Personalized Christmas Ornaments: 13 Family Ideas Inspired by Mariska Hargitay’s Tree

Personalized Christmas ornaments are the heart of this year’s biggest tree trend, and actress Mariska Hargitay just showed why. Her tree, shared by Homes and Gardens this week, is covered in quirky ornaments that each stand for someone in her family, like a little umbrella, a bottle of wine, a box of French fries and a tennis racket. It is not matched or fancy, and that is exactly what makes it so warm. Designers say 2026 is all about trees that tell a story, where every branch holds a memory. You do not need a big budget to make one. You need your people, a few simple supplies and some cozy evenings. Here are 13 easy ideas to get your family tree started..

Mariska Hargitay’s Personalized Christmas Ornaments Tree

Mariska Hargitay’s tree is a sweet reminder that the best decorations tell a story. According to this Homes and Gardens look at her tree, she picks ornaments that stand for each family member, so a tiny umbrella, French fries, a bottle of wine and a tennis racket all hang side by side. She ties the look together with candle style lights, and you can get the same glow safely with battery LED candle lights. The result feels cozy, a little funny and full of love. What little object would stand for you on your family tree..

You will need: A list of family members, small craft supplies, red ribbon and battery LED candle style lights.

How to make it: 1. Write down one hobby, food or habit for each person. 2. Make or find a small ornament for each one. 3. Hang them all with the same ribbon so the tree feels connected.

A Clear Ornament Full of Trip Tickets

Ticket stubs from a family trip, a concert or a ballgame can turn into one of the sweetest personalized Christmas ornaments. Roll them up and slip them into a clear ball ornament. Every time you hang it, you will remember that day. Add the year on a small tag if you like. It is a great way to save paper memories that usually end up lost in a drawer. What trip would you fill your first ornament with?

You will need: A clear plastic fillable ornament, ticket stubs or programs, a pencil and a ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Roll each ticket tightly around a pencil. 2. Slide them into the ornament one by one. 3. Put the cap back on and add a ribbon.

Kids Drawings on Clay Disc Ornaments

A child’s drawing of the house, the dog or the sun becomes a forever keepsake on a clay disc ornament. Shrink the drawing on a printer, cut it out and glue it to a smooth air dry clay circle. Seal it with clear glue. Grandparents especially love getting these. Every year you can add a new one and watch the drawings grow up. Which drawing on your fridge deserves a spot on the tree?

You will need: Air dry clay, a round cookie cutter, a straw, a printed copy of a drawing, glue and clear sealer.

How to make it: 1. Cut clay circles and poke a hole near the top with a straw, then let them dry. 2. Glue the shrunk drawing onto each disc. 3. Brush on clear sealer and add a ribbon.

A Recipe Card Ornament in Grandma’s Handwriting

Nothing says family like a recipe written in a loved one’s handwriting. Make a copy of the card, trim it into a circle and seal it under a clear glass or plastic disc. Tie it with gingham ribbon and hang it near the kitchen. It is a gentle way to keep someone close at the holidays. These personalized Christmas ornaments also make lovely gifts for cousins and siblings. Whose recipe would you choose?

You will need: A copy of a handwritten recipe, a clear disc ornament or glass cabochon, glue and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Copy and trim the recipe to fit the disc. 2. Glue it behind the clear disc with a thin layer of glue. 3. Add a backing circle and a ribbon loop.

Personalized Christmas Ornaments From Old Maps

Old road maps of towns you have lived in, cities where you met or places you love make beautiful personalized Christmas ornaments. Cut small pieces and glue them onto plain ball ornaments with decoupage glue. They become little globes of your family story. Kids love finding the street where they grew up. Which place on the map means the most to your family?

You will need: Old maps, plain ornaments, decoupage glue, a soft brush and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut the map into small pieces. 2. Brush glue onto the ornament and press the pieces on, overlapping them. 3. Seal with one more thin coat of glue.

Pet Name Ornaments From Wood Slices

Pets are family too, and they deserve a place on the tree. A natural wood slice with a painted paw print and the pet’s name is simple and sweet. You can trace your pet’s real paw print with a little washable paint on paper first. These personalized Christmas ornaments make great gifts for friends who love their dogs and cats. What would your pet’s ornament say?

You will need: Small wood slices with a hole, acrylic paint, a fine brush or paint pen and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Paint a small paw print on the wood slice. 2. Write the pet’s name under it with a paint pen. 3. Add a red bow and a ribbon loop.

Baby’s First Shoes as an Ornament

Tiny first shoes are hard to give away, so hang them on the tree instead. Tie them together with a soft satin ribbon and hang them on a sturdy branch. It is one of the most touching personalized Christmas ornaments you can make, and it takes two minutes. Add a small tag with the year. Every December it brings back those first wobbly steps. Do you still have a pair tucked away?

You will need: A pair of baby shoes, satin ribbon and a small tag.

How to make it: 1. Thread the ribbon through both shoes. 2. Tie a bow at the top with a loop for hanging. 3. Add a tag with the name and year.

Craft Stick Photo Frame Ornaments

Four craft sticks glued into a square make a tiny frame for a favorite photo. Paint them red and green, add a little twine loop and you have a classic family ornament. Kids can make these with a grown up, and they are perfect for school photos each year. Hang them together to make a family gallery on the tree. Which photo would you frame first?

You will need: Craft sticks, craft glue, paint, a small photo and twine.

How to make it: 1. Glue four craft sticks into a square and let it dry. 2. Paint the frame and let it dry. 3. Glue the photo behind it and add a twine loop.

Sports Jersey Fabric Ornaments

Old team shirts and jerseys can live on as fabric ornaments. Cut circles of the fabric, glue them over foam balls or plain ornaments, and add the player’s number. They are perfect for the sports fans in your family, from little league to college. It is a fun way to save a shirt that no longer fits. Which team colors would fill your tree?

You will need: Old jerseys or team shirts, foam balls or plain ornaments, fabric glue, scissors and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Cut the fabric into small panels. 2. Glue them around the ball, smoothing the edges. 3. Add a ribbon loop at the top.

Personalized Christmas Ornaments for Every Year

Start a tradition: one simple ornament for each child, stamped with the year, added every December. Over time, the tree tells their whole story. White clay stars are easy to make and look lovely together. When the kids grow up, they can take their set to their own home. It is the kind of tradition people remember forever. What year will your first star say?

You will need: Air dry clay, a star cookie cutter, small letter and number stamps, a straw and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Roll the clay and cut out stars. 2. Stamp the name and the year into each one, then poke a hole. 3. Let them dry and thread a ribbon.

Favorite Food Ornaments From Salt Dough

Mariska’s French fries ornament is a reminder that favorite foods make fun ornaments. Shape salt dough into a slice of pizza, a donut, a taco or a cupcake for each person, then paint them. Kids love making their own favorite. They are cheap, silly and full of personality. Just remind little ones that these are for looking, not eating. What food would be on your ornament?

You will need: Flour, salt, water, a baking sheet, acrylic paint and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt and about three quarters of a cup of water into a dough. 2. Shape the foods, poke a hole and bake on low with adult help until hard. 3. Paint them and add ribbon.

A Family Motto on a Painted Wood Star

Every family has a saying, a joke or a little motto. Paint it on a wooden star and hang it front and center. A deep red star with white dots and a little heart looks classic, and the words make it yours. It is a lovely ornament for newlyweds or a new home too. For more simple ideas, see our handmade Christmas ornaments. What would your family motto say?

You will need: A wooden star, red and white acrylic paint, a fine brush or paint pen and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Paint the star red and let it dry. 2. Add a dot border and a small heart. 3. Write your family motto with a white paint pen.

Tie Your Personalized Christmas Ornaments With One Ribbon

Here is the designer trick that makes a mix of quirky ornaments look pulled together. In the Homes and Gardens story, designer Kanika Bakshi Khurana suggests using one ribbon on most of the ornaments, so they share a similar look without being too perfect. A wide red velvet ribbon works beautifully. It turns a jumble of memories into one happy, cozy tree. Which ribbon color would tie your story tree together?

You will need: One roll of wide ribbon in a single color and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut the ribbon into equal lengths. 2. Tie each ornament on with the same ribbon and bow. 3. Step back and space the ornaments evenly around the tree.