Homemade Holiday Decorations: Crafting with the Family

7 July 2025

There’s something truly magical about the holiday season—twinkling lights, festive music, the smell of gingerbread in the air—and perhaps most importantly, the time spent together as a family. But what if we told you there’s a way to make the season even more special, more memorable, and maybe even messier (in the best way possible)? That’s right—we’re talking about homemade holiday decorations.

Crafting with your family isn’t just about creating festive flair for your home. It’s about bonding, sparking creativity, and letting your kids (and okay, yourself) dive into a world of glitter, glue, and eggnog-fueled imagination. So grab your hot cocoa, a pile of old magazines, and some scissors—because this holiday season, we’re making memories and decorations.

Why Homemade Holiday Decorations Matter

Now, let’s be real. Store-bought decorations are tempting. They're ready, shiny, and hey—they don’t require clean-up. But homemade decorations? They’re packed with heart. Each one tells a story. That slightly lopsided snowflake? Made with love. That glitter-globbed ornament? A masterpiece in the eyes of your six-year-old.

Creating decorations at home teaches kids the value of tradition, the joy of making something from scratch, and the thrill of spending quality time together. And the best part? You can revisit those memories each year as you unpack your boxes of handmade treasures.

Setting the Scene: Crafting Time is Family Time

Before we get all tangled up in yarn and ribbon, let’s talk setup.

1. Create a Crafting Space

A clean, designated space helps keep the holiday chaos under control (somewhat). Kitchen tables, dining rooms, or even a big plastic sheet on the floor work fine. Just make sure you don’t mind a little mess—because it’s going to happen!

2. Supply Station Essentials

Here’s a quick checklist to get your crafting game on point:
- Construction paper in holiday colors
- Safety scissors
- Glue sticks and child-friendly glue
- Pipe cleaners
- Popsicle sticks
- Cotton balls (aka instant snow)
- Markers, crayons, and glitter (if you dare)
- Recycled materials like cardboard, bottle caps, and ribbon scraps

Have a "craft bin" so everything’s within arm’s reach. Trust us—nothing sidetracks creativity like digging through drawers for a glue stick that’s dried out.

Easy and Fun DIY Holiday Decoration Ideas

Let’s jump into the fun part! These crafts are tried-and-true family favorites—simple enough for toddlers but charming enough to impress grandma.

1. Paper Snowflakes

They’re a classic for a reason. Fold, cut, unfold, and boom—winter wonderland vibes.

How-To:
- Fold a square piece of paper into a triangle, then again.
- Cut small shapes along the edges.
- Unfold and admire your frosty creation.

Hang these beauties in windows, string them into garlands, or tape them on the walls.

Extra Tip: Use coffee filters for super delicate flakes.

2. Pinecone Ornaments

Nature’s contribution to your décor!

Go For a Walk: Find pinecones in your neighborhood or local park (just watch out for hidden bugs).

Paint and Decorate: Use white paint, glitter, ribbon, and small beads to turn a plain pinecone into a snowy delight.

Add a String: Loop some twine through the top, and boom—ornament ready.

3. Salt Dough Ornaments

These are a holiday staple—and they double as keepsakes.

The Recipe:
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup water (add slowly)

Mix, knead, roll out, and use cookie cutters for festive shapes. Don’t forget to poke a hole at the top for hanging! Bake at a low temp (200°F) until dry—about 2-3 hours.

Let the kids paint their masterpiece once cooled.

Memory Maker: Press little hands or footprints into the dough before baking for a time-stamped treat.

4. Popsicle Stick Stars

These scream crafty-cute and rustic charm.

What You’ll Need: Popsicle sticks, glue, and whatever bling you want—buttons, ribbon, sequins, etc.

Arrange the sticks into stars, glue them together, jazz them up, and voila! They're perfect for hanging on trees or displaying from ceiling fixtures.

5. Mason Jar Snow Globes

A little DIY magic in a jar.

Supplies:
- Clean mason jars
- Small figurines (plastic trees or snowmen work best)
- Hot glue (adults only!)
- Water
- Glitter (snow!)
- Glycerin (optional, for slower glitter fall)

Glue the figurines inside the lid. Fill the jar with water, glitter, and glycerin. Screw the lid on tight (you can even hot glue it closed), flip, and shake!

6. Holiday Garland with Kids' Art

Turn your child’s doodles into décor.

Have your kids draw, paint, or color on small pieces of paper. Cut into festive shapes and string together using a hole punch and yarn. You’ve got yourself an adorable, personalized garland.

Making It Meaningful: Tie in Holiday Traditions

Crafting is more than just a fun afternoon. It can be a ritual, a tradition that grows with your kids. Imagine unboxing a crayon-smeared reindeer each December and remembering the giggles and glue stuck to the dog’s fur.

Here are a few ways to make these moments stick (figuratively, not just with glue):

- Annual Crafts: Pick a new craft each year and date it. Keep them as a “craft timeline” of your family’s holiday history.
- Craft Countdown: Turn your advent calendar into a crafting countdown. Each day = a small project.
- Gift It: Use homemade crafts as gifts for relatives. Grandparents LOVE anything made by little hands.
- Story Time + Crafts: Pair storybooks with craft nights to create themed memories.

Stress-Free Tips for Crafting with Kids

Let’s face it—crafting can sometimes go from fun to meltdown in a matter of minutes. Here’s how to keep it chill (and damage minimal):

- Lower expectations: Remember, it doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect. It just needs to be made with love.
- Prep ahead: Pre-cut shapes or prep materials so little ones don’t have to wait too long.
- Embrace the mess: Lay down a tablecloth, wear old clothes, and keep wipes nearby.
- Take breaks: If attention spans wane, push pause. The glitter will still be there tomorrow.

The Benefits of Crafting Together

Sure, it’s fun. But crafting also packs a serious punch when it comes to child development—and family bonding.

1. Fine Motor Skills

Scissors, glue, and painting help kids fine-tune those little hand muscles.

2. Creativity and Imagination

Making a reindeer out of a toilet paper roll? That’s innovation, folks.

3. Patience and Focus

Crafts teach kids to follow steps, wait for paint to dry, and see a project through.

4. Confidence Boost

There's no better feeling for a child than seeing their work displayed proudly in the home.

5. Quality Time

No screens, just shared laughs and teamwork. In a tech-heavy world, that’s priceless.

Quick Crafts for Busy Parents

Short on time? No worries. Here are a few 10-minute wonders:

- Candy Cane Pipe Cleaner Ornaments: Twist red and white pipe cleaners together into a candy cane shape.
- Paper Plate Wreath: Cut the center out of a paper plate and let the kids glue on green paper “leaves,” red pom-poms, and ribbon.
- Handprint Reindeer: Trace little hands as antlers on brown paper and draw a reindeer face underneath. Stick on googly eyes for bonus points!

Incorporating Recycling into Holiday Crafts

Want to sneak in an eco-friendly lesson? Use recycled materials!

- Old magazines → Paper snowflakes
- Cardboard boxes → Ornaments
- Egg cartons → Mini Christmas trees
- Cereal boxes → Garland flags

Not only does this reduce waste, but it also shows your kids how to be resourceful and creative.

Closing Thoughts: It's Not About the Craft, It's About the Connection

At the end of the day, the glue will dry, the glitter will settle (everywhere), and the crafts will go in boxes or be proudly displayed. But the laughter, bonding, and stories you create while crafting those snowmen, stars, and garlands? Those last far longer than any holiday season.

So this year, don’t just decorate your home—fill it with memories, laughter, and love. Pull up a chair, grab some scissors, and craft your way to a cozier, more connected holiday season. Because when it comes to family traditions, nothing says "together" quite like a crooked angel made out of popsicle sticks.