DIY

25 Great Ideas for DIY Photo Ornaments in 2024

by: Alexandria Taylor

Published on Nov 29th 2024

One of the best parts of the holiday season is the sentimental ornaments hung on the tree and DIY photo ornaments are one of the best types. Using your favorite family photos, vacation photos and childhood photos is a great way to put your favorite memories on full display. And making DIY photo ornaments can be a fun holiday activity for both kids and adults.

Plus, it’s no secret that the holiday season can get expensive. According to Rocket Homes, the average American spends about $269 on holiday decorations. However, if you’re looking to save a little money on decorations, making your own ornaments is a great option. Many of the materials needed are common art materials or ones you may already have in your home.

So, are you wondering, “How do I make my own photo ornament?” There are a few ways to make photo ornaments using a variety of art materials. You can use paper, acrylic or wood as the base of your DIY photo ornaments. We’ve gathered a list of ideas for DIY photo ornaments to make this holiday season.

Free DIY Photo Ornaments for Christmas

1. Salt Dough Frame Ornament

Salt Dough Frame Ornaments — *Take salt dough ornaments and make them into frames (via Canva)*

You can go into your kitchen for the materials to make these free DIY photo ornaments. All you need to make salt dough is table salt, all-purpose flour and water. Mix it all together and roll out the dough. You can use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and then cut a hole in the shape. Once it’s baked, you can decorate the frame and glue a photo to the backside to create the ornament.

2. Macaroni Wreath Ornaments

Macaroni is a classic art project for kids. Cut a circle out of cardboard and cut out a center circle. Then, glue macaroni onto the cardboard. Once everything is dry, paint it green. You can add a ribbon bow and then add a photo to the center.

3. Perler Bead Ornament

If you’re looking to make your own photo ornaments, consider using Perler beads. Line up Perler beads in a colorful arrangement, leaving a whole to make a frame. Use an iron to heat the beads to melt them together. Glue or tape a photo to the backside of the Perler bead ornament.

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4. Pinecone Elf Ornament

After taking a nature walk, you can gather a few pinecones for this ornament. You can paint them and use pipe cleaners to make the arms and legs of the elf. Then, use felt to make a face with a hat. When you cut out the circular face, glue a small portrait picture to turn the subject into an elf.

5. Cornstarch Dough Ornament

Similar to salt dough ornaments, you can make cornstarch dough ornaments. To make this free DIY photo ornament, combine cornstarch, baking soda and water. You can also use food dye to customize the color. After you cut and bake the frames, add your favorite pictures and attach ribbons to hang them on the tree.

Easy DIY Photo Ornaments

6. Pom Pom Wreath Ornament

If you’re looking for easy DIY photo ornaments for Christmas that kids can make, a pom pom wreath ornament is a great option. Use cardboard or felt as the backing and cut out a wreath shape. Then, glue green pom poms to the base with red ones intermixed to act as holly berries. Finish off with a ribbon and a photo inside the hole.

7. Felt Snowflake Ornament

Felt snowflakes are fun DIY photo ornaments for adults to try this holiday season. Draw snowflake designs on felt twice and cut them out. Sew the sides together, leaving a small gap to add stuffing. Sew up the small gap, then add a picture in the center.

8. Gold Leaf Ornament

If you’re a fan of glitzy holiday decorations, you can try using gold leaf. You can purchase gold leaf sheets from a craft store. Apply gold leaf sheets to a picture frame for a stylish and chic ornament that will glitter under the Christmas lights.

9. Painted Globe Ornaments

In search of Christmas painting ideas? Consider making painted globe ornaments. These are great DIY photo ornaments for adults to try during the holiday season. Purchase a globe ornament and insert your favorite photo. Then, paint the outside of the globe with your favorite holiday design.

10. Fabric-Printed Ornaments

How do you transfer a picture onto an ornament? One option is to transfer your photos onto fabric. You can use an inkjet printer to print photos onto fabric. Then, you can embroider a little design and make stuffed Christmas ornaments. You can display all your favorite memories with this Christmas tree decorating idea.

DIY Photo Ornaments With Paper

11. Beaded Wreath Ornament

With these DIY photo ornaments with paper, all you have to do is print out your favorite photos on photo paper. Cut the photo into a unique shape and attach a piece of invisible string. Then, bead a wire to make a wreath and bend it around the photo to create a floating photo wreath ornament.

12. Paper Medallion Ornament

All you need for this DIY ornament is a few colors of construction paper. Fold the paper accordion-style and glue the sides together to create a circular medallion. Then, print out your favorite photos from a printer, cut them into small circles and glue them into the center of the medallion.

13. Printed Polaroid Ornament

Use your favorite polaroids in Christmas art projects. You can add a construction paper backing and punch a hole in the paper. Then, add a ribbon to hang these easy DIY photo ornaments on your tree.

14. Photo Block Ornament

Can’t decide on a photo to use? This DIY photo ornament with paper will solve your problem. Use construction paper to make a block and decorate each side however you want. Print out photos and cut them down to size, gluing them to each side of the photo block. Add a ribbon to the top to hang it.

15. Paper Angel Ornament

This is a great project for kids to do during the holiday season. Use construction paper, music sheets and scrapbook paper to make a paper angel. Then, print out portrait photos and cut out the faces. Glue them to the head to turn your favorite people into angels.

DIY Acrylic Photo Ornaments

16. Acrylic Disk Ornaments

You can purchase a pack of acrylic disks to turn into DIY acrylic photo ornaments. You can print photos onto photo transfer paper or printable vinyl and attach them to the disk ornaments. With this method, you can also create floating photos to show off the clear ornaments.

17. Snow Globe Ornament

Here's how to make a photo ornament ball. Purchase acrylic globe ornaments to turn into a snow globe. Get all the little tidbits and knickknacks like snowmen and photos and glue them to the lid. Insert a picture as well as some fake snow and secure the lid so it’s tight. When you shake it, it’ll look like it's snowing and look like snow on the ground when its still.

18. Decorated Frame Ornaments

For a simple ornament, you can purchase acrylic picture frames. Then, turn them into DIY Acrylic photo ornaments with charms to make a stylish and on-theme frame to hang on the tree.

DIY Photo Ornaments on Wood

19. Wood Shape Ornaments

How do you print pictures on ornaments? You can transfer photos onto wood shapes using Mod Podge. Purchase wood shapes from a craft store to transfer the photo onto. You can leave it natural or paint the sides, then add ribbon to hang them from the tree.

20. Popsicle Stick Train Ornament

Easy and crafty DIY photo ornaments for kids include turning popsicle sticks into trains. Cut them to size and assemble them into a train shape and glue them all together. Add a photo to the engine window to make it look like the kids are driving the train.

21. Wood Slice Ornament

Wood slices are a great way to add a natural and rustic touch to holiday decor. You can transfer photos to the front of the wood slice for DIY photo ornaments on wood. Attach a ribbon to the back of the ornament so you can hang them on the tree.

22. Lollipop Ornament

Turn a popsicle stick into a lollipop by painting candy stripes on the front. Then, use a circular woodcut, as the candy on top. Print out a picture and glue it to finish these DIY photo ornaments for Christmas. You can also add a bit of cellophane around the head to make it look more like a real lollipop.

23. Popsicle Stick Sled Ornament

Popsicle craft sticks are a great material for DIY photo ornaments. Assemble them into a sled shape and glue them together. Print out a winter photo and cut it into shapes and glue it onto the body of the sled to create DIY photo ornaments on wood.

24. Embroidery Hoop Ornament

Purchase embroidery hoops from a craft store. You can print photos onto fabric or embroider a frame on the fabric to stick a photo into. If you're really artsy, you can embroider the photo! You can also decorate embroidery hoops to look like a wreath. Using embroidery hoops also makes great Christmas door decorating ideas for a festive entrance to your home.

25. Wood Burnt Ornament

If you want to try a new hobby, consider doing wood burning to make DIY Christmas ornaments. You can purchase kits and wood slices from craft stores. Burn a design into the wood fronts to create a frame. Then, print out a photo to transfer onto the wood for a textured ornament.

The holiday season is all about surrounding yourself with the ones you love; what better way to do this than with DIY photo ornaments? Whether you use wood, acrylic or paper as your base, you have plenty of ways to decorate your trees with your favorite photos and memories through the years. A Christmas tree and Christmas decor that’s personalized will make the holiday feel even more cozy and filled with love. Use these DIY photo ornaments for a joyful Christmas.

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