When it comes to Christmas decorating, stars are the go-to. They’re classic, versatile, and honestly, they just scream festive vibes. Plus, they remind me of those magical Christmas nights when the sky is crystal clear, and the stars look like they’re winking at you. You can throw them into almost any project, and boom—instant charm. So, I went a bit overboard making clay stars for my previous wreath project and ended up with way more than I needed. Since I’d already made a star garland for the wreath (yep, that’s why all the stars have two holes), I figured, “Why not get creative and see what else I can make?” Spoiler alert: two more super cute projects later, I’m officially in love with these stars!
How to Make Clay Stars (the Easy Way)
Okay, let’s start with the basics. Making these stars is ridiculously simple. I rolled out the clay to about 4-5 mm thick—think pie crust, but less edible. Then, I grabbed a star-shaped cookie cutter (pro tip: raid your kitchen drawers for this) and got to work. After cutting out the stars, I poked two little holes in each one with a skewer. You could totally do one hole if you're making ornaments, but I had a garland in mind at the time. Once the stars were all shaped and hole-punched, I let them air dry for about two days. Trust me, patience is key here. If you’re like me and can’t resist poking them to see if they’re dry, flip them over on day two to speed things up. When they’re finally solid, I gave them a quick once-over with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. And voilà, your blank canvas is ready!.
Festive Star Tassel Ornaments
This project was a bit of a trial-and-error situation. I wanted to make something fancy and boho for our Christmas tree, and, well, tassels felt like the way to go. Spoiler: they turned out adorable.
Materials Needed:
- Red fine-tip marker or liner pen
- Wooden beads (12 mm and 14 mm)
- Thin macrame cord or thread
- Scissors
- Cardboard (approx. 12 cm wide)
First, I drew little red designs on the stars—think snowflakes or simple borders.
Then, I threaded a thin cord through one hole, adding wooden beads in different sizes.
For the tassel, I wrapped macramé cord around a piece of cardboard about 12 cm wide, cut one end, and tied it to the bottom bead.
The best part? Fluffing and combing out the tassel strands for that perfect boho look.
Thread another piece of thin cord through the top hole, add two 12 mm beads, and tie a loop for hanging.
These ornaments are perfect for the tree, drawer handles or even as gift toppers. They add such a fun, homemade vibe.
DIY Branch Christmas Tree With Black And White Stars
Now, this was a happy accident. I’d been itching to try something modern and minimalist for a while, and these black-and-white stars were perfect. They’re sleek, a little edgy, and super easy to make.
Materials Needed:
- Black fine-tip marker or black acrylic paint
- White acrylic paint
- White thread or thin string
- Small white pom-poms
- Dry branches
- Vase
- Red ribbon (optional)
First, I gathered a few branches from my yard (free decor, yes, please!) and painted them white. While the branches were drying, I went to town on the stars. Using a black fine-tipped marker, I doodled stripes and zigzags—anything geometric. Don’t stress about perfection; the charm is in the imperfections.
Once my stars were all jazzed up, I threaded white string through the holes and added tiny white pom-poms for a bit of texture.
Then, I hung them on the painted branches and plopped the whole thing into a vase.
I've chosen several designs but you can go with a more minimalist approach.
Quick tip: tie a red ribbon around the vase for a pop of festive color. This modern bouquet looks chic and festive but takes almost no time to put together.
Starry Garland
Ah, garlands. They’re like the Swiss Army knife of holiday decor—you can drape them literally anywhere. This particular garland came in clutch for my Christmas wreath the other day, and it looked so good I almost didn’t want to take it down.
Materials Needed:
- Jute twine or thin string
- Wooden beads (12 mm)
- Scissors
Making it was a breeze. I just strung my clay stars and some chunky wooden beads onto a thin jute twine, alternating them for balance.
The result? A rustic-chic garland that works just as well draped over a window frame as it does around a wreath.
Video Tutorial
Final Thoughts
And there you have it—three simple yet stunning DIY projects to bring some handmade charm to your holiday decor! Plus, there’s something so satisfying about using leftover materials and turning them into beautiful decorations that’ll make your space feel festive and unique.
The best part? These projects are totally customizable. You can switch up the colors, patterns, and materials to match your personal style or even try different shapes if you’re feeling adventurous. And let’s be real—there’s no such thing as too many stars when it comes to holiday decorating. So, grab some clay, get creative, and make something that’ll bring a little extra magic to your home this season. Happy crafting!