13 Homemade Christmas Ornaments to Spruce up Your Tree
Shopping for new Christmas decorations each year can be exciting, but it’s not always budget-friendly. That doesn’t mean you have to stop refreshing your holiday decor annually—Christmas crafting offers a creative and cost-effective solution! Why not gather the family for a fun session of making homemade ornaments? After all, the holiday season is perfect for spending quality time with loved ones.
These easy DIY projects, which double as delightful Christmas crafts for kids, use a variety of affordable materials, many of which you likely already have at home. Think pipe cleaners, felt, clothespins, and more. They’re also super simple to hang on any Christmas tree, whether it’s real, artificial, or flocked with “snow.” Some of our favorite DIY ornaments even incorporate upcycled items, like a pressed foil ornament made from an empty tomato paste tube. The creative possibilities are endless!
If you’re looking to save money, create personalized decor, and enjoy more meaningful holiday moments with your family, try making some of these charming handmade ornaments. From beaded bows and toy drums to pom-pom gnomes and beyond, there’s something for everyone to enjoy—and they’re sure to impress both kids and adults alike!
Cupcake Liner Ornament
Cupcake liners aren’t just for baking—they’re perfect for crafting too! Start by flattening 10 cupcake liners and folding each one in half with the colored side facing inward. Use a glue dot to secure the center, ensuring the edges of the liner stick together. Repeat this process with all the liners. Then, apply glue dots to the top and bottom of the outer white side and stack the liners, one on top of the other, until all 10 are layered. Finally, connect the top and bottom liners with two additional glue dots to form a beautiful spherical ornament ready to hang on your Christmas tree!
Upcycled Pressed Foil Ornament
It might be hard to believe, but this stunning ornament is crafted from a recycled tomato paste tube! Start by carefully cutting open a used foil tube with scissors, then rinse it thoroughly to remove any residue and let it dry. Use the handle of the scissors to smooth out any wrinkles in the foil. Next, use a pick to draw leaf shapes onto the foil, then cut them out with scissors and punch a small hole at the top of each leaf. Cut 12-inch pieces of gold wire, thread a leaf onto each piece, and twist the ends to secure them. Gather all the wired leaves and twist their ends together to create a unified arrangement with leaves at varying heights and angles. Finally, form a loop with the twisted wires for hanging, and finish with a decorative bow to complete the ornament!
Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
Pipe cleaners are a great way to give ornaments a unique, personal flair. Just thread a tinsel pipe cleaner through an ornament and shape it into stars, diamonds, teardrops, or starbursts.
Wooden Beaded Starburst Ornaments
Make stunning beaded starburst ornaments for your tree using wooden dowels. Begin with a full-length 3mm dowel, string beads onto it, and secure the last two beads with glue. Trim any excess wood from the ends. Next, cut four smaller dowel pieces, each half the size of the first, and string beads onto them in the same pattern, securing the ends with hot glue. Attach the ends of these smaller dowels to the center bead of the larger dowel to form a starburst shape. Finally, add a ribbon or wire for hanging and display it on your tree!
Beaded Bow Ornaments
Craft adorable beaded bow ornaments using wires and beads. Start by stringing six small beads, one large bead, and another six small beads onto the wire. Then, thread one end of the wire back through the large bead, repeating the process on the other side so both ends emerge from the large bead. Add six small beads to each end, securing the tails by wrapping them around the last bead. Finally, attach a wire loop to the top for easy hanging on your tree!
Paw Print Ornaments
Hanging photos of our human family on the tree is a cherished holiday tradition, but let’s not forget our furry friends! These adorable DIY paw print ornaments are perfect for decorating the tree or adding a special touch to gifts during the holiday season.
Gumball Machine Ornaments
Attention candy enthusiasts! Create your own mini gumball machine to hang on the Christmas tree this year with just a few simple materials. You can even fill it with real candy if you'd like!
Donut Ornaments
Get creative with felt this year by crafting a dozen donut ornaments for your tree. This no-sew project is perfect for kids to join in the fun as well!
Wooden Ski Ornament
For families who love skiing, this fun craft is a must-try this season. Simply cut two ski-shaped pieces from wood wallpaper or contact paper, criss-cross them, and complete the look with a plaid bow.
Embroidery Hoop Snowman
These adorable snowmen will bring a smile to your face each time you glance at your tree. Make these cheerful figures with embroidery hoops, pom poms, and a few other crafting supplies.
Mini Canvas Ornaments
Kids will have a blast creating these cute mini canvas ornaments and unleashing their inner artist. Use acrylic craft paint and paint pens to decorate the mini canvases. Be sure the canvas is dry before finishing by gluing a ribbon to the back for hanging.
Pinecone Flower Ornaments
Create flower-shaped pinecone ornaments using strong floral clippers. Begin by cutting off the bottom half of a pinecone, making several cuts and twisting until it breaks. Hot glue the bottom of the pinecone onto a round wooden disk. After it's dry, attach a ribbon loop to the back of the disk for hanging.
Animal Face Ornaments
Add the faces of your pets and family members to these DIY ornaments with ease using pipe cleaners and string. Begin by wrapping a pipe cleaner around the ornament (use hot glue if necessary). Cut small pieces of pipe cleaner and twist them around the base to form legs and a tail. Attach your family member’s or pet’s photo to the top with a small dot of hot glue. Finally, glue a string for hanging.
