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Handmade ornaments cost less than store ones, and they are the ones people remember. A salt dough star with a child's fingerprint stays on the tree for thirty years.
You do not need a craft room. Most of these ideas fit on a kitchen table, take an evening or less, and use a few simple supplies. Here are twelve, from easy to a little more careful.
Before you start
- Cover the table with paper or a mat, since glue and paint get everywhere.
- Make a hole first for the ribbon, before dough or clay dries.
- Seal what you paint with a clear spray or varnish so it lasts for years.
- Plan the colors before you start: three or four colors look better than ten.
- Do it with a child only if the supplies are safe for them; choose water-based paint and non-toxic glue.
01Salt dough ornaments
Flour, salt and water make a dough you can cut with cookie cutters, bake at a low heat and paint. Press a fingerprint or a name into it for a keepsake.
02Air-dry clay ornaments
Air-dry clay needs no oven. Roll it out, cut shapes, add a texture with a lace or a stamp, and let it dry for a day.
03Wood slice ornaments
Thin wood slices with a hole drilled at the top look rustic and simple. Paint a small scene, write a name, or burn a pattern.
04Paper stars and snowflakes
Folded paper stars and cut snowflakes cost almost nothing and weigh nothing, so they suit a small tree. Use white and kraft paper for a calm look.
05Felt ornaments
Felt does not fray, and a simple star, tree or heart is easy to cut. Stitch two pieces together, stuff lightly and add a loop.
06Clear ball ornaments you fill
A clear glass or plastic ball opens at the top. Fill it with paper confetti, small pine twigs, a photo or a tiny light.
07Cinnamon and orange slice ornaments
Dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks tied with twine smell wonderful and look natural. Dry the slices in a low oven for a few hours.
08Bead and wire ornaments
Beads on a wire bent into a star, a tree or a candy cane sparkle on a tree and cost very little. It is a good project for older children.
09Photo ornaments
A small photo in a clear frame, a round wood frame or a glass ball becomes a keepsake and a gift. Print on thick paper and seal the edges.
10Painted pine cone ornaments
White paint on the tips of pine cones makes them look snowy. Glue on a loop and a little ribbon. See also our Christmas candle and scent ideas for a cone that smells.
11Yarn and pom-pom ornaments
Pom-poms in different sizes, tied in a cluster or a small snowman, are soft, light and safe near children and pets.
12Polymer clay mini ornaments
Polymer clay is baked in a home oven and holds fine detail: tiny houses, mittens, mushrooms. It is the best material for ornaments that you plan to keep.
Finishing touches
- Ribbon or twine: choose one type for the whole tree.
- Hooks: metal or wire hooks hold a heavier ornament.
- Name tags: write the year on the back with a fine marker.
- Storage: wrap each ornament in tissue and keep them in a box with dividers.
A small kit to keep
Keep a small box with glue, scissors, twine, a hole punch and a fine marker. Then you can make an ornament in ten minutes whenever you want, and gift tags and wrapping can be handmade too. See our Christmas gift wrapping ideas.
Before you pay
- Choose a kit with all the supplies if you are a beginner.
- Check that paints and glue are non-toxic if children will use them.
- Buy a bit more than you need, since the first try is rarely perfect.
- For more ways to decorate on a small budget, see our Christmas decor on a budget and our Christmas tree ideas for a small living room.
