Creating handmade ornaments is an excellent way to enjoy the holidays. Kids of all ages can get involved, and it’s fun for adults too!
These DIY ornaments can be made from a variety of materials, so they’re easy to customize to your decor. From popsicle sticks to beads, pinecones and pipe cleaners, there’s a DIY ornament for everyone.
Wood Bead Star Ornaments
Wood beads are a popular craft material that can be used in many different ways. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are a great way to add a natural touch to your Christmas decor.
These simple, rustic wooden bead star ornaments are a fun and easy DIY to make for the holiday season! They look lovely hung on the tree, or can be a perfect addition to a garland, wreath, tablescape or even a window display!
To make the star, thread six wood beads onto a wire. Twist the cut end over the long end of the wire, then trim to create a circle. Repeat until you have six points for the star.
Once you have the star shape, cut a 6-7 inch length of hemp cord to use for hanging your ornament. You can also use twine, ribbon or other decorations to add a hanger.
The final step is to thread your needle on the shorter end of the cording and pass it through a silicone tip bead, then tie a double knot. This will determine the length of the loop you need to hang your bead from, and will keep the cording from fraying.
Pinecone Lace Ornaments
Pinecone lace ornaments are an easy and affordable way to add some holiday spirit to your tree. They come in two sizes and are made with wool-free lace that shimmers and sparkles when you put them on your tree.
Whether you need Christmas decorations for the kids, winter crafts for your home, or just want some fun weekend DIY projects, you can make these ornaments in no time at all! The best part is that they’re incredibly cheap to make.
Start by draping a natural holiday garland across the length of your mantel and then scatter pinecones across the garland, setting them upright or laying them down. Then, nestle fresh apples between the pinecones for a beautiful display!
You can also use twigs clipped from your yard to create a garland that mimics the winter landscape. Hang a few mementos from the bottom inch of the branches for a touch of rustic charm.
To make these pinecone lace ornaments, start by wrapping jute twine around the base of each pine cone. As you wrap the twine, drop a small amount of hot glue in each spot to secure it in place. Once you’ve covered the pine cone, tie the ends of the twine together to form a loop and then cut off the excess.
Tuna Can Ornaments
There are lots of ways to upcycle tuna cans into something really unique and beautiful. You can use these cans to make all sorts of DIY ornaments that are sure to delight and please your loved ones!
If you have a lot of empty tuna cans around your home, then you’ll definitely want to check out this list of 20 different ideas for upcycling them. Each one of these ornaments is super easy to make and will have a huge impact on your holiday decor!
For example, you can turn your empty tuna cans into a Christmas tree that you’ll love hanging on your mantle or table. You just need to stack your cans and secure them with a little hot glue. Once you’ve got the shape of your tree, you can add any ornaments that you like to complete your project.
Another great way to upcycle a tuna can is by making a beautiful, rustic herb planter. You can plant a variety of herbs inside these cans and then dress them up with clothespins for a truly unique centerpiece!
You can also make a cute desk organizer out of an empty tuna can. These are easy to make and would be a great way to keep your small office essentials organized. You can even cut the bottoms of your cans and stack them together to create larger organizers that you’ll love using for pen and pencil holders!
Gumball Machine Ornaments
Bring back the nostalgic memories of inserting a nickel and cranking the gumball machine handle with this easy DIY ornament. These simple, inexpensive Christmas ornaments are a great family project for kids and adults of all ages.
Using small-sized (mini) clay flower pots and plastic ornaments, you can make your own cute gumball machine ornaments that are a fun way to decorate your tree or give as gifts this holiday season! These can also be a great craft to share with friends or coworkers.
Start by tracing the open end of the clay pot onto a piece of chipboard or cardboard. Cut just inside of this circle with sharp scissors or a craft knife. Test the circle and adjust as needed until it fits snugly into the bottom of the pot to create a flat bottom.
Once you have that perfect fit, hot glue each bottom to the top of the pot and paint red to match. Let them dry completely and they are ready to hang on your tree!
You can also use these ornaments as party favors or decorations for a birthday theme. Fill them with pom poms, beads, or sprinkles to make these more colorful.
Star Anise Ornaments
If you’re looking for a simple and cost-effective way to spice up your Christmas tree this year, try making some of these star anise ornaments. They’re easy to make, look cool, and smell great – it’s a win-win!
To make a star anise ornament, you’ll need some orange slices (lemons work too) and an old-fashioned darning needle. You can also use a sprig of rosemary and a wooden bead or two for extra flair.
Start by slicing the fruit into about 1cm thick slices. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop them in the oven for a few hours. After they’ve dried out, you can add a few embellishments like a cinnamon stick or a well-placed star anise to the mix.
You can even put these decorations to good use by using them as a natural air freshener in the kitchen or the bedroom. They also make a nice gift for a friend or family member who loves citrus. The best part is they’ll be a lot cheaper than the real deal! They’re also fun to play with if you’re not quite ready for an actual craft project. They’re a great alternative to the traditional store-bought decorations you see at this time of year and are perfect for kids who want to get in on the crafting action.
Popsicle Stick Sled Ornaments
Popsicle sticks are a great craft materials that your kids can use to make ornaments and Christmas decorations. They are easy to work with and you can use different colors of paint to create the ornaments.
These ornaments look great on the tree and they are also a wonderful handmade gift for friends and family. The best part is that your kids can make these crafts with you and it will be a fun activity for them to do with you.
To make these sleds, start by cutting one popsicle stick into two pieces. Then, cut a 45 degree angle on one end and barely remove the curved part that is the runners. Then, cut the other two sticks straight across removing about 1/4 inch and trimmed them to about three inches long.
Once you have the sled base, you will need to make the seat of the sled. Glue the two short pieces of popsicle stick together staggering them slightly lower to create the seats.
Then, glue the final sled base piece flat on top of the runners. You may also want to add a loop for hanging this ornament on the tree with some twine.
DecoArt Starry Night Ornaments
Van Gogh’s most famous work, Starry Night, can be made into an ornament that will be sure to catch the eye of everyone who sees your Christmas tree. This hand-painted glass ornament captures the intense beauty and masterful technique of the original.
This ornament is easy to make and will make a perfect addition to any home. It can be hung on a standard Christmas tree or displayed as a unique centerpiece in your home decor.
To begin, you will need a few supplies and an old ornament to create this unique piece of art. First, dribble some blue craft paint into the inside of the ornament. This will coat the inside, making it ready for your design.
Once the paint has dried, add a layer of Mod Podge to seal the Starry Night and prevent it from being scratched by tree branches. This will also prevent the paint from leaking out of the top.
Next, roll several coils of Model Magic into different colors selected by your students. Encourage them to mix and match the colors as they roll the coils on their ornament. This will help the colors blend together and make the swirls in the painting appear as if they are overlapping.
