We’ve rounded up the best Christmas craft ideas for the whole family, from festive wreaths and treetop angels to quilted Christmas stockings and felted gnomes.
Christmas is a time for family and friends to come together and to show how much you care—and what better way to bring everyone together than a Christmas craft session or a thoughtful handmade gift. “Taking time out to make something with or for someone seems to enhance the season,” says Sam Duffy, talented crafter and founder of British craft brand PaperSam. “Crafting is very therapeutic, whether it’s something you do on your own, or with children or friends—it lets you take stock of what matters whilst making some lovely memories and keepsakes in the process.”
Not only does Christmas craft bring a personal touch to festivities, but it’s also an opportunity to create more sustainable decorations and gifts. “There's definitely a trend this year for up-cycling as people become more environmentally aware,” says Sam. “Plus, a DIY Christmas is definitely on the rise as more people have turned to crafting throughout the lockdown.”
There are countless ways to add a homemade, sustainable touch to Christmas, whether it’s making your own wreath, hand-printing wrapping paper, or crafting cards. One of Sam’s favourite craft activities is making simple gift tags from scraps of paper, fabric and other ephemera sewn onto luggage tags. “Cut your ribbon, paper and other materials into small pieces, then use a sewing machine to sew from top to bottom on the label,” she recommends. “They look super stylish with just brown paper gift wrap.”
Handmade gift tags available from PaperSam, £5 for six tags
Read on to discover some more of our favourite Christmas craft ideas from Sam as well as some of the UK’s other talented crafters and bloggers—including special craft kits that include everything you need to get started.
1. Cone Bauble Embroidery
Make your own folksy embroidered Christmas baubles to decorate the tree or mantlepiece with this downloadable pattern from Nancy Nicholson—it’s the perfect way to use up scraps of felt or other fabric.
The pattern features multiple embroidery designs and instructions for making the baubles as well as tips and other advice. You can also get a Christmas bauble kit that includes most of the materials you’ll need.
Downloadable pattern available from Nancy Nicholson, £8.40
2. Whiskey barrel wreath making
These chic, rustic barrel hoop wreaths are cleverly crafted from reclaimed Scottish whisky barrel hoops.
“Our wreath making kit includes all you need to make your barrel hoop wreath including the rustic hoop, wire, tape, burlap ribbon, preserved eucalyptus, faux berries, and snowy branches,” says crafter Kristen Hunter. “You can follow our guided tutorial to learn some tips and tricks to create a wreath like ours or go off-piste and get creative with the materials!”
DIY kit and class available from Class Bento, £35
3. Treetop angel
Make the crowning touch on your Christmas tree extra special this year with a Treetop Angel Kit from Paper Sam. Simply assemble the pretty wooden angel and then paint your own design on her dress.
“I make and sell tree angels and feel really honoured to imagine them on someone's tree, but increasingly I realised people wanted to make their own,” says Sam Duffy, founder of PaperSam. “Whether you’re very skilled or helping the kids have a go, good or bad, they are all adorable.”
Available from PaperSam, £15
4. Macrame Garland
Add a boho touch to your festive decorations this year with this pretty Macrame Garland. The craft kit, available from Wool Couture, offers a quick and easy way to learn macrame—and the results will look just as good all year round as they do at Christmas time.
“If you’ve been wanting to learn macrame but aren’t sure where to begin, this kit provides guidance and all the materials you will need to get you started,” says Claire Gelder, founder of Wool Couture.
Available from Wool Couture, £14.99
5. Quilted Christmas Stocking
Brittni Mehlhoff, who runs the Paper & Stitch blog, has plenty of fun Christmas craft ideas. One of our favourites is this pretty patchwork Christmas stocking. All you need are some simple sewing supplies and a little patience.
“I love these stockings because they're a nod to a more traditional style, but still have a modern feel,” says Brittni. If patchwork isn’t your vibe, she also has tutorials for making Christmas stockings from tea towels, and a pop art-inspired fuzzy Christmas stocking.
See more at Paper & Stitch
6. Christmas Cross Stitch Gift Cards
Add a thoughtful crafted touch to gifts this year with these contemporary cross-stitch tags from Bobo Stitch. Each kit has everything you need to make five festive gift tags. Simply lay the templates over the blank tags, and gently make small holes into which you cross stitch the design.
“The kit offers an easy and relaxing way to create extra special touches for your loved ones,” says Hannah Sturrock, founder of Bobo Stitch. “And, the lucky recipients can hang the finished tags on their Christmas tree year after year.”
Available from Bobo Stitch, £10
7. Baby Penguins Felt Craft
This felt sewing kit from Yorkshire-based crafter Corinne Lapierre has everything you need to make three adorable penguins you will cherish for many years to come—with instructions that are easy enough for beginners to follow.
“We use a soft and tactile felt that contains 45% wool and 55% viscose,” reveals Corinne Lapierre. “This makes it a real pleasure to work with.” After Christmas, the baby penguins work just as well as year-round decor in a child’s bedroom.
Available from Corinne Lapierre, £14.40
8. Succulent wreath
Nothing inspires a festive feeling more than a beautiful wreath hanging from the front door—and with a bit of assistance from artist Alyson Mowat you can craft a unique botanical wreath from succulents that will live long beyond Christmas. The look gives a distinctly Scandinavian Christmas decor feel which is all about bringing nature in during the winter months.
“I take you step-by-step through the process needed to craft, care for, and display the ultimate festive decoration,” says Alyson. “You’ll even be able to propagate the cuttings to make a whole new succulent creation!” The DIY kit comes with everything you need, and you can either join a virtual Zoom class or follow an instructional video.
Available from Alyson Mowat, £85
9. Name Place Craft Kit
“When I was a child my mum always gave me the job of writing name places for the Christmas table and I have fond memories of guests closely inspecting the beautifully decorated table to find their place,” says Sam Duffy, founder of PaperSam.
“So, this year I launched my name place craft kits. They’re great fun, simple to make, and help set the scene. They are also really nice for guests to take home as a momentum of a special meal shared.” The kit comes with all the materials needed to make six fun Christmas characters.
Available from PaperSam, £12.50
10. Nordic Gnomes Needle Felting
The Crafty Kit Company's Nordic Gnomes needle felting kit contains everything you need to make two cheeky Scandinavian Christmas “tomte” gnomes. “It’s a beginners kit, so perfect for anyone new to needle felting and who would like to give this relaxing and rewarding craft a go,” says Jo Lochhead, founder of The Crafty Kit Company.
The finished gnomes stand 10-15cm high and add a touch of Scandi charm to Christmas settings. The kit comes beautifully presented in a gift box, so is perfect for gifting too.
Available from The Crafty Kit Company, £12.00 plus p&p
11. Knitted Pine Tree Cushions
It’s easy to whip up a forest of soft and cuddly christmas trees with this kit from Yorkshire-based craft brand Wool Couture.
“The Pine Tree Cushions are simple yet stunning and can be made up in no time at all,” says founder Claire Gelder. “They would also look amazing at Christmas time placed in your favourite room or even as an accent in your bedroom.” If you’re feeling creative, you can even add your own Christmas decorations to the cushions.
Available from Wool Couture, from £49.99
12. Rainbow Sprout Decorations
Give brussel sprouts a starring role on the tree this year with this cute DIY decoration kit. “Rainbows have been so symbolic in 2020, so this year we have taken our ‘Craftmas’ DIY kits to another level with a cute rainbow hued set of regal Sprout decorations,” says Ruth Oliver, Head Crafter at The Make Arcade.
“Our kits are perfect for beginners as they contain everything you need to craft a set of decorations to gift or hang on your tree. Some simple cutting out and school level stitching is all that's required to make the whole set!”
Available from The Make Arcade, £16