Creative Christmas Coaster Craft Ideas

Last December, I remember sitting with a cup of cocoa, staring at my coffee table and realizing how plain it looked. The tree was twinkling, the stockings were hung, but those little details—the ones that make a home feel extra cozy—were missing. That’s when it hit me: Christmas coasters. I know, it sounds silly, but hear me out. These small pieces of holiday charm can completely change the vibe of a room. Plus, they’re such a fun (and easy) craft to make! Whether you’re into glitter and glam, simple rustic touches, or something the kids can help with, Christmas coaster craft ideas are the perfect way to add personality without spending a fortune. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a handmade touch during the holidays? Stick with me—I’ll share some ideas that are practical, creative, and actually doable, even if you’re not “crafty.”

Christmas Coaster Craft Ideas

Christmas Coaster Craft Ideas are a fun way to add holiday cheer to your table while keeping it neat and stylish. These creative DIY coasters also make thoughtful handmade gifts for family and friends.

Felt Snowflake Coasters

I have to say, felt is one of those materials that makes me feel like I’m five again, snipping away with safety scissors at the kitchen table. Making snowflake coasters out of felt is super fun because you can go as simple or as intricate as you like. Sometimes I just cut out basic shapes, and other times I trace actual snowflake stencils I found online. A little white felt against red or green backgrounds looks so Christmassy, it’s hard not to smile. Honestly, the best part is they’re soft and absorbent, so they actually work as coasters too.

One year, I even let my niece help and she thought she was making “snowflake cookies” for the table. The pieces weren’t symmetrical at all, but when I layered them onto another felt circle, they looked rustic and charming. That’s the thing about this craft—it doesn’t have to be perfect to feel magical.

Cork Reindeer Coasters

Cork is one of those underrated craft supplies that I always have lying around, and it’s perfect for making reindeer coasters. All you need are round cork bases (I usually grab them cheap at the craft store), some paint, and maybe little googly eyes if you want to be extra playful. I painted antlers on with a black marker, added a red pom-pom for Rudolph’s nose, and boom—festive reindeer faces staring up from under your mug.

The first time I made these, my coffee cup covered the nose and it made me laugh because it looked like a reindeer was hiding. To be fair, kids absolutely love these. If you’ve got a family gathering, you’ll end up with people swapping coasters just to pick their favorite “reindeer.” It’s silly, but it makes the table feel alive with personality.

Painted Wood Slice Coasters

Okay, so wood slices might just be my all-time favorite craft supply around Christmas. There’s something about the raw bark edges and natural feel that screams cozy cabin. I usually paint simple designs—snowmen, Christmas trees, even just white dots to look like snow. Honestly, I’ve even left some plain with just a little sealant, because the natural grain is so beautiful on its own.

One time, I had friends over for a hot cocoa night and everyone ended up painting their own wood slice coaster. Some turned out pretty wonky, but that’s what made them perfect. Now I pull them out every year, and each coaster tells a little story of that night. It’s like a craft project that turned into a memory keeper, which is the best kind of DIY in my opinion.

Resin Glitter Coasters

Resin crafts can feel a little intimidating at first, but once you try them, oh my gosh—they’re addictive. I made glitter coasters with clear resin, poured in sparkly bits of red, green, and silver, and honestly they looked like something from a store. The trick is patience, because you’ve got to let the resin cure properly. I learned that the hard way when I tried to unmold too early and ended up with fingerprints permanently embedded in the coaster.

But when they work, they really work. They catch the light beautifully under Christmas tree glow. Guests always pick them up and turn them around, asking where I bought them. The look on their face when I say, “I made them!”—priceless. If you like crafts that double as conversation starters, resin coasters are definitely it.

Tile Ornament Coasters

I once stumbled on a box of plain ceramic tiles at a garage sale and thought, “why not?” They became one of my favorite coaster projects. All I did was decoupage Christmas ornament designs onto the tiles using napkins with holiday prints. A little Mod Podge, a top coat, and felt pads underneath—that’s it. They looked polished but still handmade.

One Christmas, I wrapped up a set and gave them to a neighbor, and she swore she thought I’d bought them at a boutique. Honestly, tile coasters feel so sturdy and real, you almost forget they’re DIY. Plus, if you’re on a budget, tiles are ridiculously cheap, which means you can make enough to gift to pretty much everyone without breaking the bank.

Embroidery Hoop Coasters

This one feels a little quirky, but embroidery hoop coasters are surprisingly adorable. I just stretched festive fabric inside mini hoops, trimmed the excess, and sealed the edges. Done. You can even add a bit of hand stitching if you’re into embroidery, but honestly, pretty fabric does most of the work for you.

One year I used a fabric that had tiny Santa faces all over it, and every coaster ended up with its own little character. Guests actually started choosing “their Santa” for the evening. It’s funny how something so simple can spark joy. In my opinion, these are one of those crafts where less effort = maximum charm.

Crochet Candy Cane Coasters

Crochet isn’t exactly my strong suit, but I gave these candy cane coasters a shot because I wanted that cozy, handmade vibe. I found a pattern online, grabbed red and white yarn, and just went for it. To be fair, my first few looked more like peppermint swirls gone wrong than actual candy canes, but once I got the hang of the stitches, they turned out super cute.

I gave a few to my grandma, who crochets everything under the sun, and she laughed at my uneven stitches but also told me they were “full of love.” Honestly, that’s what makes them special—they don’t need to be flawless. Plus, they add that touch of “grandma’s house at Christmas” to any table, which I love.

Personalized Photo Coasters

These coasters are such a hit at family gatherings. I just printed small photos—like the kids sitting on Santa’s lap or last year’s snowball fight—and Mod Podged them onto ceramic or cork bases. Then I sealed them with a waterproof topcoat. It’s such a personal touch, and people light up when they see themselves in the design.

One time I surprised my parents with a set featuring old Christmas morning photos of me and my siblings, and they honestly got teary-eyed. In my opinion, crafts that stir up emotion are the best ones. These aren’t just coasters—they’re little memory capsules that you pull out once a year to laugh, cry, and reminisce.

Stamped Leather Coasters

Leather might not be the first thing that comes to mind for Christmas, but stamped leather coasters are so sleek and unique. I picked up some leather scraps, cut them into circles, and used a simple stamp kit to press in snowflakes and stars. Add a little metallic paint to highlight the design, and suddenly you’ve got something that looks high-end.

My brother, who is usually hard to impress with crafts, actually asked me to make him a set after seeing mine. That was a win in my book! They give off this rustic-meets-modern vibe, perfect if you’re going for a slightly less glittery Christmas style. Honestly, they feel durable enough to last for years, which makes the time investment totally worth it.

Scrabble Tile Coasters

This one always makes me smile because Scrabble was the game in my family growing up. For the coasters, I glued tiles together to spell out Christmas words like “JOY,” “SNOW,” or even silly ones like “ELF.” Then I sealed them with a clear coat. They’re fun, a little nerdy, and such a conversation piece.

One year, my cousin couldn’t resist rearranging the letters while her drink sat on top, so she ended up spelling “NOEL” into “LONE.” We laughed for days about that. Honestly, these coasters aren’t just practical—they’re playful, and they bring people together in a way you wouldn’t expect from something sitting under a mug.

Quilted Patchwork Coasters

I’m not a big quilter, but patchwork coasters let me fake it without committing to a huge project. I used leftover fabric scraps in reds, greens, and golds, stitched them together into little squares, and quilted lightly around the seams. They looked like mini Christmas blankets for your cups.

My aunt, who is a real quilter, teased me that mine were “cheater quilts,” but she also admitted they were cute. Honestly, it’s such a good way to use up fabric scraps, and no two coasters end up looking the same. If you love that cozy, homemade feel but don’t want a giant project, patchwork coasters hit the sweet spot.

Beaded Star Coasters

Beads are one of those supplies I buy way too often, so making star-shaped beaded coasters felt like a good excuse to use some. I threaded beads onto wire, shaped them into stars, and then attached them to a clear coaster base. The effect was sparkly and delicate, almost like little ornaments laid flat.

To be fair, these aren’t the most practical for heavy mugs—they’re more of a “pretty” coaster. But around Christmas, I don’t really care if it’s practical, I care if it shines. And these definitely shine. Guests usually pick them up to inspect the design, and I love watching their faces light up when the beads catch the glow of candles.

Burlap Christmas Tree Coasters

Burlap is one of those rustic materials that instantly makes me think of farmhouse Christmas décor. I cut burlap into circles, stenciled on little Christmas trees with green paint, and backed them with cork for sturdiness. They turned out earthy and simple, but in a very cozy way.

One Christmas, I tied a few of these together with twine and gave them as little host gifts. They were a hit, especially with people who don’t love flashy décor. Honestly, these coasters are the definition of understated charm. Sometimes less is more, and burlap really proves that.

Pom-Pom Santa Coasters

I don’t know why, but pom-poms make me ridiculously happy. For Santa coasters, I glued red felt onto circles, added little white pom-poms for the trim, and a bigger one for the nose or hat top. They ended up looking cartoony and playful—perfect for a family party where you don’t take yourself too seriously.

Kids especially love these. My nephew tried pulling the pom-poms off to play with them (not ideal, but funny). Honestly, they’re not the most “grown-up” craft, but sometimes you just want something fun and silly on the table. These Santa coasters are exactly that.

Sparkling Sequin Coasters

Last but not least—sequins. I mean, if you can’t go all-out sparkly at Christmas, when can you? I covered plain coasters in red and gold sequins, and the effect was so dazzling it almost looked like jewelry for the table. They’re a little over-the-top, but that’s the fun of it.

I remember setting these out one year and my friend joking that she didn’t need a Christmas tree because my coasters were already sparkling enough. To be fair, they can shed sequins if you’re not careful with the glue, but I think the glam factor makes it worth it. They’re like a mini celebration under every drink.

Tips for Making Christmas Coasters

Making Christmas coasters is a fun and creative holiday craft, but a few smart tips can make your designs more durable, practical, and meaningful. Whether you’re making them for yourself, as décor, or as gifts, these ideas will help you get the best results.

• Keep designs simple for easy use – Choose patterns that are festive yet not too bulky, so cups and mugs sit flat and steady.

• Use waterproof sealants to protect from spills – Apply Mod Podge, resin, or varnish to keep coasters long-lasting and safe from water damage.

• Mix and match designs for sets – Create variety by combining snowflakes, reindeer, trees, or Santa patterns in one bundle.

• Personalize for gift-giving – Add initials, names, or family photos to make your coasters extra special and memorable.

FAQ

What materials can I use to make Christmas coasters?

You can use cork, felt, wood slices, ceramic tiles, resin, fabric, or even recycled materials like Scrabble tiles and burlap.

Are Christmas coasters easy to make for beginners?

Yes! Many coaster crafts are simple and beginner-friendly, especially felt, cork, or tile designs that require just cutting and gluing.

How can I make my coasters waterproof?

Seal them with Mod Podge, resin, or a clear waterproof spray to protect against spills and stains.

Can Christmas coasters be given as gifts?

Absolutely! They make great handmade gifts, stocking stuffers, or can be paired with a mug for a festive present.