'Tis the season for decking your halls (and trees, walls, doors...you get the picture). Sometimes using store-bought (or even more convenient—ordering them online) decorations is the way to go, but there's something so special and charming about homespun DIY Christmas decorations. These thoughtful Christmas craft ideas and projects are impossibly easy, make for a load of family fun and are easy on the wallet (couldn't we all use a little extra dough to spend on gifts for kids and stocking stuffers?).
From easy-to-make Christmas ornaments to simple Christmas table decorations and even show-stopping DIY holiday wreaths, there's something here for every taste and skill set. A tree fashioned from a green-and-white quilt, handmade sweater stockings, a DIY advent calendar made from galvanized pails, and loads of ideas using with vintage Shiny Brite ornaments and cookie cutters are just a few of the inspired ideas you'll find on this list. Don't own a hot glue gun? No worries! The most novice crafters will find a suitable (and adorable!) project to cut their teeth on.
Once the inside is all dolled up, take your creativity outside. We've included a few DIY outdoor Christmas decorations that'll have your front porch looking ready for the holiday season in no time. For example, a wreath made of collected Shiny Brite ornaments gives your door a vintage-inspired feel, while "snow-covered" pine cones lend an organic, natural touch. Let's get crafting!
1
Prize “Pine” Tree
Green horse show ribbons (usually awarded for sixth place) arranged in the shape of a tree add holiday charm to a cabin or cottage.
2
Quilt Tree
For a striking display, start with a green quilt (we scored ours at Folklore Fibers Studio). Cut a 1/2-inch-thick piece of foam core to the desired triangle size.Wrap your quilt tightly around the foam core and secure in place with straight pins (no cutting needed!). Set on a picnic basket “tree trunk.”
3
Star Yarn Ornaments
Enlist the kids to help craft these star ornaments that only take three craft supplies to make!
To make: Cut a star shape from a piece of cardboard using an X-acto knife. Wrap the star in yarn, using dabs of hot glue to help hold the yarn in place near the points of the star, until fully covered. Glue the ends of a length of yarn to the back on one point to create a loop for hanging.
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4
Terra-Cotta Tannenbaum
Stacked in descending size pots and wrapped with felt garland, weathered flowerpots make for a pretty garden-themed decoration on a porch or in a potting shed.
5
Cloth Peppermints
Gather a gaggle of these DIY fabric peppermints in a bowl to set on the holiday buffet or scatter them throughout the table centerpiece.
To make: Cut a piece of red and white ticking striped fabric into a 6.5-inch by 4-inch rectangle. Use pinking shears to cut a decorative edge on the short ends. Glue two 2.2-inch wood craft rings together with hot glue (you can cut pieces of cardboard into rounds and glue them together). Wrap fabric around rings and tie ends tight with red rickrack.
6
Bingo Forest
Festoon the mantel with a stand of trees made from vintage bingo cards.
To make: Cut three to five half-tree-shaped pieces from matching bingo cards (with one edge flat and the other jagged). Hot-glue the flat edges to a 3/8-inch dowel, fanning them out to create a 3D tree shape. Finish with a bingo tile topper using hot-glue. Place dowels in tall wooden spools for easy display.
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7
Doily Display
With their snowflake-like appearance, this ladies’ luncheon staple lends wintry whimsy to a wall. Use double-sided tape to attach paper doilies in a triangular shape, then group smaller ones to create the square trunk.
8
Craft Bead and Button Snowman
Make a batch of these sweet snowman and hang them all over the tree or use them in a holiday garland.
To make: Draw snowmen faces on wooden craft beads with markers. Thread a length of baker’s twine through a brown button. Thread both ends of the thread twine through two plain buttons then through the button with the face. Thread twine through 5 to 6 black button to creating a hat. Tie twine close to the top button to hold everything together, then tie again about 2-inches up to create a loop for hanging. Cut a thin piece of red felt and tie between the top to buttons for a scarf
9
Yarn Ornaments
Knitters will love decking the halls with these sweet and soft yarn ball ornaments.
To make: Wrap yarn around a clear plastic Christmas ornament, holding the beginning of the yarn in place with a dab of hot glue, until the ornament is completely covered. Thread bamboo co*cktail picks through the yarn to mimic knitting needles. Hang as desired.
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10
Merry Little Mobile
Set a festive baking tone with a cookie cutter mobile. Start with two embroidery hoops (we used 9- and 10-inch) and wrap with gold ribbon. Tie two lengths of twine across each hoop so they cross in the middle. Cut a piece of craft wire about 8 1/2 inches long; bend the ends into hook shapes. Connect the two hoops by hooking the wire to the twine where it meets in the middle. Hang cutters from hoops using twine, adjusting as needed to hang evenly.
11
Glittered Cookie Cutter Centerpiece
Place glittered covered cookie cutters in a (fake) snow-filled compote for the most adorable centerpiece.
12
Cookie Cutter Garland
Hang this super easy DIY cookie cutter garland on a mantel, dresser, or in front of the kitchen windows. Decor done!
To make: Use short loops of baker’s twine to hang cookie cutters along a single long ribbon.
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13
Ornament Trees
So shiny and bright and festive, you will proudly display these sparkling beauties year after year.
To make: Cover Styrofoam cones (we used 12- and 15-inch cones) with ornaments, attaching them with hot-glue. Start with larger ornaments at the bottom, transitioning to smaller ones as you work your way up. Fill in any gaps with mini ornament balls. If desired, wrap the finished trees with vintage tinsel and beaded garland.
14
DIY Tobacco Basket Wreath
A rustic tobacco basket, fresh greenery, and bright berries speak to tradition, while an oversize checked bow adds a touch of cheerful pattern. Use floral wire to fasten greenery in a neat bunch, and add pine cone accents.
15
DIY Door Bells
Hang these "bells," made from mini Bundt pans and molds on the front door or over the mantel.
To make: Stack mini molds and Bundt pans to form bell shapes; affix together using epoxy. Hot-glue small ornaments to the bottom to create the clappers. Glue ribbon loops and a bow to the top for hanging. Add a swag of greenery, if desired.
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16
DIY Mitten Tree
What's the perfect use for mittens that have lost their matches? A triangular wall display that’s right at home in a mudroom or other “bundle up” zone. Pin pom-pom ornaments in pastel shades to the “branches.”
17
Shiny Brite Centerpiece
Create a two-tiered table arrangement by placing a footed tureen on a platter and filling both dishes with ornaments.
18
DIY Jadeite Plates Christmas Tree
Hang dinner plates in a Christmas tree shape—on a kitchen wall, perhaps?—using adhesive plate hangers. If desired, add saucers for dimension. Secure vintage silver demitasse spoons in a starburst using wire and tiny nails.
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19
Shiny Brite Curtain Tiebacks
Add instant and easy flair to curtains by simply threading ribbons through the loops of a few Shiny Brites and tying them around your curtain tiebacks.
20
DIY Candy Cane Door Decor
Create your own candyland welcome with these wreath and swag ideas.
To make wreath at left: Arrange candy canes in a circle with the hooks all facing the same direction. Affix together with hot-glue (don’t worry if the ends don’t line up, as they will be covered). Top center with round peppermint candies, overlapping them slightly and holding in place with hot-glue. Thread ribbon through two candy canes at top to hang.
To make wreath at top right: Wrap a 12-inch foam wreath form in white ribbon. Attach candy cane sticks, small candy canes, and peppermint balls with hot-glue to conceal the form. Loop a ribbon around top of wreath to hang. To make swag:
Amy Mitchell
Amy Mitchell is the managing editor at Country Living Magazine. She writes about a wide range of topics, including homes and lifestyle content.
