15 Christmas Craft Ideas for Simple Holiday Decor

Enjoy these Simple Christmas Craft Ideas.

The holiday season always brings with it a sense of wonder and anticipation. Between the sparkle of lights and the scent of cinnamon and pine, this is the perfect time to slow down and create beauty with your own hands.

If you’re looking for easy Christmas crafts that don’t require fancy tools or complicated steps, this list is for you. Each of these festive decorations brings charm, heart, and a sense of togetherness… the kind that reminds us what home really means during this busy time of year.

Related Post: Christmas Homemaking

The Joy of Handmade Christmas Decor

First things first… Don’t go buy a bunch of new supplies. Most of these DIY Christmas decorations use materials you already have or can easily find to get you in the festive spirit. There’s something so nostalgic about turning on Christmas music, gathering your supplies, and spending an afternoon crafting together.

Let’s get started with fifteen thoughtful Christmas crafting projects to make your home feel handmade, peaceful, and joyfully festive.

15 Best Christmas Craft Ideas

1. Foraged Christmas Wreath

One of my favorite ways to begin decorating is with a foraged wreath. A few branches of cedar or fir, some pine cones, and dried orange slices come together beautifully to create a natural, timeless piece. If you already have a grapevine wreath base, you can simply weave in fresh greenery or even add a few ribbon scraps or dried berries for color.

This simple craft brings nature indoors and adds texture and scent to your entryway. Hang it on the door or above your mantel, it’s an elegant way to celebrate the season with humble materials gathered from outdoors.

Another simple, nature craft is a Pine Cone Garland. Such an understated decoration!

2. Dried Orange Garland

Stringing together dried orange slices is one of the most wonderful things you can do to make your home feel warm and inviting. Not only does it smell incredible, but it also glows softly in the candlelight, making your living room feel like something out of a storybook.

To make your garland, slice oranges thinly and dry them in the oven at a low temperature. Thread them with twine and hang them on your Christmas tree or over a window. This is a great way to create a natural decoration that lasts all winter long.

3. Cinnamon Stick Candle Wraps

Sometimes the smallest touches make the biggest impact. Tie cinnamon sticks around a glass candle using twine or a bit of scrap fabric. The moment you light the candle, your room fills with that comforting aroma that says “Christmas.” This quick project adds warmth to your dining table, windowsill, or coffee nook, offering a sensory reminder of the season.

4. Homemade Simmer Pot Gift Jars

This next idea doubles as decor and a thoughtful gift. Layer dried orange slices, cloves, rosemary, and cinnamon in glass jars. Then top with a homemade tag that says “just add water.” It’s a fun way to spread warmth to friends and neighbors while keeping your home smelling festive.

If you like to make handmade Christmas gifts, this one’s a hit. You can even use leftover wrapping paper or ribbon to dress up the jar lids. Set a few jars on your kitchen shelf. They look charming and old-fashioned, and are ready to gift anytime.

5. Salt Dough Ornaments

There’s something so nostalgic about Christmas ornaments made from salt dough. Mix flour, salt, and water to form your dough, roll it out, and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Use a straw to poke a hole before baking, then decorate with paint or rubber stamps once cooled.

This project works well for any skill level, and it’s especially sweet when each family member makes one. It’s the best Christmas craft idea for capturing handprints or dates so you can remember the year.

Related Post: 25 Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas

6. Paper Star Garland

If you’re looking for an easy way to make your home feel festive, a paper star garland is a must. Cut stars out of white paper, recycled book pages, or sheet music, then thread them together with string or twine. You can make the stars uniform for a clean, Scandinavian look or mix sizes for a playful, whimsical feel.

Hang your garland over doorways, mantels, or windows for a subtle, glowing accent that pairs beautifully with your tree lights. You can even coming them with your Christmas cards for a sweet garland.It’s one of those crafts that works for every skill level and brings understated elegance to your space. It’s also a very frugal craft that’s easy to customize.

If you like paper crafts, try our a DIY Paper Wreath using paper plates. It’s a great kid craft!

7. Paper Bag Snowflakes

There’s something magical about transforming the simplest materials into something elegant and festive. Paper bag snowflakes are a timeless craft that fills your home with charm.

All you need are plain brown or white paper lunch bags, scissors, glue, and string. Stack about seven bags, cut small shapes along the sides (like triangles or curves), glue them together in a fan, and unfold to reveal a beautiful snowflake.

You can hang these from the ceiling, string them along your wall, or place them in front of a window where they catch the winter light. It’s a project that looks far more intricate than it is, and it’s a lovely simple craft to do with kids on a snowy afternoon.

Hey friends, please don’t forget to follow me over on Instagram!  I post more photos and ideas over there.
Sharing this post on Facebook or Pinterest is another great way you can help me out at no cost to you. Thank you!

8. Homemade Beeswax Candles

Making candles might sound complicated, but it’s simpler than it looks. Using rolled beeswax sheets or melted wax in small jars, you can create the most beautiful, natural candles. These add a soft glow to any space and carry that subtle honey scent that makes evenings cozy.

If you prefer, you can buy a small set of craft kits to make the process smoother, especially for older kids who love helping. Add these to your table centerpiece, and your home instantly feels bathed in gentle light.

9. Natural Gift Wrap Ideas

When it’s time to wrap Christmas presents, skip the glossy paper and opt for something homemade. Use brown paper, twine, greenery, or dried oranges. Add a sprig of pine or tuck a small candy cane into the bow for sweetness. Pom poms add whimsey!

You can personalize your wrapping by cutting gift tags from old cardboard box flaps and decorating them with evergreen or pressed leaves. It’s eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and full of old-fashioned charm… atrue reflection of a handmade Christmas.

10. Handmade Napkin Rings

A few small touches can make your holiday table feel special. Create napkin rings using twine and bits of greenery, or tie with red ribbon and add a cinnamon stick. If you have scrap fabric leftover from other projects, roll it into strips for rustic napkin ties. A perfect project for beginners.

Place these on your dining table with candles and foraged elements, and your space transforms into a warm, intimate gathering place that feels both simple and elegant.

11. Family Scripture Garland or Advent Cards

One of the most meaningful festive decorations you can create is a Scripture garland. Write or print favorite verses onto small cards and hang them with clothespins on twine. This daily rhythm of reading together is a gentle reminder of the reason we celebrate.

You can also make mini advent calendars using envelopes or folded paper. Add a verse, a small chocolate, or an act of kindness idea for each day. It’s a great way to build anticipation and nurture hearts during the festive season.

12. Keepsake Handprint Ornaments

If your children are still small, these will become some of your most cherished Christmas crafting memories. Mix up air-dry clay or salt dough, press in tiny handprints, and let them dry before painting. Make sure to add names and the year. You’ll treasure them when next year rolls around.

Display these ornaments proudly on your tree or mantle. They are gentle reminders that while the holiday spirit is fleeting, the memories we make together last far longer.

13. Spray-Painted Christmas Village

There’s something nostalgic about those tiny ceramic Christmas villages but they don’t always fit every style. A quick and modern twist on festive crafts… Spray-paint them! Whether you find an old set at a thrift store or grab a few inexpensive ones from the dollar aisle, you can transform them into something new with a coat of matte white, soft gold, or warm neutral paint.

Once dry, arrange your little village on a windowsill, bookshelf, or under your tree lights. Add faux snow or a few bottle brush trees for charm. It’s amazing how such a simple project can bring cohesion and calm to your holiday decorations while still feeling classic and full of nostalgia.

14. Homemade Gingerbread Houses

Making homemade gingerbread houses is more than a craft. It’s a family tradition and experience that fills the kitchen with warmth and laughter. You can bake your own gingerbread or use graham crackers for simplicity. Provide icing, candies, pretzels, and candy canes, and let everyone’s creativity flow.

If you prefer a natural look, decorate with dried fruits, nuts, and simple white icing instead of bright colors. Arrange your finished houses on a wooden tray as a sweet centerpiece for your dining table. It’s one of the best Christmas crafts for gathering the whole family together around a shared project that’s equal parts delicious and beautiful.

Another simple kid holiday craft is Paper Ball Reindeer. Festive and fun!

15. Mason Jar Snow Globes

This project combines whimsy and simplicity. DIY Christmas decorations that even younger children can help with. Fill a small mason jar with water, glycerin, and glitter or fake snow, then glue a miniature tree or tiny deer to the inside of the lid. Screw the lid on tightly and give it a shake. Instant winter wonder!

You can customize your snow globes with bits of ribbon, lace, or even old scrap fabric tied around the top. Cluster a few together on your mantel or shelf for a sparkling winter display that catches the light just right.

More Handmade Christmas Ornament Ideas:

A Simple, Handmade Christmas Home

When you pause to create instead of consume, you invite peace back into your home. Every wreath, garland, and handmade touch becomes a reflection of love, time, and care. The best Christmas crafts don’t require a big budget, only a bit of creativity and heart.

This festive spirit is about slowing down, gathering your loved ones, and cherishing moments that can’t be bought in a craft store. You might find a few treasures at garage sales, repurpose everyday items, or use what’s already tucked away in your cupboards. What matters most isn’t how polished your project looks, but the personal touch it adds to your space.

These are the kinds of holiday decorations that make you pause and smile. Handmade treasures that tell a story. Whether you’re crafting ornaments, wrapping gifts, or lighting candles, may your home be filled with that simple joy that whispers, “Merry Christmas.”

Pin for Later…

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.