25 Super Fun DIY Christmas Crafts

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Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

Happy holidays! If you're anything like me, you love adding personal touches to your holiday decor without spending a fortune.

I've put together 25 of my favorite DIY Christmas crafts that are perfect whether you're a crafting newbie or a seasoned pro. These projects have brought so much joy to my home, and I can't wait to share them with you!

Why I Love Making DIY Christmas Crafts

There's something magical about creating your own holiday decorations. Not only do you save money, but you also end up with pieces that have real meaning.

Plus, it's the perfect excuse to spend quality time with family or have a relaxing afternoon to yourself.

What I'm sharing with you:

• Easy crafts using materials you probably already have

• Projects I've actually made (and loved!)

• Gift ideas that people actually appreciate

• Budget-friendly options that don't look cheap

Custom Gift Wrap Ideas

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I used to think fancy gift wrap was only for people with time and money.

Then I discovered how easy it is to turn plain kraft paper into something beautiful! I grab some festive stamps and markers, add a few pine sprigs from my yard, and tie it all together with twine.

The handwritten notes are my favorite part – they make every gift feel extra special.

What you'll need: Kraft paper, stamps, markers, pine sprigs, twine

My tip: Hit up the dollar store for stamps – they work just as well as the expensive ones!

Mason Jar Snow Globes

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

These are hands-down one of my favorite projects to make with kids.

I grab some mason jars (I always have extras in my cupboard), add little Christmas figurines, faux snow, and glycerin.

When you shake them up, it's pure magic!

Here's how I make them:

1. Glue your figurines to the inside of the jar lid

2. Fill the jar with water and a bit of glycerin

3. Add your glitter or faux snow

4. Seal it tight and give it a shake!

Heads up: If mason jars aren't your thing, you can find traditional snow globes on Amazon too.

Natural Holiday Wreaths

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

Every fall, I take a walk around my neighborhood and collect pine cones and interesting branches.

Come Christmas time, I turn them into wreaths!

It's free, it's eco-friendly, and honestly, these wreaths look way better than the generic ones at the store.

Where I find my materials:

• My backyard (seriously, check yours first!)

• Local parks (just ask permission)

• Craft stores if I need to fill in gaps

My go-to decorations: Red berries, plaid ribbon, and those gorgeous pine cones

Handmade Christmas Ornaments

Credit: KaiHina Coastal via Etsy

I live at the beach. I started making these handmade shell ornaments with my kids a few years ago. And now we have ornaments that capture a part of where we absolutely love to live.

Every year when we unpack them, we remember exactly when we made each one.

Now depending on where you live, you can simply gather and use the materials outside in your environment that’s unique to where you live and create a special ornament. You can even turn this into a yearly tradition, like we did!

Also, you can use general crafting materials like felt, paint wooden shapes, or even make salt dough ornaments.

Designs I love:

• Simple felt snowflakes (so easy!)

• Painted wooden circles

• Glitter-covered clear baubles

• Classic salt dough shapes

Pro tip from experience: Write the year on the back. Trust me, you'll love looking back at them!

Pinecone and Berry Table Centerpiece

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

This is my secret weapon for making my dining table look magazine-worthy without spending much. I arrange pine cones and faux berries on a wooden bowl, tuck in some evergreen branches, and add a few candles. Done!

What works for me:

• A large wooden bowl from Etsy if you have a big table

• Driftwood candle holders for smaller spaces

My hack: I use small pieces of styrofoam to hold everything in place without damaging my nice wooden pieces.

DIY Advent Calendar

Credit: Tymofii Wood Craft via Etsy

I'll be honest. I saw those fancy advent calendars online and thought "I can make that!"

Mine might not be Pinterest-perfect, but my kids absolutely love opening a surprise every day leading up to Christmas.

What I put inside:

• Small chocolates or candy

• Activity cards like "Family movie night" or "Make hot cocoa"

• Tiny toys from the dollar store

• Sweet little notes

Real talk: Instead of making one elaborate house structure, I bought small wooden houses and created an advent village. So much easier! Or if you’re pressed for time or think this might be beyond your skillset, Etsy has a great selection from different handmade sellers where I am sure you could find one you love (like the pic above).

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Felt Christmas Tree Decorations

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I love these because they're safe, soft, and perfect if you have little kids or pets.

I cut out simple shapes like trees and stars in red, green, and gold.

They're nearly impossible to mess up!

Shapes I make: Trees, stars, ornaments, gingerbread people, stockings

Recycled Christmas Card Crafts

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I used to feel guilty throwing away beautiful Christmas cards.

Now I turn them into garlands and gift tags! It's a great way to preserve memories while being kind to the planet.

My favorite ways to reuse them:

• Cut them into triangles and string them into garland

• Punch a hole and use as gift tags

• Frame the prettiest ones

• Make them into postcards for next year

Personalized Holiday Stockings

Credit: MrTenStudio via Etsy

A few Christmases ago, I decided to make stockings for everyone in my family.

They're not perfect, but they're OURS.

I used felt and old sweaters, added everyone's names, and now they're my favorite decorations.

You'll need: Fabric, thread, ribbon, buttons, embroidery supplies

Confession: I'm not a great seamstress, but these turned out adorable anyway!

Hand-painted Holiday Candles

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

This one's so simple but looks impressive!

I buy plain white pillar candles and paint them with acrylics.

Snowmen, trees, reindeer. Whatever I'm feeling.

They make great gifts too!

What I've learned:

• Plain white candles are your friend

• Acrylic paint sticks perfectly

• Put down newspaper first (learned this the hard way!)

• Let them dry overnight

Display idea: I group mine on a tray with pine branches and a few ornaments

DIY Cardboard Christmas Village

Credit: SmilerMercantile via Etsy

This started as a "let's keep the kids busy" project and turned into something I actually want to display!

We use cereal boxes, paper towel tubes, and glass jars to build a little village. You can also find DIY kits on Etsy if you don’t have these specific materials on hand.

Add battery-powered tea lights, and it's magical.

Start saving these:

• Cereal boxes and cracker boxes

• Paper towel and toilet paper tubes

• Glass jars of any size

• Random cardboard packaging

For decorating: We use paint, glitter, cotton balls for snow, and bottle caps for little ponds

Snowflake Window Clings

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I live where it doesn't snow much, so I make my own!

You can buy these ready-made, but I actually enjoy making them with white puffy paint on wax paper.

My DIY method:

1. Draw snowflakes on wax paper with puffy paint

2. Wait 24 hours (patience is key here!)

3. Peel them off and stick to windows

Bonus: They're reusable year after year!

Handmade Christmas Cards

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

Store-bought cards are fine, but handmade ones mean so much more.

I'm not artistic, but I can stamp and doodle enough to make something pretty!

My friends always tell me they keep these cards.

Ideas I use:

• Simple stamped designs (easiest!)

• Hand-drawn doodles (imperfect is charming)

• Collages from scrapbook paper

• Pop-up cards when I'm feeling ambitious

Gift Tags from Scrap Materials

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

After wrapping presents, I always have scraps everywhere. Instead of tossing them, I cut them into gift tags!

Zero waste and zero cost.

What I use:

• Leftover wrapping paper

• Old Christmas cards from last year

• Brown kraft paper

• Ribbon ends

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Popcorn and Berry Christmas Garland

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

My grandma used to make popcorn garland, so this one's nostalgic for me.

I pop some corn, grab faux berries, and string them together while watching holiday movies.

It's meditative and the result is beautiful.

Grandma's tip: Let the popcorn sit out for a day before stringing it so it won't break as easily

My modern twist: Sometimes I add gold beads or small jingle bells

Fairy Light Mason Jars

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

These are scattered all over my house in December!

I fill mason jars with battery-operated fairy lights and add little touches like glitter or pine cones.

They create the coziest glow.

How I make them:

1. Grab a clear mason jar

2. Stuff in some battery-operated lights

3. Add whatever looks pretty (glitter, snow, pine cones)

4. Done!

Note: Make sure your battery pack fits or can slide under the lid

Glitter Table Runner

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I made one of these for Christmas dinner last year and everyone asked where I bought it.

I just took an old white gauzy table runner, and glued glitter patterns in different colors all over.

The sparkle catches the candlelight perfectly and makes everything feel more festive.

I use it for: Christmas dinner, holiday parties, and even New Year's Eve

Painted Christmas Rocks

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

This started as a kids' craft, but I got totally into it!

I paint smooth rocks to look like snowmen, reindeer, and Christmas trees.

They're adorable in a bowl on my coffee table.

What I paint: Snowmen, reindeer, Christmas trees, ornaments, candy canes

Display idea: Put them in a glass bowl with some string lights woven around them

Snowman Family Decoration

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I made a snowman family that represents everyone in my household.

Dad snowman has a top hat, Mom snowman has a scarf, and the kids each have their own personalities.

It's become a cherished decoration.

You'll need: White felt or fabric, buttons, fabric scraps, twigs.

Also, you might need some sewing skills, either by hand or sewing machine. I made the little scarves and hats with a sewing machine and then hand-sewn the bodies together. This is not necessarily a beginner level Christmas craft.

Embroidered Holiday Pillow Covers

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I change out my throw pillow covers for the holidays, and these handmade ones are my favorites.

Even if you're new to embroidery, simple designs like snowflakes look beautiful.

Easy designs I recommend: Snowflakes, simple tree shapes, reindeer silhouettes, "Merry Christmas" text

Mini Christmas Tree Centerpiece

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I have a small tabletop tree that I decorate differently each year.

This year I'm going with a rustic theme, but I've done glamorous silver and whimsical with tiny bears too!

Styling options I've tried:

• Traditional red and gold

• Modern silver and white

• Rustic with natural elements

• Whimsical with little figurines

Scented Cinnamon Ornaments

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

These make my whole tree smell amazing!

I fill clear glass ornaments with cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, and star anise.

Every time the heat kicks on, the scent releases.

Two ways I make them:

1. Fill clear baubles with dried spices and citrus

2. Soak wooden ornaments in cinnamon essential oil

My favorite combo: Cinnamon and orange – smells like Christmas!

Gingerbread House Decorating

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I buy the kits from the store because, let's be real, I'm not baking gingerbread from scratch!

But decorating them is so much fun. It's messy, hilarious, and always creates the best memories.

What I stock up on: Royal icing, gumdrops, peppermints, candy canes, sprinkles, pretzel sticks

Gift idea: Wrap the finished house in cellophane with a big bow!

Embellished Picture Frames

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

I take cheap frames from the dollar store and dress them up with ribbon and small ornaments.

Then I display winter photos or my kids' holiday artwork in them.

Where I use them: On the mantel, in a gallery wall arrangement, or as gifts for grandparents

Tinsel-Wrapped Light-Up Bottles

Credit: Celeste Monroe Creative Studios

This is my favorite upcycling project!

I save wine bottles throughout the year, wrap them in tinsel, and add fairy lights inside.

They look way more expensive than they are!

Here's my process:

1. Clean bottles and remove labels completely

2. Wrap with tinsel or ribbon

3. Drop in battery-operated lights

4. Add pine cones or ornaments around the base

Final Thoughts

I hope these 25 DIY Christmas crafts inspire you to try something new this holiday season! You don't have to make all of them. Just pick one or two that speak to you and have fun with it.

My advice: Don't stress about perfection. The wonky ornaments and lopsided wreaths are often the ones we love most because they have character and memories attached.

Start here: Choose a project based on what you need most. It might be decorations for your home, meaningful gifts, or just a fun activity for the afternoon.

Happy crafting! I'd love to hear which project you try first!