✂️ 10 Best DIY Christmas Crafts

Clear plastic fillable ornaments, fake snow/glitter, mini figurines, hot glue gun, ribbon, water (optional for liquid version)

1) Remove ornament top. 2) Add layer of fake snow to bottom. 3) Glue small figurine to inside. 4) Fill with more snow/glitter. 5) Replace cap and seal with hot glue. 6) Add ribbon hanger. 7) Shake to watch snow fall!

$15-25 for supplies (makes 10+ ornaments)

Kids' craft parties, gifts for grandparents, tree decorations

Mason jars, Mod Podge, tissue paper or napkins, battery tea lights, ribbon, paint (optional), glitter

1) Clean jars thoroughly. 2) Cut tissue paper into small pieces. 3) Brush Mod Podge on jar. 4) Apply tissue paper in layers. 5) Seal with another coat of Mod Podge. 6) Let dry completely. 7) Add battery candle inside. 8) Tie ribbon around rim.

$20-30 for supplies (makes 6-8 luminaries)

Table centerpieces, windowsill displays, outdoor pathway lights

Large pinecones, green acrylic paint, small pom-poms (multi-colored), white paint or fake snow, hot glue gun, small star stickers or beads

1) Paint pinecone green, let dry. 2) Add white paint tips for 'snow' effect. 3) Hot glue small pom-poms between scales as 'ornaments'. 4) Add tiny star on top. 5) Optional: glue to wooden base for standing display.

$10-15 (supplies make 15+ trees)

Preschool crafts, place card holders, nature-inspired decorations

Salt dough (2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water) OR air-dry clay, rolling pin, cookie cutters, paint, ribbon, clear sealer

1) Mix salt dough or use clay. 2) Roll to 1/4 inch thickness. 3) Press child's hand firmly into dough. 4) Cut around handprint or use cookie cutter. 5) Poke hole for ribbon. 6) Bake salt dough at 200°F for 3 hours. 7) Paint and personalize with name/year. 8) Seal and add ribbon.

$5-10 (inexpensive, mostly pantry ingredients)

Gifts for grandparents, family traditions, baby's first Christmas

Fabric scraps (flannel, burlap, cotton), jute twine or ribbon, scissors, ruler

1) Cut fabric into strips 1-2 inches wide by 8-10 inches long. 2) Cut twine to desired garland length plus extra. 3) Tie each fabric strip onto twine with double knot. 4) Space evenly or cluster tightly. 5) Hang and fluff strips.

$10-20 (or free using fabric scraps from other projects)

Farmhouse style decor, using leftover fabrics, mantel decorations

1 cup cinnamon, 1 tbsp cloves, 1 tbsp nutmeg, 3/4 cup applesauce, 2 tbsp white glue, rolling pin, cookie cutters, straw for holes

1) Mix cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg. 2) Add applesauce and glue, knead until smooth dough forms. 3) Roll 1/4 inch thick. 4) Cut shapes with cookie cutters. 5) Use straw to poke hanging holes. 6) Dry on rack 2-3 days, flipping daily. 7) Add ribbon.

$8-12 (makes 20+ ornaments)

Scented decorations, gift tags, car fresheners

Wine corks, small twigs, googly eyes, red pom-poms, brown pipe cleaners, hot glue gun, ribbon or twine

1) Glue two corks together lengthwise for body and head. 2) Cut pipe cleaner pieces and bend into antlers. 3) Insert antlers into top of head cork. 4) Glue on googly eyes. 5) Glue red pom-pom for nose. 6) Add twig legs. 7) Attach twine for hanging.

$15-20 if buying corks, ~$5 if using saved corks

Adult craft nights, wine-themed trees, upcycling projects

Paper plates, red construction paper, cotton balls, pink paint or paper, googly eyes, red pom-pom, glue, markers

1) Paint plate pink for face or glue pink paper circle. 2) Cut red paper hat and glue to top. 3) Glue googly eyes. 4) Glue red pom-pom nose. 5) Draw smile. 6) Glue cotton balls for beard, mustache, and hat trim. 7) Add cotton ball pom-pom to hat tip.

$8-12 (makes 12+ Santas)

Preschool crafts, quick and easy projects, classroom parties

Blank cards or cardstock, washi tape (various patterns/colors), scissors, markers, envelopes

1) Fold cardstock to card size. 2) Create triangle tree shape with washi tape strips (longest at bottom, shortest at top). 3) Add small rectangle trunk with brown tape. 4) Top with star sticker or drawn star. 5) Write message inside.

$12-20 (washi tape is reusable for many cards)

Quick handmade cards, last-minute gifts, modern aesthetic

Popsicle sticks (regular or jumbo), white paint, hot glue gun, glitter, ribbon, gems/sequins (optional)

1) Paint popsicle sticks white, let dry. 2) Arrange 3-4 sticks in snowflake pattern (cross or star shape). 3) Hot glue intersections. 4) Add smaller stick pieces for detail branches. 5) Paint with glue and sprinkle glitter. 6) Glue ribbon loop for hanging. 7) Add gems if desired.

$10-15 (makes 15+ snowflakes)

Winter decorations, kid-friendly projects, window displays