About
DIY Christmas Ornaments is a free resource for handmade Christmas tree ornaments. The tutorials are written for people making their first ornament with scissors and craft glue, and for anyone who wants a few new ideas for the tree this year.
What the site covers
- Easy ornaments for a first project: yarn-wrapped shapes, pom-poms, craft sticks and mini wreaths, plus a simple starter kit of supplies.
- Paper, felt and fabric ornaments: layered stars, strip balls and cone trees in paper, stitched felt shapes, and fabric projects with and without sewing.
- Natural and painted ornaments: pinecones, twigs, cinnamon sticks and wood slices, and painted designs on blank wooden shapes and air-dry clay.
- Techniques and personal touches: hanging loops, embellishment, finishing, storage, and ways to add a name, an initial or a year.
If you are new, a good place to begin is Easy Christmas Ornaments for Beginners, followed by the starter kit of supplies and the guide to hanging loops. The full list is on the Tutorials page.
How the projects are designed
Every project on the site uses cold methods only: craft glue, glue stick, double-sided tape, thread, knots and drying at room temperature. Nothing is heated at any stage of any project.
The ornaments are original designs built from generic motifs such as stars, trees, wreaths, hearts and snowflake-inspired shapes. They are described in text and shown in vector illustrations drawn for this site. The illustrations are simplified drawings, not photographs of finished ornaments, and they contain no readable text.
Measurements are given in inches with metric equivalents, and materials and tools are described by type rather than by brand. Making and drying times are approximate.
How the instructions are prepared
The instructions were written for this site and checked for consistency: that the materials list matches the steps, that the steps follow in a workable order and that the measurements agree with each other. Paper weights, felt thicknesses, glues and paints vary from one product to the next, so treat the sizes and times as a starting point and adapt them to your own materials.
The site does not publish invented reviews, ratings or testimonials, and no project is presented as anything other than a set of written instructions for you to try.
A note on safety
- Sharp tools such as scissors, craft knives, needles and garden snips are for adults. Keep them, and small parts such as beads, buttons and sequins, away from young children and pets.
- Ornaments made with natural materials are decorative only.
- Follow the label on every glue, paint and sealer you use, including its advice on ventilation and drying.
Corrections and suggestions
If a step is unclear, a measurement looks wrong or a link is broken, please use the form on the Contact page. Corrections are always welcome.