DIY Christmas Ornaments are one of my favorite Christmas craft ideas every year. This season I’m making these easy-to-make holiday ornaments using air dry clay. You could also use oven-baked clay or a recipe for salt dough ornaments. I love the simple Scandinavian style for Christmas decor as you can see from the Evergreen Stars I also made this year. I’m also teaming up with a few of my talented friends to share so many great ideas for homemade ornaments for Christmas. Keep reading to see all their ideas too!
![photo collage of 15 Christmas Decoration ideas](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/15-DIY-Christmas-ornament-and-decorating-ideas-2-600x900.jpeg)
Homemade Christmas Ornaments DIY
Everyone knows that homemade Christmas decorations are fast-tracked to become a holiday tradition that will for sure be pulled out year after year. Crafting and Christmas go hand in hand. Gather your family or friends for a craft night making holiday ornaments.
![Christmas Ornaments diy using air-dry clay](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Air-Dry-Clay-Ornaments-pin.png)
Here are a few DIY Christmas ornaments and homemade decorations you can find here on Today’s Creative Life.
![Two white DIY snowflake christmas ornaments](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Hero-shot-clothes-pin-star2.png)
![white clay christmas ornaments in the shape of a tree and star](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Clay-ornaments-2.jpg)
![How to Make Glitter & Painted Glass Ornaments | Easy DIY Christmas Craft | Follow this tutorial for step by step instructions. TodaysCreativeLife.com](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Painted-ornaments-5-600x847.jpg)
Air-Dry Clay Holiday Ornaments
I’ve made the oven-baked Christmas ornaments and they do seem to be more durable. The air-dry clay is more fragile depending on how thin you roll the clay. Here are the supplies I used:
- Air-Dry Clay
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie Cutters
- Natural Elements – I used anise stars and dried oranges.
- Something to poke the hole – I used the tip of a paintbrush.
- Twine, ribbon or string.
![White round piece of dried clay with a star anise seed in the middle.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Anise-star-ornament-480x480.jpeg)
How to Make Air-Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments
Easy-to-make Christmas Ornaments DIY using air-dry clay, cookie cutters and dried oranges or spices.
Materials
- Air-Dry Clay
- Dried Oranges
- Star Anise Seed Pods
Tools
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie Cutters - I used a round one and a gingerbread man one.
- Paint brush handle for poking the hole - a bamboo skewer would work great.
Instructions
- Gather your supplies.
- Break off a piece of clay and roll it into a ball.
- Using the rolling pin, roll out the clay to about 1/4-inch thick.
- Use your cookie cutters to cut the shapes you want.
- Peel excess clay away from your shape.
- Add a hole where you'll use a string once it's dried to hang the ornament.
- Add any extras to your ornament while it's still moldable. Press into the clay so it's secure. For the gingerbread man, I used a white marker, but you could use beads, cloves or anything you think would look great.
- Set them on a flat surface to dry overnight.
- Add string and hang it on your tree or use it as a gift tag.
Notes
Use the following for ideas on what to add to your air-dry Christmas Ornaments.
- Star anise seed pods
- Dried oranges
- Whole cloves
- Cinnamon sticks
- Make an imprint of a Christmas tree branch
- Add rustic beads
- Paint
Handmade Holiday Decorating Ideas
Enjoy being inspired by a few of my very talented friends.
She Gave It A Go | The Ultimate Garland Hanging Hack: Try This Curtain Rod Trick
Paint Me Pink | DIY Santa Ornaments
My Sweet Savannah | DIY Paper Christmas Trees
The Handmade Home | DIY Paw Print Ornaments
Le Cultivateur | DIY Mercury Glass Ornaments
Today’s Creative Blog | DIY Anise Ornaments
The Happy Housie | Easy Christmas Ideas
Cuckoo For Design | DIY Mexican Ornaments
Craftberry Bush | DIY Vintage Bell Ornaments
Midwest Life And Style | Holiday Traditions: How To Make Easy Dried Orange Ornaments For Christmas
Eleanor Rose Home | How to Make Rustic DIY Farmhouse Christmas Ornaments
Lolly Jane | Faux Mercury Glass Ornaments
DIY Beautify | Vintage Inspired Embossed Tile Trees
Zevy Joy | DIY Dollar Store Christmas Ornament – Snowy Scene
Tatertots and Jello | DIY Faux Gingerbread Cookie Ornaments
![Homemade Christmas ornament with a gold snowman and tree inside.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Zevy-Joy-DIY-Dollar-Store-Ornament-Snowy-Scene--600x900.jpeg)
![DIY Vintage Bell Ornaments for Christmas.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/vintagechristmasbellsdiy-1-600x900.jpeg)
![Christmas ornaments made from holiday lights.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/The-Happy-Housie-Easy-DIY-Christmas-Ornament-Ideas-600x600.jpeg)
![Hallway decorated for Christmas.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SheGaveItAGo-Christmas-72-600x900.jpeg)
![cream colored bottle brush tree decorated for Christmas.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rustic-DIY-Christmas-Ornament-600x800.jpeg)
![Two dogs in plaid in front of a Christmas tree.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/paw_print_ornaments-THH-600x900.jpeg)
![Homemade Santa Christmas Ornament](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PaintMePink-Santa-Ornament-600x900.png)
![Holiday decor with a black and white dog poster.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MY-SWEET-SAVANNAH-paper-trees-vignette-600x900.jpeg)
![Faux mercury glass ornaments. DIY](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Faux-Mercury-Glass-Ornament-_-Lolly-Jane--600x795.jpeg)
![Dried orange slices as Christmas ornaments](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Dried-Orange-Ornaments-Midwest-Life-and-Style-600x800.jpeg)
![Mexican inspired DIY Christmas ornaments](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DIY_Mexican_Christmas_ornaments_6372-2-600x900.jpeg)
![Homemade Gingerbread Christmas decorations.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DIY-Beautify-Vintage-Inspired-Embossed-Tile-Trees-600x850.jpeg)
DIY Christmas Ornaments
For more homemade holiday ornament ideas, check out all my blogging friends and their creations. I love joining a round-up of DIY Christmas decorations because I’m able to share so many amazing holiday projects from talented content creators.
![DIY Christmas Ornaments made with air dry clay.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Finished-ornaments-shot.jpeg)
Will Oven-Baked Clay Work?
Any type of clay will work for this project. Even the salt dough ornament recipe will work fine. As mentioned, I think the oven-baked kind would be more durable.
![DIY Christmas Ornaments using air dry clay.](https://todayscreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/air-dry-oranment-pin.png)
DIY Holiday Ideas
Easy to make holiday crafts, decor and gifts.
5 Minute DIY Christmas Luminaries
DIY Decor in 5 min! Christmas luminaries are easy to make with cranberries, water, holiday greens and a candle.
Christmas DIY Free Printable
Rustic DIY decor for the holidays is pretty easy with these printable letters.
Krista says
These are so pretty! I love how natural they feel. Thanks for the tutorial!
Jen says
These are so pretty, Kim. And so creative. Pinned!
jen hadfield says
Your ornaments are adorable, Kim! I love how organic they are! I pinned them to my holiday board to share. Thanks for joining us!
xoxo
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
This is such a great idea. Love the star anise in it! Happy Holidays Kim!
Brendt Blanks says
Kim, I love these-pinned to make!
Cheerfully,
Brendt
Melaine Thompson says
These are so cute, love them!