These DIY Christmas ornaments are fun to make, kid-friendly projects that can be completed in an afternoon!

If fifth grade, my teacher had us make geometric ornaments out of old Christmas cards. The point was to teach us about angles in a circle, and two dimensional vs three dimensional shapes, but what I mostly remember is how fun these were to make.

I’ve been making them ever since for friends and coworkers as cute little gifts. Plus, they’re a great way to use-but-save old Christmas cards that you can’t bear to just throw away, but are taking up space in the attic. This can also be done with patterned paper, but card stock or thick scrapbook paper is best to help the ornaments hold their shape.

DIY Christmas Ornaments

Tools & supplies:

• Christmas cards (average 5 per ornament)
• Scissors
• Pen
• Cap from a water bottle, or other small circular object
• Glue stick
• fishing line or other string
• tape

Steps:

1. Lay out your Christmas cards and trace circles over parts you want to be part of the ornament. Don’t overthink it – I look for shapes I want to include, but also just good colors or pieces of designs. Words also look cool, even if you don’t get the whole word in one circle. You need 20 circles per ornament.

2. Once you’ve chosen your 20 circles, cut them out! Plus cut out one more circle to use as a guide for the next step, design doesn’t matter.

3. If you want a specific design, group them in two sets of five for the top and bottom, then 10 for the center row. This will make more sense in a minute.

4. Take the guide circle and fold the sides down by thirds. The idea is to make an equilateral triangle (See, I DID learn something from this 5th grade project!). Check the photos for an example. On the guide circle ONLY, cut off the folded bits so you’re left with only the triangle. Use the guide circle-now-triangle to fold all your circles this way. If you’re feeling particular about the design, check the below photo for how the triangles fit together.

5. Time to start gluing! Start with the center line. Glue the circles together in pairs, until the center pieces form one line. Then attach the first triangle to the last one, making a ring.For the top and bottom, glue each of the five together so they make a little bowl-like shape.

6. Cut a length of fishing wire or string, make a loop, and string it through the very top. Tape on the inside of the top. Now glue each section together. start by gluing the bottom to the ring. Then attach the bottom to remainder. I find that it’s helpful to let it sit for 5 minutes between attaching, to let the glue solidify before handling it further. Let it dry an hour or so before hanging it on the tree.

Aren’t they cute?? And so easy to make!

Do you like to DIY Christmas ornaments? I’d love to see some of your favorite homemade decor!! Comment or link it below!

The links above contain affiliate links, which means I get a few cents (at no extra cost to you) if you book or buy something via that link. This helps me keep costs down and posts up! All images copyright Teaspoon of Nose.

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