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Christmas crafts

Easy Christmas Crafts to DIY This Holiday Season

Create festive décor and gifts with seven approachable Christmas crafts, from yarn and printable wreaths to orange-peel garlands, pomanders and a bird feeder.

By ThatPainter Team 5 min read
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The easiest Christmas crafts start with materials you already have: make a yarn-wrapped wreath or printable paper wreath for instant indoor décor, use permitted greenery for a compostable wreath, turn orange peels into garland, or start a clove pomander two weeks before gifting. The projects below include supply lists, clear steps, drying times, and safety notes so you can choose a craft that fits your household and schedule.

Choose a project by time, tools and materials

Project Main materials Time considerations Best for
Yarn-wrapped wreath Cardboard ring, yarn, tape, scissors Assemble immediately Indoor décor with a soft, reusable finish
Printable paper wreath Printed sheets, scissors, glue, string Assemble immediately Fold-and-glue family activity
Natural greenery wreath Flexible branches, greenery, twine or floral wire Assemble immediately; greenery lasts longer when evergreen Low-waste outdoor or indoor décor
Yarn tassels Yarn or embroidery floss, 4-by-4-inch cardboard, tape, glue Assemble immediately Gift tags, garlands and tree ornaments
Orange-peel garland Orange peel, twine, skewer, blunt yarn needle, star cookie cutter Allow pieces to dry after threading Kitchen-scrap décor
Orange-and-clove pomander Orange, whole cloves, optional ribbon and spices Dry for about two weeks Make-ahead scent and gifts
Pine-cone bird feeder Unscented pine cone, nut or seed butter, bird seed, twine Assemble immediately; hang outdoors Wildlife-friendly outdoor activity

For a paper wreath, Disney Parks Blog recommends printing at actual size rather than scaling the sheets: downloadable wreath instructions. The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s yarn wreath is another no-drying indoor option: Smithsonian yarn-wreath guide.

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1. Wrap a cardboard wreath in yarn

This forgiving project hides the cardboard completely and lets you create stripes or a single-color design.

Supplies

  • Cardboard large enough for a 6-to-8-inch circle
  • Yarn in one or more colors
  • Pencil and compass or another circular template
  • Scissors; an X-Acto knife is optional
  • Tape and a short piece of yarn for hanging

Steps

  1. Draw an outer circle and a smaller inner circle on the cardboard to form a ring.
  2. Cut out the ring. Have an adult handle an X-Acto knife, or prepare the ring before children join.
  3. Tape one end of yarn to the back, then wrap snugly around the ring until no cardboard shows.
  4. Change yarn colors to make bands or a pattern, securing each new end on the back.
  5. Tie on a short hanging loop.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum guide, written by Gloria Kenyon and published December 9, 2020, supplies the complete material list and method.

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2. Fold a printable three-dimensional paper wreath

Disney’s holiday activity provides printable branches, a bow, fruit and flower decorations, and a candle. It is a good choice when you want a colorful wreath without collecting natural materials.

Steps

  1. Print the activity sheets at actual size.
  2. Cut out the branches and decorative pieces.
  3. Fold along the marked lines to create dimension.
  4. Glue the branches and decorations into a wreath shape, then add the bow and candle.
  5. Attach string if you want to hang it.

Disney advises adult participation or supervision for young children. The downloadable sheets are for personal, non-commercial use. See the Disney Parks Blog instructions.

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3. Build a natural greenery wreath

Use flexible branches as the base and bind on smaller greenery. Collect only where you have permission; rules vary by landowner and location.

Supplies

  • Flexible branches and greenery
  • Gloves
  • Pruning shears
  • Natural-fiber twine or ribbon, or thin floral wire
  • Optional natural decorations

Steps

  1. Bend flexible branches into a circle and secure the ends with twine or wire.
  2. Layer smaller greenery around the base, binding each bundle as you go.
  3. Add collected natural decorations and a hanging ribbon.
  4. Remove wire, plastic and other non-biodegradable pieces before composting; save them for reuse.

Evergreen cuttings generally last longer than softer foliage. The Natural History Museum’s eco-friendly Christmas crafts guidance recommends avoiding floral foam and keeping ivy and berries away from children and pets because they may be poisonous. Collect berries sparingly because wildlife also relies on them for food. The National Park Service describes a similar method using a wreath form or bent wire coat hanger, thin floral wire and ribbon in its Fort Vancouver Christmas crafts guide.

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4. Make yarn tassels for gifts or a garland

A tassel uses very little equipment and can become a package tie, ornament or a string of decorations.

  1. Cut a 4-by-4-inch cardboard template.
  2. Wrap yarn or embroidery floss around it at least 30 times for a fuller tassel.
  3. Slide the bundle off, tie a loop at one end, and bind the head with another short length.
  4. Cut the opposite end to release the strands and trim them evenly.
  5. Secure the tassel with glue if desired, then tie it to a gift or garland.

These quantities and steps come from the National Park Service’s Christmas crafts instructions.

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5. Turn orange peels into a star garland

This project gives kitchen scraps a second use and naturally scents a room as the pieces dry.

  1. Peel oranges in broad sections.
  2. Press a star-shaped cookie cutter into the peel.
  3. Punch holes with a skewer.
  4. Thread the stars onto twine or strong string with a blunt-ended yarn needle.
  5. Hang the garland and let the peel dry fully.

Young makers need adult supervision with the skewer and needle. The Natural History Museum’s Christmas crafts page provides this method.

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6. Start an orange-and-clove pomander early

Stud a whole orange with cloves for a fragrant decoration, but plan ahead: the National Park Service says the finished pomander should dry for about two weeks.

  1. Use a toothpick or fork to make small holes in the orange.
  2. Push whole cloves into the holes, leaving space for a ribbon if desired.
  3. Add ribbon or other spices if you like.
  4. Set the pomander aside to dry for approximately two weeks before displaying or gifting.

Follow the National Park Service’s pomander instructions for the complete project.

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7. Make a pine-cone bird feeder

This is an outdoor wildlife project rather than an indoor ornament. Tie twine to a pine cone, coat it with nut or seed butter, and roll it in bird seed before hanging it outside.

  • Use only unscented, unglittered and unpainted pine cones; the National Park Service warns that treated cones can harm birds.
  • Hang the feeder where birds can reach it safely and observe it from a distance.

The full method appears in the National Park Service’s Fort Vancouver Christmas crafts guide.

Safety and lower-waste checks

  • Supervise children when projects involve scissors, pruning shears, skewers, needles or knives. Adults should cut cardboard with an X-Acto knife.
  • Do not assume natural greenery is edible or harmless. Keep ivy and berries away from children and pets.
  • Harvest branches, greenery and berries only where collection is permitted.
  • Choose reusable yarn, string and ribbon where practical. Before composting a natural wreath, detach wire, plastic and every other non-compostable decoration.
  • For bird feeders, avoid scented, glittered or painted pine cones.

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