Creative Christmas Crafts with Toilet Paper Rolls

You know, the other day I was cleaning up after wrapping some gifts and I had this little pile of empty toilet rolls just sitting there. For a second, I almost tossed them straight in the trash, but then I thought, “Wait a minute… I’ve seen people turn these into the cutest Christmas crafts.” And honestly, who doesn’t love saving a bit of money while also doing something creative, right? If you’ve ever felt that tug between wanting festive decorations and not wanting to spend a fortune, I get it—I’ve been there too. That’s why I started playing around Christmas Crafts with Toilet Paper Rolls, and let me tell you, it’s way more fun than it sounds. From tiny reindeer to snowflake ornaments, you can make so many sweet little things. Stick with me here—I’ll show you how to turn something ordinary into Christmas magic. Sound good? Let’s dive in.

Christmas Crafts with Toilet Paper Rolls

Christmas crafts with toilet paper rolls are a fun and eco-friendly way to decorate for the holidays. These simple DIY projects turn everyday items into festive décor that kids and adults will love making together.

Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Tree

One of the first crafts I ever made with toilet paper rolls was a little Christmas tree, and honestly, it still makes me smile when I look at it. You just stack the rolls like a pyramid, paint them green, and suddenly it feels like you’ve got a tiny forest on your table. I remember the first time I tried it, I didn’t even have green paint, so I covered mine in old wrapping paper and glued on some buttons for ornaments. It looked a little wobbly, but it was adorable.

What I really love about this craft is how customizable it is. Sometimes I spray a bit of glitter on the “branches,” other times I let the kids stick random things on there—pom-poms, sequins, whatever we have lying around. To be fair, they always end up looking messier than I planned, but that’s the charm. You’ll laugh at how something so simple can become the centerpiece on a mantel.

Snowman Toilet Paper Roll

Turning a toilet paper roll into a snowman feels like the easiest win during Christmas. I wrap mine in plain white paper, draw a goofy face with markers, and then tie a scrap of fabric around the “neck” for a scarf. One year, I used an old sock for the snowman’s hat, and my niece thought it was the funniest thing she had ever seen. Honestly, the sock-hat look stuck—we do it every year now.

The best part is adding those quirky details that make it personal. A crooked carrot nose, mismatched buttons, maybe even a mustache if you’re feeling silly. I’ve found that when kids get their hands on this project, every snowman ends up having its own personality. Mine always end up looking like they’re in the middle of some winter comedy show. And to be fair, it’s hard not to smile when you’ve got a whole row of them staring back at you.

Santa Claus Craft

Santa out of a toilet paper roll? Oh yes, and it’s cuter than you’d think. I usually start with some red paper wrapped around the roll, glue on a little cotton ball beard, and suddenly, there’s Santa peeking at me from the craft table. My first attempt was a disaster—the beard wouldn’t stick, and the hat kept falling over. But honestly, those “fails” are the ones that get the most laughs in my family.

What I like about this one is you don’t need perfection. A lopsided hat makes Santa look like he’s had a long night delivering presents. I’ve even made tiny belts out of black tape and gold foil, which instantly upgrades him. In my opinion, these little Santas are perfect for lining up on a shelf or sneaking into gift baskets. They look like they’re secretly guarding the cookies, and that’s exactly the vibe I’m going for.

Reindeer Toilet Paper Roll

The reindeer craft is one of my favorites, mostly because it’s so goofy. You take a roll, paint it brown, stick on googly eyes, and suddenly you’ve got Rudolph staring at you. For antlers, I’ve used everything from twigs outside to bent pipe cleaners, and both look charming in their own way. I’ll never forget the time I made one with giant antlers out of cardboard—he couldn’t even stand up straight, but he looked majestic.

I like to make a whole “herd” of these reindeer and line them up like they’re pulling Santa’s sleigh. Kids especially love naming each one, and to be fair, sometimes the names get pretty creative. (One of mine got called “Banana” for no reason at all.) What makes this craft fun is how little effort it takes for a big effect. And honestly, nothing beats the moment someone picks up a roll and says, “Oh my gosh, is that a reindeer?”

Angel Decoration

I have a soft spot for angel crafts, probably because my grandmother always made them. With a toilet paper roll, you just cover it in white or gold paper, cut out some wings from cardboard, and suddenly you’ve got this sweet little angel. The first one I made was so lopsided the wings kept falling off, but my grandma swore it was her favorite because “angels aren’t meant to be perfect.” That always stuck with me.

Adding a little halo out of pipe cleaner or wire really finishes the look, and honestly, it’s easier than it seems. I sometimes dab a bit of glitter on the wings, though I always regret it when the table sparkles for weeks afterward. Still, I think these angels are some of the most meaningful crafts. They sit quietly on the shelf, reminding me that handmade things carry more heart than anything store-bought ever could.

Elf Characters

Oh, the elf characters! These always end up looking a bit mischievous, which is exactly how I like them. I cover the roll in green paper, cut out a tiny hat, and add a cheeky little smile with a marker. Once, I gave my elf huge ears made out of paper cutouts, and he looked like he was about to fly away. Honestly, the sillier the better with this craft.

What I enjoy is making a bunch of them and giving each elf its own personality. One can be holding a candy cane, another can have a tiny belt, and maybe one’s got an oversized grin. To be fair, the kids in my family go wild with this—they add glitter beards, rainbow hats, and even stickers. The end result is always chaos in elf form, and it cracks me up every time. These guys bring so much energy to the table.

Advent Calendar

Creating an advent calendar out of toilet paper rolls might sound crazy, but it’s honestly genius. You just line up 24 rolls, cover the ends with paper, and tuck tiny treats inside. The first time I did this, I didn’t have enough rolls, so I used half wrapping paper tubes too, and no one even noticed. My kids loved poking through the paper to find candy each day.

It does take a bit of patience to assemble, but it’s worth it. I’ve found that painting each roll a different color or number makes it even more festive. To be fair, sometimes I just scribble numbers with a marker because I run out of time, but it still looks good. The best part? Watching the excitement as the rolls slowly disappear one by one, marking the countdown to Christmas. It makes the wait feel magical instead of endless.

Mini Gift Boxes

This one is such a clever trick—turning toilet paper rolls into mini gift boxes. You just fold in the ends to create little pillow-shaped packages, wrap them in festive paper, and boom, instant gift wrap. Honestly, I’ve saved money doing this, and no one ever guesses they started as toilet rolls.

I remember once I handed out little chocolates in these boxes, and people thought I had bought them from a boutique. The look on their faces when I told them was priceless. In my opinion, these are perfect for stocking fillers or small party favors. Add some ribbon, maybe a tag, and they look seriously classy. To be fair, the first few I made were a little lumpy, but that’s part of the fun. With a little practice, you’ll be whipping out these boxes faster than you’d believe.

Candy Holder

Candy holders made from toilet rolls are so simple, and yet, they always feel festive. I usually wrap the roll in shiny paper, twist the ends like a cracker, and stuff the middle with sweets. It’s like a DIY piñata but smaller. Honestly, my kids tear through them faster than I can make them.

The fun part is you can make them look super fancy with just a bit of ribbon or sparkly string. I once left a batch of these on the dining table, and my nephew thought they were actual Christmas crackers. He pulled one apart expecting a joke and hat to fall out. To be fair, I might try that next time! In my opinion, this is one of the easiest and most joyful crafts you can make. It’s cheap, quick, and always puts smiles on faces.

Toilet Paper Roll Wreath

The wreath project feels ambitious at first, but it’s so worth it. You cut rolls into rings, paint them green, and glue them together into a circle. Suddenly, you’ve got this rustic-looking wreath that feels way fancier than it should. My first attempt was crooked, but after adding a red bow, nobody noticed.

I love how flexible this craft is—you can paint it gold, sprinkle glitter, or even glue on buttons as “berries.” To be fair, the gluing can get messy, and I usually end up with stuck fingers. But once it’s hanging on the door, it looks like something out of a Pinterest board. Honestly, it’s one of those crafts where you step back and think, “Wow, I actually made that?” And that feeling alone makes the effort totally worth it.

Christmas Stars

Stars are one of those crafts that never fail to make me happy. I cut the toilet roll into strips, fold them slightly, and glue them together in a star shape. It sounds fiddly, and to be fair, it kind of is, but the results are so pretty. Sometimes I paint them metallic gold or silver, and they shimmer under the tree lights.

One year, I strung a bunch of these stars together as a garland, and my guests couldn’t believe they were made from toilet rolls. Honestly, that’s the best part—watching people’s faces when you tell them. I’ve found that kids especially love painting these, though their stars often come out more like blobs. Still, it’s all part of the charm. These stars can decorate trees, mantels, or even gift wrapping, and they never fail to add that magical sparkle.

Nativity Scene Figures

The nativity scene is probably one of the most meaningful crafts I’ve ever made with toilet rolls. Each roll becomes a little figure—Mary, Joseph, shepherds, even the Wise Men. I wrap them in scraps of fabric, draw simple faces, and suddenly the story comes alive. My first nativity set looked rough, but my family still used it every year because it felt so personal.

Honestly, I think this one is special because it combines creativity with tradition. I’ve found that even kids get really into making the animals and angels. To be fair, our camel once looked more like a horse, but no one complained. What matters is the heart behind it. Every time I set up my handmade nativity, I feel like I’m passing down something that’s more valuable than anything I could buy in a store.

Gingerbread People

Turning toilet rolls into gingerbread people might sound odd, but it works! I paint them brown, draw little icing patterns with white paint pens, and glue on buttons for decoration. Honestly, they look adorable lined up like a gingerbread family. My niece once added pink cheeks with blush powder, and it was ridiculously cute.

What I love is how endless the designs can be. You can make each one unique—smiling, frowning, even dancing if you cut little arms. To be fair, sometimes my “icing” lines come out shaky, but that just adds to the homemade feel. I like to tuck these into little Christmas displays or even hang them on the tree. Every time I spot one, it reminds me how fun it is to take something plain and make it whimsical with just a little effort.

Christmas Candle Holder

This one feels a little fancy. I cut the roll into rings, glue them into a flower shape, and place a battery-operated tealight in the middle. Suddenly, it looks like a delicate candle holder you’d find in a shop. Honestly, the first time I made it, I couldn’t believe how pretty it turned out.

I always stress—please don’t use real candles, because cardboard and fire don’t mix well! To be fair, I made that mistake once (luckily caught it fast), and now I only use LED lights. Add some gold spray paint or glitter, and the effect is stunning. These make perfect little centerpieces for a holiday dinner. In my opinion, they look even better when you make a few and group them together—it gives the table such a warm glow.

Holiday Table Centerpieces

Toilet paper rolls as centerpieces might sound impossible, but hear me out. I’ve used them to create everything from mini Christmas trees to fake candles, and honestly, they always steal the show. One year, I bundled a bunch together, wrapped them in festive paper, and tied a big ribbon around them. Guests thought it was a store-bought decoration!

The fun part is mixing and matching ideas—maybe a few reindeer, a couple of Santas, and some stars all arranged in the middle of the table. To be fair, sometimes it looks more like a craft fair explosion than a centerpiece, but it always gets people talking. That’s the thing I’ve found: handmade pieces aren’t about perfection, they’re about the stories behind them. And these toilet paper roll creations? They’re full of stories, laughter, and just the right amount of holiday chaos.

Safety Tips for Kids

When making Christmas crafts with toilet paper rolls, safety should always come first. Since kids often get excited and creative, a few simple precautions will make the activity fun and safe for everyone.

• Use non-toxic paint and glue: Always choose child-safe supplies to avoid any harmful effects.

• Adult supervision with scissors and hot glue: Grown-ups should handle sharp tools and hot glue to prevent accidents.

• Keeping crafts age-appropriate: Pick projects that match the child’s age and skill level to ensure both safety and success.

FAQ

Are Christmas Crafts with Toilet Paper Rolls safe for kids?

Yes, they are safe as long as you use non-toxic paints and glue, and provide supervision when scissors or hot glue are involved.

What can I make with toilet paper rolls for Christmas?

You can create Christmas trees, Santas, snowmen, reindeer, wreaths, angels, advent calendars, and even small gift boxes.

Do I need special materials to decorate toilet paper roll crafts?

Not at all! Simple items like markers, paints, glitter, ribbons, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners are enough to decorate them beautifully.

Can these crafts be used as decorations?

Yes, they make great ornaments, table centerpieces, party favors, and even small holiday gifts.