Easy DIY Christmas Ornaments Anyone Can Make at Home

Create magical holiday memories while crafting beautiful Christmas ornaments with materials you likely already have at home. These simple DIY projects require no special skills or expensive supplies, making them perfect for crafters of all ages and experience levels. From rustic natural designs to glamorous glittered creations, these homemade ornaments add personal touches to your tree while providing hours of creative family fun.

Paper and Cardstock Ornaments

Paper Snowflakes

Transform simple white paper into delicate winter decorations using just scissors and folding techniques.

Materials Needed: White paper, scissors, string or ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut paper into perfect squares of any size
2. Fold the square in half diagonally to create a triangle
3. Fold the triangle in half again, then one more time
4. Cut small shapes along the folded edges—triangles, circles, or abstract patterns
5. Carefully unfold to reveal your unique snowflake design
6. Punch a hole at the top and thread ribbon for hanging
7. Optional: Add glitter or paint for extra sparkle

Variations: Use colored paper, create different sizes, or layer multiple snowflakes together

Rolled Paper Ornaments

Create dimensional ornaments by rolling strips of colorful paper or old book pages into coiled designs.

Materials Needed: Cardstock or book pages, scissors, glue, toothpick

Instructions:

1. Cut paper into strips approximately half an inch wide and 6-12 inches long
2. Roll each strip tightly around a toothpick, creating a coil
3. Let the coil expand slightly, then glue the end to secure
4. Shape coils into circles, teardrops, or other forms while the glue is wet
5. Arrange and glue multiple coils together to form flowers, snowflakes, or abstract designs
6. Attach a ribbon loop at the top for hanging

Design Ideas: Create wreaths, stars, Christmas trees, or angels from various coil shapes

Origami Ornaments

Fold decorative paper into three-dimensional stars, boxes, or traditional origami shapes.

Materials Needed: Origami or decorative paper, ribbon, optional embellishments

Instructions:

1. Follow basic origami folding patterns for stars, boxes, or cranes
2. Use festive paper in red, green, gold, or silver patterns
3. Create multiple identical pieces and glue them together for dimensional stars
4. Attach thin ribbon through the design for hanging
5. Add small bells, beads, or glitter for extra decoration

Beginner Tip: Start with simple origami star patterns that require only basic folding skills

Paper Bauble Ornaments

Layer circular paper cutouts to create dimensional sphere ornaments with minimal effort.

Materials Needed: Cardstock in various colors, scissors, glue, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut 8-12 identical circles from cardstock (2-3 inches in diameter)
2. Fold each circle in half
3. Glue the folded circles together along their folded edges, forming a sphere
4. Leave the first and last circles unglued to create an opening
5. Insert ribbon through the center before gluing the final pieces
6. Fluff out the circles to form a rounded ornament

Color Ideas: Use ombre shades, alternate colors, or mix patterned papers

Natural and Rustic Ornaments

Cinnamon Stick Bundles

Bundle fragrant cinnamon sticks with ribbon for ornaments that smell as good as they look.

Materials Needed: Cinnamon sticks, twine or ribbon, hot glue gun, optional dried orange slices

Instructions:

1. Gather 5-8 cinnamon sticks of similar length
2. Arrange them in a bundle with ends aligned
3. Wrap twine or ribbon around the center, tying tightly
4. Add a bow and create a hanging loop with extra ribbon
5. Glue small dried orange slices, cranberries, or pine sprigs for embellishment
6. The natural cinnamon scent will fragrance your tree

Variations: Create star shapes by arranging sticks radially, or stack them log-cabin style

Pinecone Ornaments

Transform free pinecones from your yard into rustic Christmas decorations.

Materials Needed: Pinecones, paint or spray paint, glitter, ribbon, eye screws

Instructions:

1. Clean pinecones by baking at 200°F for 30 minutes to remove sap and insects
2. Let cool completely
3. Twist small eye screws into the top of each pinecone
4. Paint tips with white paint to resemble snow, or spray paint entirely in metallic colors
5. While paint is wet, sprinkle with glitter if desired
6. Thread ribbon through the eye screw for hanging

Natural Option: Leave pinecones unfinished and simply add a ribbon bow

Dried Orange Slice Ornaments

Create beautiful translucent ornaments from citrus fruit that fill your home with natural fragrance.

Materials Needed: Oranges or other citrus, oven, cooling rack, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Slice oranges into thin rounds approximately quarter-inch thick
2. Pat slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture
3. Arrange on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet
4. Bake at 200°F for 3-4 hours, flipping halfway through
5. Slices are ready when completely dried and slightly darker in color
6. Let cool, then thread ribbon through natural openings or create a small hole at the edge

Decorating Ideas: Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, or small sprigs of evergreen with twine

Twig Star Ornaments

Gather fallen twigs to create charming rustic stars that bring outdoor beauty inside.

Materials Needed: Straight twigs, hot glue gun, twine, optional paint

Instructions:

1. Collect five straight twigs of similar length (4-6 inches)
2. Arrange twigs in a star pattern with ends overlapping
3. Hot glue each intersection point securely
4. Wrap twine around intersections for rustic texture and additional stability
5. Paint twigs white, gold, or leave natural
6. Create a hanging loop with twine at one star point

Embellishments: Add small bells, beads, or mini pinecones at intersection points

Fabric and Felt Ornaments

No-Sew Felt Shapes

Cut simple shapes from felt and layer them to create colorful ornaments without sewing skills.

Materials Needed: Felt in various colors, scissors, fabric glue, ribbon, embellishments

Instructions:

1. Draw or trace simple Christmas shapes onto felt—trees, stars, stockings, gingerbread people
2. Cut out two identical shapes for each ornament
3. Decorate the front piece with smaller felt cutouts, buttons, or sequins
4. Apply fabric glue around the edges of one piece, leaving a small opening
5. Place ribbon loop between layers at the top
6. Press the second piece on top, matching edges
7. Let dry completely before hanging

Design Ideas: Create mini stockings, candy canes, ornaments, mittens, or snowmen

Fabric Scrap Ball Ornaments

Use leftover fabric scraps to cover foam or styrofoam balls for textured ornaments.

Materials Needed: Foam balls, fabric scraps, scissors, pins or glue, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut fabric into small squares (1-2 inches)
2. Push the center of each fabric square into the foam ball using a pin or dab of glue
3. Continue adding fabric pieces close together, covering the entire ball
4. Vary fabrics for patchwork effect or use coordinating prints
5. Insert a ribbon loop secured with a pin or glue at the top

Variations: Use all one fabric type, create striped patterns, or mix metallics with traditional fabrics

Burlap and Lace Ornaments

Combine rustic burlap with delicate lace for shabby chic ornaments.

Materials Needed: Burlap, lace trim, cardboard, scissors, hot glue gun, twine

Instructions:

1. Cut cardboard into desired shapes—circles, hearts, or stars
2. Cut burlap slightly larger than the cardboard template
3. Wrap burlap around cardboard, gluing on the back
4. Glue lace trim around the edges or across the center
5. Add buttons, small fabric flowers, or pearl accents
6. Attach twine loop for hanging

Style Note: This design works beautifully for farmhouse or vintage-inspired Christmas décor

Ribbon Wreath Ornaments

Create miniature wreaths using wire forms and ribbon in minutes.

Materials Needed: Small wire wreath forms or pipe cleaners, ribbon, hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Form a circle with pipe cleaners if not using pre-made wire forms
2. Cut ribbon into 3-4 inch strips
3. Tie ribbon strips around the wire form, covering it completely
4. Fluff ribbon ends to create fullness
5. Add a bow at the top
6. Thread hanging ribbon through the wreath

Quick Version: Wrap a single continuous ribbon around the form, securing with glue

Recyclable Material Ornaments

Bottle Cap Ornaments

Transform ordinary bottle caps into unique decorative ornaments.

Materials Needed: Metal bottle caps, decorative paper or photos, clear resin or dimensional glaze, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Clean bottle caps thoroughly and remove any plastic lining
2. Cut small circles of decorative paper or photos to fit inside caps
3. Glue paper inside each cap
4. Apply clear resin or dimensional glaze over the paper
5. Let dry completely (resin requires 24 hours)
6. Punch a small hole at the top edge or glue a ribbon loop to the back

Personalization: Use family photos, vintage images, or children’s artwork

Puzzle Piece Ornaments

Give old puzzle pieces new life as whimsical Christmas decorations.

Materials Needed: Old puzzle pieces, paint, glue, ribbon, glitter

Instructions:

1. Gather puzzle pieces from incomplete sets
2. Paint pieces in festive colors—red, green, gold, or silver
3. While paint is wet, add glitter if desired
4. Arrange pieces into shapes: wreaths (glue in a circle), snowflakes (radial pattern), or Christmas trees (stacked layers)
5. Hot glue pieces together
6. Attach ribbon for hanging

Kid-Friendly: This project works wonderfully for children who enjoy painting

Light Bulb Ornaments

Recycle burned-out light bulbs into adorable character ornaments.

Materials Needed: Old light bulbs, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, ribbon, hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Clean light bulbs thoroughly
2. Paint the bulb body to create snowmen (white with facial features), penguins (black and white), or Santa faces (red hat, pink face)
3. Let paint dry between colors
4. Add details with fine-tipped brushes or permanent markers
5. Hot glue ribbon around the metal base for hanging
6. Add fabric scraps for scarves or hats

Safety Note: Handle glass bulbs carefully and supervise children closely

Wine Cork Ornaments

Save wine corks throughout the year to create these simple rustic ornaments.

Materials Needed: Wine corks, paint, small eye screws, ribbon, hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Twist eye screws into the top of each cork
2. Paint corks in solid colors or create designs: reindeer faces, snowmen, Christmas trees
3. Glue multiple corks together to form shapes like stars or wreaths
4. Add googly eyes, felt features, or drawn details
5. Thread ribbon through eye screws for hanging

Creative Shapes: Slice corks into rounds and glue them together in flower patterns

Clay and Dough Ornaments

Salt Dough Ornaments

Make classic handprint ornaments and shapes using ingredients from your pantry.

Materials Needed: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, cookie cutters, paint, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, salt, and water until a smooth dough forms
2. Roll dough to quarter-inch thickness on a floured surface
3. Cut shapes with cookie cutters or create free-form designs
4. Use a straw to punch a hole for hanging ribbon
5. Bake at 250°F for 2-3 hours until completely hardened
6. Let cool, then paint and decorate as desired
7. Seal with clear varnish for durability

Keepsake Idea: Press children’s handprints or thumbprints into dough before baking

Air-Dry Clay Ornaments

Create elegant ornaments with store-bought air-dry clay that requires no baking.

Materials Needed: Air-dry clay, rolling pin, cookie cutters, stamps or texture tools, paint, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Roll clay to quarter-inch thickness
2. Cut shapes with cookie cutters
3. Use stamps, lace, or texture tools to create patterns in the clay surface
4. Create hanging holes with a straw or skewer
5. Let dry according to package directions (usually 24-48 hours)
6. Paint, stain, or leave natural
7. Thread ribbon through holes

Elegant Touch: Use metallic paint or gold leaf for sophisticated finishes

Cinnamon Dough Ornaments

Combine the benefits of salt dough with natural cinnamon fragrance.

Materials Needed: 1 cup applesauce, 1.5 cups cinnamon, rolling pin, cookie cutters

Instructions:

1. Mix applesauce and cinnamon until a smooth dough forms
2. Roll to quarter-inch thickness
3. Cut desired shapes
4. Punch holes for ribbon
5. Let air dry for 2-3 days, flipping daily
6. No painting needed—the natural brown color and cinnamon scent are perfect as-is
7. Add ribbon for hanging

Bonus: These ornaments naturally fragrance your tree without artificial scents

Glitter and Glamour Ornaments

Glitter Ball Ornaments

Transform plain clear or colored ornaments into sparkling showpieces.

Materials Needed: Clear plastic or glass ornaments, floor polish or glue, fine glitter, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Remove ornament tops
2. Pour about a tablespoon of floor polish or liquid glue inside
3. Swirl to coat the entire interior surface
4. Pour in fine glitter in your chosen color
5. Shake and rotate to distribute glitter evenly
6. Pour out excess glitter (save for future projects)
7. Let dry upside down overnight
8. Replace ornament cap and add ribbon

Color Ideas: Use one color for elegance or layer multiple colors for dimension

Glitter Foam Sheet Ornaments

Cut sparkly foam sheets into shapes for lightweight, child-safe ornaments.

Materials Needed: Glitter foam sheets, scissors, hole punch, ribbon, optional jewels or stickers

Instructions:

1. Draw or trace shapes onto the back of glitter foam
2. Cut out shapes carefully with scissors
3. Punch a hole at the top of each shape
4. Decorate with adhesive jewels, stickers, or additional foam cutouts
5. Thread ribbon through the hole for hanging

Perfect For: Young children due to the safe, lightweight material

Sequin and Pin Ornaments

Create vintage-style ornaments by covering foam balls with sequins and pins.

Materials Needed: Foam balls, sequins, straight pins, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Pin one sequin at the top of the foam ball
2. Overlap the next sequin slightly and pin in place
3. Continue adding sequins in rows, moving around and down the ball
4. Cover the entire surface, creating pattern or random designs
5. Insert a ribbon loop secured with pins at the top

Pattern Ideas: Create stripes, spirals, or geometric designs with different sequin colors

Painted Glass Ornament Designs

Use paint pens or acrylic paint to create custom designs on clear glass ornaments.

Materials Needed: Clear glass ornaments, paint pens or acrylic paint, painter’s tape, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Clean glass ornaments thoroughly
2. Use painter’s tape to create geometric patterns or stripes
3. Paint exposed areas with solid colors or create freehand designs
4. Try painting names, snowflakes, or abstract patterns
5. Let dry completely before removing tape
6. Add ribbon for hanging

Technique Tip: Apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat for best coverage

Bead and Button Ornaments

Beaded Candy Cane Ornaments

String red and white beads onto pipe cleaners to create striped candy canes.

Materials Needed: Red and white beads, white pipe cleaners, ribbon

Instructions:

1. String alternating red and white beads onto a pipe cleaner
2. Fill the entire length, leaving about one inch at each end
3. Bend into a candy cane shape
4. Twist the ends together to secure beads
5. Tuck sharp ends inside to prevent scratching
6. Hang directly on tree branches or add a ribbon loop

Variations: Create wreaths by forming circles, or make spirals for lollipop designs

Button Wreath Ornaments

Glue colorful buttons in circular patterns to create charming miniature wreaths.

Materials Needed: Buttons in various sizes and colors, cardboard or felt circles, hot glue gun, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut a ring shape from cardboard or felt (2-3 inches in diameter)
2. Arrange buttons around the ring to plan your design
3. Hot glue buttons to the base, overlapping and layering for dimension
4. Continue until the entire ring is covered
5. Add a small bow at the top
6. Glue a ribbon loop to the back for hanging

Color Schemes: All white for elegance, all red for tradition, or mix colors for whimsy

Crystal Bead Icicle Ornaments

Create elegant icicle ornaments by stringing crystal or clear beads.

Materials Needed: Clear or crystal beads in various sizes, fishing line or clear thread, ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut fishing line to desired length plus extra for hanging loop
2. Tie a knot at one end with a small bead to prevent others from sliding off
3. String beads onto line, graduating from large at top to small at bottom
4. Create a hanging loop at the top and secure with multiple knots
5. Trim excess line
6. The icicles will catch and reflect light beautifully

Display Tip: Hang at varying lengths for a cascading effect

Kids’ Craft Ornaments

Popsicle Stick Ornaments

Simple wooden craft sticks transform into snowflakes, sleds, and reindeer with paint and glue.

Materials Needed: Popsicle sticks, paint, glue, googly eyes, ribbon, pom-poms

Instructions:

1. For snowflakes: Glue three sticks in a star pattern, let dry, then paint and add glitter
2. For sleds: Glue four sticks together (two pairs side by side with small gap between), add two curved sticks on top for runners
3. For reindeer: Glue two sticks in a V-shape for antlers, attach to a brown-painted stick body, add googly eyes and red pom-pom nose
4. Let all glue dry completely
5. Add ribbon loops for hanging

Toddler-Friendly: Pre-paint sticks and let children focus on gluing

Handprint and Footprint Ornaments

Create treasured keepsakes by preserving children’s handprints on ornaments.

Materials Needed: White or colored cardstock, paint, markers, ribbon, laminating sheets

Instructions:

1. Paint child’s hand with washable paint
2. Press firmly onto cardstock to create handprint
3. Let dry completely
4. Decorate the handprint: add red nose and antlers for reindeer, white trim for Santa, or draw a wreath around it
5. Write child’s name and year
6. Laminate for durability
7. Punch hole and add ribbon

Memory Value: Make one each year to watch how children grow

Pasta Ornaments

Paint dried pasta shapes and glue them together for unique textured ornaments.

Materials Needed: Various pasta shapes (rigatoni, bow ties, wheels), paint, glue, ribbon, glitter

Instructions:

1. Paint pasta pieces in desired colors and let dry
2. Arrange painted pasta into designs: wreaths from rigatoni, snowflakes from wheel pasta, angels from bow ties
3. Glue pieces together and let dry completely
4. Add glitter while glue is still tacky if desired
5. Attach ribbon loops for hanging

Educational Fun: Let children create patterns and practice color coordination

Yarn-Wrapped Ornaments

Teach children wrapping skills by creating colorful yarn-covered shapes.

Materials Needed: Cardboard, yarn, scissors, glue, hole punch

Instructions:

1. Cut cardboard into simple shapes like stars, trees, or circles
2. Wrap yarn tightly around the cardboard, covering it completely
3. Secure yarn ends with dabs of glue
4. Punch a hole at the top
5. Thread ribbon through for hanging
6. Add pom-poms, buttons, or other embellishments

Skill Building: Great for developing fine motor skills and patience

Storage and Care Tips

Proper Storage Solutions

Protect your handmade ornaments for years of enjoyment by storing them carefully. Use divided ornament boxes, wrap delicate items in tissue paper, and store in cool, dry locations. Label boxes by category or year for easy retrieval.

Handling Fragile Materials

Glass ornaments, air-dry clay creations, and delicate paper designs require gentle handling. Consider designating these for higher tree branches away from pets and young children.

Refreshing Old Ornaments

Revive ornaments from previous years by adding new ribbon, touching up paint, or applying fresh coats of clear sealant to protect surfaces.

Conclusion

Creating DIY Christmas ornaments brings families together while producing meaningful decorations that tell your unique holiday story. These simple projects require minimal investment while delivering maximum creative satisfaction and sentimental value.

The beauty of handmade ornaments lies not in perfection but in the memories created during crafting sessions and the personal touches that make each piece special. Whether you craft alone for meditative relaxation or gather the whole family for ornament-making parties, these projects offer accessible entry points for all skill levels.

Start with one or two projects that appeal to your style and available materials, then expand your repertoire each holiday season. Your collection of handmade ornaments will grow into treasured decorations that chronicle your family’s creativity and become more meaningful with each passing year. The simple act of making ornaments by hand transforms Christmas decorating from a task into a cherished tradition that celebrates both the season and the people you love.