Felt Christmas Crafts: 16 Cozy Handmade Ideas That Look Way More Expensive Than They Are

Felt Christmas crafts are having a big moment, and it is easy to see why. A few sheets of wool felt, some embroidery floss and a needle are all you need to make ornaments that look like they came from a pricey holiday boutique. Felt is soft, safe around kids and pets, never shatters when it falls off the tree, and lasts for years, so the pieces you stitch this winter can become family treasures. In the past month, searches for felt Christmas crafts became a breakout trend on Google in the United States. Put on a holiday movie, pour something warm, and pick a project from this list. Most take less than an hour and cost only a few dollars..

Felt Christmas Crafts: A Table Full of Handmade Ornaments

Felt Christmas crafts look their best when you make a whole little collection: gingerbread men, red cardinals, cream stars, mini stockings and tiny mittens, all in the same warm red, cream and green. Lay them out on the table as you finish them, and the pile alone will make you smile. Use real wool or wool blend felt if you can, because it is thicker, softer and looks far more expensive than thin craft felt. A blanket stitch around the edges gives every piece that boutique finish. Which ornament will you stitch first..

You will need: wool blend felt in red, cream, green and tan, embroidery floss, a needle, a little stuffing, paper templates, sharp scissors.

How to make it: 1. Trace simple shapes onto paper and cut them out. 2. Pin each template to two layers of felt and cut. 3. Blanket stitch the edges, adding a little stuffing and a twine loop before you close each one.

A Wool Ball Garland for the Mantel

A garland of round wool balls is the easiest project here and one of the prettiest. Thread a long needle with twine and push it through the center of each ball, mixing red, cream, sage and pink. Tie a knot every few balls so they stay in place, then drape it across the mantel, the tree or a doorway. It looks soft and Scandinavian, and kids can help sort the colors. You can buy bags of wool balls cheaply online or in craft stores, and they suit the calm look of our Scandinavian Christmas decor ideas too. How long will you make yours?

You will need: 60 to 100 wool balls in mixed colors, jute twine or strong thread, a long darning needle, a thimble.

How to make it: 1. Lay out the balls in a color pattern you like. 2. Thread them one by one onto the twine, using a thimble to push the needle. 3. Leave long tails at each end to tie the garland in place.

Felt Christmas Crafts Classic: Stitched Gingerbread Ornaments

Stitched gingerbread men are the most loved of all felt Christmas crafts, and they are easier than they look. Cut two cookie shapes from tan felt, add white rickrack or a running stitch for the icing, and sew on two tiny red buttons. Stitch a simple smile, then blanket stitch the edges together with a little stuffing inside. A loop of red and white baker’s twine finishes them off. Make a whole batch and hang them on the tree or tie them to cookie tins. Who will you give one to?

You will need: tan wool felt, white floss or thin rickrack, tiny red buttons, black floss, stuffing, baker’s twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut two gingerbread shapes for each ornament. 2. Stitch the icing, buttons and smile on the front piece. 3. Blanket stitch the two pieces together, stuffing lightly, and add a twine loop.

Mitten Gift Card Holders

A gift card can feel a little plain, but tuck it into a handmade mitten and it becomes a real present. Cut two mitten shapes from felt and stitch a small pocket on the front, then embroider a tiny snowflake on the pocket. Sew the edges with a contrasting blanket stitch and add a loop so it can hang on the tree afterward. Teachers, neighbors and coworkers love these. They take about twenty minutes each, so you can make a dozen in an evening. Who on your list could use one?

You will need: red, cream and green wool felt, white and red floss, a needle, a gift card for size, twine.

How to make it: 1. Trace a mitten a little bigger than a gift card and cut two. 2. Stitch a pocket and snowflake onto the front. 3. Blanket stitch the mitten together, leaving the top open, and add a loop.

Poinsettia Napkin Rings

These red poinsettia napkin rings make a simple table look elegant. Cut five or six petal shapes in two sizes, layer them into a flower, and glue or stitch a few yellow beads in the middle. Attach the flower to a strip of red felt with a snap or a little hook and loop dot, and wrap it around a rolled white napkin. The look is classic and expensive, but each ring costs well under a dollar. Make one for every guest and let them take it home. How many seats are at your table this year?

You will need: red and green felt, yellow seed beads, fabric glue or a needle and thread, small snaps or hook and loop dots, white napkins.

How to make it: 1. Cut petals in two sizes and layer them into a flower. 2. Stitch or glue the beads in the center. 3. Attach the flower to a felt strip with a snap and wrap it around a napkin.

Felt Christmas Crafts for a Mini Stocking Garland

A row of tiny stockings strung across a wall is one of the most charming felt Christmas crafts you can make, and it doubles as an advent garland. Cut small stockings in red, cream, green and gray, add contrast cuffs, and stitch on little stars or snowflakes. Clip them to a twine line with mini wooden clothespins. Slip a tiny treat or a note into each one for the countdown to Christmas. They also look sweet on a staircase or across a window. Will you make 12 or 24?

You will need: wool felt in four colors, embroidery floss, mini clothespins, jute twine, small treats or notes.

How to make it: 1. Cut two stocking shapes and a cuff for each. 2. Stitch on a simple design, then sew the edges with the top left open. 3. Add the cuff and clip each one to the twine.

A Christmas Tree Wall Hanging With Buttons

This little wall hanging is perfect for a kid’s room, a hallway or a door. Cut a tree shape from green felt and stitch it onto a cream felt banner with a pointed bottom. Sew colorful buttons all over the tree as ornaments, connect them with a stitched garland, and top it with a yellow star. Fold the top edge over a stick or dowel and hang it with twine. It is a lovely way to use up an old button jar. Kids can choose where each button goes. Do you have a button jar waiting for a project?

You will need: cream and green felt, a small piece of yellow felt, colorful buttons, floss, a stick or dowel, twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut the banner and tree, and stitch the tree to the banner. 2. Sew on buttons and a stitched garland line. 3. Fold the top over the dowel, stitch it closed and tie on a twine hanger.

Wool Mushroom Ornaments

Little red and white mushroom ornaments bring a woodland cottage feel to the tree, and they are very popular right now. Sew a cream felt stem into a small tube and stuff it. Cut a round red cap, gather the edge with a running stitch, stuff it and stitch it to the stem. Add white felt dots or French knots on top. Hang them with twine or tuck them into greenery on a table. They pair beautifully with pinecones and moss. These are pretend mushrooms only, of course. Which spot will you tuck them into?

You will need: red and cream wool felt, white felt or floss for dots, stuffing, needle and thread, twine.

How to make it: 1. Roll and stitch the stem, then stuff it. 2. Gather a felt circle into a cap, stuff it and sew it onto the stem. 3. Add dots and a twine loop.

A Felt Star Topper to Crown Your Felt Christmas Crafts

Once the tree is full of handmade ornaments, finish it with a soft felt star topper. Cut two large stars from cream wool felt, stitch the edges with gold floss, and sew on a scatter of tiny gold seed beads. Stuff it lightly and leave the bottom point open so it slides over the top branch. It looks cozy and expensive, and unlike glass toppers it will never break. This star turns all your felt Christmas crafts into one matching collection. Would you pick cream, red or gray?

You will need: cream wool felt, gold embroidery floss, gold seed beads, stuffing, a needle.

How to make it: 1. Cut two large stars and a small opening at the base. 2. Sew on beads, then blanket stitch the edges with gold floss. 3. Stuff lightly and slide it over the top of the tree.

Mistletoe for the Doorway

Real mistletoe is not safe around pets and kids, but this soft version is. Cut a handful of oval leaves from sage green felt, stitch a vein down each one, and glue them around a wrapped wire stem. Add a cluster of white felt or wool berries and tie it all with a red velvet bow. Hang it in a doorway and wait for someone to notice. It packs flat and looks fresh every year. It is a sweet gift for newlyweds too. Where would you hang yours?

You will need: sage green felt, small white wool balls, florist wire and tape, fabric glue, red velvet ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Cut 8 to 10 leaves and stitch a center vein. 2. Wrap wire with florist tape and glue the leaves around it. 3. Add the berries in the middle and tie a bow at the top.

Snowflake Coasters

Handmade coasters are a great gift for anyone who loves hot cocoa. Cut circles from thick gray, red and cream felt, then cut a snowflake from white felt and stitch or glue it on top. Blanket stitch the edge for a finished look. Make a stack of four and tie them with twine for an easy present. They protect the coffee table, soak up drips and look wonderfully cozy all winter. Use thick felt so they stay flat. Who on your list drinks a mug of something warm every night?

You will need: thick gray, red and cream felt, white felt, a round template like a small bowl, floss, fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Trace and cut circles about 4 inches wide. 2. Cut a snowflake and stitch or glue it in the center. 3. Blanket stitch around the edge and stack them.

Felt Christmas Crafts for the Door: A Pom Pom Wreath

A fluffy wreath is one of the most eye catching felt Christmas crafts, and it brightens a front door from the street. Hot glue wool balls and yarn pom poms all over a foam or straw wreath form, packing them tightly in red, white, pink and green. Fill any gaps with smaller balls, then add a wide velvet bow at the bottom. Ask an adult to handle the hot glue gun. The finished wreath is soft, colorful and very happy. Neighbors will ask where you bought it. Which colors match your door?

You will need: a 12 inch foam or straw wreath form, 80 to 120 wool balls and pom poms, a hot glue gun with adult help, velvet ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Glue the biggest pom poms first, spaced around the ring. 2. Fill in with smaller balls until no form shows. 3. Tie on a velvet bow and hang it with ribbon.

Cardinal Bird Ornaments

Red cardinals are a favorite winter symbol, and many people see them as a sign that a loved one is near. Cut two bird bodies from red felt, add a black mask, a little orange beak and a stitched wing on each side. Use tiny black beads for eyes, stuff the body and blanket stitch it closed. Clip them onto branches with small clips or hang them with thread. They look stunning on a snowy flocked tree. They also make a thoughtful gift for someone missing a loved one this year. Who comes to mind?

You will need: red wool felt, small pieces of black and orange felt, black seed beads, red floss, stuffing, small clips.

How to make it: 1. Cut two bodies, two wings and a small mask and beak. 2. Stitch the mask, beak and eyes onto each side. 3. Sew the body together with stuffing, then add the wings and a clip.

Felt Christmas Crafts as Gift Toppers Instead of Bows

Store bought bows get crushed and thrown away, but these felt Christmas crafts become a second gift. Make simple toppers: a red felt flower, a little green tree, a cream star or a sprig of holly with red berries. Tie them onto kraft paper packages with twine. Your gifts will look like they came from a fancy shop, and the toppers can be hung on the tree afterward. Make a few extra for last minute presents. Plain paper and felt toppers look elegant together. Which shape will you make first?

You will need: felt scraps in red, green and cream, small red wool balls or beads, fabric glue, twine, kraft paper.

How to make it: 1. Cut shapes from templates or freehand. 2. Glue or stitch on details like berries or a bead center. 3. Tie each topper to a wrapped gift with twine.

Ugly Sweater Ornaments

Tiny sweater ornaments are fun, playful and a great way to use every scrap of felt you have left. Cut little pullover shapes in red, green, navy and cream, then decorate them with stitched zigzags, mini pom poms, snowflakes and buttons. Every one can be different, so let each family member design their own. Add a loop and hang them on the tree, or use them as gift tags. They are perfect for an ugly sweater party favor too. Which design would you stitch for yourself?

You will need: felt scraps, embroidery floss in bright colors, mini pom poms, tiny buttons, fabric glue, twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut a small sweater shape from a paper template. 2. Stitch or glue on stripes, pom poms and buttons. 3. Add a twine loop at the neck.

Candy Cane Bookmarks

For the reader in your life, a candy cane bookmark is a sweet little stocking stuffer. Cut a long hook shape from white felt, then stitch or glue thin red felt stripes across it at an angle. Back it with a second layer for strength and blanket stitch around the edge. The hook sits over the top of the page, and the stripes peek out of the book. They are quick to make, light to mail and kids can help cut the stripes. Tuck one into a holiday book for a perfect gift. Who is the bookworm on your list?

You will need: white and red felt, fabric glue or red floss, a needle, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut two candy cane shapes about 6 inches long. 2. Glue or stitch red stripes onto the front piece. 3. Join both layers with a blanket stitch.