20 DIY Christmas Ornaments Ideas for 2025

Creating your own Christmas ornaments adds a unique, personal touch to your holiday decorations and is a great way to make meaningful memories with family and friends. Whether you’re looking for rustic, kid-friendly, eco-friendly, or elegant ornament ideas, there’s a DIY project here to suit every style and skill level. Let’s dive into 20 creative ideas for DIY Christmas ornaments that will help make your 2025 holiday season extra special!

Rustic DIY Ornaments

1. Wood Slice Ornaments

Wood slices bring a rustic, outdoorsy vibe to your Christmas tree. These can be easily decorated with acrylic paint or wood-burning tools to add designs or family names. Attach twine or ribbon for a natural look that fits perfectly in a farmhouse-themed decor.

2. Dried Orange Slices

Dried orange slices not only look beautiful but also smell amazing. To make these, simply slice oranges, bake them at a low temperature until dry, and add a string or ribbon. For an added rustic touch, include a small cinnamon stick or sprigs of pine.

3. Burlap Ribbon Bows

Burlap ribbons make simple yet charming ornaments. Cut strips of burlap and tie them into bows, then attach small embellishments like pinecones or tiny bells. These earthy, natural ornaments add warmth and texture to your tree.

Personalized Keepsake Ornaments

4. Family Photo Ornaments

Add a personal touch by incorporating family photos into your ornaments. Print small photos, and place them in clear baubles or use Mod Podge to attach them to wooden or clay ornaments. For durability, consider laminating the photos or coating them with a clear sealant.

5. Fingerprint Snowmen

Perfect for kids, fingerprint snowmen ornaments are adorable keepsakes. Using white paint, have your little ones leave their fingerprints on a colored ornament. Once dry, turn the fingerprints into snowmen by adding tiny hats, scarves, and buttons.

6. Name Initial Ornaments

Clay, wire, or wood are perfect for creating name initials for each family member. Decorate each letter with paint, glitter, or festive patterns to make a unique keepsake. These initials are wonderful for marking each family member’s spot on the tree.

Kids’ Christmas Ornaments

7. Popsicle Stick Characters

With some popsicle sticks, glue, and paint, kids can create a whole lineup of Christmas characters, from Santa to snowmen and reindeer. These can be embellished with googly eyes, mini pompoms, and ribbons to add fun details.

8. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough is a classic DIY ornament material that’s easy to make and fun to shape. Simply mix flour, salt, and water to form the dough, then cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Once dry, let kids paint their creations and add a string for hanging.

9. Pom-Pom Garland Balls

Kids can make these colorful ornaments by wrapping yarn around their fingers to create pom-poms. String together pom-poms for a garland or use them individually as tree decorations. These soft ornaments add a playful pop of color to your tree.

Eco-Friendly Ornaments

10. Paper Star Ornaments

Origami or folded paper stars are eco-friendly, and you can recycle paper you already have. Using festive or recycled paper, fold stars to add a minimalist, eco-conscious touch to your decor. Add a sprinkle of glitter to make them sparkle.

11. Wine Cork Snowflakes

If you have a stash of wine corks, turn them into snowflake ornaments. Glue the corks together in snowflake shapes, and paint or add small jewels for an elegant look. These ornaments are perfect for an eco-friendly Christmas tree.

12. Dried Herb Bundles

Herbs like rosemary, lavender, or sage can be tied with twine to create small, fragrant ornaments. These bring a natural scent to your home, and their subtle color makes them ideal for a rustic or minimalist tree.

Elegant DIY Ornaments

13. Glass Bauble Painting

For a more sophisticated look, paint the inside of clear glass baubles with metallic or pastel colors. Add a hint of sparkle with glitter paint or stencils. These sleek ornaments can match any color scheme and make a modern statement.

14. Beaded Snowflakes

Create delicate snowflakes with wire and small beads for a classy, sparkly touch. Twist the wire into a snowflake shape, and thread the beads onto the wire. These look beautiful reflecting lights and add elegance to any Christmas tree.

15. Gold Leaf Ornaments

Using gold leaf is a wonderful way to give your ornaments a polished, luxurious appearance. Apply the gold leaf to clear glass ornaments for a gilded effect that catches the eye. These ornaments pair beautifully with evergreen branches and soft lights.

Upcycled and Repurposed Ornaments

16. Button Christmas Trees

Gather old buttons to create small, colorful Christmas tree ornaments. Stack buttons in various sizes to form a tree shape, and glue them together. Use a string or wire to hang them from the tree. These make for quirky and colorful decorations.

17. Mason Jar Lid Wreaths

Repurpose mason jar lids by turning them into tiny wreaths. Wrap them with fabric or ribbon and add small decorations like berries or pinecones. These wreaths are perfect for adding a touch of farmhouse charm to your holiday decor.

18. Scrap Fabric Stars

Use leftover holiday fabric to create festive stars. Cut out star shapes, glue or sew them together, and fill with a little stuffing if you like. These soft ornaments add a cozy, homemade feel to your tree.

Edible Ornaments

19. Candy Cane Reindeer

Using pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and small red pompoms, you can turn simple candy canes into reindeer. These make great gifts, and they add a playful and edible touch to your tree. Just hang them on the branches and enjoy the colorful effect!

20. Gingerbread Ornaments

Bake gingerbread in holiday shapes and add a small hole for stringing them up. These are beautiful on the tree and can fill your home with the delightful scent of spices. Seal them with a coat of clear spray paint if you want to preserve them longer.

Conclusion

DIY Christmas ornaments are a perfect way to add a unique, handcrafted touch to your holiday decor. From rustic wood slices to sophisticated gold leaf designs, these 20 ideas offer something for everyone, whether you’re crafting with kids, aiming for eco-friendliness, or creating elegant, keepsake pieces. Spend an afternoon making memories and bringing a bit of yourself into each ornament you hang on your tree. Happy holidays and happy crafting!

Extra Tips for DIY Ornament Success

• Seal with a Clear Finish: For projects using paint or natural materials, seal ornaments with a clear finish to help them last.
• Label Your Creations: Write the year on the back of each ornament to create a timeline of memories over the years.
• Use Non-Toxic Materials: If you’re crafting with kids or making edible ornaments, be mindful of the materials to ensure they’re safe.

Enjoy making these festive ornaments and creating beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Happy crafting!