Alright, so I recently stumbled upon these insanely cute and super doable holiday crafts — 20 DIY clay and felt Christmas ornaments! They’re not just adorable little trinkets for your tree; they’re also perfect for cozy family craft sessions that turn into sweet memories. The best part? You don’t need fancy supplies or loads of experience. From felt animals to classic clay shapes, there’s something in here that’ll spark your creativity without breaking the bank. Let me walk you through some of my favorite ideas!
Starting Simple with Handmade Clay Stars
If you want an easy, classic kick-off project, making clay stars is a total win. Grab some oven-bake clay in your favorite colors, roll it out nice and thin, then use star cookie cutters to make your shapes — don’t forget to poke a hole at the top before baking so you can hang them up! After baking and cooling, the fun really begins: paint them, add glitter, whatever feels right. These stars aren’t just for your tree; they double as cute gift toppers and only need clay, a cutter, and paint to look amazing.
Making the Cutest Felt Snowmen
Making felt snowmen is such a fun and straightforward craft. Just pick out a few felt colors — white for the body, any color for scarves and hats. Cut out two circles for the body (a big one and a smaller one) and a tiny hat shape. Glue the pieces together, then jazz up your snowmen with button eyes and a little carrot nose made of felt. They’re adorable on trees or make sweet little gifts, and you can totally customize their look to fit your style or mood.
Whimsical Felt Reindeer to Charm Your Tree
Want to add a bit of rustic charm? Felt reindeer are where it’s at. Use brown felt to cut out the main reindeer shape, plus little pieces for antlers and a bright red nose. Layer them for some depth and glue everything in place. For the finishing touch, add some embroidery thread along the edges to give it a handmade feel. Hang ’em on your tree, gift ’em to loved ones, or keep ’em all for yourself because they’re seriously cute and crafted with minimal fuss.
Making Holiday Gift Tags with Clay and Felt
Why settle for boring store-bought gift tags when you can make your own with clay and felt? Roll out some clay and cut tags with a cutter, bake them, then paint or stamp fun designs. Or if you’re feeling more into felt, cut simple shapes and attach them to cardstock — add your special messages right there. These handmade tags add a personal vibe to your gifts and are a fun way to get kids involved, letting their creativity shine!
Amp Up Your Door’s Charm with an Ornament-Wrapped Wreath
Here’s a way to make your front door pop this holiday season: an ornament-wrapped wreath! Grab a foam wreath base and hot glue your handmade felt and clay ornaments all around it. Play with the arrangement so it looks artsy and full of life, then add some ribbons or twine to finish it off. It’s a cool, budget-friendly décor piece, plus it’s even more special when everyone in the family chips in with their favorite ornaments.
Tiny Clay Trees That Brighten Up Any Table
Miniature clay trees are absolute charmers for your holiday tablescape. Roll your oven-bake clay into little cones and bake according to instructions. Once they’re cool, get artsy: paint them and garnish with mini sequins or beads. A tiny dab of glue keeps everything put. These sweet trees add a festive focal point wherever you place them and make your gatherings feel extra special without costing a fortune.
Bring a Smile with Felt Animal Ornaments
Animal lovers, this one’s for you. Felt animal ornaments like penguins and polar bears bring a whimsical, playful vibe to your holiday decor. Cut out the body, eyes, and little features from your felt stash, then glue them together to create adorable critters. Kids especially love this one, and these little buddies make your tree feel cozy and alive, or you can gift them to friends who appreciate that handmade touch.
Personalized Clay Ornaments That Speak from the Heart
Want your ornaments to mean something more? Personalized clay ornaments do the trick. Roll out your clay, cut it into hearts, circles, or whatever shape you fancy, and press letter stamps in for names or little messages. After baking and cooling, paint or decorate them to match your style. These beautiful keepsakes make for meaningful gifts or special family mementos you’ll revisit year after year.
Add Sparkle with Glittering Snowflakes
If you’re into sparkle, glittering clay snowflakes are a no-brainer. Shape snowflakes from clay, bake, then paint on some white glue and sprinkle glitter generously. Tie a thread and hang these beauties on your tree for instant magic. They catch the light beautifully, and trust me, this simple craft might just become a holiday tradition everyone looks forward to.
Whip Up Some Soft Felt Gingerbread Men
Soft, cute, and a little bit nostalgic — felt gingerbread men are delightful. Cut two gingerbread shapes from brown felt, stitch around the edges leaving a gap for stuffing, then add sweet little details with colorful thread like button eyes and smiles. These plush ornaments brighten your décor, and they’re perfect for kids to help make (or just to eat the cookies afterward!).
Twist Up Festive Fun with Colorful Clay Candy Canes
Candy canes are holiday classics, so why not make your own from clay? Roll out red and white strips of clay, twist them together for that iconic swirl, and bake. Once cooled, add a gloss finish or a dusting of glitter for that extra pop. Hang them on your tree or tie them to gifts for a sweet festive touch without any sugar rush!
Brighten Spaces with Felt Holiday Lights
Bring the cozy glow of holiday lights to spots that don’t have actual bulbs by crafting felt holiday lights. Cut out bulb shapes from a rainbow of felt, then stitch or glue them onto a long ribbon. This colorful garland is perfect to drape around your tree, mantle, or window frames — it’s easy on the budget and a cheerful project that feels like you’ve wrapped your home in a hug.
Rustic Button Snowmen for Cozy Vibes
Buttons aren’t just for shirts! Make these rustic button snowmen by stacking wooden buttons to build the body, topping them with tiny fabric hats and scarves. A bit of glue keeps it all cozy and together. These sweet little guys add simple charm to your décor and are a joy for kids to make, letting them explore their creativity with just buttons and scraps.
Go Glam with Nifty Resin-Finished Ornaments
If you’re ready to level up your clay ornaments, dipping them in resin creates this amazing glossy, professional finish. After baking your polymer clay shapes and letting them cool, coat them carefully with resin following the instructions. It’s a bit pricier than the other projects but absolutely worth it for that dazzling pop that makes your ornaments feel special and super polished.
DIY Advent Calendar Ornaments — Daily Surprise Magic
Make the countdown to Christmas extra fun by crafting your own DIY Advent calendar ornaments. Shape little clay and felt pieces with numbers on them, one for each day leading to the holiday. Hang them on strings, or set up little hooks. Watching kids open a new ornament each day is a special tradition bursting with excitement and joy — way better than candy, if you ask me!
Make a Statement with Stunning Paper Mâché Ornaments
Paper mâché might sound old-school, but it’s an amazing way to create beautifully bold ornaments. Mix glue and water, layer strips of paper over balloon molds, and once dry, pop the balloon and get decorating! Paint, add glitter, or customize to match your holiday vibe. These make gorgeous décor pieces or gifts without needing to splurge on materials.
Get Creative with Recycled Materials Ornaments
Upcycling holiday decor? Yes, please! Gather buttons, bits of old jewelry, scrap paper — basically whatever’s hanging around — and glue, stitch, or string them into unique ornament shapes. This is a super cool way to keep your crafts sustainable and budget-friendly, while creating one-of-a-kind decorations that tell a story and add an extra touch of meaning to your holidays.
Why DIY Family Bonding is the Best Holiday Tradition
Honestly, the best part of all these crafts isn’t just the cute ornaments — it’s the time you spend together making them. Setting aside craft time with simple supplies like clay and felt invites laughs, teamwork, and beautiful keepsakes that hold so much meaning beyond the decoration itself. Whether you’re crafting newbies or pros, these projects bring joy and stories that you’ll cherish year after year.