Decorating your home is fun any time of the year, but there's something special about decorating the halls in December. The cozy season is just around the corner. There's no better cure for getting through the short, dark days than lighting up your home with candles and lots of twinkling lights. I love nothing more than a good old Target trip. While we're all about browsing and buying everything we see, there's a more sustainable and affordable way to get into the festive spirit. Would you like to try DIY Christmas decorations?
Featured images from Anastasia Casey's villa tour.
26 DIY Christmas decorations to get you in the festive spirit
In the last month of the year, you can find me making ornaments, handmade gifts, and various striped wreaths. As I type, I let some dried oranges cool on the stove and hang some decorative stars in the windows. In a season of holiday markets, Christmas movie marathons, and lots of baking, it's nice to contribute to the festivities with a little homemade festive cheer.
So let's create that magic together. Here are some of my favorite DIY Christmas decorations for him that I found after hours of scrolling through her Pinterest (please tell me I can relate). They range from minimalist and maximalist aesthetics, to traditional Scandinavian design, to advent calendars you won't believe you made yourself. Let's start making things!
DIY Dried Orange Wreath from The Merrythought
Dried oranges are a holiday staple, and we love all the different ways you can incorporate them into your holiday decor. Take this sweet and simple wreath, for example. It's an aesthetic statement while representing the season's biggest trends. Bows!
Homey Oh My DIY Modern Advent Calendar
Haven't created an advent calendar yet? Gather a minimal list of materials and start crafting. This lovely little calendar allows you to hide small treats in each pouch. Candy, a little loving note, anything! Let the magic of the season inspire you.
Alice & Lois' DIY Air Dry Clay Christmas Village
If your Pinterest feed is anything like ours, it's probably filled with tons of white DIY Christmas villages. Most require cutting and gluing and seem complicated, but this couldn't be simpler. Air-dried clay makes this possible.
DIY Gold Wreath & Gold Garland by Sugar & Cloth
If you want a more formal golden look, choose this gold wreath and garland combination. Adds a really nice glow whether indoors or outdoors. The most difficult part of this DIY Christmas decoration is braving the cold and spraying the paint outdoors.
DIY an heirloom advent calendar from a beautiful mess
Kids will love this stocking-filled advent calendar. Pastel stockings and unfinished wood give it a rustic, friendly look that adds a lot of personality to your holiday setup. This is a DIY that I always stick to every year.
Collective Gen Fluted Christmas Tree
If you're not buying a real tree this year, but don't want to splurge on fake options (they can be expensive!), go the DIY route. I love the Scandinavian vibe of this fluted tree, which is a creative take on one of this year's biggest design trends. Are you ready to know the secret to this gorgeous Christmas craft? Roller blinds!
DIY Christmas Village from The Crafted Life
DIY Christmas decorations add a really nice and personal touch to your space. I didn't grow up watching Christmas villages, but I love when they open them every year. I'm drawn to bright and bold colors, so I feel like this project was made just for me.
Alice & Lois DIY Christmas Table Wreath
You have a wreath on your front door, hanging it in the hallway, on your mantel…but you need a wreath on your table too. To fill a gap, this minimalist wreath makes the perfect centerpiece.
DIY Paper Bag Merrysort Star
Paper bag stars are everywhere now. I think it's because not only is it beautiful, but it's also surprisingly easy to make. All you need is a paper bag, glue, scissors, a hole punch, and some string. Stars look beautiful hung in a window or arranged in a staggered pattern on a dining room table.
Honestly WTF DIY Advent Calendar
There are so many beautiful advent calendars out there, but I can't think of a better one. Bold yet minimal, it features pops of jewel tones that perfectly reflect the holiday season. With a short supply list, there's no excuse not to use up your precious wall space on this calendar.
Gingerbread Salt Dough Ornaments from The Merrythought
Confession: I've actually never made salt dough ornaments. I know it's a Christmas classic, but I wanted to join in on the fun with this DIY. And how creative are these designs? Exactly the Scandinavian vibe I'm looking for this year.
DIY Eucalyptus Garland from Homey Oh My
Forget the traditional wreath and opt for a little foliage. Eucalyptus has a fresh, piney scent and adds a small, soft layer of color to your space. If a major overhaul of your space feels overwhelming, focus on simple details.
Call Me Cupcake Dried Orange Garland
Dried orange garlands have become increasingly popular over the past few years. It's easy to make, celebrates seasonal citrus, and doesn't even require a dehydrator (yay!). Plus, it looks beautiful against any green background.
DIY Gingerbread House Gift Box from The House That Lars Built
If you lack skills in making gingerbread houses, this cardboard version will be an easy and elegant solution. You can also use it as super cute gift wrapping (just in case you need some skill there too).
DIY a minimal wreath from everyday items
If you've ever made a wreath, you know that it takes both artistry and strength. Thankfully, minimalist wreaths are on trend. Just string together some greenery, add some floral decorations and you're ready to go.
DIY Plant Clay Ornaments from Semi Stories
If you like the look of handmade pottery but want something a little more hassle-free, oven-dried clay is an easy option. These are pretty much the same as making cookies. Go on an outdoor nature walk and collect leaves and plant fragments to decorate your ornaments (bonus: a super beautiful gift that can also be used as a topper).
Frances et Moi Dala Horse Ornaments and Gift Toppers
The Dalar Horse is a traditional wooden carved horse representing the Swedish province of Dalarna. With a Dala Horse cookie cutter, polymer clay, and a permanent marker, you have everything you need to make these in bulk as ornaments, gift toppers, and presents for friends.
Kelly Elko's DIY Wooden Gingerbread House
How lovely is this gingerbread village? The best part is that this simple DIY is completely customizable. Buy a blank wooden house, go to town, and add snow, squiggles, or whatever your holiday-loving heart desires.
Christmas ornaments made from toilet paper rolls from Ohoh Blog
Before you throw away your toilet paper roll, think about what wonderful Christmas decorations you can make with your own hands. Using acrylic paint and some strategic incisions, you can level up recycling bright ornaments with graphics that add a much-needed pop of color.
Clay mushroom ornament made from paper and stitching
Mushrooms may not be your first choice for trees, but trust me, they are. Mushrooms are trending. Everywhere you look, you see red and white felt mushrooms or shiny mushrooms. But nothing is more beautiful than these cuties painted in pastel. I also learned that mushrooms are a symbol of good luck. Please enjoy the New Year holidays!
Christmas Advent Paper House by Delia Creates
I love the idea of deconstructing advent calendars. Instead of keeping it on the wall, why not incorporate it into your holiday decor by placing a paper house on your mantle or creating a winter wonderland on a shelf?
Christmas Paper Star on Photowall
Sculptural yet simple, these paper stars would make a gorgeous geometric garland. I love the idea of using non-traditional colors while still evoking the warmth and coziness of the season.
DIY Hand Crochet Garland from Merrythought
Have you ever wanted to start crocheting? If you're feeling intimidated to get started, this simple tutorial is a great way to get started. Watch your favorite Christmas movie and relax on the couch. Oh, and you don't even need to have a needle. The hands work perfectly.
A-Frame Putz House Ornament from Beautiful Mess
How lovely is this little house? To be honest, I've always dreamed of having my own frame in the woods, and with this sweet guy, I guess I'll just have to do it. I plan on putting these on my tree and sharing them with friends.
Call Me Cupcake DIY Mini Hat Ornament
I started making these minifigures last month and I can tell you: I'm hooked. It's much easier than it looks and looks adorable when displayed on a tree or lined up on a windowsill. Also makes a great gift topper.
Sugar & Cloth's Colorful House DIY Advent Calendar
If you're tired of all the white, green, and red, add this advent calendar to the mix. It adds a touch of whimsy and kids will love pulling presents from each house.