20+ Easy DIY Christmas Crafts

DIY Christmas Crafts are creative, hands-on projects that bring a personal touch to holiday decorating and gifting.

 

Felt Christmas Ornaments

I’ve always had a soft spot for felt crafts because they remind me of my childhood when my grandma used to sew little stars and stockings for our tree. Honestly, working with felt is so forgiving—you can cut, stitch, or even glue and it still turns out adorable. Whenever I start, I grab a bunch of colorful felt sheets, trace simple shapes like trees, bells, or candy canes, and then cut two pieces for each. Sometimes I sew them together with a little stuffing inside, but on lazy days, I just glue the edges and it still looks great. The best part? They’re lightweight and won’t break if you have kids or pets running around.

In my opinion, felt ornaments also make the sweetest little gifts. One year I made mini snowmen and slipped them into Christmas cards—people still talk about it! You can even personalize them with initials or sequins. If you’ve never tried making them, trust me, it’s one of the easiest and most heartwarming Christmas crafts to start with.

Mason Jar Snow Globe

To be fair, the first time I tried making a mason jar snow globe, it was a bit messy—there was glitter everywhere, and I’m still finding sparkles months later. But oh my, when I saw the finished product, it felt like holding a little piece of Christmas magic in my hands. All you really need is a mason jar, some glycerin (or even baby oil), water, glitter, and a tiny figurine. I hot glue the figurine onto the inside of the lid, fill the jar with water and glitter, add a splash of glycerin to slow the sparkle fall, and then screw it tight. Give it a shake, and suddenly it’s snowing indoors!

What I love most about these snow globes is how personal they can be. One year I glued a tiny reindeer and a fake tree inside, and my nephew couldn’t stop shaking it at dinner. You can go fancy or keep it simple—either way, these little jars spread joy like nothing else. And honestly, they’re the kind of craft that makes you want to sit back with hot cocoa and just admire your handiwork.

Clothespin Reindeer

Now, this one makes me laugh every time because the first clothespin reindeer I made had googly eyes that were completely lopsided—and yet, it was everyone’s favorite ornament. There’s just something about using everyday wooden clothespins and turning them into little reindeer that feels so charming. I usually glue two clothespins back-to-back for the body and legs, then use one upside down for the head. Add some pipe cleaner antlers, tiny eyes, and a red pom-pom nose, and suddenly Rudolph is ready for the tree.

In my experience, kids absolutely love this craft because it’s simple but full of personality. I’ve hosted little craft nights where we made a bunch of these and laughed ourselves silly because no two reindeer ever look the same. Honestly, the imperfections make them even better—it’s like they each have their own quirky character. If you want a craft that’s easy, fun, and gives you a tree full of unique little faces, this is the one I’d recommend in a heartbeat.

Pinecone Christmas Trees

Pinecones make natural and rustic Christmas tree decorations.

Explore more: DIY Halloween Crafts
Materials Needed: Pinecones, green paint, glitter, beads, and glue.
Steps:

1. Paint the pinecones green and let them dry.
2. Sprinkle glitter over the wet paint for sparkle.
3. Glue beads or tiny ornaments as decorations.
4. Place on a small cardboard base for stability.

Sock Snowman

Turn mismatched socks into charming snowmen.

Materials Needed: White socks, rice, rubber bands, buttons, fabric scraps, and glue.
Steps:

1. Fill a sock with rice, dividing it into two sections using rubber bands.
2. Tie the top closed to create a snowman shape.
3. Add buttons, a fabric scarf, and a sock hat.
4. Draw or glue on eyes, a nose, and a mouth.

Paper Plate Santa Claus

Perfect for kids, this craft turns paper plates into Santa faces.
Materials Needed: Paper plates, cotton balls, red construction paper, markers, and glue.
Steps:

1. Cut a triangle from red paper for Santa’s hat.
2. Glue the hat onto the paper plate.
3. Add cotton balls for the beard and hat trim.
4. Draw or glue on facial features.

Wine Cork Reindeer

Recycle wine corks into delightful reindeer.

Materials Needed: Wine corks, small twigs, googly eyes, red pom-poms, and glue.
Steps:

1. Glue two corks together to form the body and head.
2. Attach twig antlers and legs.
3. Add googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose.

Pom-Pom Garland

Add a whimsical touch to your decor with a colorful pom-pom garland.

Materials Needed: Yarn, scissors, and a needle.
Steps:

1. Wrap yarn around your fingers to create pom-poms.
2. Tie the middle with a piece of yarn and cut the loops.
3. Fluff and trim into a round shape.
4. Thread pom-poms onto a long string or ribbon.

Salt Dough Ornaments

Make personalized ornaments with salt dough.

Materials Needed: Flour, salt, water, cookie cutters, and paint.
Steps:

1. Mix 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and water to form a dough.
2. Roll out and cut shapes with cookie cutters.
3. Bake at 200°F (93°C) until hard.
4. Paint and decorate once cool.

Glitter Candle Holders

Glam up your holiday table with glittery candle holders.

Materials Needed: Glass jars, glue, glitter, and candles.
Steps:

1. Apply glue to the outside of a jar.
2. Roll the jar in glitter and let it dry.
3. Place a candle inside for a shimmering glow.

Button Christmas Tree Art

Create a vibrant Christmas tree using colorful buttons.
Materials Needed: Buttons, canvas or cardstock, glue, and a marker.
Steps:

1. Draw a triangle on the canvas or cardstock to outline the tree.
2. Arrange buttons within the triangle, layering them for a textured look.
3. Glue the buttons in place and let them dry.
4. Add a star-shaped button or decoration at the top.

Paper Straw Stars

Turn colorful paper straws into festive stars for your tree.
Materials Needed: Paper straws, scissors, glue, and thread.
Steps:

1. Cut the straws into equal lengths.
2. Glue the pieces together to form a star shape.
3. Add a loop of thread to hang on your tree.

Candy Cane Wreath

A wreath made from candy canes is sweet and decorative.
Materials Needed: Candy canes, hot glue, ribbon, and a cardboard circle.
Steps:

1. Arrange candy canes around the cardboard circle, with the hooks pointing outward.
2. Glue the candy canes in place.
3. Add a bow or ribbon for extra flair.

Wooden Spoon Snowman

Wooden spoons make a fun base for crafting adorable snowmen.
Materials Needed: Wooden spoons, white paint, markers, fabric scraps, and buttons.
Steps:

1. Paint the spoon’s head white for the snowman face.
2. Draw on eyes, a carrot nose, and a smile.
3. Tie a fabric scarf around the handle.
4. Add buttons along the handle for decoration.

Twine Ball Ornaments

Rustic twine balls add a cozy feel to your tree.
Materials Needed: Balloons, twine, glue, and glitter.
Steps:

1. Inflate balloons to a small size.
2. Soak twine in glue and wrap it around the balloon.
3. Let it dry, then pop the balloon and remove it.
4. Sprinkle glitter on the twine for sparkle.

Cinnamon Stick Stars

These natural stars bring a lovely scent to your holiday decor.
Materials Needed: Cinnamon sticks, hot glue, and twine.
Steps:

1. Cut cinnamon sticks into equal lengths.
2. Glue the sticks together in a star shape.
3. Tie a loop of twine for hanging.

Handprint Wreath

A great project for kids, this wreath captures their handprints in festive colors.
Materials Needed: Green paper, scissors, glue, and ribbon.
Steps:

1. Trace and cut out multiple handprints from green paper.
2. Arrange the handprints in a circular pattern to form a wreath.
3. Glue them together and add a bow.

Painted Rock Christmas Characters

Turn ordinary rocks into festive characters like Santa or snowmen.
Materials Needed: Smooth rocks, acrylic paint, brushes, and markers.
Steps:

1. Wash and dry the rocks.
2. Paint each rock with a holiday character or symbol.
3. Add details like faces or decorations using markers.

Garland of Paper Snowflakes

String together delicate paper snowflakes for a winter wonderland effect.
Materials Needed: White paper, scissors, and string.
Steps:

1. Fold paper and cut out snowflake shapes.
2. Unfold and flatten the snowflakes.
3. Thread them onto string to create a garland.

Jar Lid Christmas Magnets

Upcycle jar lids into cute holiday magnets.
Materials Needed: Jar lids, holiday stickers or photos, glue, and magnets.
Steps:

1. Glue a holiday sticker or photo inside the jar lid.
2. Attach a magnet to the back of the lid.
3. Use on your fridge for festive flair.

Ribbon Christmas Trees

These ribbon trees are simple yet elegant decorations.
Materials Needed: Green ribbon, wooden dowels, beads, and glue.
Steps:

1. Tie pieces of green ribbon onto a dowel in decreasing lengths to form a tree shape.
2. Glue a bead on top as a tree topper.
3. Place in a small stand or use as an ornament.

Egg Carton Bells

Transform egg cartons into charming Christmas bells.
Materials Needed: Egg cartons, paint, glitter, ribbon, and small bells.
Steps:

1. Cut out individual cups from an egg carton.
2. Paint and decorate the cups.
3. Thread ribbon through the top and attach a small bell inside.

Popsicle Stick Sleighs

Mini sleighs make cute decorations or gift tags.
Materials Needed: Popsicle sticks, paint, glue, and string.
Steps:

1. Glue popsicle sticks together to form a sleigh shape.
2. Paint and decorate the sleigh.
3. Add string for hanging.

Glitter Pinecone Ornaments

Add sparkle to natural pinecones for stunning ornaments.
Materials Needed: Pinecones, glue, glitter, and string.
Steps:

1. Apply glue to the edges of the pinecone scales.
2. Sprinkle glitter over the glue.
3. Tie a loop of string for hanging.

Cupcake Liner Angels

Delicate angels made from cupcake liners are ideal for tree decor.
Materials Needed: Cupcake liners, beads, and glue.
Steps:

1. Fold a cupcake liner in half for the wings.
2. Use another liner for the angel’s dress.
3. Attach a bead on top for the head.

DIY Advent Calendar

Create a personalized advent calendar for countdown fun.
Materials Needed: Small envelopes, cardstock, markers, and ribbon.
Steps:

1. Number each envelope and fill with treats or notes.
2. Attach envelopes to a piece of cardstock.
3. Hang the calendar with ribbon.

Holiday Light Bulb Garland

Upcycle old bulbs into a vibrant garland.
Materials Needed: Burnt-out light bulbs, paint, string, and glue.
Steps:

1. Paint the light bulbs in festive colors or patterns.
2. Tie them to a string with glue for a secure hold.

Gingerbread House Decoration

Build a festive gingerbread house to enjoy and display.
Materials Needed: Gingerbread pieces, icing, candy, and a board.
Steps:

1. Assemble the house with icing as glue.
2. Decorate with candy and icing.
3. Display on a board or platter.

Upcycling for Christmas Crafts: Giving New Life to Old Items

Upcycling is a creative and eco-friendly way to reuse materials you already have, and it’s perfect for adding a personal touch to your Christmas crafts. Rather than throwing away old items, transform them into beautiful holiday decorations or thoughtful gifts. This not only reduces waste but also helps you create one-of-a-kind pieces that are full of character. Here are some easy ideas for upcycling materials into festive Christmas crafts:

1. Repurposing Old Christmas Cards

Old Christmas cards are a goldmine for upcycling, as they often feature beautiful designs and messages. Here are a few ways to give them a second life:

• Gift Tags: Cut out sections of the card to make unique and personalized gift tags. You can punch a hole in the corner and add a ribbon or string for easy attachment.
• Bookmarks: Trim the cards into bookmark-sized strips and laminate them for durability. Decorate with a ribbon at the top for a festive touch.
• New Christmas Cards: Combine multiple old cards to create a new, patchwork-style card. You can cut out parts of different cards and layer them for a fun, mixed-media look.

2. Transforming Sweaters into Stockings

Old sweaters that no longer fit or are worn out can be repurposed into cozy Christmas stockings. Here’s how to do it:

• Materials Needed: Old sweater, scissors, needle and thread (or sewing machine), ribbon (optional).
• Instructions:
  1. Lay the sweater flat and cut off the sleeves or a portion of the body.
  2. Using the sleeve or body fabric, cut out two stocking-shaped pieces (one for the front and one for the back).
  3. Sew the pieces together, leaving the top open.
  4. Turn the stocking inside out, and sew on a decorative cuff at the top using fabric from the sweater’s hem or another piece of the sweater.
  5. Optionally, add a ribbon loop to the top for hanging.
  6. Decorate with buttons, appliques, or other embellishments for a personalized touch.

3. Reusing Glass Jars for Christmas Crafts

Glass jars are versatile and can be easily transformed into a variety of Christmas crafts. Here are a few ideas for reusing them:

• Luminaries: Clean the jars thoroughly, then decorate the outside with paint, glitter, or ribbons. Place a candle inside (a battery-operated tea light is a safe option), and you have an instant festive luminary.
• Gift Holders: Fill the jars with small treats like candies, hot cocoa mix, or homemade cookies. Wrap the lid with twine and add a handmade tag for a thoughtful gift.
• Ornaments: Turn the jars into snow globe-style ornaments by gluing a small figure (like a miniature tree or reindeer) to the inside of the lid, filling the jar with fake snow or glitter, and sealing it shut. Shake for a snowy scene that will delight guests.

By upcycling everyday items, you can make your Christmas decorations and gifts more sustainable, affordable, and full of personality. Happy crafting!