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DIY Beaded Christmas Ornaments: Step-by-Step Holiday Craft Guide

Looking for a simple DIY Christmas craft? Make these charming beaded ornaments for your tree or use them as gift toppers.

Making beaded star ornament with wire and beads.

If you want an easy holiday craft to complete before December 25th, try these beaded Christmas ornaments that also work perfectly as decorative gift toppers.

They’re great to make while watching holiday movies or as a simple winter break activity with kids—just keep an eye on little ones since the beads are small.

How to Make Beaded Christmas Ornaments

These beaded ornaments are quick, budget-friendly, and require only a few supplies. In my case I only needed to buy beads, but even if you must buy everything, you’re looking at just four or five inexpensive items.

You can substitute inexpensive wire or even a straightened metal hanger if your beads have large enough holes.

While this tutorial focuses on star-shaped ornaments, the technique works for any shape: circles for tiny wreaths, hearts, tree silhouettes, or even simple animal outlines for a more detailed challenge.

Materials

  • Jewelry wire (I used 16-gauge)
  • Beads (choose beads with holes larger than your wire gauge)
  • Ornament hook or ribbon
  • Wire cutters and jewelry pliers

Where to get beads

I picked up basic beads at a craft store, but there are many unique options available on online marketplaces and craft shops if you want something more special for future projects.

Purple beaded ornaments, shaped like stars, being made on a white table.

Instructions

1. Cut the wire

Cut a length of wire longer than you expect to need. I typically cut about 10 inches and used that to make stars roughly 5–6 inches across. If you prefer a different size, adjust the length accordingly.

2. Bend the wire

Form the wire into a loose outline of your desired shape. For a star, bend the wire into a basic pentagon or series of angled segments to mark the points. I used jewelry pliers to make gentle folds every few inches to create the star points.

Start with a simple outline—after you thread the beads on, you can refine the shape into sharper points or smoother curves.

3. String the beads

Slide beads onto the wire until only one to two inches of wire remain free at each end. Use a consistent bead pattern or mix colors and finishes for variety.

4. Secure the ends and trim

Twist the two wire ends together tightly, wrapping several times so the join is secure. Trim any excess tail with wire cutters and tuck the end in or press it flat so it won’t snag.

5. Add a ribbon or hook

Attach an ornament hook or tie a loop of ribbon to hang the ornament on your tree. Alternatively, leave a ribbon loop long enough to tie the beaded shape onto a wrapped gift as a decorative topper.

Beaded ornaments with supplies laid out on a table.

Holding star wire with beads added on.

Beaded ornaments (shaped like stars) with scissors and beads on the table.

Beaded star ornaments on a white table cloth with craft supplies.

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How to Make a Beaded Christmas Ornament

Brittni

These beaded ornaments are simple to make and require only a handful of supplies. Even if you need to buy everything, the list is short and affordable. For a low-cost alternative, consider repurposing a straightened metal hanger as the armature if your beads will fit.

Equipment

  • Wire cutters and jewelry pliers

Ingredients

  • Wire
  • BeadsMake sure the bead holes are larger than your wire gauge
  • Ornament hook or ribbon

Instructions

  • Cut a piece of wire longer than you think you’ll need. About 10 inches works well for a medium-sized ornament, but adjust for larger or smaller designs.
  • Bend the wire into a loose outline of your chosen shape. For a star, form gentle angles to mark each point, then refine after beading.
  • Starting with a basic outline makes it easier to shape the final ornament once the beads are on.
  • String beads onto the wire until only an inch or two remain free at each end. Twist the two wire ends together tightly to secure the beads, wrap several times, and trim any excess with wire cutters.
  • Attach a ribbon or an ornament hook and hang the ornament on the tree, or tie it to a present as a decorative topper.

If you want more ornament and gift topper ideas, try other simple projects like clay mushrooms, painted wood ornaments, clay strawberries, fabric stars and moons, terracotta shapes cut with cookie cutters, paper ornaments, line-drawing pieces, or velvet color-blocked ornaments. These variations let you explore different materials and styles while keeping the projects affordable.

  • Clay mushroom ornaments — a playful, sculpted option.
  • Painted wood ornaments — easy to personalize with paint.
  • Clay strawberry ornaments — whimsical and fun.
  • Fabric star and moon ornaments — soft and cozy.
  • Terracotta ornaments made with cookie cutters — rustic and durable.
  • Paper ornaments — budget-friendly and customizable.
  • Line-drawing ornaments — minimalist and modern.
  • Velvet ornaments — rich texture and bold color blocking.

That’s likely the end of my ornament tutorials for this season—maybe I’ll add more next year. Whether you use these beaded stars as tree decorations or tied to gifts, I hope you enjoy the project and the handmade touch it brings to your holidays.