my top 15 favorite Christmas crafts

by | Nov 29, 2022 | crafts, Holiday, Winter | 9 comments

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Last year, I was particularly in the mood to get crafty for Christmas.  Some years, I just want to focus on big-picture decorating, but last year, it was the details that captured my attention and I really loved it.  I have already dried my oranges and bought the ingredients to make some new salt dough ornaments, so I am ready to start making things!  If you’re feeling that same pull, I hope this curated list of fifteen of my favorite Christmas crafts I’ve made over the years will get your wheels turning…

favorite christmas crafts | one | salt dough ornaments

I bought some cookie molds on a whim off of an Instagram ad and it felt like it might’ve been a purchase I would regret.  I ended up using those molds to make salt dough ornaments and cinnamon salt dough ornaments and I absolutely love how they turned out.  It took an easy kindergarten craft and elevated it.   Of course, they made great ornaments to hang on your own tree, but they also make thoughtful handmade gifts.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

Of course, I loved the plain molded salt dough ornaments and I plan on making those again this year with my new molds, too.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | two | salt dough gingerbread houses

I have made gingerbread houses for the past few years and it’s become a part of my seasonal routines.  You find my recipe and templates HERE.  I have kept gingerbread houses for more than one year, but I decided I would try to make houses out of salt dough in the hopes that I could use them year after year.  HERE is the recipe and details for making the salt dough gingerbread houses (including my experiments for permanent icing.)

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | three | embroidered felt ornaments

I was really into stitching last year, so I decided to turn that inclination into ornaments!  I made some simple felt ornaments with loose stitching and a freeform design.  They were an easy project to make while watching a movie or just hanging out.  These make nice gifts, a way to remember special events each year, and a good project for kids interested in working with a needle and thread.  You can find a detailed tutorial and video HERE.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | four | stamp & carved clay ornaments

I really want to get into ceramics and I know one of these days I will make it to a pottery studio for a workshop, but until then, I’ve been playing around with some oven-baked clay that can be molded and finished at home.  It’s not quite the same, but I did have a wonderful time making these clay ornaments last year with stamps and carving tools.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

You can read all about making these oven-backed clay ornaments HERE.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | five | lino printed paper

Over Thanksgiving break last year, I snuck away to my studio and started to draw out an idea for a lino block.  I had done lino (linoleum) cutting for an art class earlier in the year and wanted to implement what I had learned to make custom papers, tags, and cards.  It was such a fun project, so it definitely made the list.  You can find the full tutorial and details HERE.  Of course, if you don’t want to design and cut your own stamps, you can certainly use ready-made stamps.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | six | chunky crocheted snowflake

When I was little, I remember my mom making and starching delicate crocheted snowflakes.  We hung them on our tree and she gave them as gifts.  When I first started crocheting, I loved the idea of making snowflakes, but I was intimidated by the small hook and thin yarn, so I decided to try to make a chunky snowflake with thick yarn.  This snowflake pattern and tutorial is the result.  It’s very simple and quick to make.  Once I got the hang of them, I could finish one in about ten minutes.  You can find the pattern and video tutorial HERE.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

They make great present toppers, ornaments, fluffy additions to garlands, and thoughtful gifts.  They have also been thoroughly tested and approved as cat toys.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | seven | finger knit wreath or garland

I made this quick project a couple of years ago and shared it on Instagram just a few days before Christmas.  It was so well received that I made a proper tutorial last year.  This was a craft I did as a kid (to make straps for crocheted purses, scarves, etc.) and it translates well as a Christmas craft.  I made little wreath ornaments/present toppers, but it would also make a great chunky garland.  You can find the video tutorial and sources HERE.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | eight | German glass glitter anything

My love for German glass glitter started about 12 years ago and it became a signature of my retail spaces, especially around Christmas.  I would make so many things with German glass glitter – letters, houses, banners, ornaments, tree toppers, animals, stars, tiaras, and more.  I even taught workshops and sold my own custom blend of glitter grits.  I still love the glitter that sparkles like no other.  Last year, I made a 3-D star and some more ornaments.  You can find the full tutorial HERE.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

What I love most about glass glitter is you can take a humble material like cardboard or plastic and make it look high-end, custom, and special.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | nine | gold leaf ornaments

I bought some flat wood ornaments last year to paint, but I decided to apply gold leaf to them instead.  As with most of these projects, this idea is a jumping-off point, because you can apply gold leaf to anything that has a relatively smooth surface.  Old Christmas balls, a star that’s lost its shine, cheap plastic ornaments, and the list goes on.  You can find a tutorial with details and sources HERE.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | ten | ring mold advent wreath

I made this project back in 2014 and it was one of those ideas that came from creative riffing.  A wreath is round, a ring mold is round…let’s see if this will work.  It did and it is still a project I make and love each year.  Last year, I added some museum putty and hot glue to thwart the cat’s efforts to deconstruct the wreath.  That worked, too.  HERE is the original tutorial and HERE is the updated cat/kid-friendly version.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | eleven | hand painted ceramic ornaments

I painted some ceramic ornaments a few years ago and, while they are not the kind that are fired, they turned out great.  Raw ceramic is a terrific surface for all kinds of paints and they look glossy and finished when sprayed with a high gloss clear finish.  My favorite ornaments come from Hobby Lobby because they have pretty shapes and nice toppers.  You can find my tutorial HERE.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | twelve | decoupage wood ornaments

I almost didn’t include this one because it’s such an old-school ornament, but they have been around for a long time and have staying power because they are so easy to make.  Not only are they easy, but they are a great place to add your own aesthetic through the fabrics and papers you use.  You can tell any kind of story you want, making THIS ornament project ideal for gifts or for marking special events each year.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | thirteen | wool “snowball” poms

About ten years ago, maybe less, wool pom-poms were all the rage.  You saw them on garlands, wreaths, tabletop trees, and more.  I snagged a few fluffy pom-pom garlands from Anthropologie and I still use them in my Christmas decorating.  They didn’t carry those garlands in subsequent years, so I decided to make some of my own wool pom-poms.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

I used them everywhere!  I tucked them into garlands, tied them onto a length of yarn and used them as “lamp tassels”, used them as present toppers, and even tucked them into the Christmas tree as “snowballs.”  I didn’t use any special tools or templates – just my hand, chunky wool yarn, and some scissors.  HERE is a tutorial showing how I made them.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | fourteen | vintage-style LED tree candles

This is really more of an idea and less of a craft, but it’s still a pretty awesome little Christmas project and it does involve hot glue!  Back in 2018, I was changing the batters in the LED candle lights and I happened to have them sitting next to some vintage-style candle holders as I was spread out on the floor.  That gave me an idea!  Would they fit together?  Well, yes, yes they do.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

There’s not too much involved in this pseudo-Christmas craft, but you can read the full tutorial HERE.

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

favorite christmas crafts | fifteen | how to dry orange slices

I dried orange slices last year for the holidays and I love the humble handmade touch they add to just about anything.  I tucked them into garlands, presents, swags, and hung them on the tree as ornaments.  They give off a beautiful amber glow that just works for Christmas.  I’ve already dried a few batches to use this year.  HERE is a post showing how I dried them as well as some decorating ideas.

 

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

15 favorite Christmas crafts from miss mustard seed

Of course, Christmas is about something much deeper and more impactful than making things and decorating.  But, in this world of electronic overload, it’s nice to set the screens aside and make some things either as a time of quiet creativity or with friends and family.  I hope this list gives you some ideas of fun things to make for gifts and/or to give your home a custom look for Christmas.

 

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    9 Comments

    1. Kim

      Thank you for the inspiration! I’ll be hauling out my craft supplies in a few days for this year’s pleasant pursuits.

    2. Betsy

      Thanks so much for reminding us about your beautiful creations. I’m planning on creating these next week.

    3. Cheryl

      Thank You for sharing! Several of these ideas appeal to me. I’ve been enjoying creating with natural elements from our property, using winterberries magnolia leaves and corkscrew willow branches. And I like that it keeps me outside exploring, imagining and gathering ideas while the weather is still warm and clear to do so. I like that you are back on the east coast?

    4. Karen

      I dried oranges, limes, and lemons last year and am still using them this year too. Lemons and limes are just as pretty as oranges when dried!

    5. Sylvie

      What great ideas..you have inspired me to get crafty again..Thank you!!

    6. Gerry

      Well this was surely timely! I’m having a gingerbread house making extravaganza at my house on Sunday- thanks for the inspiration and great tips- I ordered some of the wax melts. Thanks Marian

    7. monique

      Loads of prettiness and more, so much great inspiration.
      The nice items one can buy in shops are very pricey. Your salt dough and the molds you use are beautiful. I have never tried the salt dough but made some tree ornaments with FIMO years ago, but once you have molds, they can be reused for a long time.

    8. Lis

      I made this glitter star last year, following your tutorial to a T. Love it. Thank you.

    9. Erin

      Such a beautiful collection of handmade crafts! I’m bookmarking this post to come back to for inspiration. You are such an artist!

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    Marian Parsons - Miss Mustard Seed

    I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer.  READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…

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