Making Christmas ornaments is kind of a tradition in our house. And honestly, it’s one of my favorite ways to decorate for the holidays. The simplicity of crafting something by hand—especially with the kids—just makes everything feel more special. Plus, these clay ornaments look super fancy when you’re done, but they’re ridiculously easy to make. I mean, if I can pull it off without breaking anything (well, mostly), anyone can.
The best part? These ornaments aren’t just for wreaths. You can use them to decorate your Christmas tree, string them up as a garland for your mantel, or even tie them onto gifts for an extra personal touch. They’re super versatile, and they add a cozy, handmade vibe to any holiday decor.
Whenever we make these, everyone gets to pick their favorite cookie cutter shapes. It’s like a mini creative workshop—each of us cuts out whatever shapes we want, and then the real fun begins. We paint and decorate them however we like. Some go all out with bright colors and glitter, while others keep it simple and classic. It’s amazing to see everyone’s personality shine through their little clay masterpieces! This year we’ll be crafting clay ornaments with botanical imprints and a beautiful garland with clay stars to adorn a festive Christmas wreath.
What you’ll need
- White air-dry clay (No baking required; hardens on its own)
- Glass (For cutting out circles)
- Star-shaped cookie cutter (For making star ornaments)
- Thuja branch or any small evergreen branch (To create imprints in the clay)
- Green acrylic paint (For painting the imprints)
- Brown acrylic paint (To add depth and detail)
- Wooden beads 14mm and 12mm
- Red ribbon (For tying bows)
- Macrame cord or thick twine (To hang ornaments and assemble the garland)
- Battery-operated fairy lights (For wrapping around the wreath)
- Evergreen wreath (Your base for decorating)
- Straw or skewer (For making holes in the ornaments)
- Sandpaper (To smooth out rough edges after drying.)
- Glue gun (For attaching the red ribbon bow)
Prepping the clay shapes
The process starts with rolling out the clay. I aim for about half a centimeter thickness—not too thin, not too chunky. Here’s where the kids usually jump in because they love the cookie-cutter part. We made nine stars (give or take a few because, well, accidents happen).
We also made a couple of circles for variety. I like to use a glass for cutting circles—it’s quick, easy, and oddly satisfying. Pro Tip: Always cut a few extra shapes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve smudged one right after it dried or lost a star under the couch.
The stars get to stay plain—they’re all about keeping things simple and classic. Although don't forget to punch two holes in each of them.
This part is where the magic happens. Take that thuja branch and press it gently into the clay circles to leave an imprint.
The first time I did this, I pressed way too hard and ended up with a lumpy mess. So yeah, gentle is the way to go.
Don’t forget to punch holes for hanging! I used a straw for the circles. Here’s the not-so-fun part: waiting for the clay to dry. This takes about two days, depending on the humidity.
Making Christmas ornaments with evergreen imprints
Once they’re dry, I grab some sandpaper to smooth out the rough edges. It’s not the most glamorous step, but it makes a huge difference. Quick confession: I used to skip this step, thinking, “Who’s gonna notice?” But trust me, they notice. Smooth edges make your ornaments look polished and professional.
Now for the fun part—painting! I went with green acrylic paint to highlight the evergreen imprint and added a touch of brown to give it some depth. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try different colors, but I’m a sucker for that classic green-and-red Christmas combo.
I threaded some white string through the hole, added three 14mm wooden beads, and topped it off with a red ribbon bow.
I've made it on three fingers. If you’re feeling confident, you could tie it directly onto the string, but I find this method much easier.
Once you’re happy with the size and shape, use scissors to cut the ends of the ribbon at an angle for a neat, professional look.
Quick tip: If your bows never come out right (like mine), just tie one separately and glue it on. No one will know, and it looks way neater.
Here is how the final ornament looks like.
Making the stars garland
The star garland was next—just thread the stars and smaller 12mm beads onto a long piece of string.
To keep the stars and beads from sliding around, you can tie small knots on either side of each piece. This step ensures that everything stays evenly spaced and secure.
Assembling the wreath
Now it’s time to bring everything together. I wrapped my faux evergreen wreath with battery-powered fairy lights, then added the clay circle as a focal point and draped the garland around it. Honestly, this part is so satisfying. It’s like dressing up your wreath for a party.
What I love about this project is how versatile it is. These ornaments aren’t just for wreaths—you can use them on your tree, as gift tags, or even string them up as a garland for your mantel. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to spend time with the family and create something uniquely yours. Happy crafting, and may your holiday decor be as joyful as the season itself!