75 Easy DIY Christmas Ornaments That Make Great Gifts
75 Easy DIY Christmas Ornaments That Make Great Gifts
Chances are you have a big box of holiday ornaments that you use each year to decorate your tree—like vintage baubles you've collected from family members or even a lucky glass pickle. But this year, you may find yourself at home more, which makes it the perfect time to start a new Christmas tradition: DIY ornaments.
Making homemade ornaments is a fun family activity that everyone from toddlers and preschoolers to teens and full-grown adults can enjoy. Plus, it's a great excuse to stay in your comfiest holiday pajamas, crank up the holiday music, and sip on some hot cocoa (or mulled wine for the grown-ups!). All you need to do is set aside an afternoon for your family to get together and round-up your supplies. Chances are you already have plenty around the house, like nail polish, crayons, and pom poms.
It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or more artistically-inclined, either. You can find DIY Christmas ornament ideas for every skill level. Younger children can make something easy, like a salt dough handprint or a craft stick photo frame they can paint and dump glitter on, while the experts can try a DIY leather snowflake that's so Pinterest-worthy it could be sold or given as a gift.
To help you get started, here are dozens upon dozens creative DIY Christmas ornaments and the tutorials you need for a fun-filled crafternoon.
Buffalo Check Ornament
If perfection is your goal, use a cutting machine and iron-on vinyl to make these graphic Christmas ornaments. But if speed is your goal, letter stickers work, too.
Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky Blog.
Gumball Machine Ornament
This retro gumball machine ornament will look particularly good on a novelty tree, including white or pale pink.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Kids' Artwork Ornament
This DIY Christmas ornament is a joint effort between you and the kids. Have them draw a seasonal picture that you can transfer onto wooden slices. Bonus: it makes a great Christmas gift for grandparents.
Get the tutorial at Crafting Cheerfully.
Melted Crayon Ornaments
Yes, you can use the bits of broken crayon littering your craft bin into unique homemade ornaments that really shine.
Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky Blog.
Grinch Ornaments
Your heart will grow at least two sizes watching how much fun your kids have assembling this glittered movie-themed ornament.
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
Marbled Ornaments
A standard beauty supply like nail polish can help give DIY Christmas ornaments a Pinterest-worthy marbled look.
Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois.
Stained Glass Ornaments
You don't actually need any glass to make this cool and colorful ornament—just some plexiglass and paint.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Cookie Cutter Ornaments
If you have a host of cookie cutters you rarely use, repurpose few. All you need is some twine or fabric and a little craft glue.
Get the tutorial at A Spoonful of Sugar Designs.
Wood Slice Ornaments
If your hand-lettering skills are up to snuff, these painted wood slices are easy to recreate. If not, use a stencil or a cutting machine to achieve the same look.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Printed Photo Ornament
Not too crafty? This project's heavy lifting is in making photo selects, not gluing and pasting. Once you have the images you want, simply print them onto heavy-duty photo paper and stick them in between your tree's branches.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Construction Paper Wreath Ornament
A single page of green construction paper yields a handful of evergreen wreaths for your tree. To make the task easier for little hands, cut out and assemble the wreath, then let them add the decorations—ribbons, sequins, and more.
Get the tutorial at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.
Clothespin Reindeer Ornaments
Who would ever expect the humble clothespin to serve as the perfect canvas for an adorable (and easy) Christmas ornament?
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
Paper Feather Ornaments
Incorporate some natural elements into your Christmas decor by painting a handful of fanciful (and clean) feathers.
Get the tutorial at The Paper Mama.
Chalkboard Ornament
Use chalkboard paint to create a DIY ornament that the kids can alter as frequently as they change their minds (very frequently, as any parent can attest).
Get the tutorial at A Night Owl Blog.
Emoji Ornaments
Infuse your tree with a hefty dose of personality by crafting bright yellow emoji-themed ornaments.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Lip Balm Ornament
Here's a fun idea: Assemble DIY ornament kits as Christmas gifts for friends and family members. Tuck everything they need—a circular lip balm, metal studs, a tassel, and some craft glue—into a tiny bakery box with a holiday greeting that includes simple instructions.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Poinsettia Ornaments
An unexpected craft supply—an empty paper towel or toilet paper tube—serves as the base for this pretty poinsettia ornament.
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
Paint-Dipped Pinecones
Send the kids outside to collect pinecones, then beautify them with a layer of paint and a touch of gold leaf.
Get the tutorial at From China Village.
Engraved Ornaments
You'll need a little help from a cutting machine, like the Cricut, for this DIY ornament, but the result is well worth it. This handmade piece looks so professional, you could sell it or gift it.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Snowman Hoop Ornament
An embroidery hoop helps add dimension to this adorable Christmas craft.
Get the tutorial at Crafting Cheerfully.
Folded Hexagon Ornament
With just a little bit of sewing know-how (no machine needed!), you can craft these professional-looking fabric stars.
Get the tutorial at A Spoonful of Sugar Designs.
Rhinestone Snowflake Ornaments
To make quick work of this project, purchase pre-cut foam snowflakes. Then, set out bowls of colorful rhinestones and some craft glue.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Pinecone Ornament
Make sure your tree looks like it belongs in the midst of a winter wonderland with flocked pinecones decorated with berries and big red bows.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
Beeswax Ornaments
These beeswax ornaments have a special trait—they smell delicious. Add your favorite fragrance, be it vanilla, lavender, or a perfect-f0r-Christmas frankincense.
Get the tutorial at Jennifer Maker.
Rudolph Ornaments
You only need three simple supplies to make these Rudolph-inspired ornaments come to life: paper, red glitter, and some paint.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Shrinky Dink Snowflake Ornaments
Introduce kids to a fun activity from your own childhood—shrinky dinks! Once you've watched the magic happen in the oven, a simple piece of baker's twine puts the finishing touch on these DIY ornaments.
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
Leather Ornament
Do something different this year: Decorate your tree with ornaments inspired by different locations around the world. This leather option has a distinctly Scandinavian vibe.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Crystal Star Ornaments
A DIY project that doubles as a science experiment is both fun and informative for little minds.
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
Christmas Tree Twig Ornament
Once your kids have collected plenty of twigs, this craft comes together quickly with a ball of yarn.
Get the tutorial at I Heart Crafty Things.
Simple Fabric Ornaments
If you have fabric scraps leftover from another project—say, homemade face coverings—this easy DIY will make use of the excess.
Get the tutorial at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.
Pillow Ornament
For best results, you'll need a sewing machine to make these stuffed ornaments. It's worth it, though: These double as great gifts or even items you could sell at a local Christmas market.
Get the tutorial at Crafting Cheerfully.
Glitter Peppermint Ornaments
A heavy hand of glitter and some cleverly cut vinyl come together to make an ornament so sweet you could almost eat it.
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
Candy-Filled Ornaments
This DIY Ornament won't keep for years (well, the filling at least), but it's a fun craft nonetheless. Plus, it makes a cute gift topper, too.
Get the tutorial at A Night Owl Blog.
Unicorn Ornament
Another clever way to make use of an embroidery hoop—this time to craft a mythical creature.
Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky Blog.
Painted Pastel Ornaments
To draw more precise designs on unfinished ornaments, use paint pens instead of acrylics and a brush.
Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois.
Embellished Ribbon Ornament
Purchase ribbons already printed with messages, or use a special label maker, so you can make your own greetings.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Fireplace Ornaments
Stain craft sticks, then glue them together into a square shape. Let each family member craft their own holiday mantle.
Get the tutorial at I Heart Crafty Things.
Snow Cone Ornaments
To make a super sweet DIY ornament, fashion a cone out of silver scrapbook paper, then glue it onto a glitter-covered ornament.
Get the tutorial at Posh Little Designs.
3D Paper Flamingo Ornament
You don't need anything more than a little bright pink cardstock to make this fabulous 3D ornament.
Get the tutorial at White House Crafts.
3D Felt Ornaments
Mimic the look of vintage ornaments with a little bit of jewel-toned craft felt and some glue.
Get the tutorial at Oh Oh Deco.
3D Christmas House Ornaments
A machine, like the Cricut, makes quick work of cutting out all the shapes needed for these 3D ornaments, but you could just as easily paint mini bird houses for a similar effect.
Get the tutorial at Spoonful of Sugar Designs.
String Art Ornaments
Drive a few nails into a piece of wood, then get creative with some string and pom-poms to turn scraps into treasure.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Glittered Foam Ornaments
Short on time? You can still create something cool—just dab a bit of craft glue onto a foam shape, then dip it in glitter.
Get the tutorial at Oh Oh Deco.
Mason Jar Ring Wreath
Before you toss any spare metal rings in the trash, consider this: They can easily be upcycled into pretty wreaths fit for your fir.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Animal Cookie Ornaments
With modeling clay at your disposal, the options are endless, but we love the idea of recreating this beloved grocery store treat.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Snowball Ornament
This white glitter-covered showstopper proves that sometimes simple is the most stunning.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
Reindeer Food Ornament
This DIY ornament holds a very special surprise for Santa's reindeer. (We don't recommend holding onto this ornament from year to year, but it's a fun tradition the kids will love.)
Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky Blog.
Rainbow Ornaments
Put a modern spin on your Christmas decor with clay ornaments painted with rainbows.
Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois.
Concrete Ornaments
Turns out, you can make sophisticated ornaments out of just about anything. Take these painted concrete baubles, for example.
Get the tutorial at Oh Oh Deco.
Glitter Ball Ornament
Use a clear fillable ornament to make a personalized snow globe. While this example uses small paper cutouts, you could just as easily use photos.
Get the tutorial at Jennifer Maker.
Pipe Cleaner Wreath Ornaments
If you bend pipe cleaners just so, you'll end up with a sparkly wreath that'll shine on your tree.
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
Simple Leather Ornaments
For an ornament that's sure to stand the test of time, consider using colorful (faux) leather. Some cutting machines will seamlessly make the shapes for you.
Get the tutorial at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.
Salt Dough Ornaments
You won't believe that a simple pantry staple can yield moldable clay that's perfect for crafting DIY ornaments. You can even make little circles ripe for stamping a baby hand or footprints.
Get the tutorial at Life-AThon.
Pom-Pom Gnome Ornaments
If you don't know how to sew, opt to purchase mini Santa hats instead. You'll still end up with a gnome that's as cute as can be.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Wooden Spoon Angel Ornaments
Chances are you'll find most of these supplies—doilies, yarn, pipe cleaners, and paper—in any basic craft stash. The only remaining item you'll need: a wooden spoon.
Get the tutorial from I Heart Crafty Things.
Washi Tape Ornament
This easy handmade ornament proves you can make something festive out of a single craft supply: washi tape.
Get the tutorial at The Paper Mama.
Bath Salt Ornaments
These DIY ornaments, filled with scented bath salts, make great gift toppers or stocking stuffers.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
Hanging Planter Ornament
Even if you go for a faux tree, you can still add a little greenery to the mix with these cute hanging planters. As a bonus, they look great just about anywhere after Christmas.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Origami Star Ornament
If you can fold paper, you can make these sleek and sophisticated DIY ornaments.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Tinsel Garland Ornaments
You'd be surprised how many glittering ornaments you can make with a single roll of tinsel from the dollar store.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Wood Bead Snowflake Ornament
Make unique snowflakes by threading metal wire with unfinished wooden beads, then bending the whole thing just so.
Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois.
Printed Paper Ornaments
When time isn't on your side, but you have an entire tree to cover, simply print out these free designs and tie them onto the tree.
Get the tutorial at Oh Oh Deco.
Paper Flower Ornaments
You don't need any fancy crafting equipment to make these textured balls—just a shaped hole punch and some straight pins.
Get the tutorial at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.
French Fry Ornaments
With a little craft foam and spray paint, you can create one of the most unique handmade ornaments we've ever seen.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Stenciled Snowflake Ornaments
To make a design that looks so perfect it could be printed, use stick-on stencils and acrylic paint.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Pineapple Ornaments
Painted pinecones look surprisingly similar to pineapples—a symbol of hospitality that's perfectly suited for welcoming holiday guests.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Paper Orb Ornament
These paper orbs not only serve as ornaments, but also a clever way to wrap small gifts, like jewelry or stocking stuffers.
Get the tutorial at Jennifer Maker.
French Macaron Ornament
Have fun in the kitchen making clay out of baking soda, cornstarch, and water, then shape and paint.
Get the tutorial at Posh Little Designs.
Harry Potter Ornaments
If you're going with a themed tree, there's no doubt the kids—and any lit lovers, for that matter—will have fun with this one.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
Galaxy Ornaments
These gorgeous ornaments that mimic the night sky come together with a few paint colors, plus a little bit of water.
Get the tutorial at The Paper Mama.
Photo Angels
Put your little angel's face on the top of this paper craft to create a treasured keepsake.
Get the tutorial at I Heart Crafty Things.
Scrabble Ornaments
Make quick work out of personalized ornaments with letter tiles.
Get the tutorial at A Night Owl Blog.
Porcelain Ornament
If you want something really easy, just take a paint pen to a ceramic ornament.
Get the tutorial at From China Village.
Santa's Key Ornament
Paint a wooden gift tag, add some stenciled art, then add a vintage key, and—voila—you've got yourself the way into Santa's workshop.
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
What could be more fun than a Christmas crafternoon?