Christmas Ornaments that Your Kids Can Make that You Will Actually Want on Your Tree

Okay, let’s just start off by admitting it: some of the ornaments that your kids make at school are not exactly what you want on your Christmas tree. Of course, they are from your child, so you love them and every single gift that they make for you; however, they don’t always match your Christmas décor. So here are some great ideas for ornaments that your kids can make that you will actually want on your Christmas tree!

For example, last year, my oldest son brought home, wrapped as a Christmas present, a square of orange paper with his school picture on it, framed with orange and green crayons. Now, I’m not exactly sure what green and orange crayons have to do with Christmas, but of course, we hugged him and thanked him for the gift. Maybe all the other kids got the red and green, who knows. But I didn’t want to question him too much and make him feel like I didn’t like it, so I said that this would be a great ornament for the “kid tree.” This is a tree that my husband set up on our basement that has colorful, blinking lights and all sorts of colorful ornaments—the ones that don’t match my traditional tree in the living room. Orange and green fit right in on the kid tree.

Now, I know that some of you are starting to think that I am a horrible mom for not proudly displaying every ornament on the main Christmas tree. But, I know that you probably have a place for these ornaments too: maybe the back of the tree, perhaps you gifted it to Grandma and Grandpa last year because you know they will put it on their tree and it gets you off the hook… but you know what I am talking about.

If the stuff that your kids bring home isn’t always the most festive of Christmas ornaments, you can make some that are easy, inexpensive, and ones that you will want to put on the Christmas tree.

Applesauce & Cinnamon Ornament

Some of my favorite ornaments on the tree are the cinnamon and applesauce ornaments.  You can find the recipe for these ornaments here.  Not only can you make any shape that you want, but you can decorate them in any way that you would like as well… and the cinnamon makes your house smell wonderful!

Cardboard Ornament

I love this ornament because it looks nice but it is simply cardboard with photo copied background (in this case, the Bible verse from Luke 2 about the birth of Jesus) with a simple nativity being cut out and glued on top. The entire ornament is coated with Mod Podge.

Paper Plate Angel

This paper plate angel is so cute with a picture of my son for the angel’s face. A doily is cut in half and glued on the back for wings, a pipe cleaner halo, and glitter and sequins to decorate.

Painted Wooden Ornament

These wooden ornaments can be bought at your local craft store (very inexpensively!). Your child can paint them any way they’d like and can also be decorated with glitter to add a bit of sparkle.

Pipe Cleaner Candy Cane

So quick and easy! Your child will have fun putting beads on a pipe cleaner to make a candy cane. Just turn the ends of the pipe cleaner up at each end and you have a cute, homemade ornament!

Paper Angel Ornament

This angel ornament is made, much like cutting out a snowflake. Fold the paper in half and create your (half) outline of the angel and allow your child to cut the different patterns on the angel. Open up and run a pip cleaner through some of the holes in the design. Of course, these angels could be painted with silver, gold, or decorated with glitter if you’d like.

Fingerprint Snowmen Ornament

Using white paint on your child’s fingers, these snowmen will show up perfectly on any red, blue, or green ornament. Just let the pain dry and then decorate the snowmen by drawing on faces, scarves, hats, etc.

Handprint Ornament

Of course, you can make the plaster, or by a handprint kit, like this Child to Cherish Handprint Ornament.  This is a wonderful keepsake that you will cherish for years

Iridescent Cellophane Ornament

Again, just a simple wooden ornament, but instead of painting, this one is decorated with iridescent cellophane. Just add glue and then sprinkle the iridescent shreds on top.

Porcelain Painted Ornament

You can make a Christmas tradition of going to a local pottery kiln or simply paint and bake your own ornaments at home, with a kit like this by MindWare.

Salt Dough Ornaments

This recipe is fun to make as cut-outs and then paint, or can be used to make handprint ornaments!

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