4 DIY Christmas Ornaments That Look Expensive but Are Totally Easy

If you’re anything like me, your dream is a Christmas tree that looks like it belongs in a luxury catalog — moody neutrals, velvet textures, and just the right amount of sparkle. But your reality? A budget, a kitchen table, and possibly a toddler or two underfoot. Don’t worry, I got you. These four DIY ornaments are beginner-friendly, inexpensive, and still have that “designer” vibe. Bonus: they’re fun to make, even if your crafting skills rival a three-year-old’s (trust me, I know).

Whether you’re looking for a hands-on holiday activity with kids, a quick DIY for your tree, or a way to elevate your neutral décor, these ornaments have got you covered.

Materials You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to make all four ornaments. I’ve linked products that are budget-friendly and beginner-friendly.

Material	Description	Where to Buy / Affiliate Link
Clear plastic ornaments	Walmart: 8 for $11.98, Michaels: 8 for $13.99	[Amazon]
Flocking powder	Velvet effect; multiple colors	[Amazon link]
Acrylic craft paint	Matching colors for velvet & textured ornaments	[Amazon link]
Foam & paint brushes	For smooth paint application	[Amazon link]
Mod Podge	To hold flocking powder	[Amazon link]
Rub & Buff (antique gold)	Adds metallic/vintage look	[Amazon link]
Velvet ribbon	Elegant finishing touch	[Amazon link]
Faux dried florals	For floral ornament fill	[Amazon link]
Baking soda & flour	For textured ornaments	[Amazon link]

Pro Tip: If you have kids or pets, plastic ornaments are a safer choice. I broke two glass ones just by handling them.

1. Velvet Ornaments

Step-by-Step:

1. Remove the caps from your clear ornaments.
2. Set up a drying station: take a sturdy box and poke several small holes in the top. These holes will hold sticks upright so your ornaments can dry without touching any surfaces — no smudges, no sticking, no stress. You can also tape the ornament to the stick to keep it steady while you work, which makes paint and flocking application much simpler.
3. Pour your craft paint onto a paper plate for easy access and minimal mess.
4. Paint the first layer of the ornament with a regular brush. Don’t stress about brush lines — the flocking powder will cover them.
5. Add a second layer with a foam brush for a smoother finish.
6. Coat the ornament with liquid glue, then sprinkle flocking powder over it. Press firmly to ensure even coverage.
7. Paint the ornament caps with black paint and antique gold Rub & Buff using a dabbing motion.
8. Add velvet ribbon when hanging.

Pro Tip: Paint the caps and add a touch of Rub & Buff (antique gold or matching metallic). This creates a cohesive, high-end look. Leaving the stock silver caps can feel jarring and disrupt the designer vibe.

Picture This:
Your tree is dressed in deep velvet browns, soft tans, and muted greens, each ornament catching the warm glow of twinkling lights. The platinum velvet ribbon drapes elegantly, giving a magazine-worthy look without the hefty price tag.

3. Neutral & Brown Painted Ornaments

Step-by-Step:

1. Choose Your Paint Colors:
   • I used Linen (light beige) and Coffee Bean (rich brown). These colors create a warm, neutral palette that pairs beautifully with other ornaments and metallic accents.
   • You can also experiment with taupes, soft greys, or muted blush tones for variety.
2. Prepare the Ornament:
   • Remove the cap and clean the ornament with a soft cloth to remove dust or fingerprints.
   • Set up your workspace with a paper plate or small tray for paint. This keeps your surface clean and lets you access paint easily.
3. First Coat of Paint:
   • Using a foam brush, apply the first layer of paint evenly around the ornament.
   • Don’t worry if the coverage isn’t perfect — the second coat will smooth things out.
   • Let this coat dry for about 30–60 minutes (depending on paint type).
4. Second Coat & Smooth Finish:
   • Apply a second coat of paint with the foam brush for full coverage.
   • Check for streaks or uneven areas and touch up lightly.
   • Let dry completely before moving on.
5. Add Antique Gold Highlights:
   • Using Rub & Buff in Antique Gold and a small sponge or soft cloth, lightly dab the ornament surface.
   • Focus on raised areas or edges for a subtle, designer-style shimmer.
   • Rotate the ornament while dabbing to create a natural, uneven metallic look — perfection isn’t necessary.
6. Replace Cap & Add Ribbon:
   • Once dry, reattach the ornament cap.
   • Add a neutral or metallic ribbon for hanging — I used a platinum velvet ribbon to tie the look together.

Picture This:
Picture a set of ornaments in soft beige and rich brown, with just a hint of antique gold shimmer catching the twinkle of your tree lights. Mixed with velvet, floral, or textured ornaments, these neutrals add warmth, depth, and a polished, high-end feel to your holiday décor.

Pro Tips:

• Use a foam brush for smooth, even paint coverage.
• Don’t overdo the gold — subtlety keeps it looking classy.
• Rotate the ornament while applying metallic highlights to make it look natural.
• If your hands get messy, use disposable gloves or a paper towel to hold the ornament.

4. Textured Ornaments with Baking Soda & Flour

Step-by-Step:

1. Choose Your Base Colors:
   • I started with Cool Concrete (a soft, neutral terracotta) for one ornament and a darker base for another.
   • You can mix shades or stick with neutral tones — the texture will create visual depth.
2. Prepare the Ornament:
   • Remove the cap and clean the surface with a soft cloth.
   • Set up your workspace with a paper plate or small tray for paint.
   • Optional: use a box with small holes and sticks (like in Project #1) so your ornament can dry without touching surfaces.
3. First Paint Layer:
   • Apply a smooth coat of base paint using a foam brush.
   • Let dry completely before adding texture.
4. Create Texture with Baking Soda:
   • Mix a small amount of baking soda into your paint to create a gritty, textured finish.
   • Apply this mixture with a regular paintbrush (foam brushes don’t work well with the thicker texture).
   • Cover the entire ornament, then let it dry for at least an hour.
5. Add a Lighter Layer:
   • Once dry, dab a lighter color (like Adore White) over the ornament using a sponge.
   • Focus on raised areas to highlight the texture and give depth.
6. Metallic Accents:
   • Mix gold and copper paint (more gold for subtle shimmer) and lightly dab over textured areas with a sponge.
   • This adds a subtle designer finish without overpowering the ornament.
7. Dusty Flour Finish:
   • Sprinkle flour lightly over the ornament to give a soft, dusty effect.
   • Let it sit for 1–2 hours, then gently brush off the excess with a soft brush.
8. Optional Rub & Buff Touch:
   • For extra shimmer, place a tiny amount of antique gold Rub & Buff in a plastic bag and rub the ornament gently.
   • This gives an uneven metallic effect that feels high-end.
9. Cap & Hang:
   • Replace the ornament cap and hang with your favorite ribbon. Neutral or metallic ribbons work beautifully with this style.

Picture This:
Imagine ornaments with subtle layers of texture, a dusty finish, and soft metallic highlights catching your tree lights. The interplay of beige, brown, and golden tones creates depth and sophistication, giving your DIY ornaments a custom, high-end look that feels utterly luxe.

Pro Tips:

• Use a regular brush for baking soda mixtures — foam brushes get messy.
• Add plenty of flour — it will brush off easily, so don’t be shy. It’s much harder to add more after the paint and texture layers have dried.
• Rotate the ornament while applying metallics to get natural variation.
• Let each layer dry completely before moving to the next — patience is key for this textured look.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it — four easy DIY Christmas ornament ideas that look way more high-end than their price tags suggest. Whether you’re drawn to the soft velvet texture, the delicate dried florals, or that perfectly imperfect textured finish, each one adds a touch of magic to your holiday décor.

What I love about these is how customizable they are — you can play with colors, finishes, and ribbons to suit your style (or your current neutral obsession, which I fully support). Once you paint those ornament caps with a hint of Rub & Buff, they instantly go from basic to boutique.

If you try any of these, tag me or drop a comment — I’d love to see your creations! And if you’re looking for more festive DIYs that blend timeless style with cozy charm, you’ll love my post:
👉 10 Cozy Christmas Decor Ideas That Feel Expensive (But Aren’t)

Pin This for Later 🎄

Save this guide for when the holiday crafting mood strikes (because we both know it will). These DIY ornaments are the kind of projects that make your tree — and your home — feel personal, stylish, and completely one-of-a-kind.

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