Christmas Picture Frame Crafts: 15 Thrift Store Gifts and Decor That Look Way More Expensive

Christmas picture frame crafts are the easiest way to make gifts and decor that look like they came from a fancy boutique. Walk into any thrift store and you will find a whole wall of old frames for a dollar or two each. Most people walk right past them. But with a little paint, some ribbon and a handful of greenery, those tired frames turn into candy gifts, wreaths, ornaments, trays and family keepsakes that people will treasure for years. The best part is that nobody will guess how little you spent. These ideas are simple, cozy and perfect for a quiet evening at the kitchen table with a cup of cocoa. Grab a bag of frames on your next thrift run and let us make this the most heartfelt Christmas yet..

Christmas Picture Frame Crafts Start With a Candy Filled Shadow Frame

This is the gift that went viral, and it is easy to see why. A deep thrift store frame filled to the glass with colorful wrapped candies looks like a little treasure box on the wall. Christmas picture frame crafts like this one cost a few dollars, yet the person who opens it will think you found it in a gift shop. Pick a frame with at least an inch of depth, or add a cardboard spacer behind the glass. The thousands of shares on candy filled frame gift videos on Facebook prove how much people love it. Who on your list has the biggest sweet tooth..

You will need: 1 deep thrift store frame or shadow box, gold or red spray paint (optional), assorted wrapped candies with plain foil, wide red satin ribbon, strong craft glue, a cardboard strip for depth.

How to make it: 1. Remove the backing, clean the glass and paint the frame if you like. 2. Glue a cardboard strip around the inside edge to add depth, then lay the frame face down and fill it with candies. 3. Press the backing on, secure the clips and tie a big red bow on top.

Frame Wreath With Fresh Greenery

Who says a wreath has to be round inside? An old wooden frame makes a sturdy base for fresh pine, cedar and eucalyptus. Tuck the stems around all four sides, wire them in place and add a plaid bow at the top. It looks like something from a farmhouse catalog and costs almost nothing. Hang it on your front door, a cabinet or above the bed. Will you try a square wreath this year?

You will need: 1 wooden picture frame with the glass and back removed, fresh or faux evergreen stems, green floral wire, a plaid ribbon, wire cutters.

How to make it: 1. Remove the glass and backing and paint the frame white if you like. 2. Lay small bundles of greenery along each side and wrap them tightly with floral wire. 3. Tie a big plaid bow at the top and add a wire loop for hanging.

Christmas Picture Frame Crafts for the Tree: Family Photo Ornaments

Tiny frames from the thrift store or dollar bin make the sweetest ornaments. Pop in a favorite family photo, a snowy trip snapshot or a picture of the kids from years ago, then hang it with a velvet ribbon. Every year when you unpack the box, the memories come back. These Christmas picture frame crafts also make lovely gifts for grandparents. Which photo would you hang first?

You will need: Mini picture frames 2 to 3 inches, printed family photos, red or green velvet ribbon, hot glue (adult use), gold paint pen (optional).

How to make it: 1. Trim each photo to fit and slide it into the frame. 2. Glue a loop of velvet ribbon to the top back of the frame. 3. Add a small bow and hang it on the tree.

Chalkboard Countdown Frame

Kids love counting down the days to Christmas, and a chalkboard frame makes it fun to do together each morning. Paint the backing board with chalkboard paint, put it back in a big frame and decorate the top with a small garland and berries. Write the days left in chalk and let the kids erase and update it after breakfast. You can also add cute doodles and weekly holiday plans. What fun plans will you write on yours?

You will need: 1 large wooden frame, chalkboard paint, a foam brush, chalk, a small pine garland, faux red berries, hot glue (adult use).

How to make it: 1. Remove the glass and paint the backing with two coats of chalkboard paint. 2. Put the board back into the frame and glue the garland along the top. 3. Lean it on the counter and write your countdown in chalk.

Christmas Picture Frame Crafts That Serve: A Holiday Frame Tray

A thrift store frame and two cabinet handles turn into a serving tray that looks like it came from a boutique. Paint the frame glossy red, slide plaid fabric under the glass and screw on brass handles. It is perfect for carrying cocoa and cookies to the sofa on a cold night. This is one of those Christmas picture frame crafts that people actually use every day. Who will you share the first tray of cocoa with?

You will need: 1 sturdy wooden frame with glass, red spray paint, plaid fabric or wrapping paper, 2 cabinet handles with short screws, a drill (adult use), felt pads.

How to make it: 1. Spray paint the frame and let it dry. 2. Place the fabric under the glass and close the backing. 3. With adult help, attach the handles to the short sides and add felt pads underneath.

Window Frame With Hanging Ornaments

An old window frame is the bigger cousin of a picture frame, and it makes a stunning Christmas display. Hang vintage glass ornaments from the top of each pane on thin ribbons so they float at different heights. Add a pine garland across the top and you have a farmhouse look that shops sell for a small fortune. Look for old windows at flea markets, salvage shops and yard sales. Where would you hang it in your home?

You will need: 1 old wooden window frame with the glass removed or intact, 8 to 12 glass ornaments, thin satin ribbon, small cup hooks, a pine garland, picture hanging wire.

How to make it: 1. Clean the frame and screw small cup hooks along the top of each pane. 2. Tie ornaments on ribbons of different lengths and hang them from the hooks. 3. Wire a garland across the top and hang the frame securely on the wall.

Frame Snow Scene With Cotton

A deep shadow box frame is like a tiny stage for a winter village. Fill the bottom with fluffy cotton snow, add a few bottle brush trees and a little wooden cabin, and you have a cozy scene that looks like a snow globe you can hang. Kids love helping arrange the pieces, and you can change the scene each year. It looks lovely on a mantel or a bookshelf. What would you put in your snowy village?

You will need: 1 white shadow box frame, cotton batting or fake snow, mini bottle brush trees, a small wooden house, tacky glue, a little glitter (optional).

How to make it: 1. Open the shadow box and glue cotton snow along the bottom. 2. Arrange the trees and house and glue them down. 3. Sprinkle a touch of glitter, close the frame and set it on the mantel.

Frame Card Holder With Twine

Every year the Christmas cards pile up on the counter, and this frame gives them a happy home. Take the glass and backing out of a big frame, string rows of twine across it and clip the cards on with mini clothespins. It turns your greetings into wall art. Paint the frame gold, white or red to match your room. Where do your Christmas cards usually end up?

You will need: 1 large empty picture frame, natural twine, a staple gun or small nails, mini wooden clothespins, paint (optional).

How to make it: 1. Remove the glass and back from the frame and paint it if you like. 2. Staple rows of twine across the back, about 4 inches apart. 3. Hang the frame and clip your cards on as they arrive.

Christmas Picture Frame Crafts With Craft Sticks: Mini Frame Ornaments

These little ornaments are made from craft sticks, so they cost just pennies each. Glue four sticks into a square, paint them red, green or white, and add a tiny photo or a cut out picture from an old Christmas card. Kids can decorate them with buttons and twine. These Christmas picture frame crafts are perfect for a class party or a family craft night. How many will your crew make?

You will need: Wooden craft sticks, acrylic paint, small pictures or photos, buttons, twine, craft glue, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Glue four craft sticks into a square and let it dry. 2. Paint the frame and glue a picture to the back. 3. Decorate with buttons and add a twine loop for hanging.

Pressed Greenery Frame Art

Pressed evergreen art brings a calm, elegant feeling to the holidays. Press small sprigs of pine, fern and holly leaves in a heavy book for a week, then arrange them on white paper inside thin gold frames. Hang three in a row and you have botanical art that looks like it came from a design store. It is a lovely gift for anyone who loves nature. Which leaves grow in your yard?

You will need: 3 thin gold frames, white cardstock, small evergreen sprigs and leaves, heavy books for pressing, a glue stick or tiny dots of craft glue, tweezers.

How to make it: 1. Press the greenery between paper in a heavy book for 5 to 7 days. 2. Arrange the dry pieces on cardstock and glue them with tiny dots. 3. Place the cardstock in the frames and hang them in a row.

Kids Handprint Frame Gift

No gift makes grandparents tear up faster than a little handprint. Paint your child’s hand green and press it onto white paper in a fan to make a Christmas tree, then add colorful fingerprint ornaments and a yellow star on top. Pop it into a simple white frame and tie a red ribbon around it. Write the year on the back so it becomes a keepsake. Who will cry happy tears opening this one?

You will need: 1 white picture frame, white cardstock, washable green, red, blue and yellow paint, a paintbrush, baby wipes, red ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Paint your child’s hand green and press it in a fan shape to form a tree. 2. Add fingerprint ornaments and paint a little star on top. 3. Let it dry, frame it and tie it with a red ribbon.

Christmas Picture Frame Crafts for Grandma: A Framed Recipe Card

If your family has a favorite holiday recipe written in grandma’s handwriting, frame it. A worn recipe card for cookies or pie becomes a priceless piece of kitchen art. Scan or copy the original to keep it safe, then put the copy in a distressed white frame tied with holly and cinnamon sticks. These Christmas picture frame crafts are pure love, and they pair nicely with cheap neighbor Christmas gifts. Whose recipe would you frame?

You will need: 1 small wooden frame, a copy of a handwritten recipe card, white chalk paint, sandpaper, a sprig of faux holly, cinnamon sticks, twine.

How to make it: 1. Paint the frame white and sand the edges for a worn look. 2. Place the recipe copy inside. 3. Tie cinnamon sticks and holly to one corner with twine.

Frame Advent Calendar With Envelopes

Turn a big rustic frame into an advent calendar that the whole family will look forward to every morning. String twine across the open frame and clip 24 small kraft envelopes to it with tiny clothespins. Fill each one with a little treat, a joke, a coupon for a cozy movie night or a kind task to do that day. Stamp or write a number on each envelope. What surprise would you tuck inside the first one?

You will need: 1 large wooden frame, natural twine, a staple gun, 24 small kraft envelopes, mini clothespins, number stamps or a marker, a small pine garland.

How to make it: 1. Staple four or five rows of twine across the back of the frame. 2. Number the envelopes and fill them with small surprises. 3. Clip the envelopes in order and decorate the top with greenery.

Gold Frame Mirror Garland

Small round and oval mirrors in gold frames catch the light and make any mantel sparkle. Look for little thrift store mirrors or dollar store compact frames, spray them gold if needed and string them on a long velvet ribbon with pine sprigs in between. In the daytime they bounce sunlight around the room, and at night they reflect the tree lights. It looks elegant and costs very little. Will you hang yours on the mantel or the staircase?

You will need: 6 to 10 small framed mirrors, gold spray paint (optional), a long velvet ribbon, small pine sprigs, hot glue (adult use), removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Paint the mirror frames gold if needed and let them dry. 2. Glue each mirror to the ribbon, spacing them evenly. 3. Tuck pine sprigs between them and drape the garland across the mantel.

Christmas Picture Frame Crafts Finale: A Red and Green Gallery Wall

Our last idea pulls everything together. Gather mismatched thrift store frames, paint them glossy red and deep green and fill them with simple holiday prints, plaid fabric scraps and old Christmas cards. Hang them above the sofa as a cheerful gallery wall. It looks like a designer did it, but it costs less than one store bought print. These Christmas picture frame crafts are a fun way to finish your holiday home. Which wall will you fill first?

You will need: 8 to 12 thrift store frames in mixed sizes, red and green spray paint, holiday prints or plaid fabric, painter’s tape, picture hooks, a pencil.

How to make it: 1. Spray paint the frames red and green and let them dry. 2. Fill them with prints and fabric. 3. Lay them out on the floor, then hang them on the wall starting from the center.