Make Easy Paper Ornaments With These 11 Fast and Fun How-Tos

paper ornaments

The holidays are the perfect time to craft. Whether you’re baking an elaborate Christmas cake, turning your old Christmas cards into fun decor or just decking out your tree, there are plenty of opportunities to embrace your creative side all month long. Be sure to add one (or all) of these ornaments to your must-make list!

Good to Know: All of these paper ornaments are super fast and beginner-friendly. If you’re looking for a paper project that’s a little more involved for your Christmas tree, try making origami ornaments.

1. Snowflake Ornament

snowflake paper ornament

To make this adorable snowflake ornament, start with a 2½” scallop circle punch for the green background. Add a 2″ circle punch for the black gingham. Fold a 1½” piece of gold washi tape in half over the top and punch a hole in it. Add some crinkled white paper and an embellishment button to the top. Finish with a piece of twine looped through the hole to hang the ornament on the tree.

2. Ruffle and Bow Ornament

bow paper ornament

Start with a 2½” scallop circle punch for the red background. Add a 2″ circle punch for the black gingham. Fold a 1½” piece of gold washi tape in half over the top and punch a hole in it. Cut a rectangle 1″ x 3″ piece of tissue paper and gather along the top edge. Glue to the top of the ornament. Tie a bow with green ribbon and glue on top of the ruffle covering the gathered edge. Finish with a piece of twine looped through the hole to hang the ornament on the tree.

3. Banner Ornament

banner ornament

Start with a 2½” scallop circle punch for the gingham background. Fold a 1½” piece of gold washi tape in half over the top and punch a hole in it. Cut out a banner to go across the front with some overhang on either side. Before gluing it on, use tissue paper to create a ruffle along the back. Glue the ruffled banner piece to the center of the ornament. Finish with a piece of twine looped through the hole to hang the ornament on the tree.

4. Photo Ornament Garland

photo ornament garland

Use both current and past Christmas photos to create this photo garland to decorate for the holidays. This would be a fun way to display holiday traditions in your family throughout the years.

Create a small garland to go across a wreath showing your pictures with Santa over the years. We used a Instax Mini Smartphone Printer to print out out photos. If you don’t have a Instax Mini Printer, you can simply print our your photos as you normally would. The thing we love most about the Instax Minis is that you don’t have to add a lot to the photo for it to look great. All of these ornaments took 5 minutes or less to complete.

5. No-Peeking Photo Ornament

no peeking photo ornament

Wrap a ribbon around the bottom of the ornament and tie the ends together like you would the beginning of tying a bow. If you let go of the ends, the knot will not stay tight. This is what you want so that it isn’t too bulky under the button you’ll be putting on later. Tighten the knot and glue so that it doesn’t come loose. Once dried, gather some string together in a messy circle over the knot. Glue the button on top to hold the string in place. Fold a 1½” piece of gold washi tape in half over the top and punch a hole in it. Finish with a piece of twine looped through the hole to hang the ornament on the tree, or string several ornaments together to make a garland.

6. Holly Bells Photo Ornament

holly photo ornament

Wrap three strands of thread together around the bottom of the photo. String on two bells and tie off with a bow. Cut out two holly leaves and fold in half to add dimension. Glue behind the bow and two bells. Fold a 1½” piece of gold washi tape in half over the top and punch a hole in it. Finish with a piece of twine looped through the hole to hang the ornament on the tree, or string several ornaments together to make a garland.

7. Ho Ho Ho Photo Ornament

ho ho ho photo ornament

Wrap the end of your photo with gold washi tape. Glue a tab over top. Tie a string with a knot around the washi tape and tab. Clip to your tree or garland string with a mini clothespin.

8. Confetti Photo Ornament

confetti photo ornamentGlue an assortment of confetti colors and shapes along the bottom of the photo. Fold a 1½” piece of gold washi tape in half over the top and punch a hole in it. Finish with a piece of twine looped through the hole to hang the ornament on the tree, or string several ornaments together to make a garland.

9. Joy Photo Ornament

joy photo ornament

Cut and glue a small tag to the bottom left side of the photo measuring about ¾” x 1¼”. Cut a small strip of washi tape and place on tag. Cut the end of the washi tape to match the ends of the tag. Glue on 3-D letters spelling the word “JOY.” Clip to your tree or garland string with a mini clothespin.

10. DIY Gift Tags

paper and photo gift tags

Another fun way to use these easy paper Christmas ornaments is as tags for your gifts. The photo ornaments would make perfect tags for grandparents’ gifts. You could also use the photos to mark the recipient of the gift. The child simply gathers all the presents with his or her own face on it — great for the littles who can’t read yet!

11. Wrapping Paper Pocket

wrapping paper pocket

Add a fun surprise on your gifts with a pocket. Just fold your paper as though you were going to make an accordion fold. Stop after the first accordion fold so that you get a pocket. Be sure to measure your folds, making sure your photo fits inside. One you have the pocket folded, finish wrapping your box as usual. Slip in your photo and tie with some string.

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