25 Easy Ideas for Homemade Christmas Decorations and Gifts
Give the festive season a personal touch this year with these make-your-own gifts, ornaments, wreaths and more
Feeling crafty? Embrace your creative side by choosing a few doable projects to make and give. From decorations and advent calendars to presents and gift wrap, here are 25 easy and creative ideas to try this festive season.
Hanging Hanukkah calendar
Celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah with a small gift to open after lighting the menorah. This wall hanging is made of boxes wrapped in paper stamped with an olive branch motif (symbolising peace) using an easy potato-print stamping technique.
Get the project instructions here
Celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah with a small gift to open after lighting the menorah. This wall hanging is made of boxes wrapped in paper stamped with an olive branch motif (symbolising peace) using an easy potato-print stamping technique.
Get the project instructions here
Paper advent garland
You can whip up this advent calendar in a matter of minutes. Simply tie small paper bags containing little gifts or chocolates with ribbon of varying lengths to a branch, and label each bag with a numbered tag. Embellish the branch with colourful string or paint if you wish, and hang it from the mantelpiece or on the wall.
You can whip up this advent calendar in a matter of minutes. Simply tie small paper bags containing little gifts or chocolates with ribbon of varying lengths to a branch, and label each bag with a numbered tag. Embellish the branch with colourful string or paint if you wish, and hang it from the mantelpiece or on the wall.
Rustic advent wall hanging
If you have a sewing machine, consider stitching up an advent calendar that can be reused from year to year. The one shown here uses nubby linen for a rustic look, with numbers stencilled onto the pockets with fabric paint.
If you have a sewing machine, consider stitching up an advent calendar that can be reused from year to year. The one shown here uses nubby linen for a rustic look, with numbers stencilled onto the pockets with fabric paint.
DIY Gifts to Make in Multiples
Teacup candles
Vintage mismatched teacups, pretty little bowls, ramekins – you can use just about any sort of container you want for this project.
You’ll need a few simple ingredients that can be ordered online (soy wax flakes, wicks, essential oils) or found in a well-stocked crafts store, and in an afternoon you can create enough lovely scented candles to give to everyone on your list.
Get the project instructions here
Teacup candles
Vintage mismatched teacups, pretty little bowls, ramekins – you can use just about any sort of container you want for this project.
You’ll need a few simple ingredients that can be ordered online (soy wax flakes, wicks, essential oils) or found in a well-stocked crafts store, and in an afternoon you can create enough lovely scented candles to give to everyone on your list.
Get the project instructions here
Winter bulb gifts
Keep supplies for these cute paper-wrapped bulbs on hand and you’ll never have to scramble for a hostess gift again. These also make a thoughtful small gift for neighbours, teachers and anyone else you’d like to thank.
Get the project instructions here
Keep supplies for these cute paper-wrapped bulbs on hand and you’ll never have to scramble for a hostess gift again. These also make a thoughtful small gift for neighbours, teachers and anyone else you’d like to thank.
Get the project instructions here
Dip-dyed baskets
Take a plain basket for a swim in paint and transform it into an on-trend home accessory that any friend on your list would love. For bonus points, use the dip-dyed baskets to hold a collection of goodies, such as treats for the kitchen or bathroom.
Get the project instructions here
Take a plain basket for a swim in paint and transform it into an on-trend home accessory that any friend on your list would love. For bonus points, use the dip-dyed baskets to hold a collection of goodies, such as treats for the kitchen or bathroom.
Get the project instructions here
Gifts from the kitchen
Seasonal loaf cakes and biscuits are festive favourites and for good reason – the recipients love them and they’re easy to make in multiples.
But if you don’t enjoy baking, don’t let that stop you from whipping up tasty treats from your kitchen to give as gifts. Instead, consider jars of homemade granola (still technically baking, but super easy) or your own special hot cocoa mix delivered with marshmallows and a wooden spoon.
Seasonal loaf cakes and biscuits are festive favourites and for good reason – the recipients love them and they’re easy to make in multiples.
But if you don’t enjoy baking, don’t let that stop you from whipping up tasty treats from your kitchen to give as gifts. Instead, consider jars of homemade granola (still technically baking, but super easy) or your own special hot cocoa mix delivered with marshmallows and a wooden spoon.
Handmade Ornaments
Hand-painted wood slice ornaments
Wood slices are available online and at most craft stores, or (for those handy with a saw) they can be created from fallen branches from your own garden. Paint a simple design (a tree or star) or word (noel, joy) on the wood with white craft paint, then drill a hole for hanging.
Get project instructions for 3 wood crafts here
Hand-painted wood slice ornaments
Wood slices are available online and at most craft stores, or (for those handy with a saw) they can be created from fallen branches from your own garden. Paint a simple design (a tree or star) or word (noel, joy) on the wood with white craft paint, then drill a hole for hanging.
Get project instructions for 3 wood crafts here
Clay cookie-cutter ornaments
These ornaments have a Scandinavian simplicity that looks beautiful on the tree or as embellishments on gifts. White air-drying clay (available at most craft stores) is easy to work with – simply roll it out and cut it just as you would biscuit dough. Use a straw to poke a round hole for string through the top, and leave to dry on waxed paper.
These ornaments have a Scandinavian simplicity that looks beautiful on the tree or as embellishments on gifts. White air-drying clay (available at most craft stores) is easy to work with – simply roll it out and cut it just as you would biscuit dough. Use a straw to poke a round hole for string through the top, and leave to dry on waxed paper.
Fill-your-own ornament
Clear-glass baubles ready to be filled are available by the boxful at most craft stores during the festive season. You can fill them with just about anything – feathers, confetti, pompoms and glitter work well.
If you’re feeling more ambitious, create a miniature piece of paper-cut art using a template (and some careful work with a craft knife) and pop it inside for a winter wonderland effect.
Get the project instructions here
Clear-glass baubles ready to be filled are available by the boxful at most craft stores during the festive season. You can fill them with just about anything – feathers, confetti, pompoms and glitter work well.
If you’re feeling more ambitious, create a miniature piece of paper-cut art using a template (and some careful work with a craft knife) and pop it inside for a winter wonderland effect.
Get the project instructions here
Felt ornaments
Wool felt is a lovely material to work with, and these ornaments couldn’t be easier. Use a simple template (a tree or star cookie cutter would work well) to trace and cut out shapes from a piece of felt. Thread a loop through the top using embroidery thread or twine, and slide a wooden bead onto the loop as a finishing touch.
Wool felt is a lovely material to work with, and these ornaments couldn’t be easier. Use a simple template (a tree or star cookie cutter would work well) to trace and cut out shapes from a piece of felt. Thread a loop through the top using embroidery thread or twine, and slide a wooden bead onto the loop as a finishing touch.
Wreaths and Decorations
Natural wreath
Using a wire wreath form and a bundle of foliage sprigs (either purchased at a florist or gathered from your garden), create your own festive seasonal wreath to adorn your door all winter long.
Get the project instructions here
Natural wreath
Using a wire wreath form and a bundle of foliage sprigs (either purchased at a florist or gathered from your garden), create your own festive seasonal wreath to adorn your door all winter long.
Get the project instructions here
Candle lanterns
A quick wrap with corrugated paper and a few punches with a decorative hole punch and you can transform plain votive candles (or even candles in recycled jars) into festive lighting for your next Christmas party.
Get the project instructions here
A quick wrap with corrugated paper and a few punches with a decorative hole punch and you can transform plain votive candles (or even candles in recycled jars) into festive lighting for your next Christmas party.
Get the project instructions here
Citrus menorah
Looking for something a little different to adorn your Hanukkah table this year? Consider this quick, easy (and totally natural) DIY menorah created from fresh oranges and limes. As the candles heat, the citruses will release their delicious scents – and if you need to perk up the menorah, it’s as simple as cutting a fresh piece of fruit.
Get the project instructions here
Looking for something a little different to adorn your Hanukkah table this year? Consider this quick, easy (and totally natural) DIY menorah created from fresh oranges and limes. As the candles heat, the citruses will release their delicious scents – and if you need to perk up the menorah, it’s as simple as cutting a fresh piece of fruit.
Get the project instructions here
Rustic Christmas card display
This easy festive card hanger is super-quick to set up. Simply hang a length of chicken wire from the wall and use clothes pegs to attach your cards. Done!
This easy festive card hanger is super-quick to set up. Simply hang a length of chicken wire from the wall and use clothes pegs to attach your cards. Done!
Ornament tree
Branches, either foraged from your garden or picked up from the florist, make a lovely and long-lasting seasonal display when placed in a glass vessel and adorned with ornaments.
If your arrangement seems top-heavy, partially fill the vase with hard sweets or colourful marbles to weight it down.
Branches, either foraged from your garden or picked up from the florist, make a lovely and long-lasting seasonal display when placed in a glass vessel and adorned with ornaments.
If your arrangement seems top-heavy, partially fill the vase with hard sweets or colourful marbles to weight it down.
Chalk-paint planter
Make over a plain planter with a coat of blackboard paint, and write a festive message on it with white chalk pen. Plant a tiny living Christmas tree inside for a fresh display that will cheer up your room all season long.
Make over a plain planter with a coat of blackboard paint, and write a festive message on it with white chalk pen. Plant a tiny living Christmas tree inside for a fresh display that will cheer up your room all season long.
Christmas backdrop
With a little paint, a board (or even a large piece of paper) can be transformed into a backdrop perfect for festive photographs. If using a board, paint it white and allow it to dry. Then use a stamp with a wintry motif to print a repeating pattern in black.
A small board can work as wall art or as an accent behind interior vignettes, as seen here, while a larger board, paper or canvas can be used as a smile-booth background during a party or family gathering.
With a little paint, a board (or even a large piece of paper) can be transformed into a backdrop perfect for festive photographs. If using a board, paint it white and allow it to dry. Then use a stamp with a wintry motif to print a repeating pattern in black.
A small board can work as wall art or as an accent behind interior vignettes, as seen here, while a larger board, paper or canvas can be used as a smile-booth background during a party or family gathering.
Candy trees
If your taste for Christmas table settings runs towards the fun and over-the-top, consider this easy candy DIY for your next party. Pick up a few foam cones of varying heights from a craft store and use dabs of royal icing to completely cover them with rows of hard sweets and peppermints. Position the cones down the centre of the table and fill in with swags of greenery.
If your taste for Christmas table settings runs towards the fun and over-the-top, consider this easy candy DIY for your next party. Pick up a few foam cones of varying heights from a craft store and use dabs of royal icing to completely cover them with rows of hard sweets and peppermints. Position the cones down the centre of the table and fill in with swags of greenery.
Cloche decoration
A glass cloche can transform the simplest ornament into a statement. Fill yours with gold or silver baubles; a strand of twinkling lights; pinecones, or vintage bottlebrush trees, fake snow and deer figurines.
A glass cloche can transform the simplest ornament into a statement. Fill yours with gold or silver baubles; a strand of twinkling lights; pinecones, or vintage bottlebrush trees, fake snow and deer figurines.
Gift-wrapping Ideas
Recycled fabric gift wrap
Not only is fabric gift wrap environmentally friendly and economical, it’s also the easiest way to wrap oddly shaped gifts. If you sew, this is a great way to use up fabric scraps from your stash. But if you don’t have a fabric stash, you can still do this – a single pretty (but worn-out) sheet from a charity shop can yield tons of gift wrap.
Recycled fabric gift wrap
Not only is fabric gift wrap environmentally friendly and economical, it’s also the easiest way to wrap oddly shaped gifts. If you sew, this is a great way to use up fabric scraps from your stash. But if you don’t have a fabric stash, you can still do this – a single pretty (but worn-out) sheet from a charity shop can yield tons of gift wrap.
Potato stamp gift wrap
Potato stamps are simple to make, and a big hit with kids. Carve a simple design into a raw potato and use it to stamp your motif onto brown kraft paper to create your own wrapping paper.
Get 3 DIY gift wrap instructions here
Potato stamps are simple to make, and a big hit with kids. Carve a simple design into a raw potato and use it to stamp your motif onto brown kraft paper to create your own wrapping paper.
Get 3 DIY gift wrap instructions here
Silhouette art gift wrap
This elegant gift adornment takes some time to create, but makes a big impression. Start by taking a photo of your subject side-on. Next, print the picture on card stock and cut around the silhouette. Once you have your silhouette template, you can save it and use it many times.
See more ideas for personalised wrapping paper
This elegant gift adornment takes some time to create, but makes a big impression. Start by taking a photo of your subject side-on. Next, print the picture on card stock and cut around the silhouette. Once you have your silhouette template, you can save it and use it many times.
See more ideas for personalised wrapping paper
Photo-embellished gifts
Create a gift adornment and tag in one by affixing a photo of the gift recipient to the front of the package. Black-and-white photos printed on card stock look simple and elegant, and they’re less expensive to print than full-colour photos on glossy paper.
Are you planning any DIY projects this festive season? Please share your tips and ideas with other Houzzers in the Comments section.
Create a gift adornment and tag in one by affixing a photo of the gift recipient to the front of the package. Black-and-white photos printed on card stock look simple and elegant, and they’re less expensive to print than full-colour photos on glossy paper.
Are you planning any DIY projects this festive season? Please share your tips and ideas with other Houzzers in the Comments section.
Mini advent village
A tiny town of boxes filled with little treasures will enchant children and adults alike as you count down the days till Christmas.
Get the project instructions here