Top 10 DIY Christmas crafts
Make these beautiful homemade festive crafts to decorate your home or give as gifts. From salt dough ornaments to paper snowflakes, our simple ideas make the most of basic household ingredients
Christmas is the perfect time for homemade crafts, whether you need to keep the kids occupied or are looking for a cosy evening project to help you get into the festive spirit. There's no need to shell out on expensive ingredients as these easy projects make use of everyday items and storecupboard staples.
Make some salt dough shapes or dried citrus slices to hang from the Christmas tree. Or furnish your table with a fragrant festive centrepiece and glittery homemade snow globe. Kids will also love getting involved in activities such as fake snow, potato stamps and popcorn bunting. Need some inspiration for Christmas gifts? Our tea Advent calendars and meringue candy canes are sure to impress.
For more ideas, check out our Christmas crafts for kids, DIY Christmas decorations and Christmas gift ideas.
1. Homemade crackers
Use up leftover wrapping paper and toilet rolls to create these homemade Christmas crackers. Fill them with treats and our favourite food jokes. These DIY crackers are brilliant for using up everyday items, keeping costs low.
2. Wreath place settings
Give your dining table a festive, personal touch with these wreath-themed place settings – they're a wonderful way to decorate the table and guests can take theirs home to use as a decoration, too.
3. Clementine-printed gift tags
Put leftover clementines or oranges to brilliant use with these bespoke Christmas name tags – they’re a beautiful and thoughtful addition to a festive gift. We suggest using different coloured paints and card to create unique designs.
4. Dried orange & lemon slices
Add a burst of citrus to your Christmas tree decor. These dried orange & lemon slices are super-easy to make – just bake them in the oven for a couple of hours then package with the garnishes of your choice. We suggest a fragrant mixture of cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, rosemary sprigs or cardamom pods.
5. Salt dough decorations
With just a few everyday kitchen ingredients, you can create a collection of beautiful decorations to hang on the Christmas tree. Firstly make our basic salt dough, then cut it into festive shapes such as trees, snowflakes and stars using biscuit cutters. After baking, you can decorate them as you like – we found acrylic paint works best.
Follow our tips on how to make salt dough Christmas decorations
6. Festive candle centrepiece
Deck out the Christmas table with a colourful candle centrepiece to impress your guests. At its base is an assortment of clove-studded clementines, holly leaves, walnuts and spices. These are simple to arrange and will smell absolutely divine – just remember to wear gloves for the holly.
7. Tea Advent calendar
If you know somebody who loves a cuppa, this tea-tastic Advent calendar will make the perfect gift. Use loose-leaf tea to mix up your own flavours, then package them in numbered paper bags or containers to create a DIY Advent calendar. Add brewing instructions and label the teas if you wish, though we think it's more fun to leave it as a surprise!
8. Popcorn bunting
A festive bunting to brighten your home. Using just four ingredients, it’s very simple to make – pop the kernels, then soak them in red and green-coloured syrup and leave to dry. Adults can help to string the popcorn pieces together with a cotton needle and thread. It won’t stay fresh for long, so make an extra batch to eat, too!
9. Present topper
Add a personal touch with our gift-toppers inspired by nature. It’s best to choose your dried flowers and foliage according to the size of the present you’re wrapping. For a large gift, you might want to combine dried grass flowers with a selection of dried seed heads, like poppy or wild carrot. For a smaller gift, use an individual stem like a strawflower (helichrysum).
Learn make a present topper
10. Lolly stick tree decorations
Make these simple festive decorations with your little helpers. Hang on the tree or make a batch and give away to family and friends.
Discover how to make a lolly stick decoration
Check out more ideas for homemade crafts and gifts...
Top 5 Christmas crafts for children
Best edible gift box ideas
27 Christmas projects for kids
Christmas Eve box ideas
Christmas cookies for kids
Quick Christmas gift
Comments, questions and tips
