The holiday season is all about connection, joy, and creating memories that last a lifetime. While store-bought decorations might be shiny and convenient, there’s nothing quite like the charm of handmade ornaments created around the dining table with your loved ones. These personalized creations not only add a unique touch to your holiday décor but also provide a great opportunity for family bonding.

Gathering around with craft supplies, laughter, and holiday tunes in the background is a tradition worth starting (or continuing). Whether your goal is to spark some creativity in the kids or simply take a break from the busyness of the season, handmade ornaments are the perfect project. Below, we’ve put together a list of fun and simple DIY ideas your family can explore together. Best of all, these ideas use materials that you probably already have at home!

1. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are a classic for a reason. They’re inexpensive, easy to make, and endlessly customizable. Plus, they double as keepsakes; you can save them for years and smile at the memories they bring back each time you hang them on the tree.

How to Make Them

  1. Combine 1 cup of flour, ½ cup of salt, and ½ cup of warm water in a bowl. Knead until it forms a dough.
  2. Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface.
  3. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes.
  4. Don’t forget to poke a small hole at the top with a straw for hanging.
  5. Bake at 250°F (120°C) for about 2 hours, or until hardened.
  6. Once cooled, paint and decorate with glitter, acrylic markers, or even handprints for a personal touch.

Salt dough ornaments can even double as homemade gifts. Write names or dates on them to make them extra meaningful.

2. Paper Snowflake Ornaments

Remember the joy of cutting out paper snowflakes as a kid? This simple activity is perfect for adding a whimsical touch to your holiday decorating. The best part? All you need is some white paper and scissors.

Instructions

  1. Start by folding a piece of paper into a square. Then fold the square into a triangle, and repeat as many times as you’d like.
  2. Snip shapes from the folded edges carefully to create intricate patterns.
  3. Unfold to reveal your snowflake!
  4. Punch a small hole to attach a string for hanging.

For added flair, use decorative paper, add glitter glue around the edges, or spray a little fake snow on the flakes. These ornaments are lightweight and bring a fun, frosty vibe to your tree.

3. Popsicle Stick Ornaments

Popsicle sticks are another crafting classic that can be transformed into adorable tree ornaments. They’re especially great for younger kids, as they’re easy to handle and super versatile.

Ideas for Popsicle Stick Ornaments

  • Reindeer: Glue three sticks into a triangle shape, then add googly eyes, a pompom nose, and brown pipe cleaners for antlers.
  • Snowflakes: Layer sticks in a starburst pattern and decorate with white paint, sequins, or glitter.
  • Mini Christmas Trees: Create a triangular tree, paint it green, and glue on beads, buttons, or star-shaped stickers for ornaments.

Hang your popsicle stick creations with twine or ribbon for a homespun, rustic touch.

4. Felt Ornaments

Felt is an affordable, easy-to-use material for crafting ornaments with a soft and cozy look. It’s perfect for little hands, as there are no sharp edges, and with a bit of stitching, your creations will last for years.

Steps to Make Felt Ornaments

  1. Draw a simple shape (stars, mittens, or stockings) on a piece of felt and cut it out.
  2. For sturdier ornaments, cut two identical shapes and glue or stitch them together. You can stuff them with a little cotton for a 3D look.
  3. Decorate your felt designs with embroidery thread, sequins, or fabric markers.

These ornaments are great for older kids and adults who love sewing. Plus, they add warmth to any holiday tree.

5. Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

Looking to add a little holiday scent to your decorations? Cinnamon stick ornaments are not only adorable but will also make your home smell amazing.

How to Assemble

  1. Take a few cinnamon sticks and stack them to make simple tree shapes, using hot glue to secure.
  2. Decorate the “tree” by wrapping thin ribbon, twine, or yarn around the sticks, like garland.
  3. Add extras like mini pompom “ornaments” or a tiny star on top.

Simple, natural, and fragrant, these ornaments bring a touch of rustic elegance to your Christmas setup.

6. Jar Lid Wreaths

Who knew old jar lids could make stunning ornaments? This eco-friendly project is a great way to repurpose items you’d usually throw away while adding fun circular decorations to your tree.

What to Do

  1. Wrap the edges of a jar lid with ribbon, fabric strips, or even twine for a polished look.
  2. Fill the center with mini holiday scenes using cut-out pictures, fake snow, or tiny figurines.
  3. Attach a loop of string to hang your wreath-like creation.

These are fun, inexpensive, and great conversation starters when displayed on your tree.

7. Handprint Ornaments

For families with young children, handprint ornaments are a wonderful way to capture a moment in time. Whether you use clay, salt dough, or paint on wood slices, these keepsakes will be cherished for years to come.

How to Make Them

  • Use air-dry clay or salt dough to shape a circle large enough for a child’s handprint. Gently press their hand into the surface, then bake or allow it to dry as needed. Paint and decorate once hardened.
  • Alternatively, paint kids’ hands with washable paint and press them onto cardstock or plain ornaments. Add the date for a special touch.

These decorations are timeless treasures and make wonderful gifts for grandparents!

8. Clear Ball Ornaments

Clear plastic or glass ornaments are a blank canvas waiting for your creativity. These allow for an endless range of designs and are fun for every member of the family to personalize.

Ideas for Filling Clear Ornaments

  • Mini Christmas scenes using faux snow and tiny figurines.
  • Strips of colorful ribbon or fabric scraps for a textured look.
  • Confetti, glitter, or beads for a bright and sparkly ornament.
  • Handwritten notes or small photos for a sentimental twist.

Simply remove the ornament’s top, add your decorations, and secure it back in place. These ornaments can help tell a unique story for your family’s tree.