There is a particular warmth that handmade Christmas ornaments bring to a tree that no shop-bought decoration can replicate. Each one carries a memory: the afternoon spent making it, who was there, what you were listening to. Decades from now, pulling a carefully-wrapped handmade ornament from a storage box will transport you back to the moment of its creation. That emotional resonance is what makes handmade Christmas decorations one of the most meaningful craft traditions of the year.
This guide covers five distinct ornament-making methods, ranging from simple (glitter baubles in under 10 minutes) to satisfying weekend projects (salt dough ornaments that last for years). All five use inexpensive, widely-available materials and can be made with children or as solo projects for a meditative, Christmassy afternoon.
Idea 1 — Glitter Baubles
Clear glass or plastic baubles with a removable top are available inexpensively from craft stores throughout November and December. Remove the cap and pour one tablespoon of fine craft glitter inside the bauble — you can use a single colour or layer several colours for a galaxy effect. Replace the cap and shake gently to coat the interior. For a more opaque look, add a few drops of white craft paint before the glitter and shake to coat the inside walls before the paint dries. Add a ribbon loop to the hanging wire for a personalised touch. These take under 10 minutes each and look stunning clustered in a glass bowl as a centrepiece as well as hanging on the tree.
Idea 2 — Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are a craft tradition that spans generations — and with good reason. They are simple to make, inexpensive, durable when properly baked and sealed, and can be shaped, stamped, and painted into almost any design imaginable. To make the dough: mix 1 cup of plain flour, half a cup of table salt, and half a cup of water until a smooth, non-sticky dough forms. If too sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time; if too dry, add water a teaspoon at a time. Roll the dough to 5 mm (¼ inch) thickness on a lightly floured surface and cut shapes with cookie cutters — stars, Christmas trees, hearts, gingerbread people, snowflakes. Use a drinking straw to punch a hanging hole near the top of each shape before baking.
Bake at 100°C / 210°F for 2–3 hours (low and slow is the key — too hot and they puff up and crack) until completely hard all the way through. Allow to cool fully before decorating with acrylic paint, fine-tip markers, or watercolour pencils. Once decorated and dry, seal with two coats of clear varnish or Mod Podge to protect the surface and make the ornaments last for years. Thread ribbon or twine through the hanging hole and hang. Unbaked salt dough will keep in the fridge, tightly wrapped, for 2–3 days if you cannot finish cutting and baking in one session.
Idea 3 — Cinnamon Stick Bundles
Among the simplest ornaments imaginable, cinnamon stick bundles smell extraordinary and bring a classic, rustic Christmas aesthetic to any tree. Bundle three to five cinnamon sticks together of equal length. Wrap a piece of natural twine, thin ribbon, or raffia multiple times around the bundle at the centre, then tie a bow at the front. Thread a longer piece of twine through the bundle top for hanging. Add a small sprig of dried rosemary, a star anise, or a dried orange slice tucked under the ribbon bow for extra visual detail. These can be made in minutes, cost almost nothing, and the cinnamon fragrance will slowly scent the room throughout the Christmas season.
Idea 4 — Pressed Botanicals in Resin
This slightly more advanced method produces truly stunning, jewel-like ornaments. Collect small flowers, leaves, or ferns and press them flat between the pages of a heavy book for 2–4 weeks until completely dry. Purchase clear casting resin and silicone ornament moulds (teardrop, round, or geometric shapes) from a craft store. Mix the resin according to instructions, pour a thin layer into the mould, and allow it to set slightly (usually 1–2 hours) until it has a jelly-like consistency. Press your dried botanicals gently onto the surface, then pour the remaining resin over the top to encapsulate the plants fully. Allow to cure for 24–48 hours before demoulding. The finished ornaments are completely transparent, with the pressed botanical floating inside like a natural inclusion in glass.
Idea 5 — Felt Character Ornaments
Felt is one of the most satisfying materials for handmade ornaments — it does not fray, cuts cleanly, is available in every conceivable colour, and is inexpensive by the sheet. Draw simple character shapes onto felt: a penguin, a polar bear, a snowman, a reindeer, a Christmas pudding. Cut two identical pieces for each character (these will form the front and back). Decorate the front piece with embroidery, buttons, sequins, or fabric markers before assembling. Place the front and back pieces together, wrong sides facing, and blanket-stitch around the edge with embroidery thread in a coordinating colour — this simultaneously joins the two pieces and creates a decorative border. Before stitching the final section closed, insert a small amount of toy stuffing to give the ornament a slight three-dimensional plumpness. Thread a ribbon loop through the top seam before final closure.
Wrapping and Gifting Handmade Ornaments
Handmade ornaments make exceptional gifts, particularly when the recipient knows they were made specifically for them. Package each ornament individually in a small box lined with tissue paper, or hang a set of three or five from a bundle of cinnamon sticks tied with ribbon for a ready-to-give gift set. Include a small handwritten card describing the materials used and any personal significance — a pressed flower from your garden, for example, carries a story that elevates even a simple ornament into something deeply personal.
For more seasonal and gift-making project ideas, visit our Gifts and Seasonal tutorial collection. For complementary paper and textile crafts to pair with these ornament techniques, explore our Paper Crafts and DIY Crafts sections. Browse all our seasonal tutorials on the BDcrafty blog.
