There’s something magical about decorating the Christmas tree, isn’t there? ✨
I always find that the ornaments tell their own little story—some are store-bought treasures, while others are handmade keepsakes that carry memories year after year.
This holiday season, I thought it would be fun to gather a list of easy Christmas ornament craft ideas that anyone can try, whether you’re crafting with kids, making gifts for friends, or simply looking for a cozy afternoon project.
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From simple DIYs to creative little touches, these ornaments will not only add charm to your tree but also fill your home with that warm, handmade holiday spirit.
Kitchen-Ingredient Crafts (Edible/Aromatic)
Classic Salt Dough Ornaments
Mix flour, salt, and water to create the classic salt dough. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes.
After baking and cooling, the real fun begins: paint them, add glitter, and seal with a clear coat for a keepsake finish.
Dried Citrus Slices
Create beautiful, stained-glass-like ornaments by thinly slicing oranges, lemons, or limes. Bake them on low heat until they are fully dried.
The resulting ornaments offer a lovely natural scent. Simply thread them with twine for hanging.
Cinnamon Stick Christmas Trees
Start with a cinnamon stick base. Use hot glue to attach small pieces of evergreen sprigs (real or faux) and tiny decorations like buttons or pom-poms to form a small, aromatic tree shape.
Popcorn and Cranberry Garlands/Wreaths
While this is often used for a long garland, you can string shorter lengths into mini wreaths or loops for a traditional, natural look.
This project is also a great fine motor activity for kids.
Clear/Fillable Ball Ornaments
Confetti-Filled Ornaments
Start by removing the top of a clear ornament.
Use a funnel to easily fill the ball with colorful confetti, sequins, or tiny paper shreds. Once full, simply replace the top for a bright, festive look.
“Melted Snowman” Ornaments
Achieve a whimsical, melted look by filling a clear ball with white faux snow or white glitter.
On the outside of the ornament, use black and orange puff paint or permanent markers to draw the classic snowman face: eyes, a carrot nose, and a coal smile.
Paint-Swirl Ornaments
Create a vibrant, marbled effect by pouring a few drops of two or three colors of acrylic paint into a clear ball.
Gently swirl and tilt the ornament until the entire inside surface is coated. Be sure to turn it upside down to drain any excess paint before letting it dry completely.
Feather and Glitter Ornaments
For a light, ethereal, and “snowy” aesthetic, place a small amount of glitter and a few small white feathers inside a clear ornament. This combination creates a simple yet elegant decoration.
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Wood and Natural Element Crafts
Rustic Twig Stars/Snowflakes
Gather small, thin twigs from outside.
Use hot glue to assemble them into a star or snowflake shape. For a polished, rustic look, secure and decorate the joints by wrapping them with twine.
Painted Wood Slice Ornaments
Start with pre-cut wood slices. Get creative by painting small holiday scenes—like a snowman, a wreath, or a simple word—onto the wood.
Alternatively, use a permanent marker to draw modern geometric designs.
Pinecone Mini Trees
Give pinecones a snowy appearance by painting the tips of the “leaves” white.
Top the pinecone with a small star or ribbon bow, and attach a loop so it can be hung like a mini tree.
Burlap/Twine Wrapped Ornaments
For a textured, farmhouse aesthetic, use hot glue to wrap a foam ball or an existing ornament entirely in twine, yarn, or strips of burlap.
Craft Stick and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
Create a snowflake shape by gluing four popsicle sticks together in a starburst pattern. Paint them white, blue, or silver, and finish the look by dusting them with glitter for a wintry sparkle.
Popsicle Stick Christmas Trees
Form a simple triangle by gluing three sticks together. Paint this structure green, and then use small pom-poms or rhinestones glued onto the sticks to serve as colorful ornaments.
Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes
To make a classic candy cane, twist red and white pipe cleaners together into a tight spiral. Once twisted, simply bend the top into the recognizable hook shape.
Beaded Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
This is a fun craft using red, green, and white pony beads. Thread the beads onto a pipe cleaner, and then bend the entire piece into a festive shape, such as a wreath, star, or candy cane.
Paper and Cardboard Crafts
Newspaper Baubles
Give a plain plastic or foam ball an antique, literary appearance. Tear or cut strips of old newspaper or sheet music, then use Mod Podge or glue to adhere the strips all over the ball’s surface.
Paper Fan/Honeycomb Ornaments
Take strips of colored or patterned cardstock and fold them in an accordion style. Glue the ends of the strip together to form either a full circle or a half-fan shape.
Finish by tying a piece of twine through the center fold to create the hanging loop.
Recycled Toilet Paper Roll Snowflakes
Cut a cardboard tube (from toilet paper or paper towels) into thin rings. Paint these rings or cover them in glitter.
Then, glue the rings together in various patterns to form a delicate snowflake design.
Photo Ornaments (Cardboard Backing)
Start by cutting a piece of sturdy cardboard into a holiday shape, such as a circle, star, or gift tag.
Glue a favorite photo onto the front. Finally, decorate the edges with ribbon or glitter for a personalized touch.
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Felt and Fabric Crafts
No-Sew Felt Shapes
Cut stiff felt into festive shapes like stars, trees, or stockings.
Decorate the shapes using glitter glue, buttons, or contrasting felt cutouts. To finish, simply glue a ribbon loop onto the back for hanging.
Embroidery Hoop Ornaments
Use a mini embroidery hoop (one to three inches in size).
Secure a square of holiday-themed fabric inside the hoop and trim the excess material. For an extra festive touch, tie a small bow or jingle bell onto the bottom clasp.
Button Christmas Trees
Start with a simple triangle cut from felt or cardboard.
Use hot glue to cover the triangle completely with an assortment of green buttons to create a textured, whimsical miniature Christmas tree.
Wine Cork Reindeer
Assemble a reindeer by gluing three wine corks together to form the body and neck.
Glue small twigs onto the top cork for antlers, add googly eyes, and attach a small red pom-pom to the front cork for the nose.
Unique & Quick Ideas
Sharpie Marbled Ornaments
This technique is for adults using a plain white ceramic or plastic ornament. Write or draw on the ornament using oil-based Sharpie markers.
For the unique effect, carefully drop rubbing alcohol onto the marker lines. The alcohol will make the colors bleed and marble, creating a beautiful, modern, and one-of-a-kind design.
I hope these 25 easy Christmas ornament craft ideas inspire you to get creative this holiday season! 🎄
There’s something so special about adding handmade touches to your tree—it makes every decoration feel personal and full of love.
Whether you try one or a few, I promise the process will be just as joyful as the result.
So grab some supplies, put on your favorite holiday tunes, and let your imagination shine.
Here’s to a Christmas filled with creativity, laughter, and memories that you’ll cherish for years to come!
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