Child making DIY christmas ornaments to create candy cane felt ornaments

12 DIY Christmas Ornaments for the Whole Family

The holidays are approaching, so it's time to break out those Christmas decorations! Get in the festive spirit by decorating your space with thoughtful, homemade Christmas ornaments. Whether you want to add a personal touch to your tree or start a new family tradition, DIY Christmas ornaments are a great option. 

Explore DIY ornament ideas and find one that fits your aesthetic and skill level. From simple, kid-friendly designs to more intricate creations for adults, homemade ornaments can be enjoyed by the whole family. Let’s dive into the festive fun of Christmas crafts to brighten your tree this holiday season.

  • Creative DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas
  • Kid-Friendly Christmas Ornament Crafts
  • Eco-Friendly Homemade Christmas Ornaments

Creative DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas

Now that you’re ready to get crafting let’s explore some imaginative Christmas ornaments. These creative homemade ornament ideas reflect the warmth and personality of the season, making your Christmas tree uniquely yours. 

1. Paw print ornaments

These homemade Christmas tree ornaments capture your pet’s paw print in either air-dry clay or salt dough, creating a personalized keepsake for your tree. Simply roll out the clay, press your pet’s paw into it, and cut the shape using a festive or round cookie cutter. Once dried, you can paint and decorate the ornament, adding your pet’s name and the year.

2. Felt wreaths

Made from colorful felt, these mini wreath ornaments are easy to craft and can be customized to your liking. Simply cut the felt into small leaf shapes and glue them in a circular pattern on the felt base. Then, you can decorate it based on your unique style and taste, whether you add a decorative bow or sparkly accents. These DIY ornaments are soft, lightweight, and easy to make. 

3. Paper honeycombs

These DIY holiday ornaments are created by layering and folding colorful tissue paper or cardstock into a 3D honeycomb shape. You can customize these to match your aesthetic, whether you prefer classic red and green or use your own color scheme. These ornaments can be large or small and are budget-friendly. To make them, cut multiple identical paper circles, fold them in half, and glue the halves together in alternating layers to form the honeycomb structure. 

4. String art ornaments 

Let your creative juices flow with homemade string art ornaments. These add a DIY touch to your Christmas tree and are made by wrapping colorful thread or twine around nails or pins arranged on a wooden or cardboard base. Create festive shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes, or go for something more abstract. These Christmas ornaments add rustic flair to your decor while offering endless design possibilities. 

Mother and daughter hanging handmade Christmas ornaments on the tree

Kid-Friendly Christmas Ornament Crafts

The holidays are a magical time for children, and what better way to celebrate than by letting them create their own ornaments? These kid-friendly Christmas crafts are simple, safe, and fun. Using materials like salt dough, clothespins, and pipe cleaners, this Christmas activity allows kids to get creative while making personalized decorations for the tree. 

Here are some DIY ornament ideas suitable for little ones:

5. Rudolph ornaments

Rudolph ornaments are easy to make and fun for kids. All you need is clear plastic ornament bulbs, brown yarn, brown pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and red pom-poms. 

Start by filling the bulb with brown yarn. This doesn’t have to be pretty—simply have your kids stuff the ornament with yarn to give Rudolph his fur. Twist brown pipe cleaners into antler shapes and attach them to the top. Add googly eyes and a red pom-pom for Rudolph’s signature nose. 

These playful, handmade ornaments bring Rudolph to life and add a whimsy touch to your Christmas tree. 

6. Salt dough ornaments

If your little ones love to play with dough or clay, salt dough ornaments are the perfect family craft. Salt dough is made from flour, salt, and water, allowing you to roll it out and cut it into holiday shapes using cookie cutters. After baking or air-drying, decorate your ornaments with paint, glitter, or markers. These DIY ornaments are perfect for kids, encouraging them to get creative. 

Whether you create stars, gingerbread men, or snowflakes, these ornaments are budget-friendly and customizable. When finished, add a festive ribbon or twine and hang them on the tree. 

7. Wrapped cookie cutter ornaments

When you’re done decorating gingerbread cookies and gingerbread house, use the seasonal cookie cutters to make handmade ornaments, adding a rustic and personalized touch to your tree. 

Start by picking your favorite holiday-themed cookie cutters. Then, choose from colorful ribbon, yarn, twine, or strips of fabric and wrap tightly around the cookie cutter until it’s fully covered. You can mix and match colors or add sparkly accents for extra flair. This idea is simple and quick, making it perfect for little ones.

8. Clothespin snowflake ornaments

Clothespin snowflake ornaments are cute and fun. Start by disassembling wooden clothespins and gluing the flat sides together to form snowflake shapes. After the snowflake has dried, paint the DIY ornaments white, silver, or any festive color you like. Make them your own by adding glitter, gemstones, or other decorative accents. Once dry, attach a loop or ribbon.

Sustainable homemade Christmas decorations in the form of orange slices, pinecones, and cinnamon sticks

Eco-Friendly Homemade Christmas Ornaments

This holiday season, opt for sustainability by creating eco-friendly homemade Christmas ornaments. These environmentally conscious crafts use natural, recyclable, and upcycled materials. Decorate your tree in style while reducing waste. From repurposed household items to biodegradable supplies, these DIY Christmas ornaments are not only beautiful but also kind to the planet. 

9. Pinecone ornaments 

These natural decorations can be collected during nature walks, making them an affordable and sustainable craft. To create pinecone ornaments, start by cleaning and drying the pinecones. You can leave them natural or spray-paint them in festive colors and add small embellishments, such as glitter, beads, or mini bows. Pinecone ornaments bring a touch of nature indoors, offering a beautiful, handmade element to your decor. 

10. Shell ornaments 

This holiday season, create stunning shell ornaments for your tree for a tropical vibe. These beach-inspired homemade holiday ornaments add a coastal touch to your decor. Collect shells from your travels or purchase them from a craft store. You can use a small drill or hot glue to attach ribbon or twine for hanging. 

Leave the shells in their natural state for a simple, earthy look, or paint and decorate them with glitter, pearls, or bows for a more dazzling look. These unique, handmade ornaments are an excellent way to bring seaside memories into your home. 

11. Origami star ornaments

Origami star ornaments are a stunning and eco-friendly addition to your Christmas tree, offering a unique, handmade touch. Use scrap paper, office paper, or old newspaper to make these elegant, lightweight ornaments. Whether you prefer small, dainty stars or big, flashy stars, origami ornaments are budget-friendly and sustainable. 

12. Orange slice ornaments

Orange slice ornaments add a natural, rustic charm to your tree and provide a nice fragrance. Simply slice fresh oranges and dry them in the oven at a low temperature or until they’re fully dehydrated. You can leave the slices natural or decorate with cinnamon sticks or ribbon. Hang them on your tree and enjoy their warm, golden glow and subtle citrus scent. 

Decorate Your Christmas Tree with DIY Ornaments 

Christmas ornament crafts bring the whole family together. Decorating your tree with DIY ornaments is a fun and meaningful way to celebrate with family and friends. Whether crafting with little ones, creating eco-friendly decorations, or adding a personal touch to your tree, these homemade ornament ideas bring warmth and personality into your home. 

As you gather around to craft and decorate, start another holiday tradition with Mrs. Fields®. Christmas cookies blend holiday cheer and comfort, making your DIY ornament-making session even sweeter.

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