DIY Projects Christmas Crafts

11 Great Paper Ornaments and Crafts for Christmas

snowman garland

Craft Ideas

Part of the fun of the Christmas season is making Christmas ornaments to decorate both your tree and home. Decorations made from paper can be surprisingly beautiful and cost-effective to create. Here are 11 creative paper-based ornaments and Christmas home decor to help you get inspired.

  • 01 of 11

    Brightly Colored Paper Christmas Village Craft

    Paper winter village luminary

    Hello, Wonderful

    Here's a contemporary paper version of a Christmas village. You don't have to have an artistic bone in your body to get good results from this craft project. The paper Christmas village is particularly easy to create because it is printable. All you have to do is download, print, and cut. Crafting something spectacular doesn't get any easier! The village looks great just as it is, but you can take it to the next level by adding some electric tea lights to turn the houses into luminaries.

    This an excellent craft for those that want to add a homemade touch to their holiday decor but are short on time during the busy holiday season.

    Brightly Colored Paper Christmas Village Craft from Hello, Wonderful

  • 02 of 11

    Rustic Christmas Tree Ornament

    Christmas Tree Twig Ornament
    Stow and Tell U

    Rustic ornaments add a home-spun touch to your tree. This Christmas tree ornament has a natural charm and is easy enough for children to make. All you have to do is find some twigs, cut them to size, and glue them onto a strip of kraft paper. Punch a hole in the top of the paper strip, then hang it. This ornament is fast, easy, and very thrifty. Your children will proudly display their crafty ornaments on your tree. Very cute, easy, and quite clever!

    Rustic Christmas Tree Ornament from Stow and Tell U

  • 03 of 11

    Black and White Printable Christmas Trees

    Black and white paper tree
    Persia Lou

    Who says Christmas trees have to be green? Download this 3D printable Christmas tree table decor craft, and make some strikingly modern tree decorations in minutes. This project is another quick print-cut-glue table decoration that you'll appreciate if your time is short.

    These paper trees are easy enough even for little ones, who can cut the trees with safety scissors and some guidance from a guardian. The edges may not be perfect, but your children will certainly feel proud of the Christmas home decor they helped make. After all, isn't Christmas crafting all about making memories?

    Black and White Printable Christmas Trees from Persia Lou

  • 04 of 11

    Red and White Christmas Advent Calendar

    Kraftbox advent calendar
    Craft and Creativity

    This Christmas advent calendar craft project is delightful, fun, and unique. Fill the small kraft paper boxes with little treasures suitable for the recipient, then embellish them with red and white decorative items. Watch your children's eyes light up every day when discovering small toys or candy in the boxes. What a fun way to countdown the days until Christmas. 

    Red and White Christmas Advent Calendar from Craft and Creativity

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  • 05 of 11

    Christmas Shadow Box

    Christmas Shadow Box
    Linda Rose / Instructables

    Advanced paper crafters will love making this Christmas scene shadowbox. You'll be glad to know that everything in the scene—including the frame—is made from simple paper. The tutorial also explains how to insert a led light strip into the box frame for a subtle lighting effect.

    Although this shadowbox takes some time and skill to make, the results are worth it. You will have an impressive Christmas decoration that adds holiday spirit and ambiance to your home decor.

    Christmas Shadow Box from Linda Rose via Instructables

  • 06 of 11

    3D Papercut Christmas Ornaments

    3D papercut Christmas ornaments
    Hattifant

    Cut out these adorable paper deer and Christmas trees with the free printable templates available for download. All you need is standard 8 1/3 x 11-inch paper, scissors, and a printer.

    The site also offers a video tutorial for you to follow along, making this paper art almost foolproof. You and your children will have a ton of fun making these Christmas ornaments. Decorate your tree, decorate your table, or decorate your whole house.

    Take this Christmas paper ornament craft one step further with a variation that makes the ornaments glow in the dark. Kids will remember the fun they had making this Christmas craft long after the holiday is over.

    3D Papercut Christmas Ornaments from Hattifant

  • 07 of 11

    Paper Cupcake Holiday Tree Decoration

    Paper cupcake holder Christmas tree
    Tutti Guardano le Nuvole

    If you are a fan of the shabby chic look, this holiday craft might just be for you. Who would have thought paper cupcake liners could look this good?

    The tutorial is in Italian, but the instructional photos are easy enough to follow. If you need written instructions, you can always use a language translator to guide you while making this craft. These trees, in spite of their humble origins, look like something you would find in a higher-priced boutique-type shop. Beautiful!

    Paper Cupcake Holiday Tree Decoration from Tutti Guardano le Nuvole

  • 08 of 11

    Reclaimed Wood Card Holder

    Reclaimed wood Christmas Card Holder
    The Merry Thought

    Cardmakers love to give and receive handmade cards, and, many people like to display their Christmas cards as part of their holiday decor. Instead of taping them to the wall, or hanging them from a string, show them off with this trendy reclaimed wood cardholder. This project looks difficult but isn't. Just follow the steps, and you will have a cardholder that will earn many compliments from your friends.

    Reclaimed Wood Card Holder from The Merry Thought

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  • 09 of 11

    Beautiful 3D Holiday Paper Snowflakes

    3D paper snowflake ornament
    The Spruce / Rita Shehan

    Paper snowflakes are always a lovely holiday decoration. These snowflakes are crafts that are easy on the pocketbook as well. Paper, glue, and thread are the only necessary supplies.

    You can hang your snowflakes from a window from your tree. A Christmas tree decorated with only white paper snowflakes and lights would add beauty and drama to any home decor. So pretty! 

    Beautiful 3D Holiday Paper Snowflakes from The Spruce

  • 10 of 11

    Paper Tube Reindeer

    Toilet paper reindeer
    The Craft Train

    These just might be the cutest paper reindeer ever—making you smile every time you look at them. Toilet paper cardboard tubes have never looked this good.

    If you are a school teacher and decide to use this craft in your classroom, you could also tie in a lesson on recycling while working on the project.

    Make several reindeer each representing one individual of Santa's herd. Santa has nine reindeer pulling his sleigh: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, with Rudolph leading the head of the pack with his red nose.

    Paper Tube Reindeer from The Craft Train

  • 11 of 11

    Paper Tube Santas

    Toilet roll santas
    Aira Tran / YouTube

    You can never have enough paper tube Santas. This tutorial is a YouTube video that is quite easy to follow. The video is just two minutes long, and you will learn all you need to know to make these cute Santas.

    Paper Tube Santa from Aira Tran via YouTube