The best part about the holiday season is breaking out past years' — or new — decorations to fill your home with warm, cozy, winter vibes. This holiday season, consider swapping a few of your store-bought pieces with DIY decorations. Handmade items are oftentimes more durable, not to mention affordable. Plus, since they are one of a kind, you won't have to worry about your home looking like everyone else's.
These fun holiday DIY projects will make your home look festive, and serve as the perfect opportunity for your family and friends (of all ages) to gather around the table for some quality time before the hectic festivities. Then, year after year you can unpack the decor you made together and re-live all of those fun memories. Every piece will have a sentimental story, which you wouldn't get from just pulling out a wreath that was bought off of a store shelf.
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Keep in mind that it's not about perfection, and there are DIYs for every skill level, so don't shy away from these DIYs if you're a newbie. It's really the thought that counts with these holiday projects. And hey, if you really don't like what you've made, you can recycle it once the new year has passed. Take your time to thoughtfully place every dot of hot glue, or throw together your best interpretation of the perfect ornament. Gather up crafting materials from around your house to help further cut down on costs.
Ready to make your home a winter wonderland and spread some holiday cheer? Scroll on for a myriad of clever decorating ideas that will help you transform your home.
50 Holiday DIY Projects That Are Fast and Easy
1. Make your own mistletoe.
This year, skip the fake mistletoe and make your own arrangement using fresh greenery. The homemade touch will definitely impress people as soon as they cross your threshold. Hang it up in a doorway, grab special someone, and share a moment under the mistletoe.
2. Create ornaments out of natural materials.
Spice up your home for the holidays. Grab a few cinnamon sticks, some twine, and a small branch from your Christmas tree (or a tree in your yard) to create this festive-smelling ornament.
If your decor aesthetic leans more toward minimalism, you're going to love this romantic DIY tablescape. The festive spread uses a muted and atmospheric color palette inspired by the cold winter season — it's moody and perfect for holiday gatherings.
4. Craft a few wreaths out of wire and foliage.
These modern DIY wreaths are a quick and easy Christmas craft. Twist the wire into fun shapes and tie on winter foliage, like holly or evergreen cuttings. Artfully arrange a few of them on your wall to add visual interest.
5. Make concrete candleholders.
This year-round (but especially appropriate around the holidays) craft project begs the question — is there such a thing as too many candles? This concrete candleholder will give any room the perfect holiday glow.
6. Assemble a tree skirt without sewing a stitch.
Every year it can be a challenge to find the perfect tree skirt to match your holiday scheme. Head to the fabric store and pick out a textile that will really ground your tree and accentuate your existing home decor. Don't be intimidated by this DIY: You don't need to sew a stitch and start to finish, it takes less than an hour.
7. Hang an NYE photo backdrop.
Every decent New Year's Eve party contains two essential ingredients — over-the-top decorations and a cute spot for staging equally cute NYE Instagram stories. Get your home party ready with this fun photo backdrop that all of your guests will flock to.
8. Construct minimalist ornaments for your tree.
As much as we love traditional holiday decor, sometimes it's nice to embrace a fresh take. For instance, these minimal Christmas ornaments will make any modern tree shine.
9. Showcase Santa-inspired gnomes around the kids' table.
Don't forget about table decor when you decorate your home for the holidays. These fun Santa gnomes will be the perfect addition to the kids' table. Add a ribbon to the back of each gnome so that the kiddos can hang it on the tree when dinner is over.
10. DIY indigo batik stockings.
We love using indigo, a blue plant-based dye, in unexpected ways — like for stylish Christmas stockings that offer a twist on possibly the most classic holiday decor item ever.
11. Fashion a paper advent calendar.
Create a personalized advent calendar for the winter holiday season. All you have to do is write a memory from the year for each day, and then sew the memories (or small gifts) into these paper baubles. Every morning leading up to Christmas, you or a family member can open one.
12. Fabricate a waxed canvas tree holder.
Short on space? A tabletop Christmas tree can be a smart solution during the holidays, and this DIY fabric planter imparts Scandinavian charm to a basic pot or tree, while the waxed canvas and leather handles add a rugged, outdoorsy feel.
13. Showcase a modern holiday scene.
Transform this basic IKEA lampshade into the most darling snow globe-inspired winter wonderland. Add in your favorite bottle brush trees and holiday figurines. It serves as the perfect centerpiece for the table or a nice addition to your mantel.
14. Consider an au naturel gift wrap idea.
We've got three easy DIY ideas for holiday, birthday, and wedding gifts that will take your wrapping game from meh to brilliant without having to spend too much time ... or money. Create beautifully wrapped gifts using foliage, fabric, and naturally dyed tags.
15. Create simple, Scandi-inspired ornaments.
With harmonious materials, shapes, and textures, you too can create these simple, refined DIY Christmas decorations. Raw wood adds natural beauty, while the silver aluminum gives weight and a touch of sheen to the whole design.
16. Craft a eucalyptus wreath for any door.
Add something chic and whimsical to your front door or kitchen cabinets with this DIY gold hoop wreath. Switch out the color of the ribbon with a red or deep green option for a more festive look.
17. Create charming clay Christmas tree ornaments.
We crafted these air-dry clay ornaments in under an hour using reusable sugar cookie stamps, and the effect is downright divine when hung on a lit (or unlit) Christmas tree.
18. Make a few decorative trees out of clay.
These mini handmade clay Christmas trees make a super fun holiday craft. This tutorial uses gold and white, but feel free to mix up the paint colors to better fit your decor style. Your kids or grandkids will really enjoy putting these together.
19. Dress up each place setting with mini rosemary wreaths.
There's no better time to create a beautiful table setting than during the holiday season. These mini rosemary wreaths not only add a personal touch but also a glorious herbal aroma.
20. Fabricate a plywood display for holiday cards.
This year, showcase Christmas cards on a Scandi-inspired plywood display that doubles as a memo board for photos and trinkets all year round. There's nothing to stop you from using it long after the holiday season ends.
21. Hang boho stockings on the mantel.
Dress up a classic white stocking by giving it a touch of boho. Simply use your glue gun to attach different types of ribbon, trim, and lace from your local fabric store. This DIY uses cream and white, but if you need a little more variety, mix in some pastel-colored ribbon as well.
22. Assemble a wooden Christmas tree.
This Scandinavian-inspired wooden Christmas tree is a great alternative to the real thing and far more convenient than the upkeep of an actual tree with all those falling needles.
23. Display a forest of paper trees as the table centerpiece.
You most likely have some old craft paper lying around. Put it to good use by creating a unique centerpiece for your holiday dinner table. If you're nervous about getting the shapes just right, don't worry, this DIY comes with a printable template and will only take you about 20 minutes.
24. Add a little sparkle to your wall with a rose gold holiday wreath.
Holiday decor that's merry, modern, and made by you — what's not to love? Better still, this rose gold wreath is made of used aluminum cans, so it's both chic and earth-friendly.
25. Forge a Christmas village out of air-dry clay.
During the next snowstorm, sit down and create your own tiny Christmas village. Air-dry clay is a very easy material to use and this DIY comes with a template to help you get the houses just right. Add votive candles, some faux snowflakes, and bottle brush trees to fill in the landscape and light up the houses.
26. Make a eucalyptus table runner.
For a centerpiece that's literally good enough to eat (and comes together in a snap), try this fragrant eucalyptus table runner that includes plenty of delicious goodies for your epic holiday feast.
27. Top gifts with dried oranges.
Not only will your presents look really elegant with these DIY gift toppers, but they will also smell amazing. Bonus: They're super affordable! When you present your gifts, make sure to tell people that the dried oranges can double as ornaments for the next holiday season.
28. Dress up any mantel or shelf with a boho garland.
This boho-inspired holiday garland is a very doable DIY. If you're a beginner, this is a good place to start. Use different shades of green yarn (or any colors of your choosing) and add some tassels throughout for a little flair.
29. Craft vintage-inspired ornaments.
Use baking soda, paint, and some old ornaments that you have stored away to create these antique-looking decorations. Hang them on your tree or place a few in a bowl as decoration.
30. Turn IKEA products into giant ornaments.
Deck your halls this holiday season with an IKEA hack that turns three pendants (all under $10, we might add) into oversize ornaments.
31. Construct a colorful Christmas tree forest centerpiece.
Add some unexpected colors to your holiday table with this vibrant Christmas tree forest. (Plus, you'll find all of the supplies needed at your local craft store!)
32. Create clay tree luminaries.
A holiday space is never complete without a little candlelight. Bring some into your home in a crafty way with these holiday tree luminaries made from clay. Get creative and make them any size, color, or shape that you want. As the finishing touch, add a small candle inside to see the warm light come through the tree.
33. Fashion some trendy gift toppers.
Luxe, earthy elements like linen and leather in a subtle color palette inspired by nature — plus a pop of metallic paint — infuse a bit of festivity and glamour to create the prettiest little packages you ever did see.
34. DIY a tomato cage Christmas tree.
Here's an inexpensive way to decorate for the holidays — tomato cage trees are incredibly easy to make and you can place them indoors or out (a cluster of three would look amazing on your front porch, don't ya think?).
35. Hang birch branch decor with pine cone accents.
This simple DIY is the perfect minimalist decor piece for the holiday season. Gather up a few items from the forest, along with hot glue, a ribbon, and some scissors — now you're ready to craft. Hang it on your mantel or your front door.
36. Put together a rustic wreath for a little country charm.
Mix it up this fall season with an asymmetrical wreath that has the traditional elements you might expect, like pinecones and winter greens, plus a modern twist, like pampas grass.
37. Create a charming forest scene out of wood.
You'll be singing fa-la-la-la-la at how enchanting your tiny forest vignette looks displayed on a mantel, windowsill, or shelf, with a few simple sprigs of greenery — grab some wooden beads and get gluing.
38. Use twinkle lights to add a luminous glow to glass cloches.
Twinkle lights are the perfect way to give any space in your home a warm holiday glow. For this DIY, simply perch an assortment of glass cloches on top of some battery-operated twinkle lights. To make it slightly more festive, add tiny ornaments inside of the cloches, too.
39. Build a winter holiday terrarium using IKEA decor.
This sweet little winter terrarium is a simple, low-maintenance way to decorate for the holidays. All you need are a few easy-to-source items and an inexpensive IKEA lantern.
40. Fashion a paper tree holiday advent calendar.
When the countdown to Christmas is on, it's ON, especially with this modern spin on the advent calendar. The treats are cleverly hidden below the paper trees, waiting to be unveiled one day at a time. Plus, the minimal design — which is a nod to the great outdoors — and the neutral colors will play well with your existing decor.
41. Fabricate vintage-inspired mercury glass ornaments.
Don't these colors look gorgeous together? DIY some mercury glass ornaments using mirror spray to give your tree a sophisticated, yet vintage, vibe.
42. Create a sparkly pampas grass centerpiece for the dining table.
Paired with an assortment of other dried florals, here's a striking pampas grass centerpiece that shimmers beneath the glow of candlelight. Say goodbye to the red and green plaid motifs of yore, and welcome metallics to your holiday table or New Year's bash.
43. Add seasonal florals to a festive sign.
Even though this DIY looks like a store-bought piece of decor, it's super easy to make. Get as colorful as you want with this wooden sign, or keep the colors earth-toned to match your existing home decor.
44. Transform an IKEA pegboard into a modern advent calendar.
Make every day leading up to Christmas (or any date, really) a mini celebration with hidden candy, notes, or surprises tucked inside each envelope. This IKEA hack makes this holiday craft so easy to complete.
45. Forge geometric Christmas tree ornaments.
These small ornaments are a quick and easy holiday project. Hang them from your tree or around the house for a little extra sparkle.
46. Make rose gold ornaments.
These rose gold ornaments will bring the perfect amount of shimmer to your tree this year. They would also make a great DIY gift for friends and loved ones.
47. Assemble a braided wool wreath.
For extra cozy holiday vibes, make this braided wreath with wool roving. The texture is so wonderfully chic and hygge, you'll want to display it all season long.
48. Forage greenery to create a classic holiday wreath.
Every home should have a wreath around the holidays. This one will feel extra special because you foraged the materials yourself. Gather the family and trek out into the wilderness to find some winter greens to build this DIY Christmas wreath. Don't worry, most grocery stores will have a wide selection of evergreen branches if you don't live near the woods.
49. Deck the halls with a holiday garland made out of bells.
Cotton cord and sleigh bells come together in this beautifully simple holiday DIY project. Simply braid the cord, attach the bells with jump rings, then drape the garland on your mantel or the handrail of your staircase. What's more, you can select cords in colors that will match your home's holiday decor.
50. Assemble cane and leather Christmas trees.
Put a unique spin on the classic evergreen tree with this cane and leather Christmas tree DIY. The material combination will complement any holiday color scheme. Create a few at varying heights to make the most charming winter wonderland.