Across the UK, something special happens every December. Community halls, primary school classrooms, church basements, cafe corners, and cosy living rooms all begin to buzz with the same wholesome energy — the excitement of Christmas crafting season. For mums, crafters, and creative families, DIY Christmas ornaments are more than decorations; they’re moments of connection, friendship, and creativity.
Whether you're preparing for a school fair, setting up your craft stall at a local Christmas market, organising a community craft night, or simply decorating your home with handmade pieces, DIY ornaments bring people together in a way few other traditions do. This guide explores the best DIY Christmas ornament ideas for 2024, designed for UK families, craft groups, and anyone who loves hands-on festive fun.
1. Why DIY Ornaments Are a UK Christmas Tradition
UK crafting culture is stronger than ever. From local crafting clubs to national trends on Pinterest and TikTok, British mums and makers are embracing handmade decorations for several reasons:
- They’re affordable during a cost-of-living crisis.
- They’re sustainable, using natural or recyclable materials.
- They’re personal, often becoming keepsakes for years.
- They’re easy to sell, popular at school fairs and market stalls.
- They’re fun community activities, perfect for group crafting.
Most importantly, DIY ornaments turn simple materials into meaningful memories. Whether crafted by adults or kids, handmade decorations bring a feeling of warmth that store-bought ornaments simply can’t match.
2. Salt Dough Ornaments (A Classic Loved Across UK Homes & Schools)
Salt dough ornaments are a tried-and-true favourite among UK families. They’re cheap, simple, and versatile — no wonder they show up in nearly every school craft fair.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- ¾ cup warm water
Craft Ideas
- Handprint or footprint ornaments for babies
- Mini gingerbread men
- Stars, snowflakes, hearts, and baubles
- Paw-print ornaments for pet lovers
- Initial or name plaques for personalised gifting
Let kids stamp the dough with cookie cutters or press textures (jumpers, lace, leaves) into the surface. After baking and cooling, paint with acrylics or decorate with glitter, ribbons, and twine.
Why it’s a UK favourite:
It creates keepsakes that parents cherish forever — especially when made at school or nursery.
3. Dried Orange & Cinnamon Ornaments (The UK’s Most Pinterest-Loved Trend)
This TikTok-famous trend has taken the UK by storm. Dried orange ornaments combine rustic beauty with natural fragrance — a décor style loved in cottages, townhouses, and modern apartments alike.
How to Make Them
- Slice oranges approx. 1 cm thick
- Dry in oven at 90–100°C for 2–3 hours
- Thread with twine, jute, or florist wire
- Add cinnamon sticks or star anise
Where They Shine
- Christmas trees
- Garlands
- Wreaths
- Gift tags
Many UK crafters now sell dried orange garlands at craft fairs — simple but premium-looking.
Crafting-community bonus:
They’re perfect for group workshops because they require minimal materials and look stunning.
4. Wooden Disc Ornaments (A Must-Have for UK Crafters’ Market Stalls)
Wooden discs are incredibly popular among UK crafters because they’re easy to personalise and look perfect in rustic, Scandi, and minimalist Christmas themes.
Ideas for Decorating Wooden Discs
- Calligraphy name tags
- Painted snowflakes
- Woodland animals (foxes, hedgehogs, robins)
- Gingerbread designs
- Scenic winter cottages
- Names & dates — perfect for baby’s first Christmas
Use paint pens, pyrography (wood burning), or vinyl decals for a polished finish.
Why UK shoppers love them:
They’re beautifully simple, eco-friendly, lightweight, and make excellent gifts.
5. Ribbon & Fabric Baubles (Great for Using Up Scrap Materials)
Fabric baubles look cosy, textured, and handmade — perfect for mums who love sewing or crafts groups with leftover materials.
How to Make Them
- Wrap foam or plastic baubles with fabric (tartan, velvet, linen, lace)
- Secure with hot glue
- Add ribbon bows or jute loops
Popular UK Styles
- Tartan for traditional homes
- Velvet for luxury décor
- Linen or burlap for rustic and farmhouse themes
- Metallic fabrics for glam looks
Many UK mums make these in bulk to sell at Christmas craft markets because they’re fast, beautiful, and profitable.
6. Clear Bauble Fillers (The Ultimate Customisable Craft)
Clear fillable baubles are a crafter’s dream. You can create hundreds of variations using inexpensive fillers.
Filler Ideas
- Fake snow
- Feather trims
- Confetti
- Mini figurines
- Dried flowers
- Glitter ribbon curls
- Personalised messages
- Mini LED lights (battery micro lights)
For UK crafters selling at markets:
Add personalisation options — initials, dates, or names — for instant appeal.
Why they’re loved:
They’re lightweight, customisable, and look premium when finished.
7. Photo Keepsake Ornaments (Perfect for Families & Gift-Giving)
These ornaments are incredibly sentimental and popular with UK families.
Ideas
- Baby’s first Christmas photos
- School photos
- Pet portraits
- Wedding or engagement images
- Holiday family snapshots
Use clear baubles designed to hold flat inserts or print photos small to fit inside.
Storytelling value:
Craft groups often make these as gifts for grandparents — they’re emotional and cherished.
8. Nature-Inspired Ornaments (Eco-Friendly & Budget-Friendly)
Eco-conscious UK families love natural ornaments. They’re inexpensive, sustainable, and perfectly match Scandinavian Christmas trends.
Material ideas
- Acorns
- Pinecones
- Twigs (painted white or gold)
- Dried cranberries
- Pampas grass
- Eucalyptus leaves
Spray-painted pinecones in gold or matte white instantly elevate the look.
Perfect for:
Crafters who want to create sustainable or zero-waste Christmas décor.
9. Crafting Clubs & Community Projects: How UK Groups Use DIY Ornaments
Across the UK, crafting clubs and community groups host seasonal workshops where mums and crafters gather to create ornaments together.
Popular Community Workshop Themes
- Family ornament-making day
- Market-prep crafting night
- “Eco Christmas” workshop
- Dried citrus garland making
- Ornament painting evening with mulled wine
Benefits
- Builds community
- Offers stress relief
- Inspires creativity
- Creates affordable décor
- Helps raise funds for schools and charities
DIY ornaments often become part of local fundraising events, where proceeds support UK food banks, schools, or church missions.
10. Tips for Selling DIY Ornaments at UK Christmas Markets
If you’re crafting to sell, here are key tips successful makers use:
a) Create themed sets
E.g., Scandinavian set, Rustic woodland set, Baby’s First Christmas set.
b) Use eco-friendly packaging
Kraft boxes, tissue paper, jute twine — aligns with UK consumer preferences.
c) Offer personalisation
Names, dates, initials — huge for UK shoppers.
d) Keep price points affordable
Best-selling ornaments fall between:
- £3–£6 for single pieces
- £10–£15 for sets
e) Display creatively
Use crates, mini trees, baskets, and lights for an attractive stall.
Takeaways
DIY Christmas ornaments are more than crafts — they’re a tradition cherished in homes and communities across the UK. Whether you’re a mum crafting with your children, a crafter preparing stock for Christmas markets, or part of a local workshop bringing people together, handmade ornaments carry heartfelt value. They turn simple materials into keepsakes, spark creativity, and strengthen connections during the festive season.
By choosing materials that inspire you — from salt dough and dried oranges to wood slices, clear baubles, fabric scraps, and natural elements — you can create decorations that feel meaningful, beautiful, and uniquely yours. This Christmas, embrace the creative joy of DIY ornaments and share the festive spirit with those you love.