I have loved making paper ornament projects because they’re just so simple, fun, and manage to brighten up the Christmas tree like nothing else. Paper Christmas ornaments bring a personal touch to holiday decorating – and you can do it all without breaking out the fancy supplies. Plus, they’re a great excuse to get the kids involved and make something truly memorable together.
- Why Go the Homemade Ornament Route?
- Types of Paper Ornaments You Can Tackle
- Getting Started: The Basics You'll Need
- Simple Folded Paper Ornaments
- Making Ornaments from Gift Wrap
- Paper Houses: A Little Village on Your Tree
- Circles and Stars: Classic Shapes That Always Work
- Using Old Book Pages for a Vintage Look
- Layered Paper Ornaments for Some Extra Interest
- Using Templates to Keep Things Easy
- Adding Glitter and Other Decorations
- Hanging Your Paper Ornaments And Putting Them On The Tree
- Home Decor Inspiration: Beyond the Tree
- Storing Your Ornaments After the Holidays.
- Tips for Making Paper Ornaments with Kids
- Where to Find Supplies and Inspiration
- Price and Stock Considerations
- Wrapping Up
Why Go the Homemade Ornament Route?
Making your own ornaments is a pretty neat way to save some cash and get good value for money, while adding a unique vibe to your tree. I mean, who wants to buy a bunch of the same old decorations from the store when you can pick the colors, shapes, and designs you really love? Plus, it’s a great way to spend some quality time with family or friends, and you don’t need to have a ton of experience or fancy tools to get started.
Types of Paper Ornaments You Can Tackle
There are loads of different paper ornaments you can make – from flat shapes to 3D designs. You can use up old book pages, gift wrap, tissue paper, or even your scrapbook stash. Using holiday-patterned cardstock, gift wrap, or old book pages can give your ornaments a unique and festive look. Some of the most popular shapes are stars, circles, houses and snowflakes, but really you can do anything you fancy. You can fold, cut, glue – or even bust out the cutting machine if you’re feeling fancy. The best part is mixing and matching styles to create a really colourful and interesting tree.
Getting Started: The Basics You’ll Need
Most paper ornament projects call for just a few basic supplies. You’ll need:
- Good quality paper (gift wrap or scrapbook paper is perfect)
- Some scissors or a cutting machine (depending on how fancy you’re feeling)
- A bit of glue (hot glue or regular craft glue will do just fine)
- Some thread or thin wire for hanging
- Optional: glitter, punches, templates or stickers to add some extra flair
- A paper trimmer can help achieve clean, straight cuts for more uniform ornaments
You can also use digital files, such as SVG cut files or printable patterns, especially if you have a cutting machine like a Cricut Maker.
You can usually scrounge up most of this stuff around the house or swing by a craft store. If you’ve got a stack of different colours and prints to play with, all the better!
Simple Folded Paper Ornaments
One of my absolute faves is a simple folded paper ornament. You just fold the paper in half or quarters, cut out a star or circle shape, and then glue or tape the edges together to create a 3D shape. Cut out a template of your desired shape, like a diamond, from paper, and fold each template in half for a neat and consistent look. You can then poke a hole near the edge and thread some string through the hole, so it is threaded to hang ‘em up. They look great in all sorts of colours and add a bit of old school charm to the tree.
Making Ornaments from Gift Wrap
Gift wrap is perfect for making ornaments – it’s usually got some beautiful patterns on it and a nice weight to it. You can cut it into shapes like houses or stars and layer pieces up for a 3D effect. Some people even use metallic or glittered gift wrap for an extra bit of sparkle. These ornaments are a perfect match for your wrapped presents, too – super cohesive.
Paper Houses: A Little Village on Your Tree
Paper houses are a super fun way to add a little village charm to the tree. You can find templates online or just draw your own. Cut out the shapes from some good quality paper or gift wrap, fold along the lines and glue the edges together. Paper house ornaments can be assembled quickly and are fun for families to make together. Add some windows and doors with a pen or some stickers. Hang ’em up with a bit of thread and you’ve got a cute little decoration.
Circles and Stars: Classic Shapes That Always Work
Circles and stars are just classic shapes for paper ornaments. You can cut out circles in different sizes, fold ’em in half or quarters and glue the edges to make some 3D balls or star shapes. Kids enjoy making colorful star ornaments as a holiday craft, as they are easy to cut and assemble. Adding a bit of glitter on the edges or using glittered paper makes them really pop. Kids love helping with these because they’re easy to cut and assemble.
Using Old Book Pages for a Vintage Look
If you’ve got some old book pages lying around, they make beautiful ornaments with a vintage feel. You can fold, cut and glue the pages into shapes like snowflakes, stars or even little flowers. Old Christmas cards can also be repurposed into DIY ornaments using simple techniques, adding a nostalgic touch to your decorations. Adding a bit of ribbon or thread makes ‘em easy to hang. These ornaments look great mixed in with some more colourful ones for a nice contrast.
Ornaments made from old book pages can also remind you of the kinds of decorations your grandmas might have made or passed down, adding a special sentimental value to your holiday decor.
Layered Paper Ornaments for Some Extra Interest
Try layering different paper shapes for a more detailed ornament. For example, cut a star out of one piece of paper and glue a smaller star or circle on top with a different colour or print. Apply glue to one side of the folded template and press it to the folded side of the next template, alternating colors if desired. You can add a bit of glitter or a small bead in the centre for extra charm. These layered ornaments come together nicely to give your tree a bit of texture and interest.
Using Templates to Keep Things Easy
If you’re not sure where to start, just use a template. There are loads of free printable ones online for paper ornaments, including houses, stars, circles and more. For even more ideas, check out a dedicated page with paper ornament templates or step-by-step instructions. Print ‘em out, cut along the lines and follow the instructions. Cut out 10-20 circles of the same size using a paper punch or a template for creating baubles. Templates make it easy to create neat and consistent shapes – especially if you’re making a whole bunch.
Adding Glitter and Other Decorations
Glitter is a classic way to dress up a paper ornament. You can add it to the edges or cover the whole thing for a bit of sparkle. Decorate ornaments with glitter, buttons, ribbons, or photographs before sealing and hanging them. Just be prepared for a bit of mess and maybe do it outside or over a tray. Other fun additions include small stickers, sequins or even tiny bells. These little touches make your ornaments more festive and eye-catching.
Hanging Your Paper Ornaments And Putting Them On The Tree
To hang your ornaments – you can use thread, a thin wire, or even a length of ribbon. The trick to doing this is to carefully pierce a small hole near the edge of your ornament using a needle or a sharp tool – that works out pretty well. Next thread your chosen thread through the hole, tie a knot, and you’re all set to hang. If you want to get creative with it, use a brightly colored thread or twine that matches the theme of your tree.
Home Decor Inspiration: Beyond the Tree
When it comes to decorating for Christmas, paper Christmas ornaments aren’t just for the tree—they’re a cracking addition to your entire home decor. With loads of gorgeous designs and shapes to choose from, you can easily knock up a festive atmosphere in every room using paper ornaments made from really lovely quality paper, gift wrap, or even tissue paper.
Try hanging a few of your favourite paper ornaments in a window to catch the winter light, or string them along a door frame for a cheerful welcome that’s dead simple but looks brilliant. You can use hot glue to stick on folded paper stars or circles to a wreath or garland, instantly upgrading your holiday decorations with a proper handmade touch. If you’ve got a cutting machine, have a go at intricate shapes cut from old book pages or sturdy cardstock—these look absolutely amazing as part of a mantel display or as unique accents on your dining table.
For a fun family project, gather round the kids and create a mobile using different colours and shapes of paper ornaments. Simply knock up your ornaments using templates and supplies from your local shop, then hang them from a hoop or branch for a whimsical decoration that’s sure to delight kids and grown-ups alike. You can even chuck in a bit of glitter or use metallic paper for extra sparkle.
Paper ornaments also make fantastic centrepieces that’ll have your mates proper impressed. Arrange a stack of 3D stars or circles in a decorative bowl, or scatter them along the centre of your holiday table with some greenery and candles for a warm, inviting look that’s spot on. If you love home decor that’s both creative and won’t break the bank, paper ornaments are a brilliant way to decorate without spending a fortune—just check the regular price and reviews when you’re shopping for supplies, and look for sellers who’ll sort you out with free shipping or discounts.
Don’t forget, paper ornaments come in an amazing array of colours, shapes, and sturdy materials, so you can match them to any decorating style you fancy. Whether you’re making a garland for your staircase, a festive display for your kitchen, or a cute ornament to pop up in the kids’ room, the whole process is dead simple and loads of fun. Just follow the instructions, use a bit of glue, and pierce a hole at the top to hang your creations wherever you like.
With so many options, it’s easy to see why paper ornaments are a perfect addition to your Christmas home decor that’ll make the whole place look proper festive. Search online for templates, supplies, and inspiration, and don’t be afraid to try out different colours and shapes to create decorations that are truly your own. Whether you’re decorating with the family or crafting on your own, paper Christmas ornaments are a brilliant way to bring a bit of handmade magic to every corner of your home this holiday season.
Storing Your Ornaments After the Holidays.
Paper ornaments are actually pretty durable – if you treat them gently they’ll be just fine for next year. The best way to store them is to lay them flat in a box, or even better place them between sheets of tissue paper to keep them from getting scuffed. Try not to stack anything too heavy on top of them, it’s usually better to just let them hang out flat. And if you’ve made any 3D ornaments – try to keep them in a box with some dividers in there to stop them getting damaged, or you can wrap each one up individually.
Tips for Making Paper Ornaments with Kids
Kids just love doing paper crafts – and ornaments are an absolute perfect project. Just make sure to use kid-friendly scissors and keep things simple with shapes like circles or stars. Let the kids pick the colors and patterns they like best – it’s much more fun that way. And if you want to make a project last for a few days you can actually create a course of simple projects, that way it’s not all over in a few hours. Just remember the goal here is to have a good time making things not to make some perfect craft.
Where to Find Supplies and Inspiration
Most craft stores will have everything you need to make a great looking ornament – good quality paper, loads of glitter, glue and all the rest. You can also find loads of printable templates and project ideas online – just search for things like ‘paper ornament templates’ or ‘DIY paper Christmas ornaments’ and you’ll see hundreds of photos and tutorials pop up. Sometimes, pages with lots of photos or reviews may take a moment to load, so be patient if content doesn’t appear right away. Having an account on some craft sites or Pinterest is a big help, you can save all the ideas you like and come back to them when you need some inspiration.
Price and Stock Considerations
The beauty of making your own ornaments is that it’s usually a lot cheaper than buying all the fancy ones at the store. You can find loads of nice quality paper and gift wrap without breaking the bank – and the great thing is that a little goes a long way. Oddly enough, if you order online you might find that the shipping costs start to add up a bit, so look for local sellers or stores that have good reviews. And the more you buy in bulk the longer your stash of supplies will last – so you’ll always have all you need to make some more ornaments when you feel like it.
Wrapping Up
Paper ornaments are a real fun, affordable and creative way to get your tree looking all festive – whether you use gift wrap, old book pages or scrapbook paper – there really is a style for everyone. Paper Christmas ornaments are easy to make for both kids and adults, making them a versatile craft for the holiday season. The best part is that you get to make something with your own two hands – or with the help of your family – that adds that all important personal touch to your holiday season. So get hold of some paper, scissors and glue and get started making some decorations that are as unique as you are.
