Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets: 12 Easy Bead Crafts to Make as Christmas Gifts

Taylor Swift friendship bracelets turned a simple childhood craft into a worldwide trend, and they make some of the sweetest Christmas gifts you can give. A handful of beads, some stretchy cord and a little patience is all it takes. Fans of every age have spent hours at kitchen tables spelling out names, inside jokes and favorite words, then trading them with strangers who quickly became friends. That is the magic of a bracelet made by hand. It says I thought of you. Below are 12 easy bead crafts that work as stocking stuffers, teacher gifts or a fun night in with your favorite people. Grab a bead box, put on some music and get ready to make a stack..

Why Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets Took Off

Taylor Swift, born on December 13, 1989, took her Eras Tour around the world in 2023 and 2024, and it became the highest grossing concert tour of all time. A line about friendship bracelets in her song You’re on Your Own, Kid inspired fans to make beaded bracelets and trade them at the shows, as noted on Wikipedia. This list is fan inspired and not connected to her. Red, green and gold beads turn the trend into a perfect Christmas gift. Who on your list would love one..

You will need: Pony or seed beads in red, green, white and gold, letter beads, stretch cord, scissors, a bead tray.

How to make it: 1. Cut a 10 inch piece of stretch cord and tape one end. 2. String a pattern of colored beads with a short word in the middle. 3. Tie a tight double knot, add a dot of clear glue and trim.

Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets With Name Beads

A name bracelet is the classic place to start. Spell out a friend’s name, a nickname or a short word that means something to both of you. Add colorful beads on each side and it is ready in ten minutes. Kids love making them for classmates, and grown ups love getting them more than they will admit. Check the spelling twice before you tie the knot. Whose name would you spell first?

You will need: Letter beads, small round beads, stretch cord, scissors, tape, clear glue.

How to make it: 1. Lay out the letters in order on a towel so they do not roll. 2. String a few colored beads, then the name, then more colored beads. 3. Tie, glue the knot and slide it inside a bead.

Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets in Christmas Colors

Swap the rainbow for red, green, white and gold and your bracelets look ready for Christmas morning. Tiny bell charms add a happy jingle. Make a stack of three for a stocking or one each for a whole class. A short word like JOY or NOEL in letter beads makes them extra festive. They look lovely displayed on a small wooden stand too. Which colors say Christmas to you?

You will need: Glass or acrylic beads in Christmas colors, small bell charms, jump rings, stretch cord.

How to make it: 1. Plan a simple repeating pattern, like red, white, green. 2. String the beads and add a bell charm in the center with a jump ring. 3. Knot tightly and hide the knot inside a bead.

Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets for Mom and Me

Matching bracelets for a parent and child are pure sweetness. Make one adult size and one small size with the same beads and a tiny heart charm. Soft pink and cream pearls look grown up enough for mom and pretty enough for a little girl. Wrap them together in a small box with tissue paper. It is a gift that will be worn and treasured for years. Who would you make a matching pair with?

You will need: Pearl beads, two small heart charms, stretch cord, a small gift box, tissue paper.

How to make it: 1. Measure both wrists and add half an inch. 2. String the pearls with the heart charm in the middle. 3. Knot, glue and nestle both bracelets in the box.

Start With a Good Bead Box

Before you start making Taylor Swift friendship bracelets, a sorted bead box saves so much time and frustration. Divided containers keep colors separate so you can see your choices at a glance. Buy a big mixed set and you will have enough for dozens of bracelets, which makes each one cost just pennies. A bead box with cord and scissors is also a great gift on its own for a crafty kid. How many colors would you want in yours?

You will need: A divided bead organizer, mixed pony and seed beads, letter beads, stretch cord, small scissors.

How to make it: 1. Sort beads by color into each section. 2. Keep letters in their own row in alphabet order. 3. Store the cord and scissors in the lid so everything stays together.

Bright Bead Stack Bracelets

Stacking several thin bracelets in bright colors is the Taylor Swift friendship bracelets look fans love most. Make three or four in different color blocks and wear them together. Polymer clay heishi beads and round glass beads mix beautifully. The more colors, the more cheerful the stack. This is a fun way to use up the last few beads of each color too. How many bracelets would you stack on one wrist?

You will need: Mixed clay heishi beads and glass beads, stretch cord, scissors, clear glue.

How to make it: 1. Make each bracelet in one or two colors. 2. Keep them the same length so they sit nicely together. 3. Knot, glue and wear them as a stack.

Beads and Silver Chain Mix

Mixing a short piece of silver chain with beads gives a bracelet a more grown up, jewelry store look. It is a grown up take on Taylor Swift friendship bracelets, perfect for teens and adults who want something they can wear to work. Use jump rings to connect the beaded section to the chain and add a simple clasp. It looks like it came from a boutique, yet it costs very little. Would you add a charm to yours?

You will need: Beading wire, beads, a short length of silver chain, jump rings, a clasp, crimp beads, flat nose pliers.

How to make it: 1. String beads on beading wire and crimp each end to a jump ring. 2. Attach a short piece of chain to one side. 3. Add a clasp and test the fit.

Gold Star Charm Bracelet

Tiny gold stars feel like a little wish on your wrist. A dainty chain with a few star charms and sparkly beads is a sweet gift for someone who loves a bit of shine. It is quick to make with jump rings and a clasp. Pop it in a small box for a gift that looks store bought. Stars also pair nicely with Taylor Swift friendship bracelets in a stack. Who is the star in your life?

You will need: Fine gold tone chain, small star charms, jump rings, a clasp, two pairs of flat nose pliers.

How to make it: 1. Cut the chain to wrist length. 2. Open jump rings and attach star charms spaced along the chain. 3. Add a clasp to the ends.

Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets on the Tree

Here is a fun twist: wrap a bracelet around a clear glass or plastic ornament and hang it on the tree. It becomes a keepsake ornament and a gift in one. Make one for each friend with their name on it and tie a tag to the hook. When the season ends, they can slide the bracelet off and wear it. It is a cute idea for a gift exchange too. Whose ornament would you make first?

You will need: Clear plastic or glass ornaments, a finished bracelet, ribbon, a small tag.

How to make it: 1. Make a bracelet slightly smaller than the ornament middle. 2. Stretch it gently over the ornament so it sits snug. 3. Add a ribbon and tag to the hook.

Bracelet Display Board From a Frame

Once the bracelets pile up, they need a home. An old picture frame painted white with rows of small cup hooks becomes a pretty display board. It keeps bracelets from tangling and shows off the whole collection. Thrift stores are full of cheap frames that work perfectly. Make one as a gift for a young fan and add a few bracelets to start the collection. Which wall would you hang it on?

You will need: An old picture frame without glass, a wood backing board, paint, small cup hooks, picture hanging hardware.

How to make it: 1. Paint the frame and backing board and let them dry. 2. Screw cup hooks into the board in neat rows. 3. Fit the board in the frame and hang it on the wall.

Bead Keychains to Match

Use the same beads to make a matching keychain, and the gift becomes a little set. A key ring, a few beads and a tiny tassel are all you need. They are great for backpacks, car keys or a new house key. Make a big batch and you have quick gifts for coworkers and neighbors. If you enjoy making these, our Christmas crafts to sell has more ideas that fly off craft fair tables. Which key ring needs a little color?

You will need: Split key rings, beading cord, beads, embroidery floss for tassels, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Make a small tassel from embroidery floss. 2. String beads onto doubled cord with the tassel at the bottom. 3. Tie the top to the key ring with a tight knot.

Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets Trading Party

End the season with a bracelet trading party, just like the fans at the concerts. Set out a big bowl of beads, cord and scissors, and give each guest a little kit in a kraft bag to take home. Everyone makes a few bracelets and then trades them. It is fun for a girls night, a birthday or a family Christmas Eve. The laughter is the best part. Who would you invite to trade with you?

You will need: A big bowl of mixed beads, letter beads, stretch cord, scissors, small kraft bags, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Fill kraft bags with a small bead mix and a length of cord for each guest. 2. Set up a table with extra beads and letter beads. 3. Make bracelets together, then trade them before everyone leaves.