The holidays aren’t just about decking the halls—they’re about making the halls sparkle with your own creativity. This year, let’s celebrate Christmas Craftmas with 10 fun, budget-friendly projects that bring rustic charm, cozy vibes, and a sprinkle of whimsy to your home. Grab your glue gun, pour some cocoa, and let’s craft our way to Christmas cheer!
Read more: Christmas Craftmas: Handmade Holiday Magic on a Budget1. Jingle Bell Snowman Ornaments
Supplies:
- White wooden or plastic beads
- Small jingle bells
- Ribbon or string
- Acrylic paint or Sharpie markers
- Hot glue or craft glue
- Mini pom poms and pipe cleaners
How-to:
- Paint or draw a snowman face on the white bead using markers or paint
- Thread ribbon or string through the bead and the bell
- Glue the bead securely to the top of the bell
- Wrap a small piece of ribbon around the “neck” as a scarf
- Bend a pipe cleaner into an arch and glue pom poms on each end to make earmuffs
- Hang on the tree or tie onto a gift for a jingly, jolly touch
Bonus idea: Add a tag that says “Snow glad we’re friends!” for a sweet handmade gift topper
2. Candle on Wood
Supplies:
- Wood slice (about 3–5 inches wide)
- Votive candle holder (glass or metal)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Greenery sprigs (pine, cedar, etc.)
- Mini pine cones and red berries
- Optional: Small bells or festive ribbon
How-to:
- Hot glue the votive candle holder to the center of the wood slice
- Arrange greenery, pine cones, and berries along the front edge
- Secure with hot glue, layering for fullness
- Add a ribbon bow or tiny bells for extra charm
- Place a tea light inside and enjoy the glow
Bonus idea: Add a tag that says “Warm wishes” or “Glow & Be Merry” for a sweet handmade gift or table favor
3. Pom-Pom Letter Ornaments
Supplies:
- Mini pom-poms (holiday colors or rainbow fun)
- Cardboard, foam, or wood letters (first initials work great!)
- Glue and ribbon or string
How-to:
- Cover the letter shape with glue
- Stick pom-poms all over—no pattern required, just joy
- Add a ribbon loop to hang it on the tree or a gift
Bonus idea: Spell out a word like “JOY” or “LOVE” and hang it across the mantel.
4. Rustic Snowman Decor
Supplies:
- Wood
- Jingle bells
- Hot Glue
- Paint and sandpaper
- Pearls or pom poms
- Small hat or burlap ribbon to make one
How-to:
- Paint the wood block or base, then lightly sand once dry to give it a distressed, rustic charm
- Stack and glue jingle bells vertically to form the snowman’s body
- Attach a small hat to the top bell for a festive touch
- Finish by gluing pearls or pom-poms around the snowman to mimic falling snow
Bonus idea: Add a tiny scarf or sprinkle glitter on the base for extra holiday sparkle.
5. Word Block Ornament
Supplies:
- Small wood blocks (paintable)
- Acrylic paint (holiday colors)
- Letter beads (to spell JOY, NOEL, etc.
- Strong craft glue
- Eye hook
- Ribbon for hanging
How-to:
- Paint the wood blocks in festive colors and let them dry
- Stack the blocks vertically with glue to form your ornament base
- Glue letter beads onto the front to spell out words like JOY or NOEL
- Screw an eye hook into the top of the stack
- Tie on a ribbon loop for hanging on the tree or a gift and add a bow
Bonus idea: Swap the letter “O” for a jingle bell to add extra holiday charm and sparkle.
6. Oyster Shell Ornaments
Supplies:
- Clean oyster shells
- Glittered temporary tattoos (holiday or whimsical designs)
- Mod Podge (for sealing)
- Metallic gold acrylic paint
- Small paintbrush
- Drill for hanging hole
- Ribbon for hanging
How-to:
- Apply glittered tattoo to the smooth inner surface of the oyster shell
- Brush Mod Podge over the tattooed area to seal and protect the design
- Trim the shell edges with metallic gold paint for a luxe finish
- Drill a small hole at the top of the shell
- Tie on a ribbon loop for hanging on the tree or gifts
Bonus idea: Embellish with pom-poms, pearls, or layered ribbons to make each ornament unique and stand out.
7. Photo Block Ornament
Supplies:
- Medium wood block
- Acrylic paint (holiday colors or neutrals)
- Printed photos (sized to fit each side)
- Mod Podge + brush
- Cardstock (for top and bottom panels)
- Strong craft glue
- Eye hook
- Ribbon for hanging
How-to:
- Paint the wood block and let it dry completely
- Mod Podge a photo onto each side of the block, smoothing out any bubbles
- Cut cardstock to fit the top and bottom, then glue in place for a polished finish
- Screw an eye hook into the top of the block
- Tie on a ribbon loop to hang on the tree
- Add a bow and/or beads for extra charm
Bonus idea: Use family Christmas photos from different years to create a “memory block” ornament.
8. Melting Snowman
Supplies:
- Round wood slice
- White acrylic paint
- Ping pong ball (for the snowman’s head)
- Permanent marker or paint pens (to draw the face)
- Small sticks (for arms)
- Mini hat (felt or store-bought)
- Buttons
- Fabric scraps (for scarf)
- Strong craft glue
How-to:
- Paint the wood slice white to create the “melting snow” base
- Draw a snowman face on the ping pong ball with marker or paint pens
- Glue the ping pong ball onto the wood slice
- Attach stick arms to the sides of the ball
- Add a mini hat on top and glue buttons to the wood slice “body”
- Tie a fabric scrap around the ball as a scarf
Bonus idea: Sprinkle glitter on the wood slice for a frosty effect or add tiny accessories (like a broom or earmuffs) to make your snowman extra whimsical.
9. Ornament Art
Supplies:
- Photo frame (5×7 or 8×10)
- Festive fabric (to cover the glass front)
- Small ornament (whole or cut flat)
- Optional decorative fillers (faux snow, glitter, sequins)
- Berries, greenery, or mini pine sprigs
- Strong craft glue or hot glue
How-to:
- Place fabric in front of the glass to create a cozy background
- Attach an ornament (or cut ornament piece) to the center of the frame
- Add faux snow, glitter, or sequins inside for a snowglobe effect
- Embellish around the ornament with berries, greenery, or pine sprigs
- Secure everything with glue and let dry
- Display on a mantel or shelf
Bonus idea: Layer multiple ornaments or add a mini string of fairy lights inside the frame for extra sparkle and dimension.
10. Holiday Trees
Supplies:
- Styrofoam cone (or make your own with rolled construction paper)
- Cinnamon sticks (for a rustic look)
- Yarn (any color—classic green, white, or even rainbow fun)
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- Optional: Mini pom-poms, beads, or sequins for “ornaments”
How-to:
- Use a styrofoam cone or roll construction paper into a cone shape as your base
- Glue cinnamon sticks vertically around the cone for a rustic, fragrant tree
- Or wrap yarn tightly around the cone, securing with glue as you go
- Add embellishments like pom-poms, beads, or sequins for festive decorations
Bonus idea: Make a set of trees in different sizes and display them together as a cozy holiday forest centerpiece.
Wrapping Up Christmas Craftmas
And there you have it—10 merry little projects to make this season sparkle! Whether you’re hot-gluing pom-poms with the kids, painting rustic snowmen, or turning oyster shells into glittery treasures, each craft is a chance to slow down, laugh, and create memories that last longer than the holiday lights.
Christmas isn’t about perfect décor—it’s about the joy tucked into every handmade detail. So grab your ribbon, pour some cocoa, and let your creativity shine.
💌 Your turn: Which craft will you try first? Share your creations in the comments or tag me on Instagram—I’d love to see your Craftmas magic!
With coffee in one hand and a painted ornament in the other,
💛Bethany