DIY Christmas Things to Make This Holiday Season

Looking for simple, festive projects you can actually finish this December? These easy ideas use affordable supplies, quick techniques, and items you likely have at home. From ornaments and wreaths to edible gifts and kid-friendly crafts, here’s a practical guide to creating holiday warmth without stress, complicated tools, or long shopping lists.

The holiday season often arrives with packed schedules and high expectations, but crafting can bring the pace down and the joy up. Simple projects offer a relaxing way to personalize your space, make thoughtful gifts, and spend meaningful time with family. With a few basic materials and a short plan, you can complete charming decorations, useful presents, and kid-approved activities in an afternoon.

Why DIY Christmas projects are worth it

Homemade projects add personality that store-bought décor can’t match. Choosing colors, textures, and themes gives your home a cohesive look while reflecting your style. DIY can also reduce costs by repurposing jars, ribbon scraps, leftover fabric, and greenery from your yard. Many materials are recyclable or compostable, which helps reduce waste. Most importantly, crafting transforms holiday preparation into a shared experience—photo-worthy moments that become part of your traditions year after year.

DIY Christmas ornaments and homemade wreaths

Start with simple ornaments that use minimal tools. Air-dry or salt-dough ornaments can be cut with cookie cutters and stamped with textured fabric or lace, then painted after drying. Dried orange slices threaded with twine add citrusy color, while cinnamon stick bundles tied with ribbon make the tree smell inviting. For a homemade wreath, secure foraged pine, cedar, or eucalyptus to a wire hoop using floral wire, then tuck in pinecones or a bow. Keep the design asymmetric for a modern touch and lightly mist greens to extend freshness.

Christmas treats and handmade edible gifts

Edible gifts are crowd-pleasers and quick to assemble. Peppermint bark layers dark and white chocolate with crushed candy canes; break into shards and package in tins. Spiced nuts toast well with cinnamon, maple syrup, and a pinch of cayenne for balance. A cocoa gift jar layers cocoa powder, sugar, milk powder, and mini marshmallows with a tag for instructions. Consider infused sugars (vanilla bean, orange zest), chai concentrate, or granola. Label ingredients for recipients with allergies and use airtight containers to maintain flavor and texture.

Handmade Christmas gifts that feel personal

If you prefer non-food options, try small-batch projects that still feel special. Soy wax candles poured into thrifted teacups look elegant; choose cotton wicks and simple essential oil blends like orange and clove. No-sew fleece blankets require only fabric and a knotted edge. For a spa theme, mix Epsom salt with baking soda and dried lavender for bath soaks, then pair with a simple sugar scrub (sugar, carrier oil, vanilla). Attach a care card with use tips and shelf-life guidance so your gifts are both beautiful and practical.

Festive home décor to make yourself

Give rooms a seasonal refresh with pieces that store flat and last. Paper snowflakes and paper-bag stars create sculptural impact on walls or windows. For the mantel, cluster pillar candles in varying heights on a tray with scattered pinecones and clippings for an easy focal point. A DIY garland made from dried citrus, cranberries, or felt balls brings color to stair rails and shelves. Consider a neutral palette—creams, wood tones, and greenery—then add a single accent hue like cranberry red to pull the look together without visual clutter.

Kids’ Christmas crafts

Children love projects they can complete quickly and proudly display. Handprint or fingerprint cards turn into reindeer, trees, or snowy scenes with a few markers. Paper chains practice cutting skills and make cheerful garlands. Pom-pom or felt ornaments are soft, low-mess options; pre-cut felt shapes help younger kids succeed. Provide washable paints, child-safe scissors, and a protective table covering. Build in drying time and snap photos of the process so kids remember that their artwork is part of the home’s holiday story.

Tips for successful Christmas DIY projects

A little planning helps everything go smoothly. Start by choosing a color scheme and list two or three projects you can realistically finish this week. Gather supplies in a bin with essentials: scissors, glue gun, tape, twine, wire, and tags. Batch similar tasks—cutting, painting, drying—to save time. If you’re hosting, pick décor that doubles as function, like labeled place cards that become tree ornaments. Store finished items in clearly marked boxes and keep a small repair kit handy for quick fixes when decorations come back out next year.

Simple project ideas to try this weekend

Ornament starter: Air-dry clay stars stamped with a lace doily for texture; thread with baker’s twine and date with a fine-tip pen. Wreath refresh: Mix faux eucalyptus with a few real sprigs so the wreath looks full but lasts longer. Sweet gift trio: Cocoa jar, peppermint bark, and spiced nuts packaged together for a balanced assortment. Kid corner: A craft caddy with markers, glue sticks, googly eyes, and stickers encourages independent creations while you finish projects nearby.

Sustainable choices for seasonal crafting

Small decisions make your projects gentler on the planet. Choose natural fibers (cotton, wool, linen), recycled kraft paper, and reusable tins or jars. For greenery, use clippings from pruning rather than buying extra bundles. Skip glitter that sheds microplastics and opt for mica or paper confetti. When the season ends, remove hardware from décor for easier recycling or composting. This approach keeps your projects beautiful, durable, and considerate of the waste often associated with seasonal décor.

Wrapping up with style and simplicity

Presentation adds the finishing touch to everything you make. Plain butcher paper tied with twine looks classic; add a sprig of rosemary or a dried orange slice for fragrance. Handwritten tags or stamped labels tie your aesthetic together. Whether you focus on ornaments, edible treats, or a mantel makeover, keeping materials simple and techniques approachable ensures your holiday crafting stays joyful, manageable, and memorable for years to come.