DIY ornaments are one of my favorite projects to make each year during the holidays.
Changing the look of your tree with handmade ornaments—or gifting a thoughtful homemade ornament to friends and family—feels truly special to me.
Ornaments, whether handmade or store-bought, hold family memories. Growing up, decorating the tree was a family ritual. Over time it became mostly my mom and me, but I loved it every year.
We always had odd little homemade ornaments: some went front-and-center while others ended up tucked at the back of the tree. No matter where they were placed, each ornament carried a memory and tasted like tradition when taken out of the holiday box each season.
That’s why I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to DIY Christmas ornaments—my favorite projects, materials, and reasons to make your own. Grab a chair and some scissors; here are tons of handmade ornament ideas, plus reasons why making them is so worthwhile.
Why make homemade ornaments?
If you’re undecided about whether to DIY your ornaments, here are a few reasons I think they’re worth the effort:
- They’re a family activity. Making ornaments together is a perfect way to start or continue a holiday tradition. Whether you make a big batch in one afternoon or add a few new ornaments each year, it’s a memorable activity kids and adults can enjoy.
- They’re unique and customizable. Your tree only gets to shine in your home for a month—why not make it reflect your space and style? Choose colors and materials that match your decor for a cohesive, personal tree.
- They make excellent gift toppers and gifts. Short on tree space? Use ornaments as gift toppers or small gifts. They add a personalized touch to wrapping and are perfect for giving to neighbors, teachers, or friends.
Still on the fence? Read on—there are so many ideas that one is bound to inspire you.
Types of DIY ornaments
After years of experimenting with holiday crafts, I’ve explored almost every type of ornament. Here’s a quick rundown of the kinds I keep coming back to:
- Paper ornaments
- Clay ornaments
- Glass or clear-plastic ornaments (often embellished)
- Fabric ornaments
- Beaded ornaments
- Plaster or paper-mâché ornaments
Clay ornaments
Clay is one of my go-to materials: it’s affordable, easy to work with, and yields polished results. With a single inexpensive package of air-dry clay you can make dozens of ornaments—perfect for gifting or filling a tree.
Air-dry brands vary, but many hobbyists like DAS for its affordability and ease of use. Polymer clay is another option; it’s available in many colors and hardens in the oven, which makes it great for beginners.
Popular clay ornament ideas include terracotta shapes finished with nail polish or glaze, tiny mushroom or strawberry ornaments made from air-dry clay, and playful polymer clay shapes created with cutters or hand-sculpted forms. Small clay ornaments are especially giftable and can be sealed or painted to last for years.
Glass and clear-plastic ornaments
The classic round glass bauble is timeless, but you can easily personalize glass or clear-plastic ornaments with paint, markers, or minimalist line drawings. Clear plastic versions are lightweight and shatterproof while still offering the traditional look of glass.
Try hand-drawn faces, painterly patterns, simple monograms, or bold graphic marks. These decorations are a fast way to add personality to your tree and are ideal for last-minute handmade additions.
Paper ornaments
Paper ornaments are the most budget-friendly and accessible. Everyday paper—printer paper, magazine pages, wrapping paper, cereal boxes, or recycled bags—can be transformed into festive shapes. If you need sturdier material, double up paper layers or use thin cardboard.
Popular paper projects include painted totem shapes, 3D paper globe ornaments, and dimensional stars. You can paint, print, or collage paper pieces for a customized look. Paper balls work beautifully in sets and are lightweight enough that you can make many of them quickly.
Fabric ornaments
Fabric scraps are perfect for small ornaments. If you keep a stash of leftover fabric, you can make one-of-a-kind padded shapes like stars, moons, or simple pillows. Use a template to cut matching pieces, sew them together, stuff lightly, and finish with a ribbon loop for hanging.
Velvet ornaments add rich color and texture, while leather and wood tassel ornaments make unexpectedly chic accents. Fabric ornaments are forgiving for beginners and make charming, tactile additions to any tree.
More handmade ornament ideas
To spark your creativity, here are a variety of projects to try or adapt for your own style:
- Wood and leather tassel ornaments for a rustic-modern look.
- Indigo marbled ornaments for a sophisticated, artisanal finish.
- Clothespin people ornaments—great for kids to paint and assemble.
- Blank wooden ornaments you can hand-paint with seasonal motifs.
- Hand-painted ornaments with abstract or patterned designs.
- Dip-dyed paper ornaments with modern color blocking.
- Velvet color-blocked ornaments to introduce texture and rich hues.
- Handmade golden star ornaments using metallic finishes for a classic touch.
- Cinnamon-stick himmeli ornaments that combine warm scent with minimal form.
- Ombre jingle bell sets for an impactful, musical accessory.
- Beaded star ornaments formed from wire and beads for a charming, lightweight option.
Garlands to complement your ornaments
If you’re in a crafty mood, keep going with DIY garlands. Garlands extend decorating beyond the tree—drape them on mantels, banisters, or across doorways.
Try oversized wood block garlands for a bold, modern statement or a knotted rope garland for an easy, minimalist look. For sparkle, make a holographic garland that catches light and can be reused for New Year’s celebrations too.
There you go—lots of approachable DIY ornament ideas to inspire a handmade holiday. Whether you prefer clay, paper, fabric, glass, or mixed materials, creating ornaments is an easy way to add meaning and personality to your celebrations.
How do you decorate your tree—mostly handmade ornaments, mostly store-bought, or a combination of both?