We love making ornaments, and this year we made a few simple, heartfelt ones that are perfect for gifting or hanging on your own tree. If you enjoy eating all the cookies and crafting with the kids, these are for you.
These ornaments make especially easy grandparent gifts: a child’s artwork displayed on a small ornament is an instant sentimental win. They’re adorable, inexpensive, and quick to make — about a dollar or two each and roughly ten minutes of work. That’s a huge advantage when the holidays are just around the corner.
For the wooden ornaments we used flat wooden tags purchased at a craft store. They have a nice distressed look and are inexpensive, especially with a coupon. If you can find flat ceramic disks or other small flat shapes, those work just as well. The wood pieces I used didn’t have pre-drilled holes, so I drilled small holes for hanging — a 3/16″ bit worked well. If you prefer not to drill, you can tape a ribbon loop to the back and it will hold for display, though drilling gives a neater finish.
When drilling, place the ornament on a scrap piece of wood so you don’t damage your work surface. This also helps keep the bit from splintering the back of the ornament and gives you cleaner holes. Take your time and use a steady hand — quick and simple prep makes the rest of the project go smoothly.
The art for these ornaments came from our kids’ school art program. The preschool and first grade pieces were already available as sticker sheets sent home through a school fundraiser. If you don’t have pre-made stickers, you can easily scan or photograph a piece of artwork and print it on sticker paper. Regular paper works too — just seal it to the wood with Mod Podge or a similar sealer. This preserves the image and gives it a durable finish.
Apply the sticker or printed artwork to the ornament, smoothing from the center outward to remove bubbles. If you’re working with slightly curved surfaces, avoid over-stretching the paper or sticker — adhere the corners first and let the center sit naturally so it doesn’t wrinkle. Once the art is in place, thread a thin ribbon through the hole for hanging. Save ribbon and gift wrap scraps if you can — they come in handy for quick projects like this.
We also used clear plastic dome ornaments with removable fronts to create tiny terrarium-style pieces. Stick the artwork to the inside back, add a bit of fake snow or small embellishments, and secure them in place with a dab of glue. When applying stickers inside a curved domed ornament, attach the corners so the sticker lays flat without wrinkling. This keeps the design clean and readable.
One of the nicest parts of this project is watching the collection grow year after year. You can vary materials — wood, ceramic, domes, or small blocks — so the ornaments feel cohesive but not matchy-matchy. Each year adds a new memory, and these small keepsakes are much more likely to be displayed than tucked away in a bin.
Enjoy the season and try not to stress too much. I’ve been sipping chai, sampling cookies, and feeling grateful for simple holiday moments. Little traditions like making ornaments together are an easy way to slow down and create meaningful gifts without a lot of expense or time.
If you’re looking for more holiday craft ideas, you can revisit other ornament projects and small seasonal makes for inspiration from past years.
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