7 FREE Christmas Crafts To Try This Festive Season

The holiday season is the perfect time to gather the family, turn on some Christmas music, and get creative! Whether you're looking to decorate your home, make unique handmade gifts, or entertain the kids, crafting is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer.

In this blog, we’re sharing a selection of free Christmas craft ideas that are fun, easy, and budget-friendly. From nature-inspired projects to upcycled decorations, there’s something for everyone. Best of all, these crafts are made with materials you probably already have at home!

So grab your glue sticks, scissors, and a sprinkle of festive spirit—let’s make this Christmas extra special with some creative crafting magic. 🎄✨

Get Creative With These FREE Christmas Craft Ideas!

  1. DIY cardboard gingerbread and gingerbread house garland
  2. Santa leaf decorations
  3. Paper angel decorations with concertina dresses
  4. Toilet tube reindeers
  5. Pipe cleaner tree decorations with bead baubles
  6. Candy cane pipe cleaner decorations with snowman topper
  7. Fabric scrap trees on Kraft brown cards

1. DIY Cardboard Gingerbread and Gingerbread House Garland

 

Create a whimsical garland featuring gingerbread people and houses using recycled cardboard. It's eco-friendly, fun, and a great way to involve the kids!

What You Need:

  • Cardboard (from old boxes or packaging)
  • White paint or markers (for “icing” details)
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch
  • String or ribbon
  • Optional: Glitter, buttons, or small embellishments

Steps:

  1. Draw and Cut: Sketch simple gingerbread people and house shapes onto the cardboard. Cut them out carefully.
  2. Add Details: Use white paint or markers to draw icing-like patterns—think swirls, dots, and zigzags! Decorate with glitter or buttons for extra flair.
  3. Punch and String: Punch holes at the top of each shape and string them together with ribbon or twine.
  4. Hang Up: Display your garland on the tree, across a mantle, or along a wall for a festive touch.

2. Santa Leaf Decorations

 

Bring nature into your Christmas decorations with these charming Santa-inspired leaf decorations. Collect leaves, paint them to look like Santa, and hang them with baker’s twine for a rustic, festive touch.

What You Need:

  • Large, flat leaves (oak or maple work well)
  • Red, white, black, and pink paint
  • White craft pom poms
  • Paintbrushes
  • Baker’s twine
  • Hole punch or craft needle
  • Optional: Glitter for extra sparkle

Steps:

  1. Gather Leaves: Collect sturdy, flat leaves from your garden or park. Make sure they are clean and dry.
  2. Paint the Santa Face: Paint the top of the leaf red for Santa’s hat. Add a white craft pom-pom and trim using white paint. Paint the middle section pink for the face and use black paint for eyes. Add a white beard and moustache at the bottom of the leaf.
  3. Add Details: Use glitter or fine brushes to create intricate details like rosy cheeks, a belt, or sparkly stars on the hat.
  4. Attach Twine: Punch a small hole at the top of the leaf or use a craft needle to thread baker’s twine through. Tie a loop for hanging.
  5. Hang Them Up: Display your Santa leaves on the Christmas tree, along a garland, or in a window for a festive natural touch.

3. Paper Angel Decorations with Concertina Dresses

 

Add a touch of magic to your Christmas with elegant paper angels featuring beautiful concertina-style dresses. These delicate decorations are perfect for hanging on your tree or as part of a whimsical holiday display.

What You Need:

  • 15x15cm Coloured or patterned paper (lightweight works best)
  • Scissors
  • 20mm wooden bead
  • Glue or double-sided tape
  • String or ribbon
  • Small bow
  • Markers or pens (for facial details)
  • Optional: Glitter or sequins for embellishment

Steps:

  1. Make the Angel Dress: Take two pieces of colored or patterned paper and fold it into a concertina (accordion) style. The width of each fold should be small for a delicate look.
  2. Assemble the Angel: Fold the top of each concertina paper over and glue one side to create the wings. Fan out the folds for volume.
  3. Attach String: Now add glue to one side, place the string or ribbon in the middle leaving a loop at the top.
  4. Thread the Head: Thread on the wooden bead to give the angel a head and secure with glue at the top of the paper. Glue on a small bow to cover the join between the head and body.
  5. Hang and Display: Hang your paper angels on the tree, garlands, or even as part of a centerpiece.

4. Toilet Tube Reindeers

 

Turn empty toilet tubes into adorable reindeer decorations! This fun, eco-friendly craft is perfect for kids and adds a touch of handmade charm to your holiday decor.

What You Need:

  • Toilet paper tubes
  • Pipe cleaners (brown or glittery)
  • Craft pom poms (red or brown for noses)
  • Googly eyes or draw-on eyes
  • Glue or double-sided tape
  • Scissors
  • Optional: Ribbon or twine for hanging

Steps:

  1. Create the Antlers: Bend pipe cleaners into antler shapes. Glue or tape them inside the top of the tube.
  2. Add the Face: Glue googly eyes onto the front of the tube (or draw them on). Attach a pom pom nose—red for Rudolph or brown for other reindeer.
  3. Decorate: Add a ribbon bow around the tube’s “neck” for extra festive flair.
  4. Hang or Display: Leave them freestanding as table decorations or attach string to the top to hang them on the tree.

5. Pipe Cleaner Tree Decorations with Bead Baubles

 

Create shimmering mini Christmas tree decorations using pipe cleaners and colourful beads. These easy-to-make ornaments are perfect for kids and add a pop of color to your holiday decor.

What You Need:

  • Green pipe cleaners (or any festive color)
  • Assorted beads (small and medium sizes in various colors)
  • Scissors (optional, for trimming pipe cleaners)
  • Ribbon or string (for hanging)

Steps:

  1. Shape the Tree: Take several green pipe cleaners and cut them into several varying lengths, leaving one untouched. With the spare untouched pipe cleaner fold it in half and twist with a small loop at the top. Take your varying length pipe cleaners and working downwards with the smallest to the biggest form a tree shape by twisting them onto the main trunk. Adjust the spacing for a layered look.
  2. Add Bead Baubles: Thread colorful beads onto the pipe cleaner. Push them into place at random intervals to mimic ornaments.
  3. Attach a String: Tie a piece of ribbon or string to the loop at the top for hanging.
  4. Optional Decorations: Add a small star bead or charm at the top of the tree for a festive finish!

6. Candy Cane Pipe Cleaner Decorations with Snowman Head

 

Craft adorable candy cane decorations with red and white beads, topped off with a snowman bead for extra festive fun! These decorations are simple to make and perfect for hanging on the tree or giving as small gifts.

What You Need:

  • Red and white pipe cleaners
  • Red and white beads (small to medium size)
  • Large white bead (for the snowman face)
  • Permanent marker (for drawing the snowman face)
  • Ribbon or string (for hanging)

Steps:

  1. Shape the Candy Cane: Cut a red and a white pipe cleaner to equal lengths (about 6–8 inches). Twist them together tightly to form a striped pattern, then bend into a candy cane shape.
  2. Thread the Beads: Thread red and white beads onto the candy cane pipe cleaner in alternating colors. Stop after two thirds leaving space for the snowman bead.
  3. Make the Snowman Face: Draw a simple snowman face on the large white bead using a permanent marker. Add eyes, a carrot-shaped nose, and a smile. Let it dry completely.
  4. Add the Snowman Topper: Thread the snowman bead onto the top of the candy cane and twist the pipe cleaner to secure it in place. Then continuing adding the red and white beads to the top.
  5. Attach String: Tie a piece of ribbon or string just below the snowman bead to create a loop for hanging.
  6. Display: Hang your candy cane decoration on the Christmas tree, gift it to loved ones, or use it as a stocking stuffer!

 7. Fabric Scrap Trees on Kraft Brown Cards

 

Turn leftover fabric scraps into charming Christmas tree designs for handmade cards! These eco-friendly cards are a thoughtful way to send holiday cheer while adding a personal, crafty touch.

What You Need:

  • Kraft brown blank cards or cardstock
  • Fabric scraps (green, patterned, or any festive colors)
  • Scissors or pinking shears (for decorative edges)
  • Glue or double-sided tape
  • Ribbon or twine (optional, for embellishment)
  • Star stickers, buttons, or sequins (for tree toppers)
  • Marker or pen (for writing holiday messages)

Steps:

  1. Cut the Tree Shapes: Use your fabric scraps to cut small triangles of various sizes for the tree layers. For a rustic look, cut with pinking shears.
  2. Assemble the Tree: Glue the fabric triangles onto the card in a stacked pattern, starting with the largest triangle at the bottom and working upward to the smallest at the top. Leave space for a tree trunk and topper.
  3. Add Details: Use a small piece of brown fabric or paper for the tree trunk. Decorate the tree with buttons, sequins, or ribbon garlands.
  4. Top the Tree: Add a star sticker, sequin, or a tiny fabric star at the top of the tree.
  5. Write Your Message: Add a festive message inside or outside the card using a marker or pen.
  6. Optional Embellishments: Wrap twine around the card for extra flair or add small bows for a decorative touch.

Join the Christmas Craft Fun!

Looking for even more creative ideas? Visit us at Pom Stitch Tassel in Bovey Tracey for festive craft workshops and kits that make great gifts. Or, check out our website for kits like our popular Pom Pom craft kits for holiday-themed projects!

Last Christmas posting date: 20th December at 9am. Get your orders in time for Santa’s sleigh!

 

December 08, 2024 — Jenny Rendell

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