Festive Christmas Crafts 101: Best Ideas for The Holiday

Who doesn’t love homemade Christmas crafts?

Like, seriously.

Gimme that ooey gooey kid handprint on a clay platter and I’m smitten.

Christmas perfection.

As a mom of 4 kids, I’ve had my fair share of Christmas crafts come home and we’ve made a few of our own as well. Some amazing. Some no so much.

In this blog post we’ll explore some easy and fun Christmas crafts for the entire family.

So grab your jingle bells and hot glue gun because it’s time to “sleigh.” See what I did there?

Christmas Ornaments and Decorations

Christmas crafts - wreath made out of hands with a red bow

Christmas crafts - christmas ornaments made of sticks

Unique Christmas Ornaments

Create a winter wonderland with paper plate angel ornaments

Make salt dough handprint ornaments with your little elves

Turn old buttons into Christmas trees for a unique decoration

Make a paper chain advent calendar to count down the days

Use wood slices to create rustic reindeer face ornaments

Christmas crafts- paint joy on a canvas and add a handprint for the "o" - cute and super simple

DIY Christmas Decorations

Transform your home with a DIY Christmas wreath made from evergreen branches and pine cones

Create a festive holiday table with a handmade centerpiece

Use mason jars to make a beautiful and rustic Christmas decoration

Make a paper snowflake garland to add a touch of magic to your home

Christmas Tree Toppers

Make a beautiful and delicate paper star to top your Christmas tree
Create a festive and colorful pom-pom tree topper
Use yarn to make a unique and textured tree topper
Make a paper plate angel to sit atop your Christmas tree
Use pipe cleaners to create a fun and quirky tree topper

Holiday Season Crafts for All Ages

Christmas crafts - Tiny wreath made out of child's finderprints on a small canvas

DIY Christmas crafts - popsicles and a few other supplies to make this holiday sled decoration

Christmas crafts - wood slices are actually popsicles to make the snowman

Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

There are lots of choices when it comes to kid friendly crafts.

Make a handprint wreath with your little ones for an easy DIY project.

Create a paper plate Christmas tree with your kids

Use cotton balls to make a fun and fluffy snowman

Make a popsicle stick Christmas tree with your kids

Use glue and glitter to make a beautiful and sparkly ornament

Christmas crafts - I made this lovley Christmas tree as an early teen - grab some pine cones, add details like bells and red pom poms

DIY Christmas crafts - fun idea for the kids to make Santa magnets

DIY christmas crafts - the back of my cute santa magnet I made for family and friends

Christmas Crafts for Teenagers

Make a beautiful and delicate paper snowflake to decorate your room
Create a unique and personalized Christmas gift tag
Make a Santa magnet out of yarn and a plastic canvas like I did when I was in my early teens. (Picture above)

christmas, gingerbread, gingerbread house

christmas party, christmas, gingerbread house

Christmas Activities for Families

Make a gingerbread house together as a family
Create a handmade Christmas card for a loved one
Use wrapping paper to make a beautiful and unique gift box
Make a paper snowflake garland to decorate your home
Use kraft paper to create a unique and eco-friendly Christmas decoration

Perfect Christmas Craft Ideas

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Handmade Christmas gifts are a thoughtful and personalized way to show your loved ones you care. Here are some ideas for handmade Christmas gifts:

Photo Album or Frame: Capture cherished memories by creating a beautiful photo album or frame filled with pictures of special moments you’ve shared. It’s a heartfelt way to relive those memories together.
Knitted or Crocheted Items: Knit or crochet a cozy scarf, hat, or blanket to keep your loved ones warm during the holiday season. These handmade items are not only practical but also filled with love and care.
Homemade Cookies or Treats: Bake a batch of delicious homemade cookies or whip up some fudge or candies. Package them in festive wrapping for a sweet and thoughtful gift.
Hand-Painted Ornaments: Get creative with ceramic ornaments by painting beautiful designs or pictures. These unique and personalized ornaments will be treasured for years to come.
DIY Spa Gift Set: Pamper your loved ones with a homemade spa gift set. Include items like sugar scrubs, bath salts, and scented oils to help them relax and unwind during the busy holiday season.

Themed Craft Ideas

Consider going with a theme for your crafting. You can make a bunch of items that correlate with each other. Consider a snowman theme or different kinds of Santa Clauses.

Personalized Christmas Cards

Make a handmade Christmas card with a special message
Use wrapping paper to create a unique and personalized card
Add a photo to make it extra special
Use glue and glitter to make a beautiful and sparkly card
Create a paper snowflake to decorate your card

Christmas Cookie Decorating

Make a batch of sugar cookies to decorate
Use frosting and sprinkles to make them extra special
Create a fun and festive holiday table with your decorated cookies

Christmas Cookie Ideas

Christmas cookiesare a classic holiday treat that can be made in a variety of flavors and shapes. Here are some Christmas cookie recipes to try:

Sugar Cookies: These classic cookies are perfect for decorating with festive sprinkles, nuts, or chocolate chips. They’re a holiday staple that everyone loves.
Gingerbread Cookies: Spicy and sweet, gingerbread cookies are a must-have during the holiday season. Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes and decorate with icing.
Peanut Butter Blossoms: These yummy cookies feature a soft peanut butter base with a Hershey’s Kiss pressed into the center. They’re a favorite at any holiday gathering.
Shortbread Cookies: Buttery and crumbly, shortbread cookies are perfect for dunking in tea or coffee. Their simple yet rich flavor makes them a holiday favorite.
Snickerdoodles: Soft and chewy on the inside with a crispy cinnamon-sugar coating, snickerdoodles are a delicious treat that’s sure to please.

Christmas Wreath and Garland Ideas

Christmas Wreath Making

Christmas wreaths are a beautiful and festive way to decorate your home for the holiday season. Here are some tips for making a Christmas wreath:

Choose a Base: Start with a wire or foam wreath form as the foundation for your wreath. This will provide structure and support for your decorations.
Add Greenery: Use evergreen branches, holly, or mistletoe to add lush greenery to your wreath. These natural elements bring a touch of the outdoors inside.
Add Decorations: Enhance your wreath with ornaments, ribbons, and bows. These colorful additions will make your wreath stand out and reflect your personal style.
Add a Theme: Choose a theme, such as a winter wonderland or a festive holiday motif, to guide your decorating choices. This will help create a cohesive and visually appealing wreath.
Make it Personal: Incorporate personal touches like photos or special ornaments to make your wreath truly unique. These elements add sentimental value and make your wreath one-of-a-kind.
Add dried fruit- Incorporate dried orange slices into your wreaths and garlands for a fragrant and festive touch

Garland and Swag Ideas

Garlands and swags are a beautiful way to add a little flair to your home for the holiday season. Here are some ideas for garlands and swags that would look especially good on holiday fireplace mantels.

Evergreen Garland: Create a fragrant and lush garland using evergreen branches. Drape it over a staircase or along a mantel for a classic holiday look.
Holly Garland: Use holly branches to craft a vibrant and colorful garland. The bright red berries add a pop of color that’s perfect for the holiday season.
Pinecone Garland: For a rustic and natural touch, make a garland using pinecones. This is perfect for a winter wonderland theme and adds a cozy, woodland feel to your decor.
Ribbon Swag: Combine ribbons and bows to create a festive swag. Hang it on a door or use it as a centerpiece to add a touch of elegance to your holiday decorations.
Fresh Flower Garland: Use fresh flowers like eucalyptus or roses to make a beautiful and fragrant garland. This is perfect for special occasions and adds a touch of sophistication to your decor.

Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Don’t ignore your front door! It’s often the first thing people see. Add Christmas decorations and lights to make a festive holiday front door.
Use basic supplies to make a beautiful and rustic outdoor Christmas decoration

Recycled Material Crafts

You can always use thrift store finds or upcycle items in your home you might otherwise discard.

Consider creating mini wooden houses from scrap wood or turning empty cans into adorable snowmen.

Christmas Gift Ideas and Packaging

DIY Christmas Gift Boxes

Create a unique and personalized Christmas gift box with photos
Make a paper chain gift box to decorate your gifts
Add some mischievousness to your holiday by using Grinch-themed wrapping.

Best Christmas crafts - use a decorated ornament as a tag for a a present

Christmas Gift Tags and Labels

Christmas gift tags and labels are a thoughtful and personalized way to add a special touch to your gifts. Here are some ideas for Christmas gift tags and labels:

Handmade Tags: Get creative with cardstock, glue, and other craft supplies to make unique gift tags. Personalize them with festive designs and special messages.
Printed Tags: Use a printer and some cardstock to create printed gift tags. Customize them with your name, a heartfelt message, or a festive design to make your gifts stand out.
Stickers: Add a fun and colorful touch to your gift tags and labels with stickers. They’re an easy way to make your presents look extra special.
Ribbons and Bows: Enhance your gift tags and labels with beautiful ribbons and bows. These finishing touches can make your gifts look professionally wrapped.
Photos: Incorporate photos into your gift tags and labels for a personal touch. Use pictures of the recipient or special moments you’ve shared to make your gifts even more meaningful.
Scrap Wood: Looking for ideas for what to do with that scrap wood that has been sitting outside the garage for three months? Grab pieces of thin scrap wood you might have otherwise thrown away and let your kids paint them for a cute tag for your presents. My kids love painting literally anything, so they’d be thrilled with small pieces of wood that you then attach to a gift!

Christmas crafts - cute reindeer ornament

Candy Cane Gift Wrap Ideas

Use candy canes to create a fun and festive gift wrap. They’re inexpensive and instantly recognizable as something “Christmas-y”
Add a handmade gift tag to make it extra special

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Conclusion

I hope you’ve enjoyed our little journey through Christmas crafts.

I find creating homemade decorations enhances the festive atmosphere of my home during the Christmas season.

It’s a fun tradition to do with your littles, friends, neighbors, and family. Plus it creates lasting memories that are so fun to reminisce about each holiday season as you break out the big tubs of holiday decor.

Erica Fox

Hi I’m Erica! TV news anchor and mom to 4 littles. I’m obsessed with creating those “wow” moments in life through crafting at home, cool travel adventures and special celebrations with loved ones. Thanks for joining me on this adventure!