As winter ushers in colder temperatures and snowy days, you may find yourself looking for things to keep you—or your kids!—occupied inside. What better way to pass the time and form special memories together than to make some crafts that double as homemade Christmas decorations? To get you started, we’ve compiled some of the very best DIY Christmas decor ideas for you to explore.
From candles and hand-lettered signs to wreaths and ornaments, you’ll find tons of Christmas decorating ideas that you can create on your own or with family and friends. Once you’re finished, you can use your creations as decor in your own home, put them in a personalized Christmas stocking to gift to loved ones or put them on your families Christmas tree. Start scrolling to discover everything from budget-friendly and kid-friendly projects to those that will challenge you to create a masterpiece you can enjoy for years to come! And once you’re finished, make sure to check out our DIY holiday cards.
Instructions: Click through the first two rows of buttons to sort by classic, fun, create with kids and easy. Click on the third row to clear filters or shuffle them. Click any photo for a larger view.
Peppermint Candle Sticks
Red and white paint is all you need to add a festive touch to basic candle sticks by mimicking peppermint's classic colors or striped design.
Source: Simply Kierste Design
Photo By: Simply Kierste Design
Rustic Light Up Christmas Sign
Take your handpainted season's greetings to the next level by decorating a wooden pallet with twinkling Christmas lights.
Source: The American Patriette
Photo By: The American Patriette
Glitter Candles
This DIY Christmas decor is both classy and fun. Dip white candles in red glitter paint to add some extra sparkle to your centerpiece.
Source: Two Sisters Crafting
Photo By: Two Sisters Crafting
Ombre Holiday Wreath
A DIY Christmas wreath doesn't have to be complicated. For a simple spin on this classic decor, wrap ribbon in an ombre pattern around a circular frame before adding a few felt flowers.
Source: Homemade Ginger
Photo By: Homemade Ginger
Holiday Log Snowmen
Save the bottoms of your Christmas trees to DIY these adorable wooden snowmen. All you'll need is a small scarf and winter hat to finish the craft.
Source: The Creative Life in Between
Photo By: Jodi McKinney
Christmas Tree Cut Out Mason Jars
Here's a fun DIY Christmas decor idea you can do with your kids. Have them paint mason jars in red and green before you cut out Christmas shapes and drop tea candles inside.
Source: Mason Jar Crafts Love
Photo By: Mason Jar Crafts Love
Mason Jar Snow Globes
Snowglobes are always a delightful part of Christmas decor, so why not make your own in a mason jar? An adorable scene of a car carrying a Christmas tree is one fun approach to this DIY project.
Source: Mason Jar Crafts Love
Photo By: Mason Jar Crafts Love
Foam Core Marquee Angel
Here's a budget-friendly Christmas craft-all it takes is foam core board, white poster board and a strand of Christmas lights to recreate this beautiful angel.
Source: My Love 2 Create
Photo By: My Love 2 Create
Reindeer Parking Sign
As you look forward to a visit from Santa, don't forget his reindeer! This DIY reindeer parking sign is a fun project to hang inside or outside your home.
Source: The DIY Dreamer
Photo By: TheDIYDreamer.com
Faux Fur Christmas Pom Pom Ornaments
The best Christmas ornaments are ones that remind you of the joys of the season. These faux fur pom poms, for example, will remind all who see them of bundling up in coats, scarves and mittens on a cold, snowy day.
Source: The DIY Dreamer
Photo By: TheDIYDreamer.com
Chandelier Dressed with Fresh Greens
If you've only ever used greenery for wreaths and garland, you'll love this elegant twist on a classic Christmas material. Dress up your dining room chandelier to get this beautiful effect.
Source: Miss Mustard Seed
Photo By: Marian Parsons
Minature Gingerbread Ornament
Gather doll-sized Christmas accessories-like these cute gingerbread baking supplies-to create an adorable ornament everyone will love.
Source: Tikkido
Photo By: Tikkido
Gold Dipped Ornaments
There's more to Christmas than red and green! Dip a clear ornament in gold paint, then fill it with strips of gold and white wrapping paper for an elegant DIY Christmas craft.
Source: Homemade by Carmona
Photo By: Homemade by Carmona
Storybook Paper Tree
Don't toss out your children's Christmas books as they grow up. Instead, use them to create this DIY Christmas tree and treasure the memories you shared forever.
Source: Please Note
Photo By: Please Note
Paper Stars
Use a variety of paper to create stars for a unique collection of Christmas ornaments. Old books, maps and children's books are all great resources for this idea.
Source: Craft and Creativity
Photo By: Craft and Creativity
Merry & Bright Doormat
Brighten your doorstep with this simple DIY Christmas craft. A touch of paint can turn even the most basic doormat into a cheery decor piece that welcomes visitors into your home.
Source: A Pretty Cool Life
Photo By: A Pretty Cool Life
Birch Bark Angel Wings
Everyone knows that firs and greenery make for great Christmas decor, but don't be afraid to think outside the box. These angel wings made of birch bark are a beautiful and creative project.
Source: Chic California
Photo By: Chic California
Paper Bottle Brush Trees
These precious DIY trees are made of paper and can be used for all sorts of Christmas decor-village scenes, ornaments, centerpieces and more!
Source: Design Mom
Photo By: Design Mom
Copper and Twig Wreaths
For a modern spin on a DIY Christmas wreath, experiment with unusual shapes and materials, like this triangular wreath made of copper and twigs.
Source: Erika Rax
Photo By: Erika Rax
Paint Splattered Christmas Trees
Clear some space and break out your painting smock! These DIY paint-splattered trees are a messy but fun twist on Christmas decor.
Source: Fall for DIY
Photo By: Fall for DIY
Sleigh Rides Vintage Sign
If you've never hand lettered before, don't be afraid to attempt this vintage DIY Christmas sign. All you need is a stencil to create decor you'll be proud to display above the stockings on your mantel.
Source: Kerri Bradford
Photo By: Kerri Bradford
Sheet Music Hanging Stars
These stars made of sheet music will inspire you and your guests to break out singing your favorite Christmas carols. Hang the final product on your tree or around your house.
Source: Crafty Nest
Photo By: Crafty Nest
Metallic Hand Lettered Christmas Wreath
This DIY Christmas wreath is elegant and beautiful. Create your own masterpiece with metallic ribbons and ornaments, then place a hand lettered sign in the middle.
Source: One Artsy Mama
Photo By: One Artsy Mama
Reindeer Glitter Sled
Delight your guests and neighbors alike with this Christmas decor idea. Use glitter and paint to decorate a small sleigh, then prop it against your steps or beside your front door.
Source: Occasionally Crafty
Photo By: Occasionally Crafty
Wood Bead Christmas Garland
Once your stockings are hung by the chimney with care, create a strand of garland from white wooden beads to complete your mantle decor.
Source: Love and Renovations
Photo By: Love and Renovations
Holiday Light Globe
Use a strand of white Christmas lights to dress up the lawn decor you already have or purchase a hanging metal globe to recreate this dazzling look.
Source: The Garden Glove
Photo By: The Garden Glove
Christmas Clipboards
Break open the scrapbooking kit! Printed paper and seasonal stickers are the perfect materials for turning a clipboard into a fun Christmas decor idea.
Source: Nataleme.com
Photo By: Natalie Wright
Alternative Christmas Wreath
Start with a simple metal circle, then experiment with different textures and materials to create a completely unique spin on the traditional wreath.
Source: The Pretty Blog
Photo By: The Pretty Blog
Washi Tape Trees
Get your kids in on the DIY Christmas decor fun. All you need is washi tape, card stock, twine and a hole puncher to create these bright and cheery Christmas ornaments.
Source: Mama Miss
Photo By: Mama Miss
Gemstone Garland
Think outside of the greenery box. Unique materials-like these wintry blue gemstones-can make for an awesome garland that everyone will love but no one else will have!
Source: Centsational Style
Photo By: Centsational Style
Northern Lights Votives
All you need is some glitter and glue to give your glass votives a frosted look that will remind you of the beauty of the Northern Lights.
Source: For The Makers
Photo By: For The Makers
Modern Air Plant Garland
This red and green air plant makes for a stunning modern garland. The best part of all? The plant is still alive!
Source: Idle Hands Awake
Photo By: Idle Hands Awake
Painted Geometric Christmas Tree
All you need for this idea is a canvas and some paint. Sketch an outline of a Christmas tree or other seasonal shape, then fill it in with bright colors and geometric designs.
Source: Lovely Indeed
Photo By: Lovely Indeed
Plastic Spoon Christmas Trees
Who knew plasticware could make for such beautiful Christmas decor? Paint plastic spoons with metallic glitter before building a small Christmas tree that you can enjoy year after year.
Source: One Project Closer
Photo By: One Project Closer
Iced Branches
Using tacky glue and diamond vase filler, turn bare branches into unique decor that's inspired by the beauty of a tree draped in icicles.
Source: Make Them Wonder
Photo By: Save on Crafts
Anthropologie Knock Off Wreath
This DIY Christmas wreath uses thick white yarn for an effect that's cozy and inviting-perfect for hanging inside your home!
Source: Between You and Me
Photo By: Between You and Me
Bowtie Pasta Garland
Your mama may have told you not to play with your food, but that rule was meant to be broken. This DIY garland, which features bowtie pasta and glitter, is sparkly and simple to recreate.
Source: The Gold Jelly Bean
Photo By: The Gold Jelly Bean
Geometric Paint Chip Christmas Tree
Here's a DIY Christmas project that's absolutely free! Stop by your local paint supply store and pick up some paint chip samples to create your own geometric Christmas tree.
Source: We Are Scout
Photo By: We Are Scout
Paper Mistletoe Ball
Celebrate the romance of the holidays with this DIY mistletoe made of paper. While real mistletoe only lasts for a season, this sweet craft will bring joy to you and your loved one for years to come.
Source: Lia Griffith
Photo By: Lia Griffith
Golden Nutcrackers
Are your nutcrackers starting to chip or fade? Don't toss them out! Instead, use gold paint to give them a fresh look that will make them the star of your Christmas decor.
Source: The Sweetest Occasion
Photo By: The Sweetest Occasion
Ribbon Candy Wreath
Guests will be delighted by this ribbon candy-inspired Christmas wreath. All you need is ribbon, hot glue and wire to recreate this classic craft.
Source: Petal and Ply
Photo By: Dear Emmeline
Pom Pom Christmas Baubles
Let the kids join you for this family-friendly DIY Christmas craft. Simple pom pom-filled ornaments are bright and fun and can keep your kids entertained for hours.
Source: Let's Do Something Crafty
Photo By: Let's Do Something Crafty
