16 Old-Fashioned Handmade Christmas Ornaments That Feel Like Grandma’s House

Handmade Christmas ornaments carry a kind of magic that store bought baubles never quite match. Think back to grandma’s tree. It was not perfect, but every felt heart, paper chain and popcorn garland had a story, and you could feel the love in every stitch. That simple, old-fashioned style is coming back in a big way this year. A short video of Scandinavian felt ornaments pulled in millions of views in less than two weeks, and searches for Victorian Christmas crafts are climbing fast. The best part is that these ornaments use cheap, cozy supplies like felt, paper, twine, buttons and wooden spools. Put on some carols, pour a mug of cocoa and gather the family around the table, because these are the decorations your kids will one day hang on their own trees..

Handmade Christmas Ornaments Start With Scandinavian Felt Hearts

Red and white felt hearts are the heart of a Scandinavian Christmas, and they are some of the easiest handmade Christmas ornaments to sew. Cut two heart shapes, stitch around the edge with a simple blanket stitch, tuck in a little stuffing and add a twine loop. A short video of these sweet Scandinavian felt ornaments was watched about 11 million times in under two weeks. Make a dozen in an evening while you watch a holiday movie. They look so pretty all together..

You will need: Red and white wool felt, a paper heart template, embroidery floss, a needle, a little stuffing, jute twine, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Trace and cut two hearts for each ornament. 2. Stack them and blanket stitch around the edge, leaving a small gap. 3. Push in a pinch of stuffing and finish the stitching. 4. Sew a twine loop to the top for hanging.

Handmade Christmas Ornaments in Felt: Simple Stars

Felt stars are a perfect next step after hearts, and they look beautiful hanging from a bare branch or a full tree. Mix red, cream and deep green for a classic look. A simple running stitch in white floss gives them that cozy, handmade charm. Kids can help trace and cut while adults handle the needle work. Make a few extra to tie onto gifts instead of bows. Which colors will you choose for your stars?

You will need: Wool felt in three colors, a star template, white embroidery floss, a needle, stuffing, red twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut two stars for each ornament. 2. Stitch around the edge with a running stitch, leaving one point open. 3. Add a bit of stuffing and close it up. 4. Sew a twine loop to one point.

Weave Danish Paper Heart Baskets

Woven paper hearts have hung on Danish Christmas trees for generations, and they double as tiny baskets you can fill with candy or nuts. You fold two paper strips, cut slits and weave them together into a checkered heart. Among all handmade Christmas ornaments, these feel the most magical. It feels tricky the first time, then suddenly it clicks and you cannot stop making them. Red and white is the classic combo, but kraft paper looks lovely too. Will you fill yours with a treat for each guest?

You will need: Red and white paper, a ruler, a pencil, scissors, a little glue, ribbon for handles.

How to make it: 1. Cut two long rectangles, one red and one white, and fold each in half. 2. Round the open end and cut three slits from the folded edge. 3. Weave the strips through each other, in and around, until the heart is checkered. 4. Glue on a ribbon handle.

Dry Orange Slices for Glowing Ornaments

Dried orange slices glow like stained glass when the tree lights shine through them, and your whole kitchen will smell like the holidays while they dry. Slice oranges thin, pat them dry and bake them low and slow, flipping a few times. Thread jute twine through the top and hang them on the tree or string them into a garland. An adult should handle the oven and knife. They last for years if kept dry. Ready to fill your home with that sweet citrus scent?

You will need: 3 or 4 oranges, a sharp knife (adult use), paper towels, a baking sheet with a rack, jute twine, a large needle.

How to make it: 1. Slice the oranges about a quarter inch thick. 2. Pat both sides dry with paper towels. 3. Bake at the lowest oven setting for three to four hours, flipping every hour. 4. Cool completely and thread twine through the top.

String a Popcorn and Cranberry Garland

Nothing says old-fashioned Christmas quite like a popcorn and cranberry garland. Families have been stringing them by the fire for more than a hundred years, and it is still a wonderful way to slow down together. It is one of the oldest handmade Christmas ornaments of all. Use plain air popped popcorn that is a day old so it does not crumble. Alternate a few pieces of popcorn with one cranberry for a pretty pattern. When the season ends, you can hang it outside for the birds. Who in your family will win the longest garland contest?

You will need: Plain popcorn, fresh cranberries, a long needle, strong white thread or dental floss, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Pop the popcorn and let it sit out overnight. 2. Thread a needle with a long piece of strong thread and knot the end. 3. String popcorn and cranberries in a pattern. 4. Tie off the end and drape it on the tree.

Make Sweet Clothespin Angels

Clothespin angels are one of those handmade Christmas ornaments that grandmas everywhere seem to remember. A plain wooden clothespin becomes the body, a scrap of lace makes the dress and a twist of gold pipe cleaner turns into a halo. Draw two little dots for eyes and a rosy smile. Kids love giving each angel its own personality and name. They also clip right onto branches, so no hooks needed. Will your angel have a sparkly halo or a simple one?

You will need: Old-style wooden clothespins, lace scraps, white paper or felt for wings, gold pipe cleaners, a fine marker, glue.

How to make it: 1. Wrap lace around the clothespin to make a dress and glue it in place. 2. Cut wings from paper or felt and glue them to the back. 3. Twist a small loop of gold pipe cleaner and glue it on the head. 4. Draw a sweet face with the marker.

Wrap Wooden Spools Into Vintage Ornaments

If you have an old sewing box, you might be sitting on a treasure of empty wooden spools for handmade Christmas ornaments. Wrapped in red and white baker’s twine or plaid fabric scraps and topped with a tiny jingle bell, they make charming farmhouse ornaments. They are especially sweet for anyone who loves to sew, maybe as a gift for grandma herself. Wooden spools are getting harder to find, so thrift stores and estate sales are worth a peek. Is there an old sewing tin hiding in your closet?

You will need: Empty wooden thread spools, baker’s twine or fabric scraps, small jingle bells, glue, twine for hanging.

How to make it: 1. Dab glue on the spool and wrap twine tightly around the middle. 2. Or wrap a strip of fabric and glue the end. 3. Thread a loop of twine through the center hole. 4. Tie a jingle bell to the top of the loop.

Bake Salt Dough Snowflake Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments have been a family favorite for generations because the recipe is just flour, salt and water. Roll it out, press in snowflakes or stars with cookie cutters and poke a hole at the top for ribbon. After baking and cooling, paint them white or leave them natural for a rustic look. Kids love pressing handprints or lace into the dough for texture. If your family loves working with dough, try these dough art ideas. These are not for eating, so keep them away from pets. Which shape will you make first?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, about 3/4 cup water, cookie cutters, a straw, a rolling pin, paint, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Mix flour, salt and water into a smooth dough. 2. Roll it a quarter inch thick and cut shapes. 3. Poke a hole near the top with a straw. 4. Bake at a low heat for two to three hours with adult help, cool, then paint and add ribbon.

Handmade Christmas Ornaments From the Victorian Era: Paper Fans

Victorian families decorated their trees with paper fans, and this elegant tradition is trending again as more people search for Victorian Christmas crafts. Fold a strip of pretty paper like an accordion, pinch one end and glue on a ribbon bow or a tiny pearl. Old sheet music, wallpaper scraps or gold edged paper all work beautifully. Hang them in a cluster for an antique look. These handmade Christmas ornaments cost pennies but feel straight out of a storybook. Which paper will you use?

You will need: Decorative paper or old sheet music, a ruler, glue, thin ribbon, small pearls or buttons, thread for hanging.

How to make it: 1. Cut a paper strip about 2 by 8 inches. 2. Fold it back and forth like an accordion. 3. Pinch the bottom together and glue it. 4. Glue a ribbon bow over the pinch and add a thread loop.

Fold Lace Doily Angels

Paper lace doilies, the kind you might find in a kitchen drawer, fold into the most delicate little angels. Shape one doily into a cone for the skirt, fold half of another for wings and top it with a wooden bead head. A loop of gold thread makes the halo. They look gorgeous against green branches or a snowy white tree. These handmade Christmas ornaments are light, so they will not weigh down thin branches. Would you make a whole choir of them?

You will need: White paper doilies, wooden beads, gold thread, glue, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Roll one doily into a cone and glue the seam. 2. Fold a second doily in half and glue it to the back as wings. 3. Glue a wooden bead on top for the head. 4. Tie a small loop of gold thread around the head as a halo and hanger.

Make a Button Snowman Ornament

Grandma’s button jar finally has a job. Stack three white buttons from big to small on a piece of wire or glue them onto a felt backing, then add a tiny scarf from a scrap of red fabric and two black bead eyes. These little snowmen are quick, cute and great for small hands with adult help. Hang them on the tree, tie them to gifts or glue a magnet on the back for the fridge. How many buttons are hiding in your sewing box?

You will need: White buttons in three sizes, thin craft wire or felt, a red fabric scrap, small black beads, glue, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Thread the buttons onto wire from big at the bottom to small at the top. 2. Twist the wire at the top into a hanging loop. 3. Tie a thin strip of red fabric between the top two buttons. 4. Glue on tiny bead eyes.

Handmade Christmas Ornaments From Old Christmas Cards

Many of us keep a box of old Christmas cards because they are too pretty to throw away. Cut out circles or stars around your favorite scenes, glue two back to back and edge them with a bit of gold glitter or ribbon. Now those cards from loved ones can hang on your tree every year. It is a lovely way to remember family and friends. Kids enjoy hunting for the best snowy cottages and cardinals. Which card would you save first?

You will need: Old Christmas cards, a round lid or star template, scissors, glue, gold glitter glue or ribbon, a hole punch.

How to make it: 1. Trace a circle or star over your favorite part of a card. 2. Cut out two matching shapes. 3. Glue them back to back with a ribbon loop between them. 4. Edge with glitter glue and let it dry.

Link a Colorful Paper Chain Garland

Paper chains are the very first handmade decoration many of us ever made, and they still bring pure joy. Cut strips of colored paper, loop them together with glue or tape and watch the chain grow longer and longer. Kids can use these handmade Christmas ornaments as a countdown, tearing off one link each day until Christmas. Try red and green, all white, or patterned scrapbook paper for a fresh twist. How long can your family make it?

You will need: Colored paper, scissors or a paper cutter, a glue stick or tape, a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Cut paper into strips about 1 by 6 inches. 2. Loop the first strip into a ring and glue it closed. 3. Thread the next strip through and glue it. 4. Keep going until the chain is as long as you want.

Frame Fabric in Embroidery Hoop Ornaments

Mini embroidery hoops turn fabric scraps into framed little works of art for your tree. Pop in a piece of gingham, plaid or a vintage tea towel, then stitch a simple tree, star or heart in the center. Even with beginner stitches, they look charming. Add a red ribbon at the top and you are done. They also make a heartfelt gift when you stitch a name or a year on them. What will you stitch in yours?

You will need: Small wooden embroidery hoops, fabric scraps, embroidery floss, a needle, scissors, glue, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Place fabric in the hoop and tighten it. 2. Lightly draw a simple shape and stitch over it. 3. Trim the extra fabric on the back and glue the edges down. 4. Tie a ribbon to the top screw.

Twist Mini Twig Wreath Ornaments

A walk outside can give you everything you need for these rustic little wreaths. Gather thin bendy twigs, twist them into small circles and tuck in dried leaves, berries or a sprig of evergreen. A tiny red bow finishes them off. They look wonderful on a farmhouse tree or hung on cabinet knobs around the house. These handmade Christmas ornaments cost nothing at all. Kids love the nature hunt as much as the crafting. What treasures will you find on your walk?

You will need: Thin flexible twigs, florist wire, dried leaves or small pine sprigs, a red ribbon, garden snips.

How to make it: 1. Bend a few thin twigs into a small circle and wrap the ends with wire. 2. Weave more twigs around until it feels sturdy. 3. Tuck in leaves or pine sprigs. 4. Tie a small ribbon bow at the top.

Show Off Your Handmade Christmas Ornaments on a Wall

Once you have a basket full of handmade Christmas ornaments, do not hide them away in a box. Hang a long branch or a wooden board on the wall and display your favorites all together. It becomes a living scrapbook of the season, mixing felt hearts, paper fans, spools and angels. Add a strand of battery fairy lights for a soft glow, never real candles near paper or felt. Each year, add a few new pieces and watch the collection grow. Which ornament would you hang in the center?

You will need: A long branch or wooden board, hooks or small nails, twine, your handmade ornaments, battery fairy lights (optional).

How to make it: 1. Hang the branch or board securely on the wall with adult help. 2. Tie lengths of twine at different heights. 3. Hang ornaments from the twine. 4. Weave battery fairy lights through for a cozy glow.