crafting!