Looking for easy dollar store Christmas crafts that look cute without breaking the bank? You’re in the right place! Find here 25 simple DIY holiday decor ideas made mostly from dollar store supplies like ornaments, jars, greenery, and ribbon.
Each craft includes a short materials list and easy instructions. You can create budget-friendly decorations, handmade gifts in an easy way. Perfect for beginners, moms, students, and anyone who loves DIY Christmas crafts on a budget.
What You’ll Need for These Dollar Store Christmas Crafts
Most of these dollar store holiday crafts use the same basic supplies, so you can stock up once and make several projects. Having these on hand will make your DIY Christmas decorating much easier (and cheaper!).
Basic supplies you’ll use again and again:
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- White glue / Mod Podge
- Acrylic paint + foam brushes
- Glitter, rhinestones, pom poms
- Yarn, ribbon, baker’s twine
- Craft sticks, foam board, picture frames
- Mason jars, glass jars, votive candles
- Plastic ornaments, mini trees, baubles
- Faux greenery, pine picks, garland
- Foam wreath forms, foam balls
- Cardstock, wrapping paper, gift tags
1. Frosted Mason Jar Lanterns
Materials: Mason jars, white glue or Mod Podge, Epsom salt or coarse glitter, LED tealights, ribbon (optional).
How to make:
Brush a thin layer of white glue or Mod Podge over the outside of each mason jar, then sprinkle Epsom salt or coarse glitter over the wet glue so it sticks. Let the jars dry completely, then tie a piece of ribbon around the rim if you want a little extra detail.
Pop an LED tealight inside each jar and you’ve got instant cozy lanterns for your mantel, entryway, or holiday table.
2. Glitter Ornament Garland
Materials: Plastic ornaments (same color or mixed), glitter, clear string or twine, hot glue.
How to make:
Lightly coat your plastic ornaments with glue and roll them in glitter, then set them aside to dry. Once they’re sparkling and dry, thread them onto a piece of clear string or twine, spacing them out however you like.
Tie a small knot between each ornament so they stay in place, then drape your new glitter garland over your tree, mantel, or window for a festive touch.
3. Dollar Store Wreath Upgrade
Materials: Foam wreath form, faux pine picks/greenery, ornaments, pinecones, berries, hot glue.
How to make:
Start by gluing faux pine picks or greenery all around your foam wreath form, overlapping the stems as you go so the foam doesn’t show.
Once the base looks full, tuck in ornaments, pinecones, and berries wherever it feels a little bare, securing everything with hot glue. If you want, finish it off with a big bow and hang your upgraded wreath on your front door or above the fireplace.
4. Snowy Village Jars (Mini Snow Globes)
Materials: Small jars or clear ornaments, faux snow or Epsom salt, mini trees/houses, hot glue, glitter.
How to make:
Glue your mini trees and houses to the inside of the jar lid or to the base so they stay in place, then add a layer of faux snow or Epsom salt around them to create a little village scene.
Sprinkle some glitter into the jar for extra sparkle, then carefully screw the lid on tight. Display your snowy jars on shelves, windowsills, or as part of a holiday tablescape.
5. Painted Wooden Box Advent Calendar
Materials: Small wooden boxes (or one divided box), acrylic paint, numbers (stickers or paint), small treats/toys.
How to make:
Paint each small wooden box in your favorite holiday colors, or go for one uniform shade if you prefer a more minimal look. Once the paint is dry, add numbers 1–24 using stickers or a paint pen so each box represents a day of the advent calendar.
Fill each box with a tiny treat, note, or small toy, then stack them on a shelf or hang them with ribbon for a sweet countdown to Christmas.
6. Ornament-Filled Vase Centerpiece
Materials: Clear vase or bowl, assorted ornaments, faux greenery (optional).
How to make:
Choose a clear vase or bowl and fill it with ornaments in your chosen color scheme, mixing sizes and finishes for visual interest. If you like, tuck in a few stems of faux greenery to soften the look and add some texture.
Set your ornament-filled vase on your dining table, entryway console, or coffee table for an instant centerpiece that looks way more expensive than it is.
7. DIY Snowman from a Glass Vase
Materials: Round glass vase or bowl, white paint or vinyl, black felt or vinyl, ribbon, small hat (optional).
How to make:
Paint the outside of a round glass vase with white paint or cover it with white vinyl to create your snowman’s body. Add a cute face using black felt or vinyl for the eyes, nose, and mouth, then tie a ribbon around the “neck” of the vase to act as a scarf.
If you have a tiny hat, place it on top to complete your adorable vase snowman.
8. Glitter Pinecone Centerpiece
Materials: Pinecones (dollar store or real), silver or white glitter spray, tray or bowl, fairy lights (optional).
How to make:
Spray your pinecones with silver or white glitter spray paint and let them dry completely. Once they’re sparkly, arrange them in a shallow tray or bowl, mixing sizes and shapes for a natural look.
For extra magic, weave a string of fairy lights through the pinecones and turn them on in the evening for a cozy glow.
9. Ribbon Ornament Hangers
Materials: Plain ornaments, ribbon strips, ornament hooks, glue (optional).
How to make:
Cut ribbon into 6-inch strips and tie each one into a small bow around the metal ornament hook. If you want the bows to stay in place better, add a tiny dot of glue where the ribbon meets the hook.
Hang these ribbon-topped ornaments on your tree for a simple but elegant upgrade to basic decor.
10. Wrapped Door “Gift”
Materials: Wrapping paper, double-sided tape or push pins, ribbon or bow.
How to make:
Cut a piece of wrapping paper to fit the main panel of your door, then attach it with double-sided tape or push pins so it looks like you’re wrapping the whole door like a present.
Finish the look by adding a big bow in the center, either with ribbon or a pre-made bow from the dollar store. It’s such a fun surprise for kids and guests when they arrive.
11. Mini Tree in a Mug
Materials: Small bottle-brush trees, mugs or small pots, faux snow or moss, hot glue.
How to make:
Use hot glue to secure a small bottle-brush tree in the center of a mug or tiny pot, then add faux snow or moss around the base to cover the glue and create a little scene.
These mini tree mugs are perfect as desk decor, shelf accents, or even as cute party favors tied with a ribbon and a tag.
12. Holiday Sign from a Charger Plate
Materials: Rectangular charger/tray, wrapping paper or scrapbook paper, glitter cardstock letters, Mod Podge, ribbon.
How to make:
Cut wrapping paper or scrapbook paper to fit inside your rectangular charger plate, then glue it down with a thin layer of Mod Podge so it lies flat.
Cut out festive words like “Merry,” “Joy,” or “Noel” from glitter cardstock and glue them onto the paper in a pretty arrangement. Add a ribbon to the back so you can hang your new holiday sign on the wall or from a hook.
13. Giant Ornament Decor
Materials: Two plastic bowls or large ornaments, paint, plastic cup or small bowl, door knob hanger, glue.
How to make:
Spray paint two plastic bowls or large ornament halves in your favorite holiday color and let them dry completely. Glue them together with a small plastic cup or bowl on top to mimic the metal cap of an ornament, then attach a door knob hanger and a big tag.
Hang your giant ornament on your front door or from a large branch for a statement piece.
14. Candle Votive Tags
Materials: LED votives, cardstock, hole punch, ribbon or twine, stamps or markers.
How to make:
Cut small tags from cardstock and write names, short messages, or holiday words on them using stamps or markers. Punch a hole in the top of each tag and thread a piece of ribbon or twine through, then tie it around the base of each LED votive.
These make sweet place cards or little gifts for guests at holiday dinners.
15. Gingerbread Gift Boxes
Materials: Scalloped plastic containers, brown cardstock, markers, ribbon, glue.
How to make:
Cut gingerbread people shapes from brown cardstock and glue them to the front of scalloped plastic containers to look like little gingerbread gift boxes. Wrap a strip of paper or ribbon around the container as a “belt,” then add a ribbon bow on top for a finishing touch.
Fill the boxes with cookies, cocoa packets, or other small treats for adorable handmade gifts.
16. Holiday Pillow Covers (No-Sew)
Materials: Dollar store pillowcases or fabric, fabric glue or iron-on hem tape, holiday appliqués or vinyl.
How to make:
Slip a plain pillowcase over your existing pillow, then use fabric glue or iron-on hem tape to secure any edges if needed. Add holiday appliqués, vinyl shapes, or hand-painted details to the front to match your decor.
Fluff the pillow and style it on your couch or bed for an instant seasonal refresh without any sewing.
17. Snowball Bucket
Materials: Santa bucket or red bucket, white foam balls, vinyl letters or felt, hot glue.
How to make:
Glue white foam balls all over the outside of a red or Santa-style bucket so it looks like it’s covered in snowballs. Add vinyl letters or felt shapes to spell out “North Pole,” your family name, or a cute holiday phrase.
Fill the bucket with cozy blankets, hot cocoa mixes, or even more foam “snowballs” for a fun decorative accent.
18. Poinsettia Wreath
Materials: Foam wreath form, faux poinsettias/greenery, hot glue.
How to make:
Glue faux greenery around your foam wreath form first to create a lush base, making sure to cover all the foam. Once the greenery is in place, add faux poinsettias wherever you want bold pops of red or pink, securing each flower with hot glue.
Hang your poinsettia wreath on your front door or above the mantel for a classic holiday look.
19. Light-Up Gift Boxes
Materials: Wooden blocks or small boxes, fairy lights, ribbon, paint or wrapping paper.
How to make:
Paint your wooden blocks or small boxes, or wrap them like little gifts using wrapping paper and ribbon. Coil a string of fairy lights inside or behind the stacked “gifts” so the glow shines through, then plug them in or switch on the battery pack.
These light-up gift boxes look magical on mantels, shelves, or under the tree.
20. Festive Front Porch Display
Materials: Dollar store planters, faux greenery, ornaments, pinecones, outdoor-safe glue or zip ties.
How to make:
Fill dollar store planters with faux greenery, tucking in ornaments, pinecones, and berries to create full, festive arrangements. Use outdoor-safe glue or zip ties to secure everything if your porch gets windy, then place the planters on either side of your front door.
Your guests will love the warm, welcoming holiday vibe as soon as they walk up.
With these 20 easy dollar store crafts, you can make beautiful holiday decor, thoughtful gifts, and fun family projects using simple, affordable supplies. Pick your favorite ideas, and enjoy a stylish, stress-free Christmas season.
Still looking for more inspiration? Check out these other 25 DIY Christmas Gifts You Can Make on a Budget
For more luxe-but-affordable ideas for women, explore Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas Under $10 That Feel Luxe (For Women).
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