15 Jolly DIY Christmas Ornament and Decoration Ideas

Fasten your seatbelts, Christmas is knocking on the door. The whole world is now ready to be decorated by angels, bells, stockings, candles, wreaths, candy canes, and surely Santas as well.

We understand things are different this season though. It has been undoubtedly a tough year. Getting into the Christmas spirit is a bit harder than it has been in previous years. Even more so, trying to find the best decorations and activities for your household while everyone is locked-in is no easy feat.

Today, we have you covered. On this list, you will find some of the best last-minute decoration and project ideas. Logically, we decided to focus on projects that fulfill the needs of STEM enthusiasts both young and old. Not only will you wake-up some seasonal joy, but there is also a good chance you will learn something on the way too. 

Christmas traditions and celebrations do vary in every country. But most common traditional figures, patterns, and objects are almost the same everywhere like trimming and lighting Christmas trees, hanging advent wreaths, bells, Christmas stockings, candles, angels, reindeers, candy canes, snowflakes, and much more.

Here are some 15 fun, fancy, and educational DIY Christmas decoration and ornament ideas that are easy to do and totally wallet-friendly!

1. Create a chemical reaction Christmas tree

It is a classic experiment with a seasonal twist, perfect for young kids looking for a little chemistry fun. For this experiment, you will need basic household items like baking Soda, green food dye, dish soap, and vinegar. You probably can imagine where this going. The Christmas tree-shaped mold that you create for this project will turn into a fizzy bubbly mess after reacting with baking soda and vinegar. This project is an easy way to explore the reactions between acids and bases. Check out how to do the project here. 

2. Teach coding while coloring 

You can put these decorations on your fridge. Coloring is a staple of any kid's childhood.  Furthermore, it can be a powerful educational tool. In these projects, children will color a Christmas tree with a unique set of rules. The printable coloring page uses ASCII binary and decimal codes as the key to the colors. While your kids are coloring they will learn more about the basic ideas behind their computers. You can find the project here. 

 3. Recycle your caps to create snowmen

This project is pretty self-explanatory. Using recycled coke bottle caps you can create your own little Christmas ornaments with just a little bit of glue, ribbon, and markers. Sure, you can go out and buy a few Christmas decorations but why not create your own? 

4. Make your own winter playdough

Another staple of any childhood has to be playdough. However, play dough can go quickly and lost in random places, making it not ideal. In this little STEM experiment, you are going to make your own winter playdough. All you need for this project is flour, cream of tartar, salt, food coloring, and vegetable oil to get started. This project only takes a few hours. In no-time, you will be creating your own custom Christmas decorations. 

5. Scrabble Tile Ornament

If you already lost a few letters of the game, just write something festive, stick to each other. This might make the list for some of the laziest Christmas decorations we have seen this year. Nonetheless, it could be a great last-minute option. 

6. Create a fake chimney for Santa Claus

If you could find same-sized cargo boxes around, just stick them into a chimney shape, and paint bricks on. You can install the gift boxes underneath as well. Just please do not start any fires under it.

7. Cover your window with coffee-filter snowflakes

If you are an engineer, there is a good chance you live off of coffee. If you have some spare coffee filters laying around, cut beautiful symmetric snowflake patterns in a few steps by cutting coffee filters or cupcake papers. Regular paper works too. 

8. Create geometrically accurate Christmas Cookies

You are going to have some Christmas sweets this year. Why not practice geometry and develop spatial skills with these tangram puzzle cookies. Using a free printable here,  you can create your own tasty and geometrically sleek cooks. The recipe calls for sugar cookies but any cookies that fit your traditions can be used. 

9. Design a STEM Christmas tree

Another great STEM Christmas project and this one glows in the dark. For the project, you will be building a salt circuit that glows in the dark. You will not need much for this project, and the secret to the salt circuit glow can be created with a common glow in the dark glue.  

10. Make tinkering Christmas decorations 

This project may look comically simple, but there is something minimally beautiful about these trees. Furthermore, the project is great for little ones. All you have to do is dig into an old toolbox and find some unused nuts, bolts, and washers to make these tinkering trees. This project will help your kids develop fine motor skills and explore geometry. 

11. Collect a penny wreath

Glue pennies onto one another and hang them on your door as a wreath by adding a red ribbon to it. Bling bling! This project is simple and easy. There is a good chance that you have a lot of pennies lying around your home. 

12. Button Christmas Tree

Rank different sized buttons on a wire and fold, add some ribbons, and hang it on! This project is great for your indoor tree or your outdoor ones. 

13. Make a fingerprint snowmen ornament with your family

If you like to hang your future's handprint on your Christmas tree, paint the entire hand of your kid, and tell him to hold a ball-shaped tree ornament.

14. Create ice cream stick angels

Make your very own snow angels by only cutting ice cream sticks into different sizes, sticking them together, and drawing a face. You might also make the wings with aluminum paper.

15. Create a tea light snowman

Tea lights are awesome, easy fitting, and inspiring. Just by adding a few black dots for the mouth and eyes, a tiny bit of ribbon. Maybe a little bit red pipe cleaner.

Do you have a favorite Christmas project or DIY STEM project?