21 DIY Christmas Ornaments You Can Make at Home

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There’s something magical about crafting DIY Christmas ornaments right at home. I remember the first time I sat down with my family, scraps of ribbon and glitter everywhere, trying to create the perfect homemade Christmas ornament. The joy of seeing a tree decorated with handmade Christmas decorations—each piece carrying a memory or a personal touch—makes the holiday season feel even more special. Whether it’s repurposing old materials or experimenting with new designs, making DIY Christmas ornaments adds warmth and personality to the festive decor.

Every year, I find myself reaching for glue, paint, and a bit of creativity to put together homemade Christmas ornaments that reflect the season’s spirit. From rustic wooden stars to shimmering paper snowflakes, crafting DIY Christmas decorations is a tradition that brings the whole family together. Not only do these handmade ornaments add charm to the tree, but they also make thoughtful gifts that carry sentimental value.

1. Hand-Painted Glass Ornaments

Glass ornaments provide a perfect canvas for painting festive designs, from winter landscapes to holly berries.

How to Make It:

1. Start with clear glass or plastic ornaments.
2. Use acrylic paints to create designs such as snowflakes, trees, or holiday messages.
3. Let the paint dry completely before adding glitter or metallic accents.
4. Seal with a clear spray sealant for durability.
5. Attach a ribbon or hook to hang.

2. Rustic Wooden Slice Ornaments

These wood slice ornaments bring a cozy, farmhouse feel to your tree.

How to Make It:

1. Cut small slices from a branch or purchase pre-cut wood rounds.
2. Sand the surface for a smooth finish.
3. Use wood-burning tools or paint to decorate with holiday designs.
4. Drill a small hole and insert twine for hanging.
5. Optionally, add a touch of varnish for a polished look.

3. Salt Dough Ornaments in Festive Shapes

Salt dough ornaments are easy to make and perfect for kids and adults alike.

How to Make It:

1. Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 cup water to form a dough.
2. Roll out the dough and cut festive shapes using cookie cutters.
3. Use a straw to poke a hole for hanging.
4. Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 2-3 hours until hardened.
5. Once cool, paint with acrylics and seal with a clear glaze.

4. Knitted Mini Sweater Ornaments

These tiny sweaters bring a nostalgic and cozy feel to your holiday decor.

How to Make It:

1. Use a mini sweater knitting pattern or knit freehand in festive colors.
2. Knit front and back panels, then sew them together.
3. Add small details like tiny buttons or embroidered snowflakes.
4. Insert a miniature hanger or attach a looped ribbon.

5. Origami Paper Star Ornaments

A simple but elegant way to add a handmade touch to your tree.

How to Make It:

1. Cut decorative origami paper into squares.
2. Follow an origami star folding tutorial to create crisp folds.
3. Use glue or tape to hold folds in place if needed.
4. Attach a thin ribbon loop with glue for hanging.

6. Dried Orange and Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

These natural ornaments bring a warm, rustic touch to the holidays.

How to Make It:

1. Slice fresh oranges into thin rounds.
2. Bake at 200°F (90°C) for 2-3 hours until dry.
3. Stack an orange slice with a cinnamon stick and tie with twine.
4. Optionally, add star anise or dried cranberries for extra charm.

7. Personalized Scrabble Tile Ornaments

Spell out festive words with Scrabble tiles for a unique touch.

How to Make It:

1. Arrange Scrabble tiles into words like JOY, NOEL, PEACE.
2. Glue them onto a thin wooden backing.
3. Add decorative ribbon or mini greenery.
4. Attach a twine loop for hanging.

8. Beaded Snowflake Wire Ornaments

Create delicate, sparkling snowflakes using wire and beads.

How to Make It:

1. Cut thin wire into six equal pieces.
2. Twist them together in the center to form a snowflake shape.
3. Thread tiny beads onto each branch.
4. Secure the ends with glue or by twisting the wire.
5. Attach a loop of ribbon for hanging.

9. Mason Jar Lid Wreath Ornaments

Repurpose mason jar lids into charming mini wreaths.

How to Make It:

1. Wrap a mason jar lid ring with twine or ribbon.
2. Attach small greenery, holly berries, and pinecones with hot glue.
3. Tie a decorative bow at the top.
4. Loop a ribbon through the top for hanging.

10. Glitter-Dipped Pinecone Ornaments

These shimmering pinecones add sparkle to your Christmas tree.

How to Make It:

1. Collect or purchase pinecones.
2. Brush the edges with Mod Podge or craft glue.
3. Sprinkle gold or silver glitter generously.
4. Let dry and shake off excess glitter.
5. Tie with ribbon or twine for hanging.

11. Mini Hot Cocoa Mug Ornaments

A festive and nostalgic DIY idea.

How to Make It:

1. Find miniature ceramic or plastic mugs.
2. Fill with brown polymer clay (to resemble hot cocoa).
3. Add tiny marshmallow-shaped beads or white clay bits.
4. Glue a small candy cane to the side.
5. Attach a hook or twine to hang.

12. Felt Gingerbread House Ornaments

Soft and charming felt decorations.

How to Make It:

1. Cut two pieces of brown felt in the shape of a house.
2. Stitch together, leaving an opening to stuff with cotton.
3. Add white felt or embroidery for icing details.
4. Sew on tiny beads or buttons as candy decorations.
5. Attach a loop for hanging.

13. Cork Reindeer Ornaments

A fun, upcycled holiday craft.

How to Make It:

1. Use three wine corks (one for the body, one for the head, and one for legs).
2. Glue them together in a reindeer shape.
3. Add twigs for antlers and googly eyes.
4. Attach a red pom-pom nose.
5. Tie twine around the neck for hanging.

14. Book Page Paper Ornament Balls

Repurpose old book pages into elegant paper ornaments.

How to Make It:

1. Cut old book pages into strips, about 1-inch wide.
2. Roll each strip into small, tight spirals.
3. Glue the ends of each strip to secure the shape.
4. Arrange the paper rolls into a sphere shape and glue them together.
5. Attach a ribbon or twine for hanging.

15. Mini Embroidery Hoop Snowflake Ornaments

A delicate and charming touch for your tree.

How to Make It:

1. Stretch white or linen fabric into a mini embroidery hoop.
2. Use embroidery thread to stitch a simple snowflake design.
3. Trim excess fabric and secure the back with glue.
4. Attach a ribbon to the hoop for hanging.

16. DIY Stained Glass Window Ornaments

Faux stained glass ornaments that catch the holiday lights beautifully.

How to Make It:

1. Use clear acrylic sheets or thick plastic as the base.
2. Draw Christmas shapes (stars, trees, angels) with a black paint pen.
3. Fill in the spaces with translucent glass paint.
4. Let the paint dry for a stained-glass effect.
5. Attach a ribbon for hanging.

17. Peppermint Candy Ornaments

A festive way to use real peppermint candies in your decor.

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Arrange peppermint candies in a star or heart shape on parchment paper.
3. Bake for about 5 minutes until they slightly melt together.
4. Let cool and carefully poke a hole before they harden.
5. Thread with ribbon for hanging.

18. Miniature Terrarium Ornaments

Create a tiny winter wonderland inside a clear ornament.

How to Make It:

1. Use clear plastic or glass ball ornaments with a removable top.
2. Fill with artificial snow, miniature trees, and tiny figurines.
3. Add small battery-operated fairy lights for extra charm.
4. Secure the top and tie a ribbon for hanging.

19. Vintage Button Snowman Ornaments

Upcycle old buttons into adorable snowmen.

How to Make It:

1. Stack three white buttons from largest to smallest.
2. Glue them together vertically to form a snowman shape.
3. Add black seed beads for eyes and buttons.
4. Cut a small felt scarf and wrap around the neck.
5. Attach a ribbon or thread for hanging.

20. Quilled Paper Christmas Tree Ornaments

A delicate, artistic ornament made with paper quilling.

How to Make It:

1. Cut thin strips of green paper for quilling.
2. Roll and shape the strips into coils and teardrop shapes.
3. Assemble them into a Christmas tree shape using glue.
4. Add tiny beads or glitter as ornaments.
5. Attach a loop of thread for hanging.

21. Upcycled Sweater Mittens Ornaments

A cozy, repurposed ornament using old sweaters.

How to Make It:

1. Use an old wool sweater and cut mitten shapes.
2. Sew the edges together, leaving an opening to add stuffing.
3. Lightly fill with cotton or fiberfill and stitch shut.
4. Decorate with small bows or holly leaves.
5. Attach a loop for hanging.