50 Christmas Crafts for Adults (Easy Homemade Decorations)
Make your home merry with 50 Christmas crafts for adults, from quick 15-minute projects to more challenging DIY Christmas decorations, all with step-by-step instructions.
If you are looking for Christmas crafts for adults, you have come to the right place. Below are 50 homemade Christmas decorations with step-by-step instructions, gathered from my own projects and from crafters I admire.
Some of these Christmas craft ideas come together in an afternoon. Others take a weekend and a little patience. That is exactly why I love this list. There is something here for the “I have twenty minutes and a glue gun” days, and something for the snowy-Saturday-with-no-plans kind of days.
Can you relate to this? Every December I tell myself this will be the year I slow down and actually make things. And every year, the to-do list wins. Not this year. This year on a rainy evening I put on some music, pulled out the twine and the felt, and made one single ornament. Just one. It took fifteen minutes and it changed the whole mood of my week.
So whether you are a seasoned crafter or you just want one small project to keep your hands busy while the cookies bake, I am sure you will find plenty of inspiring ideas here. Perfect Christmas craft ideas for adults, no crafting degree required.
One little thing before we start. Stick around to the end, because I have put a short FAQ there that answers the questions crafters ask me most, including what handmade Christmas items sell best if you are thinking about a craft fair. You will find the link to it right below.
Come on, let’s take a peek.
This post is organized into five sections for your convenience. If you are only interested in one section, feel free to click on the link that interests you to be taken directly to that section. Otherwise, please enjoy scrolling through all 50 ideas.
Quick and Easy Christmas Crafts for Adults
Christmas can be a busy and stressful time, and you don’t want your Christmas decorating to add to the stress. Don’t worry, you don’t need lots of time, money or skills to create a festive home for the holidays. Every idea in this section is one you can finish in a single sitting, most of them with supplies you already have in a drawer somewhere.
1. From Thrift Store Chandelier to Stunning Vintage DIY Christmas Bells
Looking for a fun Christmas bells craft idea? You’ll love these vintage-style DIY Christmas Bells made from a thrift store chandelier.
2. DIY Nativity Paper Bag Luminaries (No Cutting Machine Needed)
Turn plain paper bags into glowing nativity silhouette luminaries. An easy, meaningful Christmas craft with just a sandwich bag, sharpie, and sand. Drop in flameless candles and you never have to worry about the bags.
3. How to Make a ‘Let It Snow’ Pillow Cover
Make your own “Let it snow” pillow cover for less than $20. It’s a simple way to decorate your home for the holidays and a fantastic Christmas throw pillow.
4. How to Make Christmas Window Drawings With Chalk
Even if you cannot draw, you will love making these chalk pen window drawings with an easy hack. I use chalk markers like these so mistakes wipe right off with a damp cloth.
5. How to Make Beautifully Bleached Pinecones
Learn how easy and inexpensive it is to make beautifully bleached pinecones for your fall, Christmas, or holiday decor and crafts.
6. DIY Cookie Cutter Wreath
Make this charming DIY Cookie Cutter Wreath in under 30 minutes using simple materials. A quick and festive holiday craft that’s easy to customize. No cookie cutter collection? A two mixed sets like this covers the whole wreath.
7. DIY Outdoor Christmas Pillow
Easily create a DIY outdoor Christmas pillow with waterproof canvas, an iron-on transfer and your imagination.
8. Rustic DIY Candle Jars for a Cozy Christmas Glow
Create your own rustic DIY candle jars this Christmas using upcycled glass jars, fresh greenery, and handmade tags. A simple, cozy Christmas craft idea perfect for natural holiday decor and warm candlelight glow. Wrap the jars in a spool of butcher’s twine like this and they instantly look vintage.
9. DIY Felt Star Christmas Garland with Vintage Buttons
Learn how to make a DIY felt star Christmas garland by cutting felt stars and sewing them onto butchers twine with vintage mother-of-pearl buttons.
10. How to Fold a Paper Star (Step by Step With Video)
Learn how to fold a five point paper star with step by step instructions and a video, plus easy ideas for using folded paper stars in your Christmas decorating.
Homemade Christmas Ornaments
It isn’t Christmas without a Christmas tree. And what is a Christmas tree without some show-stopping homemade ornaments? Please enjoy this collection of DIY Christmas ornaments that fit every style and look good on Christmas trees both big and small. Handmade ornaments also make the loveliest little gifts, tucked into a card or tied onto a package.
11. DIY Christmas Ornaments with Bells: Make a Heart-Shaped Jingle Bell Ornament
Looking for a fun Christmas craft idea? Learn how to make beautiful Christmas ornaments with bells in a sweet heart shape!
12. DIY Boho Christmas Ornaments (Easy Tassel Tree Decor)
Easy DIY boho Christmas ornaments made from yarn, rings, and beads in your stash. A cozy boho Christmas decor project you’ll love. If you have leftover yarn, some wood beads and metal rings, you have everything you need to make these tassel ornaments.
13. Doily Christmas Ornaments (Easy Vintage Upcycle)
Make doily Christmas ornaments from old doilies, crochet runners and tablecloths, no fancy supplies needed, for a cozy vintage upcycle on your tree.
14. DIY Rustic Twig Christmas Decorations to Make
Twig Christmas decorations are a fun and cheap way to decorate for Christmas. From twig star ornaments to twig candle holders and twig Christmas trees, there are so many things you can make.
15. Rustic Embroidered Burlap Ornaments for a Scandinavian Christmas Tree
Turn leftover burlap into charming embroidered burlap Christmas ornaments. A quick Christmas craft project in Scandinavian style, perfect for cozy, handmade holiday decor.
16. Felt Christmas Doll Ornaments: DIY Puppet Tutorial (Sweet and Easy)
Felt Christmas doll ornaments are so easy to make! This step-by-step DIY puppet tutorial uses wooden beads, felt scraps, and pipe cleaners for the sweetest tree decor. A felt sheet like this covers dozens of these little dolls.
17. Buffalo Check and Snowflake Wood Christmas Ornaments from Scrap Wood
Learn how to make the cutest, affordable wood Christmas ornaments from scrap wood in two styles! Includes Buffalo Checked presents and wood slice snowflakes, plus a video on how to add a buffalo check pattern to any surface.
18. DIY Travel Christmas Ornaments
It’s time to deck the Christmas tree with all the ornaments, especially the sentimental ones! Come see how we made some easy DIY travel Christmas ornaments.
19. Rustic Christmas Garland
Looking for a rustic Christmas craft idea? How about making a rustic Christmas garland from decorated wood slices and little natural decorations. If you would rather not cut your own wood slices, a set like these saves an afternoon.
20. Sea Glass Ornaments (Sand and Sisal)
Bring a bit of the beach inside this Christmas with these beautiful and easy to make Sea Glass Ornaments, first seen on Sand & Sisal.
DIY Christmas Wreaths and Garlands
And then there is the front door. Have you noticed how a homemade wreath changes the whole entrance of your home? One wreath and suddenly your door looks like it belongs in a magazine. The best part is that you do not need to buy a single thing for most of these DIY Christmas wreaths. Twigs from the garden, walnuts from the kitchen, leftover fabric scraps, they all make the loveliest wreaths. And garlands are just as forgiving. Drape one over the mantel, wind one down the staircase, and your home instantly feels festive. Below you will find my favorite wreath and garland projects, from a quick pinecone wreath to an advent wreath you can enjoy all December long.
21. How to Decorate an Evergreen Christmas Wreath
Learn how to decorate an evergreen Christmas wreath with fresh greenery, pinecones, and rustic charm. This quick DIY shows how to turn a simple faux wreath into a luscious, natural holiday showpiece. Start with a plain faux evergreen wreath (or find one at the thrift store), and the decorating is the easy part.
22. Best Dressed Door: Making a Large Fresh Outdoor Garland
Using chicken wire to create a large fresh outdoor Christmas garland for the front entry with pine, Fraser fir, cedar, magnolia, holly, and gingham ribbon.
23. How to Make an Original Hanging Advent Wreath
An original take on a hanging Advent wreath. This rustic Advent wreath floats in the air and is an easy DIY project you can totally do yourself. You’ll want four mini candles, and wreath candle clips to get the full effect.
24. DIY Walnut Christmas Wreath Centerpiece for the Table
Make this DIY walnut Christmas wreath centerpiece for your table using a fall walnut wreath, candle cup, and supplies already at home. Simple, rustic, and made almost entirely from things you already have on hand.
25. DIY Fresh Christmas Wreath
Do you love the scent of fresh greenery at Christmas time? This DIY fresh Christmas wreath is easy to make and lots of fun to customize.
26. Easy DIY Noel Christmas Banner (No Sew, Burlap and Fabric Scraps)
Learn how to make a no sew Noel Christmas banner from burlap, fabric scraps, ribbon, and lace. A quick mixed media craft that looks lovely on a hutch or mantel. Grab a roll of burlap and you will have plenty left over for the stockings too.
27. Rustic DIY Christmas Door Garland for Your Front Door
Learn how to make a rustic DIY Christmas door garland using natural evergreens, pinecones, and burlap for a handmade woodland look at your front door.
28. How to Make a Pinecone Wreath
Looking for instructions on how to make a pinecone wreath? With these easy-to-follow steps you can make a pinecone wreath in no time. It’s a fun, fast, and easy craft; you only need free pinecones and a straw wreath form like this.
29. How to Make a Christmas Fabric Scrap Wreath
Do have a stash of pretty fabric scraps? Make a wreath out of your fabric scraps! Add some string lights and you have an instant fun Christmas wreath.
30. How To Make Christmas Garland Like a Pro
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make a gorgeous, professional-looking Christmas garland to decorate your home for the holidays this year.
Holiday Wood Signs
Christmas signs come in all shapes and sizes, but they all add a really festive touch to your holiday home. A wood sign is an easy DIY and you can make a Christmas sign for every decorating style. Pick a word, pick a paint color, and you are halfway there.
31. DIY String Art Deer Head with Free Printable Template
Make your own string art deer head wall decor with this step-by-step tutorial and printable outline. Simple and stylish, this handmade deer string art adds rustic charm to your Christmas decor.
32. Creative Ways to Display Christmas Cards
Looking for ideas for ways to display Christmas cards? You will love these Christmas card holders that are easy and fun to make and can totally be created on a budget.
33. Simple DIY Farmhouse Sign for Christmas
Be guided through a step by step tutorial on 2 ways to make painted antler signs. Learn how to cut your own custom stencils and paint like a pro! Reusable deer antler stencils make the hand-painted look foolproof.
34. DIY Letter to Santa Sign with Iron On
This little wood sign only took about 10 minutes to put together! I can’t even write a letter that fast. Iron-on vinyl like this is what makes this a 10-minute sign.
35. DIY Mini Christmas Signs
I’m showing you how to make these mini Christmas signs. They turned out so cute! Don’t you just love those little wood finials? They are the perfect touch and make these blocks look so custom.
36. Be Merry DIY Christmas Wood Porch Sign Tutorial
Make a fun and festive DIY Christmas wood porch sign with this easy tutorial. Scrap wood and a transfer, done in under 30 minutes.
37. Magnetic Christmas Countdown Sign
Use the gold magnetic star to countdown the days until Christmas. Use a vinyl template and make a simple wood frame to make this festive advent calendar. A set of gold magnetic stars makes this idea extra sparkly.
38. Stenciled Wooden Christmas Tree Sign with Lights
If you love the look of pallet Christmas trees, this charming and unique stenciled wooden Christmas tree sign with lights will be right up your alley!
39. DIY Rustic Wood Christmas Sign
This DIY sign will look so good in your Christmas bedroom. Follow the link for all the DIY instructions.
40. Cookies for Santa Tray
Turn a serving tray into a lovely backdrop for your hot cocoa station. If you don’t have a spare tray, one like this works great for the cocoa station too.
Christmas Mantel and Shelf Decorating Ideas
Are you wondering how to decorate your mantel for Christmas? I thought I’d share some pictures from my Christmas mantel and shelf decorating ideas file to inspire you. The focal point of these mantels is always a fun DIY project. These are the crafts that carry the whole room.
41. DIY Wood Stockings
An easy to follow tutorial for creating wood stockings to decorate your holiday mantel.
42. How to Make a Dried Orange Slice Garland (Jennifer Rizzo)
Learn how to make a dried orange slice garland with this video and tutorial! It’s so easy and smells amazing. Not up for drying oranges yourself? Pre-dried orange slices save you an afternoon of oven watching.
43. Natural Christmas Mantel Decoration With a Black Twig Star
Create a natural, minimalist Christmas mantel with an evergreen branch chain and a homemade black twig star. Rustic Scandinavian style, no fireplace required.
44. DIY Wooden Barn Star (aka Barn Quilt)
An easy woodworking project you can build for less than $20 in lumber. A beautiful wooden barn star quilt art to anchor your Christmas mantel.
45. DIY Stenciled Holiday Music Sheet Sign
Create a lovely holiday music sheet sign to decorate your home using plywood, a music sheet, paint, stencils, Mod Podge and glitter. A jar of Mod Podge like this seals the music sheet so it lasts for years.
46. How to Make Large Framed Snowflake Signs
These wood framed signs by DIY Beautify are inexpensive and easy to make! Follow the tutorial to make signs for any season!
47. Paper Houses Christmas Mantel
Little paper houses lined up along the mantel, glowing softly with a lighted star in the background. Simple, handmade, and so cozy. Sturdy white watercolor paper is what makes the little houses keep their shape.
48. Mantel With Mistletoe Sign
A simple and budget savvy wood sign to decorate your mantel. Kissing under the mistletoe just got better.
49. DIY Christmas Mantel Decor with Garlands and Wooden Houses
Looking for cozy DIY Christmas mantel decor ideas? Create a handmade white and gold mantel with garlands, stars, and wooden houses.
50. Illuminated Old Windows Christmas Mantel
Make an illuminated old windows Christmas mantel with christmas lights, old windows, evergreen branches and spray snow. Beautiful, natural, and likely free! A can of snow spray like this is the whole magic trick here.
FAQ – Christmas Crafts for Adults
What craft can we make for Christmas?
Quick and festive options from this list include felt Christmas garlands, bleached pinecones, paper star ornaments, and cookie cutter wreaths. All of them are made from basic supplies like felt, twine, paper, and glue. If you have a little more time, a stenciled holiday wood sign or a string art deer head makes a bigger statement.
What are some good crafts for adults?
Good adult crafts use simple materials but look polished. In this collection that means burlap embroidered ornaments, doily ornaments, wood slice ornaments, and homemade signs and wreaths. My winter crafts for adults post has more ideas for the whole season, and my fall crafts for adults list covers the autumn months.
What handmade Christmas items sell best?
Ornaments sell especially well, because they are small, inexpensive to ship, and people buy several at once. Wood signs, felt garlands, and stenciled ornaments from this list are all good candidates. Salt dough ornaments and dried orange garlands also do well at craft fairs because the supplies cost very little.
Now I would love to hear from you. Which of these Christmas crafts for adults is calling your name? Are you a mantel-scape person, or does your heart belong to the ornament box? Tell me in the comments, I read them all.
And if you are pinning this for a December afternoon with twine and felt, good plan. Pin now and make it later.
