This year, I made a collection of rustic Christmas ornaments using simple, affordable materials like cinnamon sticks, dried citrus, pinecones, twigs, wood slices, fabric scraps, and jute twine. Together, they gave my tree the warm, handmade look I wanted.
The best part was that nothing needed to be perfect. Crooked twigs, uneven orange slices, and slightly off-center bows only made the ornaments feel more personal.
1. Cinnamon Stick Star Ornaments
Materials Needed
- 5 cinnamon sticks per ornament
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Jute twine
- Scissors
- Small faux greenery sprigs or mini pinecones, optional
Instructions
Arrange five cinnamon sticks into a star shape, overlapping the ends slightly. I adjusted mine before gluing so the star looked balanced.
Glue each crossing point and let the star cool completely. The first one was a little fiddly, but the rest went much faster once the shape made sense.
Cut an 8- to 10-inch piece of jute twine and tie the ends together to create a hanging loop. Glue the knot to the back of one star point it to the back.
Add a pinecone, bow, or greenery if you like, though I left a few plain for their lovely cinnamon scent.
2. Dried Citrus Slice Ornaments
Materials Needed
- Dried orange, lemon, or grapefruit slices
- Jute twine
- Large needle or small hole punch
- Scissors
- Cinnamon sticks, wooden beads, or star anise, optional
Instructions
Make a small hole near the top of each dried citrus slice, then thread jute twine through and tie a hanging loop. Orange slices were my favorite because they stood out so nicely against the green branches.
Keep the design simple with one citrus slice, or tie a cinnamon stick, small wooden bead, or piece of star anise beneath it.
A few of my slices were layered in pairs, and those looked fuller when they were hanging near the front of the tree.
The citrus ornaments were easy to make but visually striking. I especially loved using the simpler versions as gift toppers for a subtle handmade touch.
3. Twig Star Ornaments
Materials Needed
- 5 small twigs in similar lengths
- Jute twine
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks, optional
- White acrylic paint and paintbrush, optional
Instructions
Choose five fairly straight twigs of similar length and arrange them into a five-point star. Don’t worry if they aren’t identical. Their uneven shapes give the finished stars extra character.
Wrap jute twine around each overlap and tie tightly, adding a dot of hot glue under the twine if a twig shifts.
This was the project that took the most patience, but it was also one of the most satisfying once the star held its shape.
Tie a longer piece of jute around the top point to make a hanger. Leave the twigs natural for a simple woodland look, or lightly brush white paint over the tips for a snowy finish.
4. Pinecone and Twine Ornaments
Materials Needed
- Pinecones
- Jute twine
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- White acrylic paint
- Small paintbrush
- Faux berries, mini bells, or greenery, optional
Instructions
Lightly brush white paint over the pinecone tips for a frosted look, then let them dry. I found that the less paint I used, the more realistic the finished pinecones looked.
Tie an 8- to 10-inch piece of jute twine into a loop. Apply hot glue near the pinecone stem, press the knot into it, and hold for a few seconds to secure.
Finish with a twine bow, tiny bell, faux berries, or greenery. These sturdy ornaments added lovely texture and filled empty spots deeper in the tree.
➡️ Pinecone Christmas Crafts to Add Rustic Charm to Your Home
5. Painted Wood Slice Ornaments
Materials Needed
- Small unfinished wood slices with pre-drilled holes
- Acrylic craft paint or paint pens
- Fine-tip black marker or paint pen
- Jute twine
- Small paintbrushes
- Clear craft sealer, optional
- Tiny bells or small greenery sprigs, optional
Instructions
Wipe the wood slices clean, then paint simple holiday designs like evergreen trees, snowflakes, hearts, initials, or dates. I used cream, forest green, muted red, and black to keep the ornaments coordinated.
Once dry, add outlines, names, or details with a fine-tip black paint pen. Apply clear craft sealer if desired, then thread jute twine through the hole and tie a loop.
Adding names and the year turned these simple ornaments into lovely keepsakes.
6. Mini Grapevine Wreath Ornaments
Materials Needed
- Small grapevine wreath forms
- Jute twine
- Faux evergreen sprigs
- Mini pinecones
- Faux berries, optional
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Wire cutters, if needed
Instructions
Place a short piece of faux greenery along the lower edge of a mini grapevine wreath and secure it with hot glue. Add one small pinecone and a few faux berries beside the greenery.
Keeping most of the decorations on one side worked best for me because the wreath still looked natural instead of overly full.
Tie a length of jute twine around the top of the wreath to create a hanger. Leave a little extra length if you want the ornament to hang lower from the branch.
These tiny wreaths looked detailed but were quick to make. The textured grapevine base needed only a few simple additions to create a beautiful ornament.
7. Fabric-Filled Clear Ornaments
Materials Needed
- Clear plastic or glass fillable ornaments
- Small fabric scraps in plaid, linen, burlap, or cotton
- Scissors
- Jute twine
- Small faux greenery sprigs, optional
- Small wooden beads, optional
Instructions
Cut fabric scraps into narrow strips and loosely fold
or roll them inside clear ornaments. Avoid packing them too tightly for a softer look. I used leftover cream cotton, linen, and red plaid for a cozy farmhouse touch.
Close the ornament, then tie jute twine around the top. Add a small wooden bead or tuck a short greenery sprig beneath the bow if you want another layer of texture.
This project was perfect for using tiny fabric scraps. The ornaments looked simple from afar, but their patterns stood out beautifully under the tree lights.
8. Rustic Twig Star Tree Topper
Materials Needed
- 5 long, sturdy twigs
- Jute twine
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Faux evergreen sprigs
- Dried orange slice, optional
- Cinnamon sticks, optional
- Floral wire, optional
Instructions
Arrange five long twigs into a star on a flat surface. Secure each crossing point with tightly wrapped jute twine. A few hidden dots of hot glue beneath the wraps helped keep my topper sturdy.
Glue faux evergreen sprigs to one side of the star, then add a dried orange slice, cinnamon sticks, or a mini pinecone. Keep the decorations. The dried orange slice was the detail that tied the topper in with the rest of my ornaments.
Use floral wire or a loose jute loop to attach the star to the upper branches of the tree. I found it easiest to secure it in two places so the star did not lean forward. was the detail that tied the topper in with the rest of my ornaments..
A Few Rustic Decorating Tips
Repeating materials like jute twine, dried orange slices, greenery, and natural wood helped the handmade ornaments feel coordinated without looking too matchy.
Make a few extras to decorate gifts, wreaths, or stocking hooks, or give them as handmade presents. Their imperfect details make a rustic Christmas tree feel warm and special.
Looking for more creative ideas? Don’t miss my post on 30 Easy DIY Christmas Ornaments to Make at Home.
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