20 Homemade Christmas Decorations

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Quick answer: 20 Homemade Christmas Decorations. This guide gives 20 ideas in 4 sections: Paper Decorations; Salt Dough Decorations; Pine Cone and Natural Makes; Fabric and Felt Makes.

Written by the PinkDux Team. Last updated October 2026.

Making your own Christmas decorations is a lovely way to spend a dark afternoon, and the results often become the pieces you treasure most. They are also kind to your budget.

These twenty ideas use simple materials: paper, salt dough, pine cones and scraps of fabric. Some suit small children with a grown up nearby, and others are better for older children or adults.

Paper Decorations

Paper is cheap, cheerful and very forgiving, so it is the best place to start.

• Paper snowflakes: Fold a square of paper into eighths and snip shapes from the edges. Use child safe scissors and hang the finished flakes on thread or tape them to windows. You will need: white craft paper, kids safety scissors.
• Paper chain garlands: Cut strips, loop and glue them together in alternating colours. Hang them across a mantel or doorway. Glue sticks are tidier than liquid glue for little ones. You will need: coloured paper strips, glue sticks.
• Origami stars: Folded stars look more complicated than they are. Use thin, square origami paper and follow a simple online diagram, ideal for children aged eight and up. You will need: origami paper pack.
• Honeycomb paper balls: Fold flat honeycomb paper and it pops open into a lovely hanging ball. They store flat, so they are easy to reuse year after year. You will need: honeycomb paper balls.
• Paper cone trees: Roll a cone of green card, then decorate with stickers or sequins. A row of these on a shelf makes a cute woodland scene. You will need: green card sheets, sticky gem stickers.

Salt Dough Decorations

Salt dough is simple, cheap and fun to shape. Remember that it is not for eating.

• Classic salt dough ornaments: Mix plain flour, salt and water, roll it out and cut shapes. Bake low and slow until hard, then paint. Always keep it away from pets and babies. You will need: christmas cookie cutters, rolling pin.
• Handprint keepsakes: Press a child’s hand into a thick disc of dough before baking. Add the year on the back, and you have a sweet keepsake for the tree. You will need: acrylic craft paint.
• Gift tags from dough: Cut small rectangles, make a hole with a straw before baking and paint names on afterwards. They double as decorations on the tree. You will need: paint pens.
• Glittery dough stars: Once painted and dry, brush on a little craft glue and sprinkle with glitter. Let an adult handle glitter if there are very young children about. You will need: craft glitter.
• Varnished finish: A coat of clear varnish helps dough ornaments last for years. Seal both sides and let them dry fully before wrapping them up for storage. You will need: clear craft varnish.

Pine Cone and Natural Makes

A walk in the park can supply most of what you need.

• Frosted pine cones: Dab white paint onto the tips of dry cones and sprinkle a pinch of glitter. Pile them in a bowl or tie onto a wreath. You will need: white acrylic paint, small paintbrushes.
• Cinnamon stick bundles: Tie three or four sticks together with ribbon and a sprig of greenery. They smell lovely and look smart on napkins or parcels. You will need: cinnamon sticks.
• Twig stars: Tie five sticks into a star shape with twine. Make several in different sizes and hang them from a branch on a wall. You will need: natural jute string.
• Mini evergreen garland: Wire small cuttings of fir onto a rope. Keep the garland away from candles and replace it when the needles go dry. You will need: florist wire.
• Jam jar lanterns: Wrap a clean jar in twine and drop in a battery tea light. Never use a real flame for a decoration the children will handle. You will need: battery tea lights.

Fabric and Felt Makes

A few scraps and a needle go a long way.

• Felt Christmas trees: Cut simple triangles from green felt and sew or glue them together. Add a few buttons as baubles for adults to make, or use sequins for older children. You will need: green felt sheets.
• Fabric heart hangers: Cut two hearts from cotton fabric, sew round the edge and stuff lightly with wadding. Add a loop of ribbon to hang them. You will need: toy stuffing wadding, sewing kit.
• Pom pom garland: Wrap yarn round a cardboard strip, tie and snip. Join the pom poms on a long string for a soft garland in any colour. You will need: pom pom maker.
• Scrap fabric bunting: Cut triangles from old fabric and pin along a ribbon. It is a handy way to use up leftover material and looks very festive. You will need: bunting ribbon.
• Button wreath ornaments: Glue buttons onto a small ring of card in a mix of colours. Little hands will love picking out their favourites, though supervise closely with under threes. You will need: assorted buttons.

Helpful links and further reading

A few trusted places to find out more.

• Recycle Now: Find out what you can recycle and where, including wrapping and cards.
• WRAP: An environmental charity with ideas for cutting waste and food waste.

Frequently asked questions

What age can children make decorations?

Toddlers can press shapes into dough and stick on stickers with a grown up helping. Cutting and sewing suit older children. Always supervise and avoid small parts for under threes.

How long do salt dough ornaments last?

If fully dried, painted and varnished, they can last for many years. Store them somewhere dry, wrapped in tissue paper, and they should stay in good shape.

How can I make homemade decorations look neat?

Stick to a small colour palette, use the same ribbon on everything, and hang them in groups. A matching thread makes handmade pieces look intentional.

More ideas you might like

• Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
• Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids
• Christmas Wreath Ideas
• Christmas Window Decoration Ideas