Homemade Christmas Ornaments: 10 Easy Ideas to Make

8 min read

Last updated November 9, 2026

Homemade Christmas ornaments are easy to make with simple supplies. Think salt dough, clear plastic balls, felt, pine cones and cinnamon sticks. Most projects take under an hour, and many are perfect for kids.

This guide shares 10 easy ornament ideas and a basic salt dough recipe. It also covers painting, sealing and storing your creations so they last for years.

Inside this guide

Why make your own ornaments
Basic supplies
Salt dough ornaments
10 easy ornament ideas
Ornaments for kids
Ornaments as gifts
Safety tips
Storing ornaments
Frequently asked questions

Why Make Your Own Ornaments?

Handmade ornaments carry memories. Each year, unpacking them brings back the moment you made them.

They cost much less than store-bought decorations.
They make thoughtful, personal gifts.
Crafting together is a fun family tradition.
You can match any color scheme or style.

Basic Supplies

Flour, salt and water for salt dough
Clear plastic or glass fillable ornaments
Felt sheets, embroidery thread and a needle
Pine cones, cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices
Acrylic paint, brushes and clear sealer
Ribbon, twine and ornament hooks
Cookie cutters, a straw and a rolling pin
A hot glue gun or craft glue

Look through your craft drawer before you shop. Leftover ribbon, buttons and fabric scraps all make great ornament materials.

How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough is the classic homemade ornament. It is cheap, easy to shape and hardens in the oven.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup table salt
3/4 to 1 cup warm water

Steps

Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.
Add water a little at a time and knead until smooth and firm.
Roll the dough about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut shapes with cookie cutters.
Poke a hole near the top with a straw for hanging.
Bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 hours, until hard and dry.
Let them cool completely before painting.

Thinner ornaments dry faster. Flip them halfway through baking so both sides dry evenly.

Pro tip. Press a child’s hand into a round of dough to make a keepsake ornament. Write the year on the back with a toothpick before baking.

Which ornament would you make first?

Salt dough shapes
Filled clear balls
Felt ornaments
Not sure yet

10 Easy Ornament Ideas

1. Painted salt dough shapes

Paint stars, hearts and trees in bright colors. Add glitter or tiny dots for extra sparkle.

2. Filled clear ornaments

Fill clear plastic balls with ribbon, glitter, mini pom-poms or tiny pine cones. Shake gently to spread the filling.

3. Cinnamon stick stars

Hot glue five short cinnamon sticks into a star shape. Wrap the joints with twine and add a loop for hanging.

4. Pine cone ornaments

Brush the tips of pine cones with white paint to look like snow. Tie ribbon to the top for a rustic touch.

5. Felt ornaments

Cut two matching shapes from felt, stitch around the edges and stuff lightly. Try mittens, stockings or gingerbread people.

6. Dried orange slices

Thread a ribbon through dried orange slices for a natural, fragrant ornament. Our holiday simmer pot guide shows how to dry them.

7. Photo ornaments

Glue a small photo inside a jar lid or a wooden frame. Add the year to the back for a lasting memory.

8. Button trees

Stack green buttons from largest to smallest on a wire, with a brown bead as the trunk. Bend the top into a hook.

9. Yarn-wrapped stars

Cut a star from cardboard and wrap it tightly with colorful yarn. Kids love this one.

10. Popsicle stick snowflakes

Glue craft sticks into a snowflake shape and paint them white or silver. Add sequins or glitter.

Painting and Sealing Tips

Use acrylic paint, which dries quickly and covers well.
Paint a white base coat first so colors look brighter.
Let each coat dry fully before adding details.
Seal salt dough with clear spray or brush-on sealer to keep out moisture.
Seal both sides, since damp air can soften unsealed dough.

Work in a well-ventilated space when using spray sealers. Follow the directions on the can.

Ornaments Kids Can Make

Many of these projects work well for young children with a little help.

Age	Best projects
3 to 5	Filled clear ornaments, painted salt dough, yarn stars
6 to 9	Felt ornaments with glue, popsicle stick snowflakes, button trees
10 and up	Sewn felt ornaments, cinnamon stars, photo ornaments

Adults should handle hot glue guns and ovens. Find more ideas in our easy holiday crafts for kids.

Ornaments as Gifts

A handmade ornament is a gift people keep for years. Personalize each one with a name, date or short message.

Make a first-Christmas ornament for a new baby or couple.
Give teachers a painted ornament with the student’s name.
Add an ornament to a wrapped present as a gift topper.
Bundle three ornaments in a small box with tissue paper.

Safety Tips

Salt dough looks like food, but it is not safe to eat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns against letting children eat dough made with raw flour, including homemade ornaments.

According to the health agency, raw flour can carry germs like E. coli. Wash hands after handling it.

Keep salt dough ornaments out of reach of pets, since the high salt can make them sick.
Hang glass ornaments high on the tree, away from toddlers.
Supervise children closely with small beads and buttons.
Keep ornaments and decorations away from candles and heaters.

Fire safety figures shared by the Illinois State Fire Marshal show that many decoration fires start near heat sources. Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.

250°FLow oven temperature for drying salt dough ornaments over 2 to 3 hours.

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Ornaments From Nature

A walk outside can supply plenty of free ornament materials. Gather what has already fallen, and leave living plants alone.

Small pine cones and acorn caps
Thin slices of fallen branches, sanded smooth
Dried seed pods and sweetgum balls
Sprigs of evergreen tied with red thread

Bake pine cones on a foil-lined sheet at a low temperature for about 30 minutes. This dries them and drives out any hidden bugs inside them. Stay nearby and watch them closely.

Wood slices make lovely ornaments for painting names or simple snowflakes. Drill a small hole near the top for the ribbon.

Upcycled Ornament Ideas

Give old items a second life on your tree. Upcycled ornaments are good for the planet and full of character.

Wrap old light bulbs in glitter or paint them as tiny snowmen.
Cut circles from old sweaters and stuff them as mini pillows.
Turn wine corks into tiny reindeer with pipe cleaner antlers.
Fill small jars with faux snow and a mini figure.
Fold old book pages or sheet music into paper stars.

Check that recycled glass items have no sharp edges. Hang breakable pieces up high.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Baking salt dough at high heat, which makes it puff and crack
Painting before ornaments are fully dry
Skipping the sealer, which lets moisture soften the dough
Forgetting the hanging hole before baking
Using too much hot glue, which leaves strings and lumps

Take your time with drying and sealing. These steps make the biggest difference in how long ornaments last.

Theme Ideas for Your Tree

Rustic, with pine cones, twine and cinnamon
Nordic, with white, red and natural wood
Gingerbread, with brown salt dough and white paint
Rainbow, with every color your kids love
Winter wonderland, with white, silver and blue

Gingerbread fans can bake real cookies too. Try our soft gingerbread cookies for a sweet treat while you craft.

Make It a Crafting Party

Invite friends or family for an ornament-making afternoon. Set up stations for salt dough, painting and filling clear balls.

Cover tables with paper, put out snacks and play holiday music. Everyone goes home with a handmade keepsake.

Pair it with wreath making for a full decorating day. See how to make a Christmas wreath at home.

How to Store Handmade Ornaments

Wrap each ornament in tissue paper.
Store them in a sturdy box with dividers.
Keep salt dough ornaments in a dry place, away from damp basements.
Add a silica gel packet to absorb moisture.
Label the box so it is easy to find next year.

Read more tips in our guide on how to store holiday decorations.

Budget Tips

Homemade ornaments can cost just pennies each. Use pantry staples, nature finds and leftover craft supplies.

Buy clear fillable ornaments and ribbon on sale after the holidays. Find more ideas in our guide to holiday decorating on a budget.

Test Yourself

What temperature should you bake salt dough ornaments at?

450 degrees Fahrenheit
250 degrees Fahrenheit
100 degrees Fahrenheit

A low oven dries the dough slowly without puffing or browning it.

Why should you seal salt dough ornaments?

To keep out moisture
To make them edible
To make them heavier

Sealing protects the dough from damp air so it lasts for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do salt dough ornaments last?

Many years, if you seal them and store them dry.

Can I air dry salt dough?

Yes, but it may take two to three days.

Why did my salt dough puff up?

The oven was too hot. Keep it low and slow.

What can I fill clear ornaments with?

Try ribbon, glitter, pom-poms, faux snow or photos.

Conclusion

Homemade Christmas ornaments add warmth and meaning to your tree. Start with salt dough, try a few of the 10 ideas and make it a family tradition.

Seal them well, store them safely and enjoy them for many holidays to come.

Found this useful?

Editor’s Note

This guide is accurate as of November 9, 2026. Safety advice comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fire safety figures come from the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

Supervise children during all crafts that use ovens, glue guns or small parts.

Spot an error in this article? Please contact us at support@digieh.com or read our Corrections Policy.

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