51 Best DIY Christmas Decorations for a Handmade Holiday 2024

With Christmas around the corner, it’s time to get creative and make DIY Christmas decorations for around your home. You can use these decorations to adorn your home both inside and out.

Plus, you can give them to friends and family so they can decorate their homes as well. With a variety of DIY Christmas decoration options, anyone can find a project that fits their aesthetic and their skill level. 

Making DIY Christmas decorations can be a fun way to spend the day with kids or for a date night during the colder winter months. Most supplies you can find at a craft store and they’re relatively inexpensive.

If you're hosting Christmas for the first time you can use DIY decorations to add more personal touch to the party atmosphere.

And making Christmas decorations can become a tradition you do every year. Holiday traditions help to build a stronger bond between family and foster a sense of belonging, according to LinkedIn.

Wondering how to make your own Christmas decorations? Need a little inspiration? We’ve got more than 50 DIY Christmas decorations you can make for your home today! 

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• Easy DIY Christmas Decorations
• Elegant DIY Christmas Decorations
• Best DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas
• Outdoor DIY Christmas Decorations

Easy DIY Christmas Decorations

1. Holiday Craft Workshops

Making DIY Christmas decorations always adds charm to the space and can be a fun tradition to take part in every year.

With art classes in Boston, art classes in Atlanta, art classes in Dallas and art classes near you, expert local artists will teach techniques of different art forms to help you unlock your creativity.

Bring friends and families to try new art and create one-of-a-kind pieces you can use to decorate your home for the holiday season. You can join workshops in candle making, jewelry making, collage and more. You may even learn some of the best Christmas ornament storage ideas.

2. Festive Paint and Sip

Fill your home with festive artwork for your DIY Christmas decorations when you join paint and sip in Chicago, paint and sip in San Diego, paint and sip in Washington, D.C. and paint and sip near you.

An expert artist will guide you through the step-by-step instructions to create a unique work of art. During the holiday season, you can create festive paintings and décor to adorn your home.

You don’t need to have previous art experience to join these classes; artists of all skill levels are welcome to participate and create.

3. Holly Jolly Ceramics

Try your hand at ceramic DIY Christmas decorations with pottery classes in Austin, pottery classes in Los Angeles, pottery classes in Boston and pottery classes near you.

An expert craftsperson will teach you the basic techniques for throwing clay on the wheel to create bowls and vases, plus learn how to handbuild to create decorative objects.

You don’t have to have thrown clay on a wheel before to enjoy this class; this will be a fun way to express your creativity. Glaze your works of art with festive colors to become holiday decor every year. 

4. Giant Popcorn Garland

If you love a popcorn garland for your Christmas tree, you’ll adore this giant DIY Christmas decoration for your home. Use spray foam to create lumpy popcorn shapes for inventive Christmas tree decorating ideas.

Once they’re dry, spray paint them white so the garland doesn’t discolor. If you want, you can spray a little bit of yellow in some places to make it look buttered.

When everything is dry, use a long needle and fishing wire to string the pieces together. Then you can hang them around your home.

5. Pinecone Christmas Trees

This is one of the best DIY Christmas decorations this year to do with kids. Have them go on a nature walk to collect pinecones to use for this holiday craft. Then, use green paint to cover the pinecone and transform it into an evergreen tree.

Now, it’s time to adorn your tree. Use beads, felt and charms to act as ornaments and glue them to the pinecone to create a miniature Christmas tree. You can also use fake snow to make snow-dusted Christmas trees or you can start painting Christmas ornaments.

If you'd like to make this into a larger arts and crafts day, this is a great family Christmas idea to try out. Invite the extended family and some of your kids friends and get decorating!

6. Wine Bottle Candle Holders

If you’re looking for Christmas painting ideas, consider painting old wine bottles to act as candlesticks this holiday season. Clean out wine bottles and remove the labels.

You can then use acrylic or glass paint to decorate the wine bottles how you want. Try Christmas trees, reindeer, snowflakes or other holiday motifs for festive DIY Christmas decorations for wine lovers.

Once they’ve dried, you can place taper candles in the bottle opening to act as candle holders.

7. Pom Pom Reindeer 

For an easy DIY Christmas decoration idea at home you can do, make pom pom reindeer. This is a fun and easy DIY you can do with kids or as an adult. All you need is brown yarn, scissors, felt and a hot glue gun.

A pom pom maker can make this craft easier, but there are techniques to make pom poms with materials found at home. Use the brown yarn to make pom poms and trim the long edges with the scissors. Trace eyes, noses and antlers on the felt, cut them out and glue them to the pom poms.

8. Snowy Jars

This is a great holiday DIY home décor you can do with extra jars you may have in your home. You’ll need Mod Podge or glue and white iridescent glitter.

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge or glue to the exterior of the jar, then sprinkle some of the glitter on top. It’s a good idea to work in small sections so the glue doesn’t dry.

Once the original layer of glue dries, you can apply a layer of Mod Podge over it to prevent glitter fall out. You can then use them as candle holders or decorative jars for the holiday season.

9. Homemade Snow Globe

Need unique Christmas gifts to give to friends or family this year? Make a homemade snow globe for a cool DIY Christmas decoration to display on your mantle. You’ll need a jar, distilled water, glycerine, glitter and epoxy.

You’ll also want plastic figures or decorations to add inside the snow globe. Fill the jaw with distilled water, glitter and glycerin. Use the epoxy to adhere the figurines to the inside of the lid. Screw on the lid when the epoxy is dry, then turn it over and watch it snow.

10. Pool Noodle Wreaths

Wondering how to make DIY Christmas decorations out of pool noodles? Use them to make a wreath. You can bend pool noodles into the shape of the wreath to act as a base. Plus, the foam makes it easy to add to your wreath décor.

Use ornaments, greenery and ribbons to create a custom wreath. For decorations like the ornaments, you can glue them down with hot glue. Stick the stems of faux greenery into pool noodles to create a more dimensional wreath.

11. Twinkle Light Canvas

Create a mixed media piece of art with a twinkle light canvas. Paint a standard art canvas with holiday motifs or a festive message. Once the paint is dry, you can use scissors to puncture little holes along the design.

Then, use stick the bulbs of string lights through the holes to create a light-up design. Use lights that have different twinkle settings to create an even more festive DIY Christmas decoration.

12. Ribbon Christmas Trees

Mini Christmas trees made of ribbon make great DIY Christmas decorations, such as centerpieces for Christmas day table setting ideas or accents around the home. Use construction paper to make a cone to serve as the base of the Christmas tree.

Then cut the ribbon between three and five inches long. Fold the ribbons in half and glue the ends together. Then, glue the longer ribbons at the bottom of the cone and the decrease in size as you move up the cone. You could also learn how to make a bow to top this decoration.  

Elegant DIY Christmas Decorations

13. Tied to a Bow

Ribbons are an easy DIY Christmas decoration that you can use all over the house. Buy ribbons in a variety of thicknesses and festive colors.

Choose both solids and patterned ribbons to mix up the décor. You can even layer thicker and thinning ribbons together to add a little texture. Tie bows of various sizes to place above the fireplace, on the stair railings and on door knobs. 

14. Paper Christmas Village

Christmas villages are a popular decoration during the holiday season. You can make paper versions using thick paper and scissors or a craft knife.

Use a template to draw windows and doors and cut them out with a craft knife. Then cut roofs out of the paper to place on top. You can decorate the houses or leave them the same color as the paper.

Set this DIY Christmas village decoration on the mantel or a table and decorate it with faux snow, string lights and little figurines.

15. Ornament Mobile

What is a popular Christmas decorating theme? Red and green is one of the most common and classic themes for Christmas decorations. Use this as the inspiration to create an ornament mobile.

Use fishing wire to suspend ornaments from the ceiling to make it look like the ornaments are floating in the air. You can also use ribbons to accent this DIY Christmas decoration.

16. Bottlebrush Forest

Wondering how to decorate your room for Christmas for cheap? Bottlebrush trees are the way to go. These are inexpensive items you can buy at most major retailers and online during the holiday season.

Customize them by dying the trees, adding glitter or spray painting them. Once everything is dry, you can create a forest of colorful trees. These are great DIY Christmas decorations to display on a mantel or table, but you can also mix them into the Christmas village.

17. Ornament Wreath

Use a foam wreath base and ornaments to create an elegant DIY Christmas decoration. Make it look more chic by choosing a constricted color palette. Whites, tans and silvers always look elegant.

You can also make an elegant wreath with shapes of blue. Be sure there are a variety of sizes and finishes, like glitter and ribbed, so the wreath has an interesting texture.

18. Tassel Garland

For a simple and elegant DIY Christmas decoration, use macrame rope to create tassels and string them together on a cord. You can also dye the tassels to fit your Christmas aesthetic and color scheme. Tie the tops of the tassels with ribbons to make them feel more festive.

19. Ornament Trees

Create a Christmas tree out of ornaments for a unique DIY Christmas decoration. Use chicken wire to create a cone-shaped base.

You can make them big enough to sit on the ground or smaller ones to be on the tabletop. Then hang your ornaments on the wire. The fuller the tree looks, the better the decoration will be.

20. Bow Cabinets

Make your kitchen cabinets look like wrapped presents for one of the most fun and festive DIY Christmas decorations. Use a thick ribbon to decorate your kitchen cabinets.

Wrap the ribbon length- and width-wise on the cabinets, securing them on the inside. Then tie a bow to secure to the front of the cabinets where the ribbons intersect.

21. Dried Citrus Garland

If you’re looking for a unique option for DIY Christmas decorations, make dried citrus into a garland. Slice oranges, grapefruit or lemons to create fruit wheels, then dehydrate them in the oven at 170 degrees for four to six hours, turning every two hours.

Once they’re dried and cooled, use a fishing line and a needle to string them together. You can hang them around your home, plus, they’ll make your home smell delicious.

22. Star Luminaries

Make every night leading up to Christmas a starry one. For a bright DIY Christmas decoration idea, make star luminaries out of paper to display around your home.

Add twinkling lights inside the luminaries to create a warm glow. Hang them from the ceiling to create a luminous accent throughout the home.

23. Faux Floral Garland

For those who love flowers, a floral garland is the perfect DIY Christmas decoration. Find faux florals at your local craft store. Stick to a limited color palette to create a more sophisticated look. Or use all the colors for something more bold.

Then, use a fishing line and a needle to string the flower heads together. If the flowers come with stems, you can use wire cutters to remove them. Display the floral garland on a mantel, on the stair rail or around the tree.

24. Wreath Candle Holder

Create a classic wreath candle holder for an easy DIY Christmas decoration. You can use a premade wreathe or make your own to be the base of this craft.

Use taper candlestick holders and set them into the wreath. Add the taper candles for an elegant and easy-to-make centerpiece.

25. Wood Candle Holders

Get rustic wood tealight holders to be part of your DIY Christmas decorations. Make them feel more festive by adding a ribbon around the outside of the holders or by painting them in Christmas colors. They make an elegant piece of decor for a Christmas dinner table.

Best DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas

26. Popsicle Stick Sleds

A fun DIY Christmas decoration to make with the kids is a sled using popsicle sticks. Get popsicle sticks from the craft store along with glue, paint, scissors and ribbon.

Glue popsicle sticks together in the shape of a sled by making a flat piece and two gliding pieces underneath. Then, you can paint and decorate your sleds however you want. Attach the ribbon to create a way to hang them on the tree.

27. Pipe Cleaner Wreath

This DIY Christmas decoration is simple enough that it makes a fun project for kids. Transform pipe cleaners into adorable wreaths. Twist four green pipe cleaners together before shaping them into a circle for the wreaths.

Cut out pieces of red felt to be the berries and glue a small red bow to the wreath. Attach a little ribbon to hang the ornament from the tree branches.

28. Candy Cane Reindeer

One of the most classic DIY Christmas decorations is candy cane reindeer. These are easy DIY Christmas crafts for kids to make and a tasty treat during the holidays.

Grab a couple of candy canes, googly eyes, felt, pom poms, scissors and glue. Without unwrapping the candy cane, glue on the eyes, the pompoms for noses and the antlers cut out of felt. Then, you can hang them on the tree using the candy cane’s hook.

29. Painted Wood Slices

For a rustic DIY Christmas decoration, get slices of wood from the craft store and use paint to decorate them. You can draw winter and Christmas motifs like snowflakes, snowmen and presents.

Once they’re dry, glue the ribbon to the back of the wood slice to hang the ornament. This project is a great arts and crafts for adults as well as kids.

30. Marble Painted Ornaments

This easy DIY Christmas decoration will be a favorite during the holiday season. Use clear ornaments as the base of this project. You’ll also need paint and a pouring medium to help thin it out. A funnel can also help.

Mix the paint and pouring medium until it reaches the desired thickness. Then, use a funnel to add the paint inside the ornaments. Layer different colors, then move the ornament around to spread the paint. Pour out any excess and allow the ornament to dry.

31. Wood Bead Ornaments

Wood beads have the potential to be almost anything you want. String them onto a wire or string and shape them into snowflakes, snowmen, stars and more for a variety of cute DIY Christmas decorations.

You can also paint them to add a pop of color to your Christmas tree or leave them bare for a more natural look.

32. Pinecone Wreath

Gather a few pinecones from outside to make a wreath for your DIY Christmas decoration. You’ll need hot glue and a small circular base. Carefully remove each small shell and glue them around the wreath base.

You can use a little glitter to dust the ornament and mimic snow. Add a ribbon to hand the ornament from the tree.

33. Craft Stick Snowflakes

Transform craft sticks into pretty snowflakes. This DIY Christmas ornament project is easy to complete for the holiday season. All you have to do is glue craft sticks into snowflake shapes. Cut smaller pieces to be the decorative accents.

Once the glue has dried, you can paint them white and add a ribbon to hang them on the tree. These are also easy enough to make to display in the office for a holiday work party.

34. Family Picture Ornaments

Family picture ornaments are a great DIY Christmas decoration that celebrates your family during the holiday season. They also make great DIY gift ideas for friends and family.

Use a photo ball ornament and place your favorite family picture inside. Once the ornament is back together, you can decorate the ornament with paint and glitter, being cautious not to cover the view of the picture.

35. Painted Blocks

Get a few wooden blocks, acrylic paint and paintbrushes to decorate the blocks for a simple yet sweet DIY Christmas decoration. You can make letters that spell out holiday words, a name or paint symbols on them.

Then, use a small drill to make a hole for an eye bolt. Add ribbon to hang from the tree branches.

36. Felt Ornaments

Felt ornaments as DIY Christmas decorations are a fun way to express your creativity and an easy project for kids to try. Cut out different shapes in felt like snowflakes, stars and presents.

Using thick thread, sew up the sides, leaving one open to stuff with filling. Once full, you can sew the last side and stitch on a ribbon to hang it on the tree.

37. Cross Stitch Ornament

For those looking for a new hobby and to make DIY Christmas decoration ideas at home, you may want to try cross stitch. There are plenty of kits you can use to make a DIY cross stitch ornament.

Or, you can purchase the material and thread and make them yourself. Having this handmade ornament on the tree every year will be the best tradition.

38. Twig Ornaments

Find twigs outside to be the base of this creative DIY Christmas decoration. You can use a thin cord and glue to fasten the sticks together. Make snowflakes, stars and other geometric shapes to display around the house.

If you want to make these ornaments a little more glamorous, you can paint a part of them with metallic paint. These DIY Christmas tree decorations are perfect for anyone who loves natural decor.

39. Sweater Shapes

If you have old sweaters lying around, you can use them for DIY Christmas decorations. Use wire to make shapes, then stretch the old sweater material around the wire and secure it with glue. You can also sew around the edges if you want them to be extra secure.

Then, cut the excess fabric for a unique ornament. This works best with colorful and patterned sweaters.

Outdoor DIY Christmas Decorations

40. Brass and Greenery Wreath

Use a brass hoop as the base for this DIY wreath. Find faux greenery and garlands at the local craft store and wrap it around part of the hoop.

You can mix in other elements for texture and then hang it directly on your front door as a welcoming sign for guests.

41. Felt Poinsettia Wreath

Poinsettias are a classic Christmas flower. If you want your poinsettia wreath to last all winter long, make it out of felt. Cut flower petal shapes out of red felt, then use hot glue to secure them together so they look like a poinsettia.

Don’t forget to make green leaves to mix in between the flowers. Once all the flowers are made, glue them onto a wreath base and display it outside your door.

42. Wood Gingerbread House

If you need theme party ideas for the holidays, consider a sweets wonderland theme. Then, you can make a large, wooden gingerbread house to display in the front yard.

Use plywood to create the gingerbread structure, securing it with screws. Paint the wood a gingerbread brown before using spray foam to act as the icing. Carve candy out of foam and paint it to be the decorative accents.

43. Oversized Outdoor Lights

Lights are one of the best parts of the holiday season. Trace the shape of Christmas lights onto plywood, then cut them out using a saw.

Sand them down and paint them a variety of colors. You can hang them around your door and your front porch for an instant festive decoration.

44. Ornament-Filled Lanterns

This is one of the best DIY Christmas decorations this year and one of the easiest. Use glass lanterns that can go outside and fill them with ornaments of different colors, textures and sizes.

If you’re looking for work Christmas party ideas, this is a great idea because of how easy it is to make.

45. Bells and Greenery

Pair a few jingle bells with textured greenery for an easy outdoor DIY Christmas decoration. Secure the two together with ribbon and display them on the railings on your porch, on light posts and on columns outside the house. 

46. Burlap Wreath

Make rustic DIY Christmas decorations for the outdoors using burlap. Get a roll of burlap and a wreathe base. Make loops out of the burlap and glue them to the base.

Make the wreath more festive by adding in some Christmas ribbon. You can also use burlap to make ribbons for around the house for a bit of rustic charm. 

47. Giant Gingerbread Man

Use foam boards to create giant gingerbread people for DIY Christmas decorations outside your home. Paint them with brown paint and use a white rope to create the icing decorations.

Painted foam balls work well to create the buttons and eyes. Glue a PVC pipe to the back and use a stake to prop them up in your yard.

48. String Light Lanterns

String light lanterns are easy DIY Christmas decorations for the outdoors. Get glass lanterns and a few rolls of string lights. Fill the empty lanterns with the lights and display them on your porch where they can be plugged in.

You can even decorate them with greenery and garlands to make them look luminous and festive.

49. Birdhouse Christmas Village

This DIY Christmas decoration also provides some housing for winter birds. Get a few wooden birdhouses from the craft store and paint them with festive colors and holiday motifs.

Then, set them out in your yard as a Christmas village. Plus, you’ll get to watch birds throughout the winter.

50. Bird Seed Ornaments

Decorate for the holidays and give the winter birds a little treat with this DIY Christmas decoration. Make birdseed ornaments to decorate the trees in your front yard.

You can make birdseed cakes easily at home and use cookie cutters to cut them into fun holiday shapes. Then, attach a ribbon and hang them from the trees. The birds will certainly love this decoration.

51. Planter Ornaments

Transform some planters into holiday ornaments for outdoor DIY Christmas decorations. You can use a planter of any size for this DIY project. Paint the bottom round part of the planter a bright color and the top lip sliver to look like a Christmas tree light.

Group a bunch of them together on your porch or front lawn to make it look like a string of lights. You can even put some winter plants inside the planters, like small pines and holly bushes.

As the most festive time of the year approaches, it’s time to start decorating your home. These 50 DIY Christmas decorations are a fun way to get creative and enjoy the holly jolly season.

Gather your friends, family and partner to make fun, crafty DIY Christmas decorations to display inside and outside of your home.

For even more fun holiday ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!