8 Holiday DIY Decorations for the Winter Season

‘Tis the season for decking your halls. Sometimes using store-bought (or even more convenient—ordering them online) decorations is the way to go, but there’s something so special and charming about homespun DIY Christmas decorations that money simply cannot buy. These thoughtful Christmas craft ideas and projects are impossibly easy, make for hours of family fun and are easy on the wallet.

Ornament Trees

So shiny and bright and festive, you will proudly display these sparkling beauties year after year.

To make: Cover Styrofoam cones (we used 12- and 15-inch cones) with ornaments, attaching them with hot-glue. Start with larger ornaments at the bottom, transitioning to smaller ones as you work your way up. Fill in any gaps with mini ornament balls. If desired, wrap the finished trees with vintage tinsel and beaded garland.

Shiny Brite Centerpiece

Create a two-tiered table arrangement by placing a footed tureen on a platter and filling both dishes with ornaments.

DIY Candy Cane Door Decor

Create your own candyland welcome with these wreath and swag ideas.

To make wreath at left: Arrange candy canes in a circle with the hooks all facing the same direction. Affix together with hot-glue (don’t worry if the ends don’t line up, as they will be covered). Top center with round peppermint candies, overlapping them slightly and holding in place with hot-glue. Thread ribbon through two candy canes at top to hang.

To make wreath at top right: Wrap a 12-inch foam wreath form in white ribbon. Attach candy cane sticks, small candy canes, and peppermint balls with hot-glue to conceal the form. Loop a ribbon around top of wreath to hang.

To make swag: Attach extra-large and regular-size candy canes together, staggering the heights and direction the hooks face, with hot-glue. Tie a bow around the stem, and insert greenery.

DIY Staircase Bows

Add an instant upgrade to store-bought bows (or tie your own with wire ribbon) by securing a cluster of shiny red ornaments in the center. Fasten to garland where it attaches to railings.

DIY Holiday Card Tree

Corral vintage and new Christmas correspondence into a timely tree-shaped installation. Place a galvanized bucket underneath to collect outgoing gifts, party favors, or more holiday mail.

Upgrade a Plain Glass Ornament

These empty orbs offer an affordable catalyst for creativity. Fill one with small wooden chips, another with a single stunning peacock feather (attached to the ornament’s top with hot glue). Or compose a more obvious Christmas scene by dropping a model fir tree into a globe dusted with artificial snow. You can also use tweezers to position branches inside and even hot-glue a tiny cardinal in place.

Winter Lights Display

For a simple and sophisticated display, wrap tree branches from your backyard with white twinkle lights and prop them up in your living room.

Cozy Front Porch Centerpiece

Create a welcoming front porch arrangement by placing evergreen boughs inside a woven basket — a few sparkly DIY cardboard stars glued to sticks and arranged among the branches makes it look extra festive.