Handmade ornaments are one of the easiest ways to make your tree feel like yours. This roundup collects eight of our own DIY Christmas ornament projects in one place, from paint-poured faux marble balls to little trees cut from paint stirrers. Most start with a plain clear ball ornament and supplies you can find at a craft store. Each one links to the full step-by-step tutorial.
Six of these projects came from our week-long series of clear ball ornament DIYs, and each of those can be finished in about 30 minutes. The clay and paint-stirrer ornaments take a little longer because of baking or glue drying time.
1. Paint inside clear ornaments (faux marble)
This is the most forgiving project on the list. Squeeze a few colors of paint inside a clear ball, cover the opening and swirl or shake it until the colors marble together. Then turn it upside down over a paper cup to drain. Every ornament comes out different, and you can’t really get it wrong.
See the full tutorial: how to paint inside clear Christmas ornaments
2. Gold leaf ornaments
Coat the inside of a clear ornament with paint and let it dry. Then draw a pattern on the outside with a glue stick, or spray the bottom with aerosol adhesive for a “dipped” look. Lay gold leaf over the glue and rub away the excess once it’s dry. The rough, imperfect finish is part of the charm. Add a coat of gloss sealer spray if you like.
See the full tutorial: DIY gold leaf ornaments
3. Greenery winter scene ornaments
Use the kind of clear ornament that splits in half. Paint faux snow onto one half (we added a pinch of fine white glitter), and once it’s dry, arrange sprigs of greenery, twigs and tiny pine cones inside. Close it up and hang it. It’s a thrifty one to do with kids, who can forage for the greenery outside.
See the full tutorial: greenery-themed ornaments
4. Texture-painted ornaments
A thick, heavy-bodied texture paint goes straight onto the outside of a clear ornament. Swirl it into patterns or drag it around the ball in one direction. You can mask off the bottom with painter’s tape for a textured dipped effect. We used DecoArt’s Americana Decor Texture paint in two metallic shades. It dried hard, and a clear sealer adds extra protection.
See the full tutorial: DIY texture-painted ornaments
5. Paint-stirrer Christmas tree ornaments
Free paint stirrers from the hardware store become small, rustic wooden trees. Glue three stirrers together with a small trunk piece, cut the tree shape with a rotary tool, sand it smooth, paint the trunk and drill a hole for the hanger. This is the most “tools” project here, so follow the safety notes in the tutorial.
See the full tutorial: paint-stirrer Christmas ornaments
6. Marbled clay Christmas tree ornaments
Twist black and white polymer clay together, roll it flat and cut out tree shapes with a homemade template. Poke a hanging hole with a toothpick, then bake following the directions on your clay package. These are shatterproof, which is handy if you have pets that bat at the tree. A few flecks of gold leaf foil make a nice optional finish.
See the full tutorial: marbled Christmas ornaments using clay
7. No-mess glitter ornaments
Swirl a little wood-floor cleaner (we used Murphy’s Oil Soap) around the inside of a clear ornament, drain it, then pour in glitter and turn the ball until it’s coated. The glitter is sealed inside, so it won’t shed all over your house once it’s done. Big, chunky glitter gave us the best result.
See the full tutorial: DIY no-mess glitter ornaments
8. Abstract alcohol ink ornaments
Paint the inside of a clear ornament as a base coat and let it dry. Then drip, squirt or “paint” alcohol ink over the outside. Let it run down, flip the ornament so the ink runs the other way, or draw squiggles for a graffiti-style look. Like any abstract project, there’s no wrong result.
See the full tutorial: alcohol ink glass ornaments
More ornament ideas
- Easy DIY wood bead ornaments: strung on thin craft wire, and a good one to make with kids.
- Stovetop potpourri ornaments: a clear ornament filled with dried potpourri ingredients that doubles as a gift.
- 21 easy clear Christmas ornament ideas: our clear-ball projects plus favorites from other craft bloggers.
More Christmas crafts
- How to make your own wrapping paper
- DIY washi tape and wood gift tags
- How to make a custom Cricut paper gift box
Tips for gifting or selling handmade ornaments
- Let everything cure fully before you box ornaments up. Paint inside a clear ball can take a while to dry completely, so leave the tops off until it has.
- Seal painted, gilded or glittered finishes with a clear sealer if they’ll be handled a lot.
- Pack glass ornaments carefully with tissue or in an egg carton or divided box. Plastic and clay versions travel better.
- Make potpourri ornaments close to giving them if you use any fresh ingredients. The tutorial explains why fully dried ingredients last longer.
- Add a tag naming what’s inside or how to care for it, and the year. Handmade ornaments often become keepsakes.
- If you’re selling, use your own designs or ones licensed for commercial use. Check the rules of any craft fair or marketplace you sell through.
Frequently asked questions
What are the easiest DIY ornaments to make?
The paint-poured faux marble, glitter and greenery ornaments are the simplest. You need a clear ball ornament, one main supply, and about 30 minutes, and none of them takes much skill.
What paint works inside clear ornaments?
In our tutorial we pour craft paint straight into the ornament, swirl it to cover the inside, and drain the excess into a paper cup so it dries evenly. Check the label of your paint for drying and surface guidance, and leave the top off until it’s completely dry.
Are plastic or glass clear ornaments better?
Both work for the projects above. Plastic is safer around kids and pets and better for gifts you’ll ship. For the winter scene and potpourri ornaments you need the kind that splits into two halves.
Can kids make these?
Yes. The greenery, wood bead and glitter ornaments are good with supervision. Leave the cutting and drilling in the paint-stirrer project to an adult.