As the holiday season approaches, our family gears up for one of our favorite traditions: heading to the Christmas tree farm to pick out the perfect tree. Every year, we bundle up, sip on hot cider, and wander through rows of evergreens until we find the one. Once we’ve made our choice, we roll up our sleeves and chop it down ourselves. It’s a cherished ritual that marks the start of the festive season and fills our home with the fresh, piney scent of Christmas.

But the real magic happens when we get back home and start decorating. In our family, everyone plays a part in transforming the tree into a sparkling centerpiece of holiday cheer. What makes our tree truly special, though, are the DIY crafts that adorn it—little projects we’ve created together over the years. Every ornament tells a story, and we love adding new creations to our collection each Christmas.

If you’re looking to add a personal touch to your tree this year, here are seven fun DIY craft ideas that the whole family can enjoy:

1. Cinnamon Stick Stars

Gather some cinnamon sticks and twine to craft simple yet charming star ornaments. Arrange the cinnamon sticks into star shapes and tie the ends together with twine or hot glue. Not only do these stars look rustic and festive, but they also add a lovely cinnamon scent to your tree.

2. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are a classic DIY project that kids love. Mix flour, salt, and water to create a dough, then roll it out and use cookie cutters to shape stars, snowflakes, or even handprints. Once baked and cooled, you can paint and decorate them with glitter or markers. Don’t forget to poke a hole at the top for ribbon!

3. Pinecone Critters

Collect pinecones during a winter walk and turn them into adorable ornaments. Add googly eyes, felt hats, or tiny pipe-cleaner antlers to create little critters like reindeer, owls, or gnomes. These natural ornaments bring a whimsical touch to your tree.

4. Felt Christmas Trees

Cut out small Christmas tree shapes from green felt, then let the kids decorate them with buttons, sequins, or mini pom-poms as ornaments. Attach a loop of ribbon to the top, and voilà! You’ve got colorful, lightweight decorations that are easy to make.

5. Handprint Snowmen

Turn your child’s handprint into a snowman family. Use plain glass or plastic baubles and cover them with white paint. Once dry, have your kids press their hands around the bauble. Each finger becomes a snowman that they can decorate with paint or markers—add scarves, hats, and little carrot noses for a fun, personal touch.

6. Beaded Candy Canes

This one’s super simple but so effective! All you need are pipe cleaners and red and white beads. Twist the end of a pipe cleaner to secure it, then alternate red and white beads as you string them along. Once full, bend the pipe cleaner into a candy cane shape. These are great for little hands and look sweet on the tree.

7. Ribbon Angels

Create elegant angels using wide ribbon, small wooden beads, and a bit of twine. Fold the ribbon into a bow shape to form the angel’s wings, glue a bead on top for the head, and use twine to hang them. These delicate ornaments add a touch of grace to your tree and make for beautiful gifts as well.

A Tree Full of Love

Each year, as we hang our handmade decorations, we’re reminded of the laughter, creativity, and love that went into making them. It’s a time to reflect on Christmases past and look forward to new memories yet to be made.

The beauty of these DIY crafts is that they’re not just ornaments—they’re keepsakes that capture a moment in time. So whether you’re starting fresh this year or adding to a long-standing tradition, gather your family, break out the craft supplies, and make your Christmas tree a true reflection of the season’s joy and togetherness.

What are your favorite DIY Christmas crafts? Share your ideas in the comments—we’d love to try them out!