10 Easy DIY Christmas Decorations to Make

1. Make a Yarn Christmas Wreath

A yarn wreath is an easy alternative to a traditional evergreen wreath, and you can customize the colors to match your Christmas décor.

You’ll Need:

• Red and green yarn
• Styrofoam wreath form
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Scissors

Directions:

Start by gluing the end of the yarn to the back of the wreath form. Wrap the yarn tightly around the wreath, keeping the strands close together so the foam doesn’t show through.

Switch between red and green yarn to create stripes or blocks of color. Once the wreath is completely covered, secure the end with hot glue.

Add a loop of yarn or ribbon to the back for hanging. You can also dress it up with a bow, small ornaments, bells, or other decorations you already have.

2. Turn Pinecones Into Christmas Tree Ornaments

Bring a little bit of the outdoors inside with miniature pinecone Christmas trees. Collect pinecones from your yard or a nature walk, or purchase a bag from a craft store.

You’ll Need:

• Pinecones
• Green paint
• Paintbrush
• Glitter
• Small beads or sequins
• Glue
• Ribbon or string

Directions:

Paint the pinecones green and allow them to dry completely. Add glitter for a little Christmas sparkle, then glue tiny beads or sequins onto the pinecone to resemble ornaments. Attach a loop of ribbon or string to the top if you’d like to hang your mini tree on the Christmas tree.

3. Create an Old-Fashioned Candy Garland

Add a colorful homemade touch to the Christmas tree with a candy garland. Choose individually wrapped candies in festive colors and carefully tie or attach them along a long piece of ribbon or sturdy string. Leave enough space at each end for hanging. Drape the finished garland across the Christmas tree, mantel, doorway, or another spot that could use a little extra color.

If you have young children or pets, hang candy garland somewhere safely out of reach.

4. Make a Dried Orange Garland

Dried orange slices make beautiful DIY Christmas decorations and add a natural, old-fashioned look to holiday décor.

Slice oranges into thin, even rounds and gently blot away excess juice with a paper towel. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and dry them in a low oven, turning occasionally, until the slices are completely dry.

Once cooled, thread the slices onto twine or string. Add cinnamon sticks, wooden beads, or small pieces of greenery between the oranges if you’d like.

Hang the finished garland across a mantel, window, shelf, or Christmas tree.

5. Create Glowing Christmas Jars

Turn empty glass jars into simple Christmas decorations for a mantel, table, or shelf. Clean the jars and remove any labels. Add artificial snow, small ornaments, pinecones, greenery, or other Christmas decorations inside. Finish each jar with a small strand of battery-operated fairy lights. Tie ribbon, twine, or a small piece of greenery around the top for an extra festive touch.

Always use battery-operated lights rather than candles if you’ve filled the jars with craft materials.

6. Cut a Paper Snowflake Garland

Paper snowflakes aren’t just for classroom windows. String several together to make an inexpensive winter garland.

Fold white paper and cut different shapes along the edges to create snowflakes. Experiment with different sizes and patterns so no two look exactly alike.

Once unfolded, attach the snowflakes to a piece of string or ribbon and hang them across a window, mantel, doorway, or wall.

Kids can help make the snowflakes, making this one of the easiest DIY Christmas decorations to turn into a family activity.

7. Make Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

Cinnamon sticks can be turned into simple rustic ornaments with just a few supplies. Bundle two or three cinnamon sticks together and tie them with twine or Christmas ribbon. Add a small sprig of artificial greenery, a tiny bell, or a wooden bead for decoration. Attach another loop of twine for hanging.

These look especially pretty mixed with natural ornaments, dried orange slices, pinecones, and traditional greenery.

8. Display Your Christmas Cards

Instead of stacking Christmas cards on a table, turn them into part of your holiday décor.

Hang a length of ribbon, twine, or decorative cord across a wall, doorway, or mantel. Use mini clothespins to attach Christmas cards as they arrive. The display will continue to grow throughout December, and you’ll have an easy way to enjoy cards from friends and family all season long.

9. Make Mini Christmas Tree Cones

Create a group of tabletop Christmas trees using simple cone shapes. Start with cardboard or sturdy cardstock rolled into cones. Cover each cone with yarn, ribbon, felt, scrapbook paper, or another material you already have in your craft supplies. Add small pom-poms, beads, buttons, or paper stars for decorations.

Make several in different heights and group them together on a mantel, bookshelf, or table for an easy Christmas display.

10. Make Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are inexpensive to make and can become keepsakes you’ll bring out year after year.

Combine 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and about 1 cup warm water, adding the water gradually until you have a workable dough. Roll out the dough and use Christmas cookie cutters to create stars, trees, gingerbread people, snowmen, or other shapes. Use a straw to make a hole near the top of each ornament before baking. Bake at a low temperature until completely dry and firm. Once the ornaments have cooled, decorate them with craft paint and add ribbon for hanging.

Kids can add their names and the year to the back to turn their creations into Christmas keepsakes.