35 Easy Christmas Crafts
Christmas crafting season is here! Whether you’re looking for fun activities with the kids, budget-friendly decorations, or handmade gifts that come straight from the heart, these simple projects have you covered.
Most use supplies you probably already have at home – paper, glue, scissors, and a bit of creativity. From delicate snowflakes to jolly Santa faces, each craft brings its own special charm to your holiday celebrations. Get ready to fill your home with homemade Christmas magic!
1. Paper Snowflake Ornaments

These delicate beauties catch the light beautifully when hung in windows or on your tree. Start with white paper squares, fold them multiple times, then cut various shapes along the edges. When you unfold them, each snowflake reveals its own unique pattern.
The intricate cutouts create lovely shadows and let light filter through in the most enchanting way. Hang them at different heights for a winter wonderland effect that feels both elegant and whimsical.
2. Pinecone Christmas Trees

Nature provides the perfect tree shape with pinecones! These rustic little trees have such a cozy, woodland feel. Paint the tips with green acrylic paint or brush on some white for a snowy effect. Add tiny beads or sequins as ornaments, and top with a small star.
The natural texture of the pinecone shows through, giving each tree character. They look perfect scattered across a mantel or grouped together as a miniature forest centerpiece.
3. Salt Dough Ornaments

There’s something so satisfying about making ornaments from scratch with just flour, salt, and water. The dough feels smooth and pliable in your hands, perfect for rolling and cutting into festive shapes. After baking, they have a lovely matte finish that takes paint beautifully.
Kids love pressing their handprints into the dough or using cookie cutters. These ornaments have a homemade charm that store-bought ones just can’t match – they’re keepsakes in the making.
4. Mason Jar Snow Globes
The magic happens when you shake these DIY snow globes and watch the glittery snow swirl around your miniature winter scene. Fill the jar with water, glycerin, and glitter, then secure a small figurine or tree to the lid. The glycerin makes the glitter fall slowly, creating that mesmerizing snow globe effect.
The clear glass shows off your scene perfectly, and the metal lid gives it a vintage, farmhouse feel that’s so popular right now.
5. Handprint Reindeer Art
Little handprints become adorable reindeer faces when turned upside down – the fingers make perfect antlers! Use brown paint for the handprint, then add googly eyes, a red pom-pom nose, and a sweet smile. The result is absolutely precious and captures a moment in time as your child’s hand grows.
Each reindeer has its own personality based on how the fingers spread. These make wonderful gifts for grandparents who treasure anything made by little hands.
6. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

These snowflakes have a rustic, cabin-in-the-woods vibe that’s perfect for cozy Christmas decorating. Glue wooden popsicle sticks together in snowflake patterns, then paint them white or leave them natural. The wood grain shows through the paint, adding texture and warmth.
They’re surprisingly sturdy and have a three-dimensional quality that paper snowflakes lack. String them up in windows or use them as gift tags for a handmade touch that recipients will love keeping.
7. Coffee Filter Angel Ornaments
Coffee filters create the most ethereal, flowing angel gowns you’ve ever seen. The round filters naturally form beautiful, layered skirts when gathered and secured with a clothespin or wooden bead for the head. The white paper has a delicate, almost translucent quality that seems to glow when light hits it.
Add a gold halo made from pipe cleaner and you have angels that look like they’re floating. They’re so light and airy, perfect for hanging from tree branches.
8. Paper Plate Santa Faces
These jolly Santa faces bring instant cheer to any room! The paper plate becomes his round, rosy face while cotton balls create the fluffiest, most realistic beard. Paint the plate a warm peach or pink, add twinkling eyes and a red triangle hat.
The cotton beard has such great texture – it looks soft enough to touch. Kids love pulling apart cotton balls and gluing them on, and the finished Santa has that classic, friendly look that makes everyone smile.
9. Toilet Paper Roll Gift Boxes

Don’t throw away those cardboard tubes! They make the cutest little gift boxes for small treats or jewelry. Flatten the ends and fold them in to create a pillow-shaped box. Cover with festive paper or paint them in Christmas colors.
They have a lovely curved shape that’s different from regular square boxes. The recycled aspect feels good too – you’re giving new life to something that would have been thrown away. Perfect for teachers’ gifts or stocking stuffers.
10. Felt Christmas Stockings
Soft felt stockings have such a cozy, handmade appeal. The fabric doesn’t fray when cut, making it perfect for beginners. Choose rich Christmas colors like deep red, forest green, or cream. You can keep them simple or add decorations like buttons, ribbons, or even sew on a cuff in a contrasting color.
The felt has a wonderful matte texture that feels warm and inviting. They’re perfect for small gifts or as decorative elements that won’t break if little ones handle them.
11. Wine Cork Reindeer

Save those wine corks from holiday parties – they make the most charming little reindeer! The natural cork color is perfect for reindeer brown, and the cylindrical shape becomes the body. Add thin twig antlers, googly eyes, and a tiny red bead nose.
They have an organic, rustic quality that fits perfectly with farmhouse or natural Christmas decor. Each cork has its own character from the wine stains and texture, making every reindeer unique and full of personality.
12. Paper Bag Gingerbread Houses

Brown paper lunch bags become instant gingerbread houses with just some cutting and folding. The bag material has that perfect brown color that really looks like gingerbread. Cut out windows and doors, then decorate with paper “icing” details and candy cutouts.
When you put a small LED light inside, the windows glow warmly like a real house. The bag texture adds to the cozy cottage feeling, and they’re much easier than building actual gingerbread houses but just as cute.
13. Handprint Christmas Tree Cards

Turn tiny handprints into the most adorable Christmas trees for holiday cards. Use green paint and layer several handprints to create a full, bushy tree shape. The fingers spread out naturally to look like pine branches. Add a brown rectangle trunk and a yellow star on top.
Each card is unique because every handprint is different. The recipients get a keepsake that shows how little the child’s hands were that Christmas – it’s a gift that becomes more precious over time.
14. Clothespin Angel Ornaments

Wooden clothespins make perfect angel bodies with their natural pinched waist shape. The two prongs become flowing robes when you attach paper or fabric wings. Paint the rounded end as a sweet face with rosy cheeks and add yarn hair. The wood has such a warm, natural feel that plastic ornaments can’t match.
These angels have a folk-art quality that’s both simple and beautiful. They clip easily onto tree branches and have a charming, old-fashioned Christmas appeal.
15. Paper Chain Garland

Sometimes the simplest crafts are the most satisfying. Paper chain garland brings back childhood memories while adding cheerful color anywhere you hang it. Choose Christmas colors like red, green, and gold, or go with a winter palette of blues and silvers.
The interlocking circles create a lovely rhythm as your eye follows the chain. There’s something meditative about cutting strips and linking them together. The finished garland has movement and catches light beautifully when draped across doorways or mantels.
16. Egg Carton Flower Poinsettias

Cardboard egg cartons become surprisingly elegant poinsettias when cut and painted. Each cup becomes a petal with naturally curved edges that look realistic. Paint them bright red with touches of green, or try white for a winter rose look. The layered petals create depth and dimension that flat paper flowers can’t achieve.
The recycled aspect feels environmentally conscious too. Group several together for a stunning centerpiece that no one will believe started as an egg carton.
17. Construction Paper Wreaths
Bright green construction paper strips woven into circular wreaths bring bold Christmas color to any door or wall. The paper has a matte finish that doesn’t glare under lights, and the vibrant green really pops. Layer the strips or weave them for different textures.
Add paper holly leaves, berries, or a big red bow. These wreaths have a cheerful, almost retro feel that’s perfect for classrooms or kids’ rooms. They’re lightweight too, so they hang easily without heavy-duty hooks.
18. Candy Cane Sleighs

Mini candy cane sleighs loaded with treats are almost too cute to give away! The natural curve of candy canes creates the perfect sleigh runners. Glue them to a small chocolate bar or pack of gum for the sleigh body. The red and white stripes give it that classic Christmas candy look.
Fill with tiny candies or nuts, and maybe add a small ribbon bow. They have a sweet, vintage charm that makes people smile, and the best part is they’re entirely edible.
19. Paper Cup Bell Ornaments

Upside-down paper cups become lovely bell ornaments with just a bit of paint and string. The cup shape is naturally perfect for bells, and when you add a jingle bell inside, they actually ring! Paint them gold, silver, or bright Christmas colors.
The slight transparency of paper cups gives them a delicate quality, and the rim creates a nice finished edge. Thread ribbon through the top for hanging. These have a sweet, musical quality that adds sound to your Christmas decorating.
20. Fingerprint Christmas Lights

Tiny fingerprints become the most precious string of Christmas lights! Press fingers in different colored paint to create the bulbs, then draw a simple line connecting them. Each print captures the unique swirls and patterns of fingertips.
The finished artwork has such personal meaning – those little fingerprints will never be that small again. Frame it or turn it into cards. The colors can be bright and cheerful or soft pastels. It’s art that grandparents absolutely treasure.
21. Yarn-Wrapped Ornament Balls

Styrofoam balls wrapped in colorful yarn create ornaments with wonderful texture and warmth. The yarn adds coziness that plastic ornaments lack. Choose colors that match your tree theme or go bold with bright contrasts. The wrapping process is almost meditative – there’s something soothing about winding the soft yarn around and around.
Add beads or sequins for extra sparkle. The finished ornaments have a handcrafted, boutique look that suggests hours of loving work, even though they’re quite simple to make.
22. Popsicle Stick Picture Frames
Turn popsicle sticks into charming little frames perfect for displaying holiday photos. The natural wood color is lovely, or paint them in festive colors. Glue four sticks together at the corners, leaving space for a photo. The rustic wood texture gives them a farmhouse appeal that’s very popular.
They’re the perfect size for school photos or small family snapshots. Add ribbon or small decorations to match your holiday theme. These make wonderful teacher gifts when filled with class photos.
23. Paper Roll Advent Calendar
Toilet paper rolls become individual pockets for advent calendar treats when covered with festive paper. The cylindrical shape is perfect for hiding small candies or tiny toys. Number each roll and arrange them in a tree shape or line them up in rows.
The anticipation of opening one each day builds excitement through the whole month. Each roll can be decorated differently, creating a patchwork of Christmas colors and patterns. The countdown becomes part of the holiday tradition.
24. Handprint Santa Ornaments
Little red handprints become Santa’s hat and face in these adorable keepsake ornaments. The thumb becomes his hat brim while the fingers form the pointed top. Add cotton batting for the fluffy hat trim and a sweet face below. Each ornament captures the exact size of a child’s hand at that moment in time.
Years later, you’ll look at these and marvel at how tiny those hands once were. The red paint against white backing creates classic Christmas colors with deep personal meaning.
25. Cotton Ball Snowman Crafts

Fluffy cotton balls are perfect for creating the softest, most huggable-looking snowmen. Their natural white color and texture immediately suggest fresh snow. Glue three balls together in graduated sizes, then add stick arms, button eyes, and an orange triangle nose.
The cotton has such a realistic snow texture that the snowmen almost seem to glow. They’re completely three-dimensional and look good from every angle. Kids love the tactile experience of pulling apart cotton balls and arranging them into shape.
26. Whirled Paper Plate Christmas Trees

These playful trees are made by cutting a paper plate into a spiral and letting it twirl into a whimsical, tree-like form. Painted green or left white with glittery accents, they catch the light beautifully and dance with the slightest breeze. Add a star or pom-pom topper for extra charm, and you have a decoration that feels both homemade and magical.
Whether hung from the ceiling, displayed in windows, or set on tables, these whirled creations bring a sense of motion and festive cheer to any holiday space.
27. Bottle Bell Decorations
Plastic bottle caps can be transformed into charming little bells with just a bit of paint and ribbon. Their rounded shape makes a perfect base, and when coated in gold, silver, or glitter paint, they shimmer like festive ornaments. Thread a ribbon or string through the top for hanging, and add a tiny bead or jingle bell inside for a gentle chime.
Lightweight and durable, these recycled decorations are eco-friendly, safe for kids to make, and versatile enough to hang on Christmas trees, garlands, or even gift packages. They’re a simple craft that combines sustainability with holiday sparkle.
28. Cupcake Liner Wreath

Transform simple cupcake liners into a festive wreath full of texture and charm. By layering and ruffling the liners, you can create lush paper blooms that look surprisingly elegant. Choose traditional holiday shades of red, green, and white, or keep things sophisticated with metallic silvers and golds. Add buttons, beads, or tiny pom-poms to the centers for extra detail.
Arrange the flowers around a cardboard or foam ring base, overlapping them slightly to give a full, rounded effect. The pleated folds of the liners mimic real petals, making the wreath look cheerful and dimensional. Lightweight and easy to hang, it’s a perfect DIY project that feels both playful and nostalgic.
29. Paper Strip Christmas Trees

Long strips of green paper folded accordion-style create trees with wonderful texture and movement. The folded paper catches light differently at each fold, creating natural shading that makes the trees look dimensional. Start with long strips and fold them back and forth, then fan them out into tree shapes.
The repetitive folding is almost meditative, and children love the accordion action. These trees have a modern, geometric quality while still being obviously Christmas trees. They look especially striking in groups.
30. Handprint Wreath Art
Green handprints arranged in a circle create wreaths full of family memories. Each hand adds to the fullness of the wreath while preserving the exact size and shape of that person’s hand. Use different shades of green for variety, or stick with one shade for uniformity.
Add red finger-painted berries or paper bows. The finished wreath has such personal meaning – it’s not just decoration, it’s a family portrait in green paint. Years later, you’ll treasure seeing how everyone’s hands looked that Christmas.
31. Tissue Paper Stained Glass

Colorful tissue paper layered between clear contact paper creates beautiful stained glass effects perfect for windows. The tissue paper has natural transparency that lets light shine through in jewel tones. Layer different colors for new shades where they overlap.
Cut into Christmas shapes like stars, trees, or angels. When hung in windows, they glow like real stained glass and cast colored shadows. The lightweight paper moves slightly in air currents, adding gentle movement to the display.
32. Milk Jug Luminaries

Clean milk jugs become magical luminaries when you add battery-operated lights inside. The white plastic diffuses light beautifully, creating a soft, even glow. Cut out Christmas shapes in the sides – the light will shine through in patterns.
The handle makes them easy to carry, and they’re completely safe since there’s no real candle. Fill the bottom with fake snow or colored sand for extra decoration. These create lovely ambient lighting for porches or walkways during the holidays.
33. Paper Accordion Angels

Folded paper fans become flowing angel gowns with such graceful movement. The accordion folds create texture that suggests fabric drapery. Use white or cream paper for traditional angels, or try pastels for a softer look. Add wooden beads for heads and gold pipe cleaners for halos.
The folded paper has wonderful dimension – these angels look like they’re in motion even when they’re still. They’re surprisingly sturdy despite being made entirely of paper, and they display beautifully standing or hanging.
34. Crayon Shaving Ornaments

Shave crayons into small curls using a sharpener or grater, then sprinkle the shavings directly into a clear glass or plastic ornament. Choose two or three colors that blend well together for the prettiest effect. Once filled, use a hair dryer or heat gun on a low setting to gently melt the shavings inside the ornament. Swirl or rotate the ornament as the wax softens so the colors streak and marble across the inner surface.
The result is a glowing, stained-glass look sealed right into the ornament itself. Each one turns out completely unique depending on how the colors melt and blend. Finish with a ribbon or twine hanger for a handmade decoration that’s colorful, modern, and surprisingly easy.
35. Handprint Christmas Cards

Personal handprint Christmas cards are treasures that recipients keep forever. Each card captures a moment in time when hands were just that size. Use the prints creatively – green handprints become Christmas trees, red ones become poinsettias, or white ones become doves.
Add simple messages and the year for future reference. The paint creates rich, saturated colors that really pop against card stock. These aren’t just cards, they’re keepsakes that become more precious as children grow and their hands get bigger.