Ornaments are a favorite craft project to work on as Christmas approaches. There are so many items you can upcycle into DIY Christmas ornaments, and an ornament party is a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends and family. Here are some sweet and whimsical upcycle ideas for handmade ornaments using items from the thrift store or tucked away in a drawer or cabinet in your own home.
Mason Jar Lid Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
There are any number of Christmas craft ideas that involve mason jars, but this one focuses solely on the lids. Specifically, the band or ring portion of a mason jar lid. They are super easy to upcycle into darling wreath ornaments using craft supplies you probably already have in your stash.
Tea for Your Tree
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Once upon a time, loose tea infusers came in any number of shapes. Sure, the acorn was the traditional and most common shape, but others looked like tiny houses, shells, and even little teapots. So, if you collect them but aren’t sure what to do with them, how about making a few DIY Christmas ornaments like these?
Clothespin Ornaments
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
Vintage brooches with broken clasps are an ideal focal point on DIY Christmas ornaments that are made from clothespins. Even if they’re missing stones or are still in good condition, they add sparkle to your tree instead of sleeping in a jewelry box.
Mini Plaid Cooler Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you’re a fan of vintage Skotch Koolers, then you know exactly what this is! In fact, there are doll-sized versions floating around that you could use on your tree, but they are quite costly. So, this version is upcycled from a wooden thread spool and VASTLY less expensive!
DIY Christmas Ornaments from Paper Coasters
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Remember those paper coasters that stores like Hallmark would sell throughout the year? They were certainly cute and festive, but not all that proficient at being, well…a coaster. The good news is that they’re absolutely perfect as a craft supply for this DIY Christmas ornament idea.
Wrapped Flannel Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Humdrum plastic ball ornaments aren’t really all that special- and plenty of them end up at thrift stores after the holiday season. But they’re ideal for embellishing into Christmas plaid ornaments with this simple craft idea: wrapping them in flannel and decorating with woodland bits!
The tutorial for this DIY Christmas ornament can be found in my book, “Crafting with Flannel”, by Sarah Ramberg.
DIY Ornaments for the Traveler
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A vintage suitcase covered in travel stickers is iconic and beloved by vintage shoppers everywhere. And these DIY ornaments are a perfect little miniature version, made from an empty Altoids tin! Wouldn’t they be the perfect gift for the traveler in your life?
Teacup Ornaments
Image credit: Petticoat Junktion.
Vintage teacups are something you see at thrift stores all the time. And you might even have a stack of them in the back of a cupboard at home. If you’ve been looking for a fun way to repurpose them, perhaps these adorable ornaments will do the trick.
Snowball Ornament
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Looking for a sparkly, icy snowball ornament idea that won’t leave a mess everywhere it goes? This project is the perfect answer and uses supplies you may already have at home. Hint: that’s not just glitter you see!
Flannel Shirt Star Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Plaid shirts- flannel or otherwise- are ripe for repurposing into Christmas projects, and these star ornaments are no exception. If you look closely, you might be able to guess which part of the shirt(s) provided those plaid points!
The tutorial for this DIY Christmas ornament can be found in my book, “Crafting with Flannel”, by Sarah Ramberg.
DIY Christmas Ornaments with Wooden Spindles
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
These little wooden spindles are truly the perfect size and shape to turn into Christmas ornaments with paint and twine. But the craziest part is where they came from. Would you believe it was a coffee mug tree from the thrift store?
Vintage Spool Ornament
Image credit: Pillar Box Blue.
Old wooden spools are great for all sorts of crafts- but perhaps Christmas ornaments most of all. There are lots of ways to upcycle them into DIY Christmas ornaments, but I’m partial to this one with Christmas song lyrics.
Switchplate Cover Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Here’s an unusual one, but hear me out: inexpensive switchplate covers from hardware stores or thrift shops like Habitat ReStore! They are super cheap and easy to work with, which is perfect if you’re planning an ornament-making party for kids or adults, alike.
Gift Card Ornament
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Adding partially overlapping swatches of fabric to an embroidery hoop creates a small pocket. A small pocket which is simply perfect for holding a gift card and hanging on the tree. So, come holiday season, file this idea away if gift cards are on a loved one’s wish list.
Canning Jar Lid Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Canning jar lids and vintage wrapping paper might not be a pairing you’ve ever put together before. But look how cute they are together as DIY Christmas ornaments. And the truth is, you could use any number of items in place of wrapping paper: old Christmas cards, photos, etc.
DIY Christmas Ornaments from Wooden Coasters
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Wooden coasters that you no longer use or you find at the thrift store are often the perfect size and shape to upcycle into ornaments. Here, a set of gold Florentine-style coasters were upcycled with paint and broken jewelry to create these exotic ornaments for the tree.
Upcycled Christmas Cards
Image credit: Petticoat Junktion.
If you end up with stacks of Christmas cards over the years, here’s a fun way to repurpose them. DIY Christmas ornaments are a great way to recycle those cards that have fabulous graphics on them. Or perhaps you could use them as DIY gift tags, too…
Upcycled and DIY Christmas Ornaments
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I hope you found some upcycling inspiration with this collection of DIY Christmas ornaments. There are truly unlimited possibilities when it comes to ornament craft ideas- the most important is that you enjoy the time spent creating with your loved ones this holiday season!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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