I’m not a Pinterest mom. I tried, I failed, and I made peace with it. But Christmas is the one season I genuinely love making things with my kids – the smell of pine, the glue gun burns, the unhinged amount of glitter that ends up in Bailey’s fur.
These 12 projects are the ones that actually worked. Real photos, real costs, kid-friendly (mostly), and nothing requires craft skills you don’t already have.
1. Pinecone garland ($6)
The easiest project on this list. Walk through your yard (or any park), collect 20-30 pinecones, spray-paint them white or leave them natural, and string them on jute twine. Total cost: $6 for the spray paint and twine, both at Dollar Tree.
I drape mine across the mantle and around the staircase. They last forever if you store them in a labeled bin each January.
2. Mason jar lanterns ($12)
Pint mason jars from Walmart ($1.50 each), battery-operated fairy lights ($2 at Dollar Tree), a sprig of fake pine, and a red ribbon. Total: $12 for 4 lanterns. Sit them down the center of the dining table or on the front porch.
3. Ribbon wreath ($18)
Buy a 12-inch foam wreath form ($4), wrap it in burlap ribbon ($6), and tie 30-40 strips of red plaid and white ribbon around it. My daughter and I knocked one out in an afternoon. Hang it on the front door or interior pantry door.
4. Ornament wreath ($14)
Glue 50-70 plastic ornaments from Dollar Tree ($1.25/8-pack) onto a foam wreath base. Mix sizes and finishes – matte, glitter, gloss. My daughter made one for her bedroom door last year and it’s still hanging.
5. Paper snowflake garland ($3)
Free printable templates online + white cardstock from Michaels ($3/pack) + string. The kids can do most of the cutting if they’re 7 or older. Hang in windows or across the staircase banister.
6. Cinnamon stick candle wraps ($10)
Cinnamon sticks from Costco ($5 for a giant bag), pillar candles from Target ($3 each), twine. Wrap a row of cinnamon sticks around the candle, tie with twine, add a sprig of fake greenery. Smells incredible when lit (the heat releases the cinnamon scent).
7. Sock snowmen ($8)
White tube socks from Walmart ($4/6-pack), rice for filling, googly eyes ($1), ribbon scraps, orange felt for the nose. Fill the sock with rice in three sections, tie off with ribbon to make body segments, glue on face. Cute for a windowsill display.
8. Burlap ribbon Christmas tree wall hanging ($15)
A 4-foot wooden dowel from Home Depot ($3), 8 lengths of burlap ribbon in descending sizes, hot glue. Hang ribbon strips from the dowel in tree shape, glue a star on top. Looks intentional, took me 30 minutes.
9. Mini wreath napkin rings ($6)
4-inch grapevine wreaths from Dollar Tree (6 for $1.25 – wait what?), tiny pinecones, mini berries. Glue decorations on, slip a napkin through. Made 8 sets for Thanksgiving last year, they killed it.
10. Citrus garland ($10)
Slice oranges into 1/4-inch rounds, dry in a 200F oven for 2-3 hours, string with jute twine alternating with cinnamon sticks. Smells like Christmas, lasts the season. The dehydrating takes time but it’s mostly hands-off.
11. Mason jar snow globes ($13)
Pint mason jars with lids, tiny plastic trees ($2 at Michaels), epoxy or hot glue to attach the tree to the inside of the lid, fill the jar with water and a teaspoon of glycerin (slows the “snow” descent), add white glitter. Screw on the lid (with the tree attached upside down), flip, shake.
12. Reclaimed pallet sign ($20)
This one requires a parent’s involvement. Free pallet from Craigslist (most stores will give them away), sand it down, paint a holiday message with stencils. “Merry & Bright” or “Hot Cocoa Bar” are the easiest. My pallet sign lives in my entryway from November through January.
Project supply table
| Project | Cost | Time | Kid-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinecone garland | $6 | 1 hour | Yes |
| Mason jar lanterns | $12 | 30 min | Yes |
| Ribbon wreath | $18 | 1.5 hours | Ages 8+ |
| Ornament wreath | $14 | 45 min | Yes |
| Paper snowflakes | $3 | 1 hour | Yes |
| Cinnamon candles | $10 | 15 min | Ages 8+ |
| Sock snowmen | $8 | 30 min | Yes |
| Burlap tree | $15 | 30 min | Ages 8+ |
| Mini wreath rings | $6 | 20 min | Ages 6+ |
| Citrus garland | $10 | 3 hours | Ages 8+ |
| Snow globes | $13 | 30 min | Ages 8+ |
| Pallet sign | $20 | 2 hours | Adult |
Where to buy supplies cheap
- Dollar Tree – foam wreaths, ornaments, fairy lights, ribbon, mason jars
- Michaels – 40% off coupon weekly via app; greenery, paint, cardstock
- Hobby Lobby – their 40% coupon stacks; best for high-end ribbon
- Joann Fabrics – burlap and fabric on sale year-round
- Walmart – candles, twine, glue guns
For more home decor on a budget, see my DIY kitchen cabinet repaint guide, bathroom storage ideas under $100, and indoor plant picks for US homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest DIY Christmas decor for beginners?
Pinecone garland and ornament wreath. Both are forgiving – the more pinecones or ornaments you cram on, the better they look. No precision required, no measuring, kids can help.
How long do DIY decorations last if I store them?
Most last 5+ years if you store them in labeled plastic bins in a dry basement or attic. The exceptions are anything organic (citrus garland – one season only) and anything paper (paper snowflakes get crushed easily).
Can I make DIY decor without a hot glue gun?
Yes for some projects – twine, ribbon tying, and rice-filled socks don’t need glue. But for wreaths and most assembly work, a $5 hot glue gun from Walmart will pay for itself in one afternoon.
What’s the cheapest place to buy Christmas crafting supplies?
Dollar Tree wins on volume buys (ornaments, fairy lights, foam forms). Michaels wins on quality items if you use their 40% off coupon every visit. The combination of both is unbeatable.
