40 Best DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas from Instagram
From the moment we start to unwind from Thanksgiving, Christmastime officially begins—which means ’tis the season to begin planning for your Christmas tree, how you'll set it up and then start decorating it. To help you save money and add a handmade touch to your tree, making your own DIY Christmas ornaments is the way to go—and it doesn’t have to be a big to-do either!
For the most affordable and easy DIY Christmas ornament ideas found on Instagram (and more), check out this list of totally doable crafty tree decorations you'll actually be inspired to make.
Here are the 40 best DIY ornaments from millennial lifestyle decor influencers!
40 Best DIY Ornaments
1. Embroidery Hoop Ornaments
These ornaments by @tatertotsandjello take crafty to a whole other level by combining printed illustrations with charming painted embroidery hoops and ribbon.
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2. Easy Color Block Ornaments
This DIY by @kailochic is easy enough for anyone to pull off! Just paint either side of your ornament a different color and cover up the line with a ring of gold wash tape.
3. A-Line Christmas Cabin
You’d never believe this adorable Christmas cabin ornament featured on @abeautifulmess, designed by @mandimakes, was made from scraps of cardboard. To make your own, download the template here.
4. Pompom Gnome Ornaments
With fluffy white pompom beards and colorful felt hats, it’s hard not to love these adorable DIY gnome ornaments by @liagriffith. Get the full how-to here.
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5. Pine Cone Holly Leaf Ornaments
Put all those pine cones lying around your yard to good use by giving this DIY from @handmadecharlotte a try. They’re super simple to make, yet look absolutely striking when they’re hanging from a tree.
6. Air-Dried Clay Ornaments
Customize your ornaments in every way—from the design to the size to the color scheme—by making your own out of air-dry clay, like @cleverpoppy did. Since there’s no baking involved, it’s a DIY all ages can make.
7. Farmhouse Christmas Tree Ornament
If you love farmhouse-style everything, this DIY from @turquoisehome is for you. Get your glue gun ready!
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8. Pinecone Pineapple Ornaments
It’ll feel like just another day in paradise when you deck your tree out in these cheerful pineapple ornaments by @aww.sam.
9. Edible Cookie Ornaments
Homemade cinnamon gingerbread ornaments are a must for @simplykierste, since they smell so delicious. Enjoy all those yummy smells yourself this year by trying out her recipe.
10. All-Natural Ornaments
As @plantedinthewoods shows, even the simplest DIY ornaments can be eye-catching. Hang all-natural elements, like pinecones, DIY twig formations and dried fruit from jute string to add organic beauty to your Christmas tree.
11. Gold Marble Ornaments
Add a touch of gold to your plain Christmas ornaments with this easy DIY by @lovelyindeed. You fill a bucket with water, spray gold paint onto the water’s surface and stir. Then, just dunk your ornament into the water to give it a marbleized look.
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12. Wood-Burned Two-Tone Monogram Ornaments
This clever how-to from the @prettylifegirls is easier than it looks. Get the full how-to on their blog, so you can make these DIY wood-burned monogram ornaments for your tree this year.
13. DIY Snow Globe Ornament
You can make your own DIY snow globe to hang from your tree, like @gigges_galore did, using a fillable, clear ornament, some faux snow and a mini bottle brush Christmas tree. Top it with a plaid bow—and voila!
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14. Watercolor Snowflake Ornament
These gorgeous watercolor snowflakes by @sarahrobinsonart are for sale in her shop, but you can make a similar version at home using alcohol ink on a store-bought ornament, since this art supply adheres to most non-porous surfaces.
15. Mini Garden Ornaments
Simply by filling clear ornaments with fresh greens, @naturallycuriouschildren makes stunning seasonal decor that’s totally low-hassle.
16. Button Christmas Tree Ornaments
Stacks of buttons, glued together in a Christmas tree shape, make an adorable ornament idea. Use only one color per tree, like @buttonlovers did, or switch it up by using all different colors in each.
17. Yarn-Wrapped Initial Ornaments
Update wood letters from a craft store quickly by wrapping them in white yarn and gluing on decorative accents, like @heidiliz did.
18. Rudolph Photo Ornaments
Print photos of each member of your family and glue them onto brown-painted, recycled jar lids to make this easy ornament idea from @hellowonderful_co. Add pipe cleaner antlers and a mini pompom red nose to complete the look.
19. Pipe Cleaner Tree Ornament
It’s incredibly easy to bend a sparkly green pipe cleaner into a tree shape, as this video from @onelittleproject shows. They have other totally doable DIY pipe cleaner ornament ideas on their feed, too, if you want to make a complete set.
20. Grinch Decor
Grab a paintbrush and transform a green bulb into the Grinch, like @made_by_Ioanna did. All the kids will love seeing the iconic character on your tree this Christmas.
21. Personalized Touch
Have everyone in your family paint a self-portrait ornament like the ones @happyhooligansblog did. They’ll instantly add some personality to your tree.
22. Embroidered Ornaments
@sherwoodforestcreations wants you to get your embroidery on this holiday season! Just grab some thread and their ornament kits to get started.
23. Pink Paper Ornaments
@Karinasscrapspace proves that pastel ornaments are here to stay and thanks to her step-by-step tutorial, you can make your own just in time to add them on your tree.
24. Chocolate Kiss Trees
If you’re looking for a sweet ornament idea, @apumpkinandaprincess created the perfect option for you. You can hang them on your tree or use them as gift toppers.
25. Elegant Letters
How chic are these ornaments by @ispydiy? Her trick to making the letters so perfect is using stickers!
26. Honeycomb Ornaments
These unique ornaments by @ohhappyday will take your Christmas tree decorating to a whole new level! The best part is you can make them in different shapes, sizes and colors.
27. Barbie Bulbs
Give your room a Barbie makeover by crafting these girly ornaments from @jamillajoycandles. You can use clear bulbs or pink bulbs if you want to add more color.
28. Snowmen Creations
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@Storytaleshop used materials she found at the Dollar Tree to create these whimsical snowmen ornaments and you can, too!
29. Glittery Trees
These sparkly tree ornaments by @kariskraftkorner will have you dreaming of a pink Christmas this year! You can DIY them for yourself or your best girlfriend.
30. Cactus Ornament
@Resincaraftsblog used Easycast clear casting epoxy to make these adorable cactus ornaments! Visit her blog for a full tutorial so you can make some of your own.
31. Map Ornament
Customize an ornament, like @rjlemley_and_hercrafts did, by cutting a circle out of a map with the city you live in. Then, use stickers or hot glue on a sled with reindeer on it so it looks like Santa is flying over your house on the map.
32. Lace Trees
Take a note from @ycreativeinspiration and use lace to DIY some ornaments this holiday season. Combine different textures of lace to get a super-chic look.
33. Stencil Paper Ornament
You’d be surprised what some paint, stencils and paper can create. Check out Wallcutz Inc tutorial to see how you can DIY these cute holiday tree ornaments. They used fancy wood for the core part of their ornament—what they painted their stencils on to hang—but thicker paper will suffice too.
34. Unicorn Ornament
Making a majestic ornament, like this one by @jeanniebeveridge35, will add some magic to your tree this winter. This craft only takes a few materials and some glue, but it’ll look priceless.
35. Sugar Skull Inspired Ornament
Edge up your tree with one of @sugar_skulz’s DIY ornaments! We love the tinsel Mohawk and crystals they used.
36. First Christmas Ornament
@Homemadebykristin is all about personal touches, even when it comes to Christmas ornaments. Follow her lead and use sticker letters or hand paint ones to write out a meaningful phrase for someone.
37. Textured Ornament
You can paint a beautiful holiday ornament, like @mscraftberrybush did, by using snow-text paint.
38. Salt Dough Ornament
If you’ve got a little one, you’ll want to make sure you capture their handprint, like @chalkfulloflove did. It only takes a few ingredients, so what are you waiting for? Get crafting!
39. Light Bulb Creations
@Kreativkjokling wants you to keep your broken light bulbs. Why? It’s her secret to creating these adorable holiday ornaments!
40. Animal Ornaments
If you’re an animal lover, these cute ornaments by @lumpybrush are calling your name! From puppies to penguins — there’s one for everyone!
