Try these ideas for homemade Christmas ornaments and garlands to decorate your home. Great activities for the whole family and beautiful decorations for years to come.
Updated November 2023
Every year our tree is decorated almost entirely with homemade Christmas decorations. We love those traditional ball ornaments and lots of lights, of course, but other than that, it’s pretty much all handmade.
They include beautiful paper snowflakes, many different kinds of salt dough ornaments, beaded ornaments, and stained-glass paper chains.
Christmas is around the corner, so we thought we’d put together a post of Christmas ornaments for the whole family to make. Plus, a few garlands to spruce up the mantle!
These ornaments that are both easy and fun to make as well as beautiful on the tree.
Homemade Christmas Ornaments
1. Salt Dough Ornaments
Check out our favorite recipe for this holiday classic and see 10 different ways to decorate salt dough ornaments!
2. Eco-Friendly Ornaments
Check out our assortment of eco-friendly ornaments and decorations. Which one do you like best?
3. Upcycled Art Ornaments
Turn the loose objects you have on hand into beautiful ornaments for your tree or to give away (from Mini Mad Things)
4. Salt Dough Star Garland
Take your extra salt dough and turn it into a string of sweet stars hanging in a child’s room, across the mantel, or around the tree.
5. Dried Orange Garland
Create a beautiful dried orange and cranberry garland in a few easy steps. Young kids can help string together this eco-friendly decoration. Or hang dried oranges separately on your tree!
6. Homemade Cardboard and Nature Ornaments
We LOVE suncatchers! And we LOVE these nature suncatcher ornaments from Little Pine Learners!
7. Woven Star Ornaments
These woven star ornaments from Mini Mad Things are so easy and lovely to look at!
8. Glitter Stars
A super easy ornament that even the youngest kids can make!
9. Homemade Beeswax Ornaments
These homemade beeswax ornaments from Little Pine Learners are so gorgeous, you’ll want to keep them up all year long!
10. Pinecone Ornaments with Pompoms
These pinecone ornaments with pompoms from One Little Project are so cute! They’ll add a pop of color to your Christmas tree. Or try adding glitter to pinecones for a sparkly ornament from Mom Spotted!
11. Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments
Try homemade cinnamon ornaments with applesauce that smell amazing for Christmas!
12. Paper Chain Garland
Draw and paint patterns on strips of paper, then connect to form a paper chain for kids. Hang up on the tree or use as a countdown to Christmas!
13. Nature Print Ornaments
These clay leaf prints are fun for kids and create a beautiful nature ornament. Use evergreen branches for a festive touch.
14. Cardboard Christmas Trees
Create these simple Christmas trees with kids of all ages! Simply punch a hole at the top of the trees to hang up, or string into a garland.
15. Coffee Filter Garland
Create this easy DIY Christmas garland with coffee filters (big or small) and liquid watercolors! Simple for kids to make and beautiful to display!
16. 3D Paper Star Ornaments
We really love these 3D paper star ornaments. They are perfect for Christmas decorating and gift giving.
17. Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Stars
These sweet yarn-wrapped stars from Mama Miss are inspired by the book Elmer’s Christmas and are so easy to make!
18. Pine Needle Keepsake Ornaments
These lovely ornaments from Little Pine Learners are made from air dry clay and pine needles!
19. Colorful Clay Ornaments
We tried our hand at making these marbled clay ornaments from OOLY and love the way they came out!
20. Paper Snowflakes
Coffee filters make the best snowflakes! Use these to decorate your tree, windows, mantle, or anywhere!
What are your favorite homemade Christmas ornaments to make with the kids? Are there any here that you’d like to try?
More Christmas Crafts Ideas for Kids
- 11 Christmas Crafts for Kids to Make This Holiday Season
- Easy Christmas Crafts for Toddlers
- 5 Natural Christmas Decorations that Kids Can Make
- 6 Christmas Card Ideas for Kids
- How to Make a Christmas Tree Craft
- 10 Salt Dough Ornaments to Make
Want even more creative ideas?
Check out our Holiday Creativity pack!
Let’s celebrate the holidays with all things crafty! Here are 53 pages full of our favorite drawing prompts, creative play ideas, art activities, and more!
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