- DIY Christmas Ornaments for the Whole Family is easier to tackle when the basics are clear from the start. These 12 ideas span creative, kid-friendly, and eco-friendly approaches so every member of the family can participate.
Making your own Christmas ornaments is one of the most meaningful holiday traditions you can start - every homemade ornament on the tree tells a story.
Creative DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas
1. Paw print ornaments - press your pet's paw into air-dry clay or salt dough, cut into shape, dry, paint, and add their name and the year; a personalised keepsake for pet lovers. 2. Felt wreaths - cut colourful felt into small leaf shapes and glue in a circular pattern on a felt base; add a decorative bow or sparkly accents; soft, lightweight, and easy to make. 3. Paper honeycombs - layer and fold colourful tissue paper or cardstock into a 3D honeycomb shape; customise to any colour scheme; budget-friendly and visually striking. 4. String art ornaments - wrap colourful thread or twine around nails or pins arranged on a wooden or cardboard base in festive shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes; adds rustic flair.
Kid-Friendly Christmas Ornament Crafts
5. Rudolph ornaments - fill clear plastic ornament bulbs with brown yarn; twist pipe cleaners into antler shapes and attach to the top; add googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose. 6. Salt dough ornaments - flour, salt, and water dough rolled out and cut with holiday cookie cutters; bake or air-dry then decorate with paint, glitter, or markers; budget-friendly and customisable. 7. Wrapped cookie cutter ornaments - wrap colourful ribbon, yarn, or twine tightly around holiday-themed cookie cutters until fully covered; mix and match colours; simple and quick for little ones. 8. Clothespin snowflake ornaments - disassemble wooden clothespins and glue flat sides together to form snowflake shapes; paint white or silver; add glitter and gems once dry.
Eco-Friendly Homemade Christmas Ornaments
9. Pinecone ornaments - collect during nature walks, clean and dry; leave natural or spray-paint in festive colours and add glitter, beads, or mini bows; bring nature indoors beautifully. 10. Shell ornaments - attach ribbon or twine with hot glue; leave natural for a simple earthy look or paint and decorate with glitter and pearls for a coastal Christmas aesthetic. 11. Origami star ornaments - use scrap paper, office paper, or old newspaper for lightweight, sustainable, budget-friendly stars of any size. 12. Orange slice ornaments - slice fresh oranges and dry in the oven at low temperature until fully dehydrated; leave natural or add cinnamon sticks and ribbon; warm golden glow and subtle citrus fragrance.
Decorating your tree with DIY ornaments is a fun and meaningful way to celebrate. Pair your ornament-making session with Mrs. Fields Christmas cookies for a complete holiday craft-and-cookie evening.
Related ideas to explore next If you want to keep building on this topic, good next reads include 17 Christmas Activities for Families, Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Ideas, and 20 Christmas Party Ideas. They are useful for comparing techniques, finding adjacent inspiration, or choosing a Mrs. Fields option that fits a different craving or occasion.
FAQ
1. What are the easiest DIY Christmas ornaments for kids?
Rudolph ornaments (stuffing clear bulbs with brown yarn and adding pipe cleaner antlers), wrapped cookie cutter ornaments, and salt dough ornaments are the most accessible for young children. All three require minimal skill, use inexpensive materials, and produce impressive results. Salt dough ornaments are particularly popular because kids can use cookie cutters - the same shapes they might use for actual Christmas cookie baking.
2. What materials do you need for DIY Christmas ornaments?
Most DIY Christmas ornaments require only basic craft supplies: air-dry clay or salt dough for impressions, clear plastic ornament bulbs for stuffed designs, felt and glue for wreaths, ribbon and twine for wrapping and hanging, paint and glitter for decoration, and natural materials (pinecones, shells, dried orange slices) for eco-friendly options. Most materials are available at dollar stores or craft stores for under a few dollars per project.
3. How do you make salt dough ornaments?
Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, and 1/2 cup water until a smooth dough forms. Roll out to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut with holiday cookie cutters. Use a straw to make a hole for hanging before baking. Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until completely dry and hard. Allow to cool completely before decorating with paint, glitter, or markers. Seal with clear varnish for durability.
