Decorating your home is fun any time of year, but there’s something special about decorating the halls come December. The cozy season is in full swing and there’s no better way to cheer up the short, dark days than to light up your home with candles and twinkling lights. And while I love nothing more than the old guided tour-and-buy-everything-in-sight, there are sustainable and affordable ways to up the festive ante. DIY Christmas decorations, anyone?
Featured photo from Anastasia Casey’s vacation home tour.
25 DIY Christmas Decorations to Bring the Holiday Home
Come the last month of the year, you can catch me making decorations, homemade gifts, and flowers of all stripes. As I type, I’m letting some dried oranges cool on the stove and just put my decorative stars on the windows. During this season of holiday markets, Christmas movie marathons, and lots of baking, it can be fun to contribute to the festivities with a little handmade, festive flair.
So let’s start making that magic together. Below, I’m sharing my favorite DIY Christmas decorations that I’ve found in my hours of scrolling through Pinterest (please tell me if you can relate). They use the beauty of small and large, traditional Scandinavian designs, and advent calendars you won’t believe you made yourself. Let the design begin!
Enhanced Velvet Christmas Trees from Collective Gen
This improvised DIY velvet Christmas tree turns fabric scraps into festive holiday decorations. Using leftover velvet and a few simple tools, this project creates beautiful, ready-made trees perfect for tabletops or dressers. It’s a sustainable, stylish way to bring a cozy look to your holiday decorations.
DIY Dry ​​Orange Wreath from Merrythought
Dried oranges are a holiday staple, and we love all the many ways they can appear in your holiday decorations. Take, for example, this sweet and simple wreath. It makes an aesthetic statement—while reflecting the season’s biggest trends. Bows!
DIY Modern Advent Calendar from Homey Oh My
Don’t have your advent calendar yet? Collect a list of small items and make art. This sweet little calendar allows you to hide a little treat in each bag. A piece of candy, a little love note—whatever! Let the magic of the season inspire you.
DIY Air Dry Clay Christmas Village from Alice & Lois
If your Pinterest feed is anything like ours, then it’s probably filled with tons of DIY Christmas white space. And while most look complicated with all the cutting and pasting, this couldn’t be easier. Dry clay makes it possible.
3D Cardboard Stars from Collective Gen
This creative DIY is a smart way to use the (many) boxes that clutter our homes during the holidays. It turns simple objects into stunning, geometric holiday decor. Using recycled cardboard, paint, and a few simple steps, you can design stars that are perfect for hanging or tablet display. It’s an eco-friendly way to add some festive flair to your home this season.
DIY Gold Wreath & Gold Garland by Sugar & Cloth
For a sophisticated, gold look, go with this pair of gold crown and flower bouquets. It adds such a beautiful glow indoors or out. The hardest part of this DIY Christmas decoration is daring to spray paint the outside.
Heirloom Advent Calendar DIY from A Beautiful Mess
Kiddos will enjoy this stocking advent calendar. Pastel socks and unfinished wood provide a rustic, accessible look that adds a lot of character to any holiday setting. This is a DIY you’ll be sure to install year after year.
Fluted Christmas Tree from Collective Gen
If you’re skipping a real tree this year but don’t want to splurge on a fake option (it can be expensive!), go the DIY route. I love the Nordic vibe of this fluted tree that taps into one of the year’s biggest design trends in a creative way. Are you ready for the secret of this beautiful Christmas craft? Roller blinds!
DIY Colorful Christmas Village from Studio DIY
DIY Christmas decorations add a lovely, personal touch to your space. And even though I didn’t grow up with a Christmas village, I love to put up with this one every year. As someone who is drawn to bright and bold colors, I feel like this project was just meant for me.
DIY Christmas Table Wreath from Alice & Lois
You have a wreath on your front door, hanging in the hallway, placed above the dresser… but your table needs one too! To fill in the blanks, this small wreath makes the perfect centerpiece.
DIY Paper Bag Stars From The Merrythought
Paper bag stars are all over right now. I’d like to think it’s because they’re pretty while also being super easy to make. If you have a pack of paper bags, glue, scissors, a hole punch, and thread, you’re good to go. Stars look great hanging from windows or staggered together above a dining room table.
DIY Advent Calendar From Honestly WTF
Beautiful advent calendars abound, but I can’t think of one more amazing than this one. It’s bold yet minimal, with beautiful jewel tones that perfectly reflect the holiday season. And with a short supply list, you have no excuse not using valuable wall space in this calendar.
Gingerbread salt dough decorations from The Merrythought
Confession: I’ve never actually made salt dough decorations! I know they’re a Christmas classic, and with this DIY, I’m excited to join in on the fun. And how creative are these designs? They are definitely the Scandinavian vibe I’m going for this year.
DIY Eucalyptus Garland From Homey Oh My
Take a break from traditional garlands and opt for smaller leaves. Eucalyptus smells fresh and piney and adds a thin, soft layer of color to your space. If doing a major renovation of your space sounds overwhelming, focus on the simple details.
Dried Orange Garland from Call Me Cupcake
Dried orange flowers have grown in popularity over the past few years. It’s easy to make, celebrate seasonal oranges, and you don’t need a dehydrator (yay!). In addition, they look amazing with any green string.
DIY Gingerbread House Gift Boxes from The House Made by Lars
If you’re lacking in skills in the gingerbread house-making department, this cardboard version is a simple and cute solution. Annnd they double as great gift wrap (just in case you need to work on building your finesse there too).
DIY Minimal Wreath From A Daily Something
If you’ve ever tried to make a wreath before, you know that it takes both skill and strength. Thankfully, small wreaths are trending. Just mix the greens, add a few floral decorations, and you’re good to go.
DIY Botanical Clay Ornaments From Semi Stories
If you love the look of handmade pottery but want to do something a little less involved, kiln-dried clay is the easiest to go for. This is almost like making cookies. Get outside for a nature walk and collect all the leaves and bits of plants to decorate your decorations (bonus: they double as awesome gifts).
Dala Horse Ornaments & Gift Toppers From Frances et Moi
Dala horses are traditional carved wooden horses representing the Swedish province of Dalarna. With a Dala horse cookie cutter, polymer clay, and a permanent marker, you have everything you need to whip out dozens of these for decorations, gift holders, and gifts for friends.
DIY Hand Crochet Garland From The Merrythought
Have you been wanting to get into crocheting? I’ve been afraid to start, but this simple tutorial is a great way to start. Put on your favorite Christmas movie and relax on the sofa. Oh, and you don’t even have to have needles—your hands work perfectly.
A-Frame Putz Home Decor From A Good Mess
How cute is this tiny home? Honestly, I’ve always dreamed of having my own frame in the woods, but this sweet boy will have to do it. I will be stringing these together on my tree and have plans to share them with friends as well.
DIY Mini Hat Ornaments From Call Me Cupcake
I started making these little guys last month and I will confirm: I am here fascinated. They are much easier than they look and are lovely on a tree or lined up near your windows. They will also be the sweetest gift ever.
DIY Giant Bow from Collective Gen
This DIY turns a pillow into a giant show-stopping bow, perfect for holiday decor or unique gift wrapping. With just a few adjustments, your pillow takes on a festive, fun atmosphere that will delight all of your guests. It’s an easy way to add elegance and personality to your celebrations.
Star Anise Wreath from Merrythought
Formulated with star anise, this natural floral finish combines rustic charm with a festive touch, with a scent perfect for the holidays. Its small but attractive design is an easy way to bring seasonal warmth and beauty to your home. Plus, the DIY process is straightforward, making it an accessible project for all skill levels.
DIY Velvet Inspired Ornaments from Alice & Lois
These velvet-inspired DIY ornaments are a wonderful way to add elegance to your holiday decor. Featuring a modern take on a classic ornament shape, it brings a luxurious texture and warmth to your Christmas tree. This beginner-friendly project combines the beauty and simplicity of a real festive touch.