Decorating for Christmas doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. Dollar stores are packed with items that can easily be transformed into holiday treasures, from rustic ornaments to festive wreaths and cozy home accents. Here’s an expanded look at 23 creative dollar store Christmas crafts that will bring holiday magic to your home on a budget.
1. Rustic Pinecone Ornaments
Materials Needed: Pinecones, twine or ribbon, glitter (optional).
Pinecones are a classic holiday decoration that can add a rustic charm to your Christmas tree. Gather pinecones from the dollar store or your backyard, then simply coat them in a thin layer of glue and sprinkle with glitter for a touch of sparkle. Attach a loop of twine or ribbon to hang them on your tree or even create a garland to drape along your mantel. For added personalization, paint the pinecones in holiday colors like red or green before adding glitter.
2. Snowy Mason Jar Lanterns
Materials Needed: Mason jars, fake snow, battery-operated tealights.
Transform ordinary mason jars into enchanting lanterns by filling them with fake snow and placing a battery-operated tealight inside. These glowing “snow” lanterns can line your windowsills or serve as centerpieces on your dining table. You can also tie a festive ribbon around the neck of each jar for an extra decorative touch. For a more whimsical look, add some faux pine branches or small ornaments inside the jars with the snow.
3. DIY Ornament Wreath
Materials Needed: Wire wreath frame, assorted ornaments, hot glue gun.
Create a stunning wreath that will be the centerpiece of your holiday decor using a wire frame and an assortment of ornaments. Simply glue the ornaments in various sizes and colors around the frame, filling any gaps to create a full look. This craft not only adds a splash of color to your door but also allows you to use up leftover ornaments from previous years. To finish, add a big bow at the top for a classic touch.
4. Miniature Christmas Village
Materials Needed: Small ceramic buildings, fake snow, LED string lights.
A miniature Christmas village brings a sense of nostalgia and charm. Use small ceramic buildings, which you can often find at dollar stores, and arrange them on a tabletop with some fake snow sprinkled around. Enhance the scene with LED string lights for a warm, inviting glow. This craft can become a fun family tradition, with each year allowing for new additions to the village.
5. Christmas Tree Centerpiece from Green Tinsel
Materials Needed: Foam cone, green tinsel, mini ornaments, glue.
Wrap a foam cone with green tinsel to create a cute mini Christmas tree that can serve as a centerpiece. Once the cone is covered, adorn it with mini ornaments or bells for a festive look. This project is great for kids, who will love picking out decorations for their personal tree. You can also use multiple foam cones in varying sizes to create a delightful Christmas forest on your table.
6. Holiday-Themed Mason Jar Snow Globes
Materials Needed: Mason jars, mini Christmas figurines, fake snow, water, glitter.
Bring the magic of winter indoors by creating DIY snow globes. Fill mason jars with fake snow, small Christmas figurines, and a sprinkle of glitter. Secure the figurine to the lid, fill the jar with water, and seal it tightly. Shake to watch the snow swirl around your festive scene! These snow globes make wonderful gifts or decorations and can be personalized with different themes, like winter animals or holiday scenes.
7. Peppermint Candy Plate
Materials Needed: Peppermint candies, parchment paper, baking sheet.
Transform ordinary peppermint candies into a festive serving dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then place parchment paper on a baking sheet and arrange the candies in a circular shape. Bake until they melt into a flat plate (about 5-10 minutes). Once cooled, this sweet treat can serve as a unique candy dish for holiday gatherings or a decorative tray for your coffee table.
8. Festive Candle Holders
Materials Needed: Clear candle holders, washi tape or paint, tealight candles.
Spruce up plain candle holders with holiday-themed washi tape or by painting them in festive colors like red, green, or white. You can create patterns or even paint holiday symbols like snowflakes or Christmas trees. Add tealight candles inside, and you’ll have glowing accents that bring warmth and cheer to any room.
9. Dollar Store Nativity Scene
Materials Needed: Mini figurines, moss, foam base.
Use mini figurines from the dollar store to create a charming nativity scene. Start with a foam base and cover it with moss or faux snow to mimic the landscape of Bethlehem. Arrange your figurines, and you’ll have a meaningful centerpiece that captures the spirit of Christmas.
10. Glittered Branches in a Vase
Materials Needed: Bare branches, glue, glitter, vase.
Bring a touch of winter to your decor with sparkling branches. Collect some bare branches, coat them in glue, and sprinkle glitter over them for a frosted look. Arrange the branches in a festive vase for a simple yet striking holiday centerpiece. You can even spray paint the branches in gold or silver for a more sophisticated look.
11. Christmas Countdown Board
Materials Needed: Small chalkboard or dry erase board, holiday stickers, chalk or markers.
Help your family count down to Christmas with a fun and interactive countdown board. Decorate a small chalkboard or dry erase board with holiday-themed stickers. Each day, let kids update the board with the countdown to Christmas! This craft not only builds excitement but also helps children practice their numbers.
12. Festive Garland from Mini Stockings
Materials Needed: Mini stockings, twine, scissors.
Create a playful garland by stringing mini stockings along a piece of twine. Simply cut the twine to your desired length, then use clothespins or simply tie the stockings on. Hang this garland over a fireplace, along a staircase, or in your child’s room for a festive touch. You can also fill the stockings with small treats or holiday messages.
13. Wine Glass Snow Globes
Materials Needed: Wine glasses, mini Christmas figurines, fake snow, tealight candles.
Turn wine glasses upside down to create charming tabletop snow globes. Fill the inside of each glass with mini Christmas figurines and faux snow, then add a small tealight candle on top of the base. This creative decor adds a whimsical touch to your holiday table settings.
14. Christmas-Themed Shadow Box
Materials Needed: Shadow box frame, scrapbook paper, mini decorations.
Craft a personalized holiday shadow box by using a shadow box frame, some Christmas-themed scrapbook paper, and a few mini decorations. Arrange them inside the box to create a unique holiday display. This craft can also serve as a thoughtful gift for family members.
15. Jingle Bell Garland
Materials Needed: Jingle bells, ribbon or twine.
Create a cheerful garland by stringing jingle bells along a piece of ribbon or twine. This project is simple and adds a lovely sound to your holiday decor. Hang it on your mantel, tree, or staircase for a delightful touch that jingles as you walk by!
16. Mason Jar Lid Ornaments
Materials Needed: Mason jar lids, holiday scrapbook paper, glue, ribbon.
Use the metal rings from mason jar lids as a base for unique ornaments. Fill the centers with holiday-themed scrapbook paper, mini Christmas charms, or glittery fabric, then hang them with a piece of ribbon. This craft is an excellent way to repurpose materials and add charm to your tree.
17. Snowman Door Decor
Materials Needed: Foam wreaths, white fabric or paint, buttons, scarf, hat.
Create a cheerful snowman for your front door using foam wreaths stacked vertically. Cover the wreaths with white fabric or paint them white, then decorate with buttons, a scarf, and a top hat. This whimsical door decor is sure to bring smiles to guests and passersby alike.
18. Holiday Gift Tags from Paint Chips
Materials Needed: Paint chips, scissors, hole punch, twine.
Repurpose paint chip samples to create unique holiday gift tags. Cut them into festive shapes, punch a hole at the top, and attach them to presents with twine. Personalizing gift tags adds a special touch to your holiday gifts without costing much.
19. Sparkling Candle Jar Holders
Materials Needed: Glass jars, mod podge, glitter, tealight candles.
Transform ordinary glass jars into sparkling candle holders by applying mod podge and sprinkling glitter on the outside. Once dry, place battery-operated tealight candles inside for a beautiful glow that can serve as a centerpiece or holiday accent on any table.
20. Christmas-Themed Shadow Box
Materials Needed: Shadow box frame, Christmas-themed decorations, glue.
Pick up a shadow box frame and arrange Christmas-themed decorations like tiny ornaments, faux snow, and holiday signs inside. This can be a beautiful piece to display on a shelf or as part of a holiday vignette. Customize it each year with different decorations for a fresh look.
21. Reindeer Wine Bottle Covers
Materials Needed: Brown felt, googly eyes, red pom-pom, pipe cleaners.
Wrap wine bottles in brown felt to create adorable reindeer. Attach googly eyes, a red pom-pom for the nose, and use pipe cleaners to make antlers. These fun wine bottle covers make perfect gifts for holiday parties or can be used as festive table decorations.
22. Holiday Coasters
Materials Needed: Ceramic tiles, holiday-themed napkins, mod podge.
Use dollar store ceramic tiles to create unique holiday coasters. Cut holiday-themed napkins into shapes and adhere them to the tiles with mod podge. Seal with another layer of mod podge and let dry. These coasters are not only practical but also add a festive flair to your coffee table.
23. DIY Christmas Tree Ornaments from Baking Supplies
Materials Needed: Cookie cutters, felt or foam sheets, ribbon, embellishments.
Use cookie cutters to trace shapes onto colorful felt or foam sheets to create ornaments. Cut them out and decorate with embellishments such as sequins or buttons. Attach a ribbon loop for hanging on the tree. These DIY ornaments add a personal touch and can even become cherished family keepsakes.
These dollar store Christmas crafts prove that you don’t need to break the bank to create beautiful, festive decorations. Whether you’re crafting solo or making it a family activity, these projects are perfect for bringing a personal, handmade touch to your holiday decor. Not only are they budget-friendly, but they also foster creativity and bring joy during the holiday season. So gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy the magic of crafting as you make your home merry and bright!
