Toilet Paper Roll Christmas: 17 Decorations That Look Store Bought

Toilet paper roll Christmas decorations are the best kept secret of crafty families, because the main supply is free and shows up in your bathroom every week. With a little paint, glue and ribbon, those plain cardboard tubes turn into snowflakes, stars, tiny villages and gold wall art that look like they came from a fancy home store. Kids can help with many of these projects, and grown ups will love how elegant the finished pieces look on a mantel or tree. Start saving your tubes now, flatten them for storage and keep a box ready for craft night. By the time December arrives, you will have enough for a whole house full of holiday magic..

Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Mantel Magic

This mantel shows how far a pile of cardboard tubes can go. White and gold snowflakes hang above the fireplace, gold stars sit in the garland and a tiny tube village glows in the middle with battery tea lights. Every piece is made from the same humble roll, yet the whole look feels polished and expensive. Pick two or three colors and stick with them for a pulled together style. Which piece will you make first..

You will need: Cardboard tubes, white and gold acrylic paint, craft glue, ribbon, pine garland, battery tea lights and battery string lights.

How to make it: 1. Flatten and cut tubes for snowflakes and stars. 2. Paint everything white or gold. 3. Hang snowflakes on ribbon above the mantel. 4. Tuck stars and a tube village into the garland with battery lights.

Ring Snowflake

This is the craft that made millions stop scrolling. A viral toilet roll snowflake post on Instagram earned hundreds of thousands of likes, and it is easier than it looks. Flatten tubes, cut them into thin rings and glue the rings into a flower pattern. Paint it white and add silver glitter to the edges. How big will you make yours?

You will need: 6 to 8 cardboard tubes, scissors, craft glue, clothespins, white paint and silver glitter.

How to make it: 1. Flatten the tubes and cut them into rings about half an inch wide. 2. Glue six rings in a flower shape. 3. Add more rings around the outside and clip them while they dry. 4. Paint white and dust the edges with glitter.

Gold Star Ornaments

Star ornaments are a quick win that look great in a group. Cut tube rings, pinch each one into a petal shape and glue five petals together into a star. Paint them gold and hang them with red ribbon for a classic look. A dozen stars can fill a small tree for almost nothing. Would you hang them on the tree or in a window?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, scissors, craft glue, metallic gold paint and red ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Cut each tube into rings. 2. Pinch rings into pointed petals. 3. Glue five petals into a star and let dry. 4. Paint gold and add a ribbon loop.

Gingerbread House Ornaments for a Toilet Paper Roll Christmas

Little gingerbread houses are a sweet addition to any toilet paper roll Christmas tree. Flatten a tube, cut a peaked roof shape and paint it light brown. White puffy paint lines look just like icing, and tiny paper candies finish the look. Kids love designing their own little houses, and no two will ever match. Who will make the fanciest house in your family?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, scissors, light brown paint, white puffy paint, colored paper scraps, glue and twine.

How to make it: 1. Flatten a tube and cut a house shape with a peaked top. 2. Paint it light brown and let it dry. 3. Draw icing lines with puffy paint. 4. Glue on paper candies and add a twine loop.

Gold Starburst Wall Art

This gold starburst looks like a designer piece, but it is made from dozens of tube slices. Glue the slices in rings around a small cardboard circle, working outward in layers until it is as big as you like. Paint it antique gold and hang it on a dark wall for real drama. It is a perfect project for a quiet evening with a movie on. Where would yours hang?

You will need: 20 or more cardboard tubes, a cardboard circle, scissors, craft glue, antique gold spray paint (used outside) and a picture hanger.

How to make it: 1. Cut tubes into slices and pinch them into petals. 2. Glue a ring of petals around the cardboard circle. 3. Add more layers until it is full. 4. Spray paint outside, let dry and hang.

Fringed Mini Trees

Mini trees made from fringed tubes look so pretty lined up on a shelf. Cut slits around the tube, fold the strips out in layers and paint them sage green, white or gold. Top each tree with a tiny paper star. A little fake snow at the base makes them look like a winter forest. How many trees will be in your forest?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, scissors, paint in green, white and gold, a small brush, paper stars and fake snow.

How to make it: 1. Cut thin vertical slits around the tube in layers. 2. Fold the strips outward. 3. Paint each tree and let dry. 4. Glue a star on top and set them on fake snow.

Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Reindeer

These cheerful reindeer are a favorite toilet paper roll Christmas craft for little hands. Paint tubes brown, add googly eyes, glue on red pom pom noses and push small twigs in the top for antlers. Line them up on the table and give each one a name. It is a great project for a snowy afternoon. Which one is Rudolph?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, brown paint, googly eyes, red pom poms, small twigs, craft glue and a hole punch.

How to make it: 1. Paint the tubes brown and let them dry. 2. Glue on eyes and a pom pom nose. 3. Punch two holes at the top. 4. Push twig antlers into the holes.

Easy Napkin Rings

Cut a tube into short rings and you have napkin rings for the whole family. Wrap them in plaid ribbon, glitter paper or twine, then tuck in a sprig of pine or a small bell. They make a holiday dinner table feel special without spending a cent. Guests can even take them home as a little keepsake. Which ribbon matches your table?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, scissors, ribbon or twine, craft glue and small pine sprigs or bells.

How to make it: 1. Cut each tube into two-inch rings. 2. Wrap each ring in ribbon and glue the ends inside. 3. Add a sprig of pine or a bell. 4. Slide a folded napkin through each ring.

Candy Cane Stripes

Red and white stripes instantly say Christmas. Wrap tubes in red paper ribbon or paint spiral stripes, then stand them up as tabletop decor or hang them as ornaments. Fill a few with peppermints for a sweet surprise. Kids can handle every step of this one. Will you add a little bow on top?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, white paint, red paper ribbon or red paint, glue, ribbon and peppermints.

How to make it: 1. Paint the tubes white. 2. Wrap red ribbon around them in a spiral and glue the ends. 3. Add a ribbon loop for hanging. 4. Group them on a tray with peppermints.

Angel Ornament

This simple angel is lovely on the tree or as a little gift topper. Paint a short tube soft white, glue a wooden bead on top for the head and add paper doily wings. A tiny gold halo finishes her off. She takes about fifteen minutes and looks so sweet. Who would you give one to?

You will need: A cardboard tube, white paint, a wooden bead, gold paper doilies, a gold pipe cleaner and glue.

How to make it: 1. Cut the tube in half and paint it white. 2. Glue a wooden bead on top. 3. Cut doily wings and glue them on the back. 4. Twist a small gold halo and glue it on.

Toy Soldiers for a Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Mantel

A row of toy soldiers brings classic nutcracker style to a toilet paper roll Christmas mantel. Paint each tube with a red jacket, blue trousers and a tall black hat, then add gold buttons and simple dot eyes. Line them up along the garland like a little parade. Older kids love painting the tiny details. How many will be in your parade?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, red, blue, black, gold and skin tone paint, small brushes and craft glue.

How to make it: 1. Paint the top third black for the hat. 2. Paint a face band, then a red jacket and blue trousers. 3. Add gold buttons and a belt. 4. Dot on simple eyes and rosy cheeks.

LED Village Houses

A glowing village is the showstopper of tube crafts. Cut doors and windows into tubes, add folded paper roofs and paint them white or cream. Slip a battery tea light inside each house so the windows glow at night, and never use real candles. Set them on a windowsill with fake snow and little bottle brush trees. Isn’t it cozy?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, a craft knife (adults only), kraft paper, white paint, glue, fake snow and battery tea lights.

How to make it: 1. An adult cuts doors and windows. 2. Paint the tubes and let them dry. 3. Fold and glue paper roofs on top. 4. Place a battery tea light inside each house.

Ring Garland

A garland of tube rings and wooden beads has a calm Scandinavian look. Paint short rings in white, gold and soft green, then string them on twine with beads in between. Drape it across a bookshelf or a mirror with battery fairy lights. It looks lovely all winter long, not just at Christmas. What colors would you choose?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, scissors, paint in three colors, wooden beads, twine and battery fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Cut tubes into one-inch rings. 2. Paint them and let them dry. 3. String rings and beads on twine. 4. Hang the garland and add fairy lights.

Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Gift Packs

Pillow box gift packs are the most useful toilet paper roll Christmas idea of all. Fold the ends of a tube inward into curved flaps, cover it with pretty paper and tie it with twine. They are perfect for cookies, candy, gift cards or small trinkets. Make a stack for teachers, neighbors and coworkers. Who is first on your list?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, wrapping paper, glue, twine and small tags.

How to make it: 1. Cover the tube with wrapping paper. 2. Press one end inward into two curved flaps. 3. Fill it with treats. 4. Close the other end the same way and tie with twine.

Gold Sunburst Mirror Frame

A plain round mirror gets a glamorous upgrade with a ring of gold tube petals. Glue the petals around the back edge so they fan out like rays, then paint everything gold. It makes a stunning focal point above a console or in an entryway. For more festive ideas, see our handmade Christmas ornaments too. Would you keep this one up all year?

You will need: A small round mirror, cardboard tubes, a cardboard ring the size of the mirror, craft glue and gold spray paint (used outside).

How to make it: 1. Cut tubes into slices and pinch them into petals. 2. Glue petals around the cardboard ring. 3. Spray paint the ring gold outside. 4. Glue the mirror into the center.

Faux Mercury Glass Votives

Silver leaf and a little dabbing give tube slices the speckled look of antique mercury glass. Cut short sections, paint them silver and dab on a darker wash for that old-world shimmer. Pop a flickering battery tea light inside each one, never a real candle, and group them on a mirrored tray. They glow beautifully on a dinner table. How many will you group together?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, silver leaf or metallic silver paint, a little black paint, a sponge, battery tea lights and a tray.

How to make it: 1. Cut tubes into three-inch sections. 2. Paint or leaf them silver. 3. Dab on a thin black wash and blot it off. 4. Place a battery tea light inside each one.

Holiday Crackers to Finish Your Toilet Paper Roll Christmas

Homemade crackers are the perfect last touch for a toilet paper roll Christmas dinner. Wrap each tube in shiny paper, twist the ends and tie them with ribbon. Tuck a paper hat, a joke and a small treat inside before you close them up. Everyone opens them together at the start of the meal for a big laugh. What will you hide inside?

You will need: Cardboard tubes, shiny wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, small treats, tissue paper hats and printed jokes.

How to make it: 1. Fill each tube with a treat, a hat and a joke. 2. Roll the tube in paper with extra paper at each end. 3. Twist the ends gently. 4. Tie each end with ribbon.