DIY Christmas Ornaments the Whole Family Can Craft Together

There’s nothing that says Christmastime quite like decorating the tree — and if its with hand-crafted Christmas tree ornaments your kids helped you make, all the better. After all, your Christmas ornament style says a lot about you and your family. Maybe you’re one of those moms who has fancy ornaments of blown-glass pickles and martini glasses (holla at my mom). Maybe you’re the one who has the entirely color-coordinated silver foil tree with all-purple DIY Christmas tree ornaments you crafted yourself. Or maybe (hi, most moms), your tree has no rhyme or reason to anything that’s on it because your kids simply attack it with everything from their drawings to their questionable popsicle-stick art to their literal cereal spoons to your family holiday photo in pipe cleaner frames followed by a dusting of glitter and macaroni.

Whatever kind of tree mom you are (no judgment here, pickle people), you’re going to need Christmas tree ornaments. And if you and those ever-festive kids are willing to get a little crafty, you can all make your own super-chic DIY Christmas ornaments together — and make some cherished memories while you’re at it. (Could we be any sappier? Oh, tree jokes!)

But hey, if you break out in a cold sweat every time you encounter a glue gun and panic when you hear the dreaded words “craft corner” — never fear. We’ve rounded up the most elegant DIY Christmas ornaments that are so easy, even your kids can make them. So gather up said kiddos, turn on a Christmas movie, and take some deep breaths. (But maybe don’t inhale too close to the glue gun fumes, OK?) Read on for the best and most chic DIY Christmas tree ornaments the whole family can craft together.

A version of this story was originally published in November 2018.

Bottle Brush Christmas Tree Snow Globe Ornaments

Image Credit: 2 Bees in a Pod

These adorable bottle brush Christmas tree snow globe ornaments from 2 Bees in a Pod are cute, easy, and wallet-friendly — there’s even instructions on how to bleach the trees for an all-white aesthetic!
DIY Fabric-Covered Tree Ornaments

Image Credit: Alice & Lois.

These little fabric-covered tree ornaments from Alice & Lois are not only adorable but super-easy and totally customizable depending on the fabric you choose for each ornament.
Marbled Nail Polish Tree Ornaments

Image Credit: Mike Garten

The hardest part of these festive little dip-dyed Christmas trees is picking which shades of green nail polish to use! Simply fill a cup with cold water and drizzle two different polishes over its surface, then dip and dry! This is only one of the fantastic ornament ideas over at Good Housekeeping.
Quartz Icicle Ornaments

Image Credit: Martha Stewart.

This DIY comes from the queen of holidays and crafting herself. These beautiful quartz icicle ornaments are a cool spin on the classic glass icicles and require little more than quartz beads, jewelry wire and string. Head to Martha Stewart for the full tutorial.

Quartz beads, $11.59 at Amazon
Spiky Styrofoam Balls

Image Credit: Creative Fashion Blog

These simple-to-make ornaments from Creative Fashion Blog — all you need are styrofoam balls, toothpicks, and spray paint — are surprisingly cute once they’re done, lending a cool midcentury feel to your Christmas decor!
DIY Indigo Marbled Ornaments

Image Credit: Alice & Lois.

This simple DIY will take you five minutes to make a dozen ornaments. Easy-peasy. All you need are blue nail polish (or whatever color you like), water and white ornaments to make this cool marbled effect. Check out Alice & Lois for the step-by-step directions.
DIY Brass Geometric Ornaments

Image Credit: The Merrythought.

How minimal and chic are these DIY brass ornaments from The Merrythought? These are sure to add a modern geometric twist to your Christmas tree decor.
DIY Clay Ornaments

Image Credit: Say Yes.

The geniuses behind Say Yes have come up with a straightforward, effortless DIY ornament you can be as creative as you like with. Air-dry clay and string are the only materials needed. It's a blank canvas for festive holiday design.
Wooden Bead Snowflake Ornament DIY

Image Credit: Alice & Lois

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. If you don't get a white Christmas, let this DIY snowflake ornament make your Christmas a little bit brighter. Check out Alice & Lois for the full tutorial.
DIY Cookie Cutter Ornaments

Image Credit: The Merrythought.

Cookie cutters, beads or bells (or both) and some string and voilà! Instant charming ornament. Use house cookie cutters like The Merrythought or opt for a more holiday-specific theme, like pine trees, stars, snowmen or reindeer.
Dried Citrus DIY Ornaments

Image Credit: A Beautiful Mess.

This DIY requires an oven, so you might want to keep an extra eye on your littlest helpers while they help you with this ornament, but the results are too pretty to believe, and bonus: It smells amazing. Check out A Beautiful Mess for step-by-step directions.
Paper Candle Ornament DIY

Image Credit: The House That Lars Built.

Real candles on your tree are nice, but since it's also a major fire hazard, these paper candles from The House That Lars Built are just as cool with none of the fiery potential. This DIY uses a hot glue gun, so maybe save this one for your older kids or just make sure your 2-year-old is distracted while you use it.
DIY Embroidery Hoop Ornaments

Image Credit: Alice & Lois.

Embroidery hoops are not something that usually remind us of Christmas, but leave it to Alice & Lois to make extraordinary ornaments out of the ordinary. This DIY is super-easy, and the results are stunning. Plus, you can embroider names, holiday sayings, trees or snowflakes for a special holiday-specific twist.
DIY Pressed Flowers Ornaments

Image Credit: The Blondielocks.

This DIY is a way to bring the beauty of flowers and summer into the bitterness of winter and will remind you of the warmth of hazy summer days while you huddle around the fire in your long johns. The Blondielocks has the full tutorial in just a few easy steps.
DIY Clay Moon Phases Ornaments

Image Credit: Alice & Lois.

This moon phases DIY is super-easy and is a wonderful reminder of the changing of seasons that Christmas brings. Once Christmas is over, hang these anywhere in the house for year-round decor. Head to Alice & Lois for the full tutorial.
DIY Needle Felted Woodland Ornaments

Image Credit: Martha Stewart.

Martha Stewart has done it again, this time with woodland creatures needle felted ornaments that are adorable and may quickly become the stars of your Christmas tree. You might want to stick one of these mushrooms on top of your tree instead of an angel this year.