47 Unique DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas

Creative Handmade Christmas Ornament Ideas not just for Your Christmas Tree but for Special Keepsakes and DIY Gifts

One of my family’s favorite Christmas traditions is spending time together making fun and unique Christmas Ornaments.

So, each year we invite our friends over to share the afternoon with some cider or mulled wine and everybody brings their own unique DIY Christmas Ornament ideas for us all to try.

Over the years, we have made so many different types of ornaments from Yarn Wrapped Christmas Trees to Shrinky Dink Ornaments and Marbled Glass Globes.

This year, I was researching some new ornament ideas for our holiday crafting day and it occurred to me that I need to do an article to showcase the creative ways that you guys decorate your Christmas trees!

So, I found a wide variety of different Christmas ornaments to make not only for your tree but also to give as a DIY Gift and Keepsake.

And remember, personalized ornaments made with family photos are an extra special gift idea for Grandparents.

Finally, if you are a hobby or small business crafter selling on the Art and Craft Fair or Festival circuit, you’re sure to find some inspiring ideas for Christmas ornaments to make and sell.

I’ll be updating this list annually so make sure and check back every holiday season to see which fun, new ornament ideas I have found for you!

Also, be sure to have a look at Christmas Craft & Decor Ideas, DIY Christmas Wreath with Ball Ornaments, DIY Christmas Wreath Ideas and Christmas Ornament Crochet Patterns articles.

My alltime favorite handmade ornaments are still the Alcohol Ink Ornaments we made a few years ago.

How Do You Hang Christmas Ornaments?

There are lots of creative ways to hang your special handmade Christmas ornaments on the tree. The simplest way is to use special wire ornament hangers or hooks. They’re super easy to use and very inexpensive.

Also, another great option for hanging your ornaments is to use colorful, fabric ribbon. These can be tied into a little bow, making your ornament even more festive!

Popular supplies for making ornaments

Now, without further ado, I hope you enjoy all of these creative and unique DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas.

A huge THANK YOU to the wonderful crafters for allowing me to share their ideas.
Enjoy!

1. Embroidered Kid’s Art Christmas Ornament

Here is a creative way to keep your children’s artwork … stitch it onto colorful felt and you have a cute, personalized embroidered ornament!

This is also a perfect DIY gift for the Grandparents.

by Swoodson Says

2. Easy Burlap Angel Ornament

This sweet little burlap angel is simple enough for kids to make for a handmade teacher gift.

by Gym Craft Laundry

3. Embroidered Family Photo Ornament

Transfer a favorite family photo to cloth, add a small embroidery hoop and some embellishments and you have a unique, personal gift or tree ornament.

by Swoodson Says

4. DIY Yarn Ball Ornament

I love this idea of making an ornament that looks like a ball of yarn. A perfect gift for any crochet or knitting enthusiast.

by Where The Smiles Have Been

5. Unique Wine Cork Sled Ornament

Got wine? You can easily recycle the corks into these sweet sled ornaments.

by Creative Green Living

6. Dollar Store Snowball Ornament

Dollar stores are a surprisingly great place to find craft supplies such as these cute metal buckets, colorful ribbon and cotton balls.

by Creative Green Living

7. DIY Walnut Reindeer Tree Ornament

Gather up some walnuts, felt and ribbon, add some glue and a few embellishments and you can make some fun reindeer ornaments.

by Red Ted Art

8. Personalized Christmas Tree Ornament

These colorful monogram ball ornaments make a perfect, personalized gift or gift tag. Great last minute gift idea!

by Organized 31

9. Christmas Candy Cane Ornaments

Kids will love making these cute, decorated winter skates with candy canes.

by The Soccer Mom Blog

10. Unique Handmade Ombre Glitter Ornaments

Recycle or upcycle your own candelabra or candle light bulbs with some paint and glitter.

by My Turn For Us

DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas - Easy Ombre LightBulb Crafts

11. Decoupage DIY Glass Globe Idea

Here is a new idea for glass globes … decoupage! Go ahead and stock up on Mod Podge now.

by Burlap And Blue

Unique DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas. Decoupage Christmas Ornaments

12. Salt Dough Handprint Ornament

A sweet, personalized handmade gift or gift tag idea for the Grandparents.

by Mommy Moment

13. Glass Ornaments Painted with Alcohol Inks

Alcohol inks give glass ball ornaments a natural, organic, almost landscape like look.

by FiberArtsy

DIY Christmas Ornament painted with Alcohol Inks

14. Wooden Christmas Tree Ornaments

Wood slices and scrap yarn make a fun, organic tree decoration.

by Mommy Moment

15. Christmas Wish Ornaments

I love that you can customize your message on these blackboard cutouts.

by A Princess And Her Pirates

16. Silhouette Cameo Ornaments

Here is a fun idea for a girlfriend Christmas crafting afternoon.

by A Princess And Her Pirates

17. Embossed Wood Slice Ornaments

Embossing gives these wood pieces a unique, festive look.

by Sustain My Craft Habit

18. Glitter Salt Dough Ornaments

You can make your salt dough figures more sparkly with colorful glitter.

by The Best Ideas For Kids

19. Pink and Gold Glitter Globe Ornaments

Another fun glitter ornament idea. This would be a great teacher gift.

by Mommy Moment

20. DIY Mercury Glass Ornaments

Here is a cool way to make your glass globes look really old and antique.

by One Thousand Oaks

21. Glass Globe Ornament with Pine Greenery

Fresh greenery and tiny pinecones make for a fun ornament.

by Moms Who Save

Globe Christmas Ornament with Pine Greenery

22. DIY Paper Christmas Tree Ornament

Holiday patterned craft paper is rolled up and glued to make these colorful little Christmas trees.

by Moms Who Save

23. Keepsake Lace DIY Ornament

I love the soft look of lace on a Holiday tree.

by Tikkido

24. Jingle Bell Ornaments

These fillable gloves also look super fun and festive with shiny bells and pom poms.

by Sunny Sweet Days

25. Miniature Gingerbread Ornaments

If you love making miniatures, then these tiny ornaments are for you.

by Tikkido

26. Quilted Christmas Ornaments

Quilting is another way to make old timey, antique looking Holiday decorations.

by Tikkido

27. Christmas Tree Bird Houses

Little birdhouses made from twigs give your Holiday decor a rustic, farmhouse look.

by Faeries & Fauna

28. DIY Farmhouse Ornament

Transfer a family photo into a unique, personal ornament.

by Faeries & Fauna

29. Handmade Felt Reindeer Ornaments

Colorful sheets of fleece or felt can be made into these sweet shapes. DIY Gift tag idea!

by Fleece Fun

30. 3D Christmas Tree Ornaments

Wood cuts in snowflake or ornament shape make a unique decoration or gift tag.

by Sun & Sea Salt

31. Keepsake Photo Globe Ornament

Here is a cute, personalized gift for Grandma and Grandpa.

by All Things Mamma

32. Unique Christmas Ornaments made with Jenga Blocks

Upcycle your old Jenga game blocks into these sweet decorations.

by Day To Day Adventures

Unique DIY Christmas Ornaments made with Jenga Blocks

33. Wine Cork Angel Christmas Ornament

Old wine corks can be crafted into cute angels.

by This Mama Loves

Wine Cork Angel Ornament - Unique handmade Christmas Ornaments

34. Clay Dough Keepsake Ornaments

Premade modeling clay is the perfect medium for making special keepsakes. Imagine a baby handprint ornament or your kid’s artwork.

by Coffee With Us 3

Handmade keepsake ornaments for Christmas trees

35. Cinnamon Stick Christmas Trees

These super cute little Christmas trees are fun and easy to make with a wreath garland, buttons, twine and jingle bells. Great Christmas craft for children.

by Crayons & Cravings

36. Cotton Reel Map Ornament

These unique ornaments look like antiques, don’t they? They are very easy to make using spools from thread, buttons bells and old maps.

by Pillar Box Blue

37. Fun Fabric Christmas Tree Ornaments

Here is another Holiday craft idea for kids using scrap fabric (or fat quarters), styrofoam balls and some ribbon. Plus, these adorable ornaments would make a great teacher gift!

by Ginger Casa

38. Printable Paper Star Ornament

Paper stars are the quintessential Christmas decoration, right? I just love the clean lines and minimal fussiness.

And now you can take the guesswork out of how to actually make a Christmas star with this easy printable ornament.

by OH MY! Creative

39. DIY Salt Dough Ornaments

Obviously, you can make some cool ornaments with store bought modeling clay but have you ever tried to make your own salt dough clay?

It is actually super easy to do and add another fun layer to this craft that is also perfect for children. (Kids love playing with dough!)

by One Crazy Mom

40. Dollar Store String Ornament

These fun little ornaments are made completely out of string. Not only are they adorable but they are super inexpensive so you can make a whole bunch of them for next to nothing!

by One Crazy Mom

41. Homemade Birdseed Ornaments

These awesome birdseed hangers might be my alltime favorite Christmas idea! Not only do they look beautiful on your tree, but they will be much appreciated by the birds after the Holidays.

by Homemade For Elle

42. Painted Glass Globe Ornaments

There are many different ways to decorate these glass globes but painting them (on the outside or inside) is still one of my favorites.

You can personalize them by adding a monogram or special icon for a special DIY Gift.

by 5 Minutes For Mom

43. Easy Foam Core Ornament Idea

Using foam core is really genius, don’t you think? It is a very light weight material so it won’t weigh down your Christmas tree branches.

Not only that, but you can easily cut it into any shape from stars and stockings to Santa Claus or reindeer shapes.

by 5 Minutes For Mom

44. Woodcut and Clay Snowflake Ornaments

Here is a somewhat new twist on the old gingerbread ornament made with wood slices and polymer clay.

You can also write on the other side and these will make perfect hang tags for your Christmas presents.

by Homemade Heather

45. Twig Star Tree Topper

This star is not technically an ornament but it is still a Christmas tree decoration. Although, you could also make a bunch of smaller stars to hang on the tree.

This is a super inexpensive craft using just twigs, string, hot glue and wire.

by Homemade Heather

46. Santa made from Okra Ornament from the Garden

How cute is this idea?? A Santa Claus made from Okra? What an adorable and unique way to make a tree ornament.

by Learning And Yearning

47. Unicorn Christmas Tree Ornament

Unicorns for the Holidays? Sure, why not? These adorable little unicorn faces are hand painted and embellished but don’t let that intimidate you. They are surprisingly simple to make.

by Creative Green Living

How Do You Decorate Clear Ornaments?

There are so many different ways that you can decorate clear ornaments, whether they are made of glass or shatterproof plastic.

You can decorate the outside with acrylic paints, alcohol inks, stickers and yarn or you can pour the paints inside the ornament for a marbled look.

Also, it is fun to fill the inside with glitter, pine needles or little mints and candies.

More DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas:

Hopefully, this mega list of ideas for making your own Christmas ornaments gives you lots of inspiration and motivation to begin crafting!

However, if you didn’t find exactly the idea you were looking for, Country Living has a wonderful article with 75 DIY Christmas Ornament for you to make.