DIY ChristmasTree Decorations

14th December, 2024

Want to save your pennies for Christmas pressies? Or add a personal touch to this year’s festivities? Then it’s time to tackle the tree, DIY style. We’ve rounded up our favourite Christmas crafts ready to inspire you, so grab your glitter and glue, stick on some very merry music and let’s go!

1. Painted Pinecones

Let’s start easy with some painted pinecones. You’ll find these in your garden or out and about on the ground, so a great activity for the kids to hunt them out when you're on a walk! Prep them for painting by leaving them to dry out and brushing them down to get rid of any dirt. If you like a more rustic style, leave them unpainted and loop ribbon or string around them to attach them to the tree. If you like a pop of colour, grab a good size paintbrush and cover them with an acrylic paint in your fave shade. Just be sure to leave them to dry before you pop them on a tree or as decorations around the home!

2. Have Fun With Felt

You don’t need a sewing machine to stich a little Christmas creation, just some needle and thread from your sewing kit. We love this tutorial from Buddly Crafts on making adorable felt Christmas trees.

3. Paint Your Own Baubles

Got some tired old baubles that could do with a spruce up? Or maybe you’ve nabbed some plain ones from a craft shop? Well, time to get painting! Creating your own baubles, or helping little ones make their own, is a brilliant way to spend time together and craft a truly special tree decoration. Remember to check which kind of paint works best with your bauble material, and whether it might need sealing with a clear coat.

4. Twig Ornaments

You might not think humble twigs can inspire very merry feelings, but with a little help you can transform them into a charming, natural decoration that’s easy to pop on the tree or use as place settings on your Christmas dinner table. Gather some twigs from the garden or from a nearby green space, again leave them to dry, then arrange them into a festive shape (we quite like a star), overlapping the ends and tying them together with string. Then just attach another loop of strip to hang. Voila: simple, cute, and very cost effective!

5. Salt Dough Ornaments

Dough isn’t just for cakes you know – it can go on your tree! Mix up a simple salt dough (it’s great to do with the kids), shape, bake, paint, and hang. What a joyful way to spend an afternoon. Not sure where to start? Hobbycraft have a great tutorial.

6. Folded Paper Ornaments

Every year, there's always a scrap of wrapping paper lying about which is too small to cover any presents, so why not put it to use with some Christmas Origami decoration. Origami isn’t as hard as you might think and in a few simple folds you’ll have a beautiful creation to add to the tree. Get inspiration from these Christmas Origami Projects from The Spruce.

7. 3D Paper Baubles

Found origami a little too easy? Then up your game with 3D paper crafting. A few careful cuts and soon you’ll have yourself a cute 3D Christmas character. Check out these adorable paper snowmen from Whitehouse Crafts to get you started.

8. Mini Wreath

A wreath isn't just for making a statement on your front door. We love miniature wreaths to decorate the Christmas tree - especially when it features fresh foliage. Grab some wire, fresh shoots and whatever you can rummage for in the garden and get crafting.

9. Wooden Bead Snowflake

If you fancy keeping it simple with your Christmas decorations, then this ornament is just for you. Rustic wood beads meet a traditional snowflake design in a decoration that would look perfect in a log cabin in the snow.

10. Bedazzled Baubles

If you've got some tired looking baubles from many Christmases ago, don't throw them away. Give them a new lease of live and an extra festive sparkle! Grab some little rhinestones from your local stationery or craft shop, fire up the glue gun and get bedazzling. If you’re feeling ambitious cover an entire bauble for a disco ball effect or try star shapes for just a touch of Christmas glamour.

11. Wool Hat

One of our favourite makes, this wool hat ornament is as cute and effective (and unbreakable – handy for parents and pet owners!) as it is easy to make. All you need is yarn, a toilet roll tube and some scissors. The just follow a few simple steps to make your adorable wool hat ornament.

12. Sheet music star

If you’re a musical household this one is for you. Dig out some old sheet music you’re not using any more and cut it into a star shape. Mount it on some cardboard (bonus points for recycling old boxes) and then decorate with a bow or glitter. Then just holepunch the top, thread through a little ribbon or string and voila – a DIY tree decoration that’s a musical marvel.

13. Dried Fruit

Dried fruits aren't just for mulled wine! We love dried orange or lemon on the tree and they make the whole house smell festive. Dry them out by slicing them thinly and popping them in the oven on low for a few hours. We like to hang them with cinnamon sticks for that extra festive fragrance.

14. Crochet Decorations

Got a little spare time on your hands in the run up to Christmas, or like keeping your hands busy while you’re rewatching Elf for the thousandth time? Maybe it’s time to learn to crochet. From snowflakes to gingerbread men and mini poinsettia, there's lots of patterns to choose from.

15. Make Your Own Pompom

Pom poms can make really distinctive decorations, all you need to do is choose a yarn that matches your Christmas colour scheme. We love a pop of colour on the tree (the bigger the pom pom the better!) Then it’s just a case of finding some cardboard, grabbing your scissors and going to work. Check out this tutorial to get started.

16. Rustic Wood Personalised Ornament

Grab your best plaid shirt and make like a lumberjack! You’re going to cut a small circle of wood from a fallen tree branch (use a small saw). Sand it down so it’s lovely and smooth and then drill a small hole in the top (to loop some ribbon through so you can hang it). Then coat it with a clear varnish to protect the wood, wait for it to dry before painting it with your initials, or festive message. All that’s left to do is hang it – beautiful!

17. Macramé Ornaments

Another one for those looking for a rustic, handcrafted look this Christmas, these gorgeous macramé ornaments are as soothing to make as they are to look at. Time for a mindful macramé moment? Get knotting with this guide.

18. DIY Unicorn Ornaments

We love a little recycling, especially when it transforms a boring bauble into a magical creature! Who knew a little glitter and some modelling clay could create a Christmas mythical miracle! Move over Rudolph, we’re all about the unicorns this year. Learn how to make a unicorn bauble.

19. Rolled Paper Star Ornaments

Another one for the paper crafters, these striking stars involve lots of rolling and glue gunning but are worth every single paper cut – look how beautiful they are! Learn to make rolled paper star ornaments.

20. Surprise Gift Star

One of our favourites, this adorable star also doubles up as a secret surprise gift. Using a template, you stick two bits of paper together, fold it into shape, add a personalised message and tuck a little present inside (a pair of earrings would fit nicely!), then your special someone can take it off the tree and open it up. Check out the tutorial.

21. Mason Jar Ornaments

Serious crafters assemble! This one’s for you. Like a rustic snow globe, you can create a little festive magic in a mason jar with the help of some glue, spray paint and teeny tiny fake trees. A little bit more elbow grease require with this make, but isn’t the result cute? Get inspiration for a mason jar ornament here.

Whether you have a 6ft Christmas tree making a statement in your living room, or a miniature tree sitting proudly on your desk, our homemade decoration ideas are perfect for any tree, whatever the size. Homemade Christmas tree decorations also make for the perfect gift for family and friends.

Looking for more gift inspiration this Christmas? Check out our Christmas Gift Guide to make it the happiest festive season yet.