35 DIY Christmas Ornaments + Tree-Trimming Ideas
Yarn Pom-Pom Ornaments or Garland
Enlist a little help from the kiddos to create this cheery yarn pom-pom garland to add a vintage, handmade touch to your tree. Our step-by-step instructions will show you how to craft the individual pom-poms that you can use as Christmas tree ornaments or gift toppers or string several together as a colorful garland.
Get the How-To: Kids' Craft: Make a Pom-Pom Christmas Garland
Timeless Gingerbread Ornaments
Made from pre-cut wood shapes and paint, these gingerbread "cookies" look like the real thing but can be enjoyed for many Christmases to come.
Get the How-To: Easy-to-Craft Wooden Gingerbread Christmas Ornaments
3-D Card Stock Spinners
Add a trendy pop of color and pattern to your Christmas tree by whipping up these pretty paper ornaments using just card stock, beads and twine. Our instructions make it a snap to craft up a bunch of them while binge-watching your favorite show.
Get the How-To: Card Stock Christmas Ornaments
No-Sew Sunburst Tree Skirt
This candy cane-colored tree skirt looks involved but its easy construction with fray-proof felt and fabric glue ensures this is one holiday project that even novice crafters can tackle.
Get the How-To: No-Sew Sunburst Christmas Tree Skirt
Turn Clothespins Into Melt-Proof Snowflakes
In just a few steps, you can turn wooden clothespins into beautiful snowflake tree ornaments. This is a great project for older children to tackle on their own or for small kids with help from a crafty adult.
Get the How-To: Turn Clothespins Into Christmas Tree Ornaments
Paper Link Garland
Remember making these paper links to decorate the tree when you were a kid? Our project revives this timeless craft while adding just the right amount of modern sophistication and sparkle.
Get the How-To: How to Make a Glittered Chain-Link Holiday Garland
No-Sew Ruffled Tree Skirt
One of our most popular holiday projects, this tree skirt looks like a high-end catalog find but you can craft your own using just linen, canvas and hot glue. No-sew your way to a crafty new tree skirt.
Get the How-To: How to Make a No-Sew Ruffled Christmas Tree Skirt
Starburst Tree Topper
Top your Christmas tree in trendy, space-age style this holiday season with a starburst-inspired tree topper made from inexpensive craft supplies.
Get the How-To: How to Make a Starburst Christmas Tree Topper
Mix In Your Beach Souvenirs
Rustic Twig Stars
These woodsy stars add just the right amount of homespun charm to either an indoor or outdoor Christmas tree. Made from found twigs (free!), hot glue and paint, they're a fun craft project to make with the kids.
Get the How-To: How to Make a Front Porch Christmas Tree
Kids' Craft: Candy Cane Reindeer
Trimming the tree just got a whole lot sweeter. Kids will love creating these reindeer ornaments using mini candy canes, felt, googly eyes and pom-poms.
Get the How-To: How to Make a Candy Cane Reindeer Ornament
Scandinavian-Inspired Tree Skirt
This year, forgo the usual holiday colors and embrace kicky bright hues and swirling patterns inspired by traditional Scandinavian designs. Felt, yarn and fabric glue are all you need to make this colorful Christmas tree skirt.
Get the How-To: Scandinavian-Inspired No-Sew Felt Tree Skirt
Salt Dough Ornaments
Scrabble Letter Ornaments
No-Sew Ombre Tree Skirt
Trade in your tired Christmas tree skirt for a trendy, ruffled version featuring graduated shades of your favorite color.
Get the How-To: Make a No-Sew Ombre Christmas Tree Skirt
Stacked Button Ornament
Ribbon Garland
Kids' Craft: Bird Seed Ornaments
For the holidays, don't just decorate the Christmas tree inside your house. Make these birdseed ornaments to add color to bare winter trees and treat hungry feathered friends to a snack. This is a great project for kids and to give as gifts to your favorite nature lovers.
Get the How-To: Kids' Craft: Bird Seed Christmas Ornaments
New Use for Old Cookie Cutters
Looking for an easy way to trim the tree? Learn how to create beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments using just metal cookie cutters and pretty paper.
Get the How-To: How to Make Cookie-Cutter Christmas Ornaments
Upcycle a Treasured Hand-Me-Down
A hand-me-down quilt may be too fragile or tattered to use as bedding but holds too many sentimental memories to simply throw away. Repurpose it into a charming, cottage-style Christmas tree skirt. Our step-by-step instructions make this repurposing project a snap — even for beginning sewers.
Get the How-To: Turn an Old Quilt Into a Christmas Tree Skirt
Felt Kissing Balls
Craft a large vesion of these colorful spheres to hang in a doorway as a kissing ball or make several smaller versions as cheery ornaments.
Get the How-To: How to Make Felt Pinecone Kissing Balls
Rustic Twig Garland
Freshen Up Your Tree
Fresh fruit has long been used to decorate Christmas trees; the bright pop of color and fresh scent is hard to beat. This year, instead of studding the orange with cloves, opt for a more fashion-forward approach and use tacks as designer Tobi Fairley has here. To attach the ribbon for hanging, Tobi cut 2 shallow slits around the orange's navel then slid through a loop of leopard-print ribbon.
New Life for Old Bulbs
Kids' Craft: Candy Cane Mouse
Handmade sleeves or holders for candy canes have been around for generations. This sweet throwback holiday craft is quick, easy and fun for kids of all ages to make using just felt and glue.
Get the How-To: Kids' Craft: Make a Candy Cane Mouse
All Buttoned Up
Upcycle Small Bits of Trendy Fabric
Turn leftover fabric into fashion-forward ornaments or gift toppers in just a few easy steps — no sewing skills required. Our free printable templates and step-by-step instructions will help you give your tree a trendy update in no time.
Get the How-To: No-Sew Fabric Christmas Ornaments
Embellished Wood Slices
Vintage-Inspired Advent Calendar
Kids will love this craft project that puts presents on the tree, not just under it, and helps them count down the days to Christmas. Learn how to stitch up one your own using vintage clip-art-style graphics, linen and freezer paper.
Get the How-To: How to Make a Vintage Garland Advent Calendar
Candy-Coated Ornament
Mini Pine Cone Elf Ornament
Everyone loves an adorable ornament and this little elf will bring instant cheer to any style tree!
Get the How-To: How to Make Mini Pinecone Elf Ornaments
Pretty Paper Bunting
Instead of a traditional glittery garland, give your Christmas tree a trendy update with DIY bunting. To create it, just cut coordinated scrapbook paper into triangles. Use a hole punch to add holes to the top corners then thread twine through the holes and drape the bunting on the tree's branches. Image courtesy of Emily of Jones Design Company.
Fabric-Wrapped Ornaments
Upcycle plaid or flannel shirts the kids or Dad have outgrown into menswear-inspired ornaments to add a rustic, outdoorsy touch to your tree.
Get the How-To: Make Christmas Ornaments From Old Shirts
Kids' Craft: Walnut Santa
This throw-back craft is just as much fun for kids today as it was when you were just a wee crafter. Perfect for even small kids, this easy project uses materials you probably already have on hand. You and the kiddos can turn a bag of walnuts into a whole tree-full of everyone's favorite elf in no time flat.
Get the How-To: Christmas Kids' Craft: Walnut Santa Ornament
Upcycle Old Christmas Cards
Breathe new life into last year's cards by repurposing them as this season's Christmas tree garland. Just cut scalloped-edge circles out of the cards and attach to ribbon or twine.
Get the How-To: Repurpose Holiday Cards Into a Colorful Garland
