If you’re looking to DIY your holiday ornaments this year, wood can be the perfect medium to work with. Homemade Christmas ornaments can get a bad wrap sometimes. We’ve all got those old ornaments we made as kids still stashed away—too kitschy to display on the tree, but too sentimental to throw out. But I promise these lovely DIY wooden Christmas ornaments will make the cut year after year. And they’re not only a great way to decorate your own tree, but thank make for some excellent gifting, too (hello, DIY teachers gifts!). Regardless of how you use them, I hope this round up helps you get in the holiday spirit.
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1. Etched Birch Ornaments
Make your own etched snowflake ornaments from wood slices with this detailed how-to from Design Mom. You’ll need a wood burning tool along with some other household tools to make them.
2. Painted Heart Ornaments
If wood burning isn’t your thing, try your hand at painting hearts instead. You can still try your hand at making some DIY wood slice ornaments, and acrylic paint pens will make it an even easier project!
3. Painted Wooden Ball Ornaments
If you love the look of traditional round ornaments, but not the risk of them breaking—round wooden ornaments are perfect. You can find a variety of sizes of unfinished wooden balls for crafting on Amazon. And Inspired By This even has a tutorial for a DIY Scandinavian Christmas tree to go with these ornaments.
4. DIY Modern Tree Ornaments
Speaking of Christmas trees, these wooden tree ornaments from Kristi Murphy are absolutely adorable—and can double as non-hanging decor, too. Grab some paint and sheets of easy-to-cut balsa wood and go to town!
5. DIY Animal Ornaments
Leftover balsa wood? Try your hand at some geometric animal ornaments courtesy of The Craft Gentleman. Grab a good craft knife (I use this one) for easy cutting.
6. Clothespin People Ornaments
Give your tree a little personality with these adorable clothespin people ornaments from The House That Lars Built. Make it extra meaningful and make one in the likeness of each of your family members (and your pets, too!). You can find a pack of 30 old fashioned clothespins to make these for under $10.
7. Gingerbread House Wood Ornaments
Make your tree extra homey with these gingerbread-esque house ornaments from Fynes Designs. For a customized look, cut and stain your own house shapes out of scrap wood. You can watch their how-to video below:
8. DIY Colorful Reindeer Ornaments
Looking for something merry and bright to add to your tree? A Kailo Chic Life shares these fun handmade ornaments using precut wooden reindeer shapes and some festive color combinations to give your tree a mid-century modern look.
9. DIY Abstract Geometric Wood Ornaments
A Kailo Chic Life does it again with the mod-theme with these funky DIY Christmas tree ornaments. She even shares a template so you can have them laser cut yourself!
10. Wood Block Christmas Ornaments
These washi tape wrapped ornaments from Babble Dabble Do are easy way for younger kids to get in on the DIY action for the tree. Repurpose some old toy blocks or buy some of your own, and finish each block off with some Mod Podge and an eye screw, and they’re ready for hanging!
11. DIY Mod Wooden Ornaments
For a little more elevated look, tape off some wooden balls to create color blocked ornaments with this how-to from Say Yes. Top each one off with a ribbon loop in the same color for an added touch of color.
12. Painted Wood Ornaments
For something more understated, check out these painted wood ornaments from Paper & Stitch.
13. Wood Bead Snowflake Ornaments
If you’re in the mood for something a little more challenging, Tinsel & Trim’s snowflake ornaments made from wood beads and wire—and comes with a detailed printable diagram and how-to.
14. Wood Star Ornaments
For a simple, Scandinavian look, try Just Crafty Enough‘s easy to make toothpick star ornaments.
15. Cinnamon Stick Himmeli Ornament
Add some aromatics to your tree with a set of these wood bead and cinnamon stick ornaments from Jojotastic. Each one takes 12 cinnamon sticks, so be sure to stock up before you get started.
16. DIY Clothespin Stars
Lily Ardor has a fun and simple how-to with these clothespin stars. Find some clothespins in varying sizes and break out the hot glue to create an array of DIY Christmas decorations to hang on your tree or string on garland around your home.
17. Wood Starburst Ornaments
These mod inspired starburst are all sticks and mirrors! Find out the secret to making them over on eHow.
18. Wood Wreath Ornaments
Another super simple ornament option are these mini beaded wreaths from Lily Ardor.
19. Large Round Wooden Ornaments
For an even simpler—and bigger—impact, grab some large natural wooden balls and simply add some eye hooks for easy tree hanging. Get all the tips with Lily Ardor.
20. Scandinavian Wood Bead Ornaments
For another fun yet simple way to use wood beads, check out this how to from Caitlin Delay.
21. Macrame Mini Wreath Ornaments
Wood may not be a central supply for these homemade Christmas tree ornaments, but they certainly add a crucial touch. Plus these are an easy way to introduce yourself to macrame! Get the full how-to at Lily Ardor.
22. Balsa Wood Diamond Ornament
A Beautiful Mess gives us the last beautiful how-to in our DIY ornaments round up. Use some easy-to-cut balsa wood and craft paints for these geometric homemade ornaments.
Inspired to DIY your ornaments after reading this post? Tag me in your pics!
Find more DIY holiday inspiration in these posts: