DIY Ornament Ideas

The holiday season is a great time to DIY gifts and decorations. These activities are great to do with friends and family or alone. Making your own holiday ornaments not only helps you personalize your tree but also adds an extra layer of charm and meaning to your home. Here are some DIY ornament ideas that will make your holidays even more special.

Hand-Painted Ornaments

One of the simplest and most satisfying DIY projects you can take on is creating hand-painted ornaments. Use plain glass, plastic, or ceramic baubles from a craft store and turn them into a canvas.

• Materials: Clear glass or ceramic ornaments, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, and a sealant (optional).
• Instructions: Remove the top of the ornament and paint it with your chosen design. You can go for a classic look with simple holiday colors or get creative with intricate patterns and personalized messages. Once the paint is dry, seal it with a clear coat to protect your artwork.
• Tips: Use painter’s tape to create clean lines or stencils for more complex designs.

Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are not only budget-friendly but also provide endless opportunities for creativity. These ornaments can be customized with your favorite shapes, patterns, and even imprints.

• Materials: 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, 1/2 cup of water, cookie cutters, a rolling pin, and paint or markers.
• Instructions: Mix the flour, salt, and water to create a dough. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and use cookie cutters to shape your ornaments. Use a straw or small tool to create a hole at the top for hanging. Bake at 200°F (90°C) for 1-2 hours or until hard. Once cool, paint or decorate them as desired.
• Tip: Add texture or detail by pressing a stamp or your child’s handprint into the dough before baking.

Paper Snowflakes

Paper snowflakes are a classic holiday decoration that’s easy to make and perfect for adding a rustic touch to your tree. They’re not necessarily hardy though so you may want to laminate any snowflakes you want to keep.

• Materials: White paper, scissors, and a hole punch.
• Instructions: Start with a square piece of paper, fold it in half diagonally to form a triangle, and then fold it again into a smaller triangle. Cut out small shapes along the edges and unfold the paper to reveal your snowflake design. Punch a hole at the top and tie a string to hang it.
• Tip: For added detail, use glitter or white paint to enhance the edges of the snowflakes.

Miniature Gingerbread Houses

Bring the festive spirit of a gingerbread house into your holiday decorations with these adorable miniature versions.

• Materials: Small cardboard boxes, craft paint, faux icing (made from foam paint or glue and a bit of water), candy decorations, and glitter.
• Instructions: Paint the cardboard boxes to look like gingerbread. Use faux icing and small candies to create a festive facade. Apply a sprinkle of glitter to mimic sugar for a little extra sparkle.

Mason Jar Lid Ornaments

Repurpose mason jar lids into rustic and charming ornaments with this simple DIY.

• Materials: Mason jar lids, scrapbook paper or fabric, glue, scissors, and ribbon.
• Instructions: Cut out circles of paper or fabric that fit inside the lid, then glue them in place. Decorate with stickers, stencils, or even hand-painted designs. Add a small ribbon or twine loop to the top for hanging.
• Tip: Consider gluing pressed dried flowers or a tiny evergreen sprig inside the lid before sealing.

Natural Element Ornaments

Bring the beauty of nature into your holiday decor with ornaments made from natural elements like pinecones, dried citrus slices, or cinnamon sticks.

• Materials: Pinecones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, hot glue, ribbon, and glitter (optional).
• Instructions: Decorate pinecones with a dusting of glitter for a snowy effect, or glue a small ribbon loop to the top. For dried citrus slices, simply punch a hole through the slice and tie a ribbon through. You can also create bundles of cinnamon sticks tied together with ribbon for a rustic ornament.

Final Thoughts

Making ornaments is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. This Christmas craft can become a cherished holiday tradition too. Gather your supplies, put on some holiday music, and enjoy the process of crafting with friends or family. Whether you go for a simple paper snowflake or a detailed miniature gingerbread house, these DIY ornaments are sure to make your tree shine.