14 DIY Christmas Tree Decorations

If you’ve got a sad, unadorned naked tree begging to be decorated, but would rather not spend money on ornaments, we’ve got a few great DIY decorations that are sure to make your Christmas tree look fabulous! We are putting our DIY skills to the test; join us in trying these 14 DIY Christmas tree decorations ideas!

Ornaments

Credit: Origami Ornaments by How About Orange

1. Upcycled Ornaments

Do you have a box of old ornaments that are a little too traditional and maybe the type of decorations your parents (or grandparents) would’ve loved? If you want to switch up your tree’s look without purchasing an entire new set of decorations, take those old ornaments and upcycle them! You can paint over them, paper-mache them, or collage them with your favorite pictures to turn them into entirely new and unique ornaments!

2. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are great for making flat-shaped ornaments or even tiny statue ornaments! You likely have all the necessary ingredients sitting in your pantry: all-purpose flour, salt, and warm water. Make your dough and mold the ornament into whatever shape you like. After some time in the oven, let them cool off and decorate them to your heart's desire. We love this simple how-to guide by Wholefully!

3. Macrame Ornaments

This one is for the baddies with weaving abilities. These macrame ornaments are so cute and (with the right walkthrough video) surprisingly simple to make! For this DIY, you’ll need macrame string and, depending on the type of ornament you make, some additional supplies. Check what you have at home and work from there. This video by Marching North will guide you through how to make a macrame gnome, tree, star, and ring ornament! 

4. Fringe Ornaments

Fringe isn’t just a hot wardrobe necessity, it’s also a versatile decorating design. Fringe ornaments can either give your Christmas tree a cute vintage look or a fun and playful vibe depending on your color and styling choices. You can even use fabric strings, beads, or leftover tinsel to make your fringe ornaments. Make a fringe tassel or add fringe accents to a tree ball. This Victorian fringe ball DIY and this 5-minute tassel DIY are great examples!

5. Tiny Canvas Ornament

An art easel ornament is a great way to show off your painting skills and add a personal touch to your tree. Take a tiny canvas and paint whatever image you’d like to display on your tree. It can be a holiday icon, a recreation of a picture you love, or if you don’t think your painting skills are up to par, create a mini photo collage on the canvas! String up the canvas itself, or add it to a tiny easel and put it up on the tree. This can also be a fun activity to partake in with your friends and family! Check out this DIY guide by A Beautiful Mess.

6.Jar Ornaments

Are you one of those people who hoards empty jars because you know eventually you will find a purpose for them? Now is your time to shine! If you have smaller, lighter-weight jars, you can fill them up with aromatic herbs, leftover tinsel, or paint them and string them onto your tree. You can also take the lids of these jars and paint them or decorate them to create upcycled jar-lid ornaments! This DIY Mason Jar lid ornament by The Everyday Home is exactly what we’re talking about!

7. Origami Ornaments

Origami is a beautiful practice, and a handmade origami ornament is sure to make your tree stand out. This Japanese artform can be done using paper you might already have in your home. You can make any type of ornament with origami folding. These tiny origami Santas are insanely cute! Learn how to make them with this DIY guide by How About Orange. 

8. Felt Ornaments & Garlands

Felt ornaments and garlands will add a homey and cozy vibe to your Christmas tree. If you have some extra felt in your arts-and-crafts box, come up with your own original designs and color palette and hand sew or machine-sew your ornaments together. You can also follow a step by step guide and take inspo from felt ornament pictures on Pinterest! 

Garlands

Credit: Dried Citrus Garland by Spook Fork Bacon

9. Dried Citrus Garland

Dried citrus garlands will make your house smell amazing and make your tree look rustic! All you need to create dried citrus garlands are some oranges, a stitching needle, scissors, a string to hold them together, and any additional accessories or details you’d like to add! This how-to by Spoon Fork Bacon will guide you through the simple process of making this delicious garland. 

10. Dried Flowers Garland

Dried flower garlands are another deliciously-scented garland that will bring yummy aromas into your home and is a great way to give a second life to some not-so-alive flowers. Dried flower garlands are a romantic look and all you need are some dried flowers, string or rope, and a hot glue gun. You can also just take some fresh or dried flowers and place them in your tree as ornaments. Check out this tutorial by French Country Cottage.

11. Pine Cone Garland

If you live in an area where there are lots of pinecones decorating nature’s floor outside this time of year, this DIY has the material provided by beautiful mother Earth! You’ll need some pinecones, string, and any additional accessories you want to add to make a pinecone garland. This DIY tutorial by Clean and Scentsible will help you create an adorable rustic garland using pinecones and cranberries. 

Tree Toppers

Credit: Twig Tree Topper by Ravelry

12. Pom Pom Tree Topper

If you’d rather replace the classic star tree topper, switch it out for a colorful pom pom topper! You’ll probably stall putting this at the top of your tree because it’ll be so much fun to play with, but once you manage to get it up there, everyone will be asking where you got that super cool tree topper! This DIY tutorial by Sugar and Cloth calls for styrofoam balls, but, for a susty alternative, can be replaced with crumpled newspaper, a round konjac sponge, or another soft, spherical object.

13. Twig Tree Topper

Step outside and collect some twigs for a rustic take on the star-shaped tree topper. For this DIY, you’ll need some twigs, string, wire, and something to cut the twigs down to your preferred size, like shears. Decorate with any other pretty woodland elements you may find while you’re picking up sticks on your Hot Girl nature walk. Try out this guide by Red Heads Craft More Fun.

14. Knitted Santa Hat Topper

For the girlies who have mastered knitting, a Santa hat tree topper is the perfect DIY project for the holiday season. You’ll need some yarn knitting needles, and a pattern (unless you’re way cooler than the rest of us and can knit the hat free hand). Try out this free pattern by Ravelry!

How are you decorating your Christmas tree this year?