15 DIY Christmas Ornaments Made with Everyday Items

This year, deck the tree in whatever you have lying around! No need to spend oodles on fancy and fragile ornaments when you can make your own with everything from straws to dry macaroni.

Whether elegant or fun, all of these DIY Christmas ornaments are festive projects the whole family will enjoy. And to find the perfect tree to hang them on, check out these tips for picking out your evergreen.

Save even more on holiday décor and gifts with these 20 cheap and DIY decorations, plus these adorable and easy photo craft gifts for kids to make themselves!

1. Curled Ribbon Ornament

If there’s one thing you have extra of during the holidays, it’s packaging supplies. Put that extra ribbon (or ribbon scraps) to good use by making these colorful curly ornaments.

Materials

• Ribbon in colors of your choosing
• 3-inch clear glass ornament
• Scissors

Directions

1. Grab a 10-inch ribbon tail that’s still attached to the spool.
2. Hold it flat against the sharp edge of your scissors with your thumb, then quickly pull the scissors along the ribbon. It should curl right up. If you want a tighter curl, you can go over it again.
3. Trim the curled ribbon off of the spool.You could also use ribbon scraps that aren’t attached to the spool; you’ll just have to trim off a straight end after curling since the bit that you hold will won’t curl.
4. Continue until you have about 15 pieces of curled ribbon. If you want to completely fill your ornament, you’ll need a bit more. This one is filled nearly to the top to allow for some open space and movement.
5. Remove the ornament top and stick the ribbon pieces through the hole. Reinsert the top, and you’re done!

2. Security Envelope Tassel Ornament

Source: Ink & Glue

Turn your not-so-fun mail into a lovely bit of holiday décor — this patterned paper is actually the inside of security envelope! Add a homemade yarn tassel and you have a simple, chic ornament.

3. Paper Straw Ornaments

Sources: Bluet & Clover (top) & Crafts by Courtney (bottom)

Cut pretty paper straws into shorter pieces, string together, and bend into a star shape. Or, stack them to make a festive little tree to hang on your big one.

4. Juice Box Silhouettes

Source: Ohoh Blog

Who knew that lunch’s leftovers could become such chic tree decor? Simply cut juice boxes into strips, then bend them into star (or other) shapes with their metallic interiors showing.

5. Stamped Salt Dough

Source: Learning Creating Living

Use Christmas cookie leftovers to make these elegant motifs. Simply mix flour, salt, and water. Roll out the dough and cut using cookie cutters, then decorate with ink stamps.

6. Macaroni Snowflakes

Source: Katy Elliott

These striking ornaments transform a dinnertime staple into a work of art. Create snowflakes by gluing dried pasta pieces together, then finish with a coat of white spray paint and glitter.

7. Water Bottle Snowflakes

Source: Artesan

Can you believe these beautiful baubles are actually the bottoms of plastic water bottles? Just cut of the base of bottles and give them a new paint job, then recycle the rest of the bottle.

8. Cinnamon Stick Stars

Source: Camille Styles

These cinnamon stick stars are rustic chic and will make the whole house smell delicious. Cinnamon and cloves are an irresistible combination.

9. Sprinkles-Dipped Ornament

Source: Adorablest

These sprinkles-dipped ornaments are simply delicious. To make, just dip clear glass ornaments into a bowl of the colorful ice cream topper.

10. Soda Tabs Ornament

Source: The 3 R’s Blog

Now you can feel a little less bad for binging on soda all year. Use those tabs to create this strikingly textured orb.

11. Puzzle Piece Ornaments

Source: Red Ted Art

Everyone has a puzzle that’s missing pieces. Instead of wasting them, turn the remaining bits into these clever geometric ornaments. Just glue them into a snowflake-like shape and paint everything the same color.

12. Sweater Ornaments

Source: Art and Obsession

Do you have a sweater with one too many moth holes — or one that you simply don’t wear? Wrap it around a Styrofoam ball to form these charming cable-knit globes. Your tree will be extra cozy this year.

13. Light Bulb Creatures

Source: P&G Everyday

Talk about a bright idea. A paint job and a few added accessories can turn old light bulbs into fun and festive holiday creatures.

14. CD Mosaic

Source: Creme de la Craft

You’re never really going to listen to that old CD every again. Instead, cut it up and glue the pieces in a mosaic-like pattern around a glass ornament. Stick some ribbon inside so you can’t see the glue marks.

15. Book Page Ornament

Source: Gimme Some Oven

Use the pages of an old or vintage book to make these delicate ornaments. Cut strips from pages in varying lengths, fold, glue, and hang them on a hook.

Holidays are expensive enough as is. This year, don’t spend a dime on pricey ornaments. Instead, raid the recycling bin to make tree ornaments that are elegant, striking, and full of Christmas cheer.

Find even more festive holiday decor, recipes, and tips below!