DIY Christmas Bells: 15 Cheap Bell Crafts for the Biggest Christmas Decor Trend

DIY Christmas Bells are popping up everywhere this year, and the best ones did not come from a store at all. They started life as kitchen colanders, plastic party cups, chipped enamel bowls and little clay flower pots. With a can of paint, some velvet ribbon and a few sprigs of greenery, those everyday things turn into big, beautiful bells that look like they came from a fancy holiday shop. Bells feel old fashioned in the best way. They remind us of sleigh rides, church steeples and Christmas songs we sang as kids. Below you will find easy ideas for the front door, the mantel, the tree and even the dinner table. Most cost less than five dollars, and some cost nothing at all. Let’s ring in the season..

DIY Christmas Bells From Gold Painted Colanders

This is the idea that started the whole bell craze. Flip an old metal or plastic colander upside down and it already looks like a bell. Give it a coat of antique gold paint, push a ribbon through the top holes and add a big velvet bow and a few pine sprigs. Hang two or three at different heights on a wall or door and you have a statement piece that looks expensive. Creators sharing bell makeovers on Facebook keep calling bells the biggest trend of the season. Check your cabinet before you shop..

You will need: Old colanders, gold spray paint or metallic craft paint, wide velvet ribbon, faux pine sprigs, a wooden bead for the clapper.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the colander, then paint it gold outside with an adult handling spray paint. 2. Thread ribbon through the top holes and tie a bead inside as the clapper. 3. Add a velvet bow and pine sprigs at the top.

Plastic Cup Bell Garland

Party cups make the cutest little bells, and a pack costs about a dollar. Turn them upside down, paint them gold, silver or red and poke a small hole in the bottom. Thread a wooden bead on string for the clapper, then tie each cup onto a long velvet ribbon. Drape the garland over a mantel, a window or a doorway. Kids can help with these DIY Christmas Bells from start to finish, and nothing breaks if it falls. Mix a few colors for a playful look or keep them all gold for a fancier feel. Which color will you choose?

You will need: Plastic party cups, metallic craft paint, wooden beads, string, red velvet ribbon, a thumbtack to poke holes.

How to make it: 1. Paint the cups and let them dry upside down. 2. Poke a hole in the bottom of each cup and thread a bead on a knotted string. 3. Tie the cups along the ribbon about 6 inches apart.

Thrifted Enamel Bowl Bells

Those chipped enamel mixing bowls at the thrift store are hiding a second life. Turn one upside down and it becomes a sweet vintage bell, especially in red, cream or green. Drill a hole in the top with adult help, or simply glue a ribbon loop on with strong craft glue. Add a wooden bead clapper and a plaid bow. Hang them from a beam or a peg rail in the kitchen and they look like old farmhouse treasures. The chips and wear make them even more charming. Have you seen enamel bowls at your local thrift shop lately?

You will need: Enamel bowls, strong craft glue or a drill for an adult, plaid ribbon, wooden beads, twine, pine sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Clean the bowls well. 2. An adult drills a small hole in the center, or glue a ribbon loop to the top. 3. Hang a bead on twine inside, add a bow and pine sprig, and hang.

Terracotta Pot DIY Christmas Bells

Small clay flower pots already have the perfect bell shape and a hole in the bottom. Paint them cream, red or green, or try a chalky white for a soft Scandinavian look. Thread a ribbon through the hole, tie a big wooden bead underneath for the clapper and finish with a bow. These DIY Christmas Bells look lovely in a row on a mantel or hanging from a front door wreath. They even make a soft clinking sound when the door opens. Most garden centers sell these pots for under a dollar each. How many will you paint?

You will need: Small terracotta pots, chalk paint, ribbon, large wooden beads, twine, a paintbrush.

How to make it: 1. Paint the pots and let them dry. 2. Knot twine through a wooden bead and pull it up through the drainage hole. 3. Tie the twine to a ribbon loop on top and add a bow.

Cardboard and Rope Giant Bells

Want a giant bell for the porch or a big blank wall? Make one from cardboard and rope. Cut a bell shape from a sturdy box, then glue thick jute rope around and around until the cardboard is covered. It looks like a rustic woven bell and weighs almost nothing. Add a huge plaid or velvet bow at the top and some greenery. This is one of the cheapest DIY Christmas Bells you can make, and it looks great from the street. An adult should handle the hot glue. Where would you hang a giant bell?

You will need: A large cardboard box, a box cutter for an adult, thick jute rope, a hot glue gun for an adult, a wide bow, greenery.

How to make it: 1. Draw a bell shape about 2 feet tall and an adult cuts it out. 2. Glue rope in rows from the outside edge inward until covered. 3. Add a big bow and greenery at the top.

Velvet Bow DIY Christmas Bells Door Hanger

A simple bell door hanger is the friendliest way to greet guests. Tie two or three bells to a metal ring or embroidery hoop, add a velvet or burlap bow and tuck in a few pine sprigs and berries. It takes about fifteen minutes and you can reuse it every year. Every time the door opens, you get a cheerful little jingle. If you love big beautiful bows, our Christmas bow decor ideas pair perfectly with this one. Would your front door look better with a little jingle?

You will need: A metal ring or embroidery hoop, 2 or 3 bells, wide ribbon, faux pine sprigs, berries, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the ring with ribbon or leave it plain. 2. Wire the bells to the bottom of the ring. 3. Tie a big bow above the bells and tuck pine and berries into the knot.

Vintage Brass Bells on a Wreath

Old brass bells from flea markets look stunning on a plain green wreath. Hang them from a long ribbon so they sit in the center of the wreath, or tie a cluster right at the bottom. Of all the DIY Christmas Bells here, this one feels the most like an heirloom. Brass gets a warm glow as it ages, which makes it feel like it has been in the family for years. You can also give cheap new bells a vintage look with a light brush of brown paint and a quick wipe. Hang it on a brick wall, a front door or above the mantel. Do you have any old bells tucked away in a drawer?

You will need: A plain green wreath, brass bells or bells painted antique gold, ribbon, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Tie a ribbon to the top of the wreath frame so it hangs through the middle. 2. Wire the bells to the end of the ribbon. 3. Hang the wreath and adjust the bells so they sit centered.

Silver Bowl Bell Trio

Small stainless or silver plated bowls from the thrift store make elegant bells. Flip three of them upside down, glue a ribbon loop to each top and hang them at different heights in a window or under a shelf. Add white or blue velvet bows for a frosty look. These DIY Christmas Bells reflect the light beautifully all day long. This idea fits a modern home perfectly, and it costs just a few dollars. If you like a little shine without lots of glitter, this is your project. Which window in your home gets the best morning light?

You will need: Three small metal bowls, strong craft glue, ribbon, velvet bows, a curtain rod or hook.

How to make it: 1. Glue a ribbon loop to the bottom of each bowl and let it set overnight. 2. Tie a velvet bow at the top of each loop. 3. Hang them at three different heights from a rod or hook.

Jingle Bell Clusters for the Tree

Tiny jingle bells look sweet alone, but they look amazing in clusters. Tie three or four gold bells together with a ribbon and a big bow, then hang them all over the tree. They fill gaps, add sparkle and make a soft sound every time someone walks by. You can buy a big bag of jingle bells for a couple of dollars and make dozens of clusters in an evening. Try gold with cream ribbon, or silver with red. These DIY Christmas Bells are a fun job for the whole family while the tree goes up. Will your tree jingle this year?

You will need: Gold or silver jingle bells, ribbon, thin wire or string, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Thread 3 or 4 bells onto a short piece of wire. 2. Twist the wire closed and tie a ribbon bow over it. 3. Leave a loop and hang the clusters on the branches.

Paper Mache DIY Christmas Bells

Paper mache bells are a great rainy day project with kids. Cover a plastic cup or small balloon with strips of newspaper dipped in flour and water paste. Let it dry, pop the balloon or pull out the cup and paint the shell. Red and white stripes look like peppermint, while gold and glitter looks fancy. These DIY Christmas Bells are light enough to hang anywhere, even on thin branches. They also make sweet gifts for grandparents. Kids love seeing their messy project turn into real decor. Ready to get a little messy?

You will need: Newspaper strips, flour and water paste, plastic cups or small balloons, craft paint, string, beads.

How to make it: 1. Cover the cup or balloon with three layers of paste dipped strips. 2. Let it dry fully for a day, then remove the mold. 3. Paint, add a bead clapper on string and hang.

Egg Carton Bell Ornaments

Do not toss that egg carton. Each cup is already shaped like a tiny bell. Cut the cups apart, trim the edges into a wavy bell shape and paint them red, green, gold or white. Poke a hole in the top, thread a pipe cleaner or string with a bead on the end, and you have a little bell ornament. Glue on a bit of glitter for extra sparkle. A dozen DIY Christmas Bells from one carton is a pretty good deal. These are perfect for a kids tree or for tying onto gifts. How many egg cartons are in your recycling right now?

You will need: Cardboard egg cartons, scissors, craft paint, pipe cleaners or string, small beads, glitter and glue.

How to make it: 1. Cut out each cup and trim the rim into a bell shape. 2. Paint and let dry, then add glitter if you like. 3. Thread a pipe cleaner with a bead through the top and bend it into a hanger.

Red Bells Tied to a Garland

A few big bells tied right into a garland make any railing, window or staircase feel festive. Pick two or three bells with ribbon already attached, or make your own from any project in this list, and tie them where the garland dips. Red bells against green garland is a classic look that never gets old. Use zip ties or floral wire so nothing slides. If you have a staircase, put a pair at the newel post at the bottom where everyone sees them. Where in your home could a pair of red bells say Merry Christmas?

You will need: Faux garland, two or three large bells, ribbon, zip ties or floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Hang the garland and find the spots where it dips. 2. Tie ribbon to each bell and knot it around the garland. 3. Secure with wire or a zip tie and fluff the greenery over it.

Painted Wooden DIY Christmas Bells

Wooden bell cutouts from the craft store cost less than a dollar each and paint up beautifully. Try buffalo check, snowflakes, simple stripes or a soft whitewash. Add a twine hanger and a sprig of greenery, then hang them on the tree, on cabinet knobs or on a wall of hooks. These DIY Christmas Bells are a cozy, safe craft for all ages. You can also write a family name or the year on the back to make them keepsakes. Set up a little painting party with cocoa and let everyone make their own. What pattern would you paint first?

You will need: Wooden bell cutouts, craft paint, small brushes, painter’s tape for stripes, twine, faux greenery.

How to make it: 1. Paint a base coat and let it dry. 2. Add stripes, checks or snowflakes with a small brush. 3. Glue a twine loop and a small sprig of greenery to the top.

Jingle Bell Gift Toppers

Skip the store bought bows this year. Tie a cluster of red jingle bells with a green velvet ribbon and add it to the top of each gift. It looks charming, it jingles when the gift is shaken and the bells can be reused on the tree later. Kraft paper with red bells and green ribbon looks simple and expensive at the same time. Keep small bells away from babies and pets, since they are a choking risk. Your gifts will stand out under the tree in the best way. Who on your list gets the first jingle topper?

You will need: Small red or gold jingle bells, velvet or satin ribbon, thin wire or string, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Thread 3 bells onto a short string and knot it. 2. Tie the string to the center of a ribbon bow. 3. Tape or tie the bow to the top of the gift.

Oversized Porch Bells From Buckets

For a porch that wows the whole street, make oversized bells from old metal buckets or plastic planters. Turn them upside down, paint them gold, red or white and add a huge bow with greenery on top. Hang them from a porch beam or set them on a bench with lanterns lit by battery lights. These big bells look like they belong outside a fancy hotel, yet they cost only a few dollars and an afternoon. This is a perfect way to end your bell collection with a bang. Will your porch be the one people stop to photograph?

You will need: Old metal buckets or plastic planters, outdoor spray paint, wide outdoor ribbon, faux greenery, strong rope or hooks.

How to make it: 1. An adult spray paints the buckets outside and lets them dry. 2. An adult drills a hole in the bottom or ties rope through the handle. 3. Add a big bow and greenery and hang them securely from a beam.