DIY Galaxy Christmas Ornaments: Cosmic Holiday Craft Ideas for 2025

Ever looked up at the night sky and thought, “That should be on my Christmas tree”? Same here. That’s why I started making Galaxy Christmas Ornaments — a perfect blend of creativity and celestial magic. With just a few basic materials like clear ornaments, acrylic paints, and a dash of glitter, you can create a festive galaxy in the palm of your hand.

In fact, a recent Pinterest trend report showed a 70% spike in searches for “space-themed Christmas decor.” People want more than red and green — they want nebulae, stars, and a sprinkle of moonlight. So if you’re ready to make your holiday decor totally stellar, let’s dive in!

Materials You’ll Need to Make Galaxy Ornaments

Let me tell you, the first time I tried making galaxy ornaments, I had no clue what I was doing. I saw one of those “easy ornament crafts” on Pinterest and thought, “How hard could it be?” Well… let’s just say my first one looked more like a muddy planet than a sparkling galaxy. But after a few tries (and a glitter explosion on my kitchen floor), I figured out the right combo of tools and paints to really nail the look.

So, if you’re diving into this cosmic Christmas craft, here’s exactly what you need — no fluff, just the good stuff.

Clear Ornaments (Plastic or Glass)

You need the kind with removable tops — super important. I’ve used both plastic and glass, but plastic is safer if you’re doing this with kids or clumsy adults like me. You can usually grab a 6-pack at craft stores for cheap.

Acrylic Paints in Galaxy Tones

These are the magic-makers. For that nebula vibe, I always go with:

• Black (base)
• Navy or deep blue (depth)
• Purple (rich contrast)
• Pink (for some glow)
• Silver or white (for that star-dust shimmer)

Bonus tip: use glow-in-the-dark paint if you want a little nighttime magic. It’s one of those DIY holiday decorations upgrades that people love.

Cotton Balls

Cheap. Easy. Essential. These help soften and blend your colors inside the ornament. Don’t skip this or your paint will just blob around weirdly.

Fine Glitter (aka Space Dust)

Go with holographic, silver, or iridescent mixes. I once used chunky glitter — big mistake. It didn’t float like stardust; it clumped like sad confetti. Use a funnel to control the mess. (Or don’t and live dangerously.)

Tools That Make It Way Easier

• Tweezers or Chopsticks – to stuff in the cotton
• Paper Plate or Cup – for paint drips and mixing
• Funnel – unless you enjoy vacuuming glitter for the next three weeks

I also keep baby wipes nearby because trust me, your hands will look like you lost a fight with a unicorn.

Optional: Metallic & Glow Paint

If you’re going full Pinterest-level with your painted Christmas ornaments, these are worth it. Metallic paints add that galaxy sheen. Glow-in-the-dark paint? Total showstopper, especially if your tree is near a window or some fairy lights.

I once tried skipping the cotton step, thinking I was clever. Don’t. It looked like a sad oil spill. But with the right materials — and just a tiny bit of patience — you’ll have some of the prettiest ornaments on the block.

Next up? The actual process. You ready to paint a galaxy?

Step-by-Step Tutorial for Cosmic Ornaments

Okay, so now that your supplies are ready, it’s go time. This is where the magic happens — literally. Creating these handmade Christmas ornaments feels a bit like doing art and science at the same time. It’s messy. It’s unpredictable. And it’s so dang satisfying when you nail that swirl.

I’ve messed up enough times to tell you what not to do. So follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll avoid the rookie mistakes I made.

Step 1: Clean Out the Ornaments

Seems obvious, but I skipped this once and ended up with specks of plastic dust stuck in my paint. Gross. Just remove the top, shake out anything inside, and make sure it’s bone dry.

Step 2: Add the Dark Paint First

This is your base. I usually drip in black and navy using a straw or plastic dropper. You don’t need much — about 5–8 drops total. Then, swirl the ornament slowly. I used to shake it (rookie move). That just turns it into a paint tornado. Swirling gives you those soft galaxy streaks. This is where it starts looking like a DIY Christmas craft straight from a sci-fi movie.

Step 3: Add Cotton in Layers

Use tweezers or chopsticks to press little pieces of cotton into the painted areas. Don’t overstuff. You want space between them so light and color can pass through. The cotton softens the look and helps trap paint in cool, cloud-like shapes.

Step 4: Drip in Lighter Paints

Once the cotton’s in, add your pinks, silvers, and maybe some bright blue. I usually alternate between dripping on top of the cotton and dropping paint along the inside wall. The goal? A nebula effect. You’ll know it when you see it. And hey, don’t stress if your first few look like tie-dye gone wrong. That’s part of the fun. Each one turns out totally different.

Step 5: Sprinkle Glitter (a.k.a. The Stars)

Now grab your funnel and glitter. Just a pinch will do — too much and it clumps. Shake it gently so it scatters through the cotton and paint. When the light hits it later? Chef’s kiss. This step takes your ornament painting tutorial to the next level.

Step 6: Add Glow Paint (Optional but Awesome)

This one’s for the extra credit crowd. Drop in a little glow-in-the-dark paint between the cotton layers. When the lights go down and the tree’s lit up? It glows like real stars. Total win.

Step 7: Seal It Up and Finish

Once you’re happy with the look — and trust your gut on this — pop the top back on. Add a piece of ribbon or twine, and boom: you’ve got one of the coolest Christmas decorations you can make at home.

Honestly? This process feels a bit like making your own tiny universe. Every ornament comes out different. Some look like swirling galaxies. Others feel like little starbursts trapped in glass.

No matter how it turns out, you’ll have something one-of-a-kind. And when people ask where you bought them? That’s the best part — you didn’t.

Tips for Stunning Results

I’ll be real with you — my first few galaxy ornaments were… meh. Not total disasters, but definitely more “swamp gas” than “space magic.” But after testing different paints, glitter types, and techniques (and making a huge mess), I figured out a few tricks that really leveled up my DIY Christmas tree decorations.

These tips might sound small, but they make a huge difference when you’re trying to get that dreamy, floating galaxy vibe.

Use Glow-in-the-Dark Paint Strategically

I know, I mentioned this already — but hear me out. Instead of mixing it randomly, try placing just a couple of glow drops behind cotton layers. It gives the illusion of depth. Plus, when the lights are off and your tree’s glowing? It’s next-level cool. Makes your ornaments look like they’re holding actual stardust.

Don’t Overfill the Ornament

I made this mistake constantly at first. I thought, more paint + more cotton = better. Nope. If you cram too much inside, everything turns into a big blob. Leave some negative space — it helps the colors swirl and the glitter float around naturally. Think more airy nebula, less paint smoothie.

Layer Colors Thoughtfully

Here’s one of my top holiday crafting tips: always start with dark paint, then layer lighter colors over the cotton. If you go light first, it just disappears. Want that “swirling galaxy” effect? The contrast between dark navy and metallic silver is where it’s at. Don’t be afraid to experiment with bold combos.

Test Your Glitter First

Not all glitter is created equal. Chunky glitter looks amazing in the bottle, but inside the ornament? It sinks and clumps. I learned the hard way. Fine glitter or cosmetic-grade holographic glitter works way better. Plus, it catches light more evenly. If you’re hunting Christmas ornament ideas that actually sparkle, this matters.

Let Gravity Do the Work

Here’s a weird tip I picked up: after sealing the ornament, leave it upside-down overnight. Gravity pulls the paint and glitter down in really pretty streaks. It’s like an extra step in how to paint ornaments — and it makes them look super polished without any extra effort.

Be Patient

Look, I get it. You’re excited. I was too. But rushing through the layers just turns everything muddy. Let the first round of paint settle before adding cotton. Let the cotton absorb color before you add glitter. Think of it like cooking — low and slow gets the best results.

The biggest thing I’ve learned? Don’t stress about perfection. These ornaments are handmade. They’re supposed to be a little wild and whimsical. Every one of mine looks different, and that’s the beauty of it.

Display Ideas for Your Galaxy Ornaments

So you’ve made these beautiful, star-speckled ornaments and now you’re wondering… where the heck do I put them? I’ve been there. My first batch just sat in a bowl for a week while I figured it out. But over the years, I’ve come up with some fun and surprisingly easy Christmas tree decorating ideas that really show off your cosmic creations.

Here’s what’s worked best for me — and made guests stop and say, “Wait, you made those?”

On a Monochrome or Minimal Tree

If you really want your galaxy ornaments to shine, hang them on a simple black or white tree. I know, sounds dramatic — but trust me, it makes the colors pop like crazy. A white tree gives that clean, snowy contrast. A black one? Full-on space vibes. It’s like your ornaments are just floating in orbit.

Create a Galaxy Cluster

Instead of spacing them out all over the tree, group them together like a constellation. I usually pick a middle section of the tree and cluster 3–5 galaxy ornaments with some fairy lights behind them. Instant wow factor. This is one of my favorite DIY ornament display tricks.

Use Them as Gift Toppers

This one blew my sister’s mind. I tied a galaxy ornament onto her wrapped gift with some silver ribbon, and it basically turned the package into a bonus gift. Just make sure you secure it well, so it doesn’t roll off and crack on the floor. Been there, done that.

Hang in a Window

These ornaments catch sunlight beautifully. I loop fishing line through the top and tape it above a sunny window. During the day, they shimmer. At night, they glow if you used glow paint. Total mood booster — and a really cheap way to add some holiday home decor inspiration to your windows.

Fill a Clear Bowl or Vase

If you made a bunch and don’t want them all on the tree, pop them into a clear glass bowl or wide vase. Toss in a string of battery-operated lights underneath, and boom — table centerpiece done. It’s cozy, cosmic, and totally Pinterest-worthy.

Use an Ornament Stand

I grabbed a couple of those simple ornament display stands from the craft store (the metal kind with a loop). They make your best ornament the center of attention. I usually keep one by the fireplace or even on a nightstand. It’s a great way to show off the one that turned out just right.

I used to think ornaments only belonged on the tree. But once you start seeing them as mini art pieces, the display options open way up. Whether you’re decorating a space-themed tree or just sneaking a little galaxy into your living room, these ornaments add that handmade, magical touch.

And that’s a wrap — or should I say, a swirl? You just learned how to turn plain clear bulbs into glowing little galaxies, and let me tell you, that’s no small thing. These DIY Christmas ornaments are more than just pretty decor — they’re mini masterpieces made with your own hands (and a bit of glitter chaos).

Whether you’re doing this as a family craft night, a solo chill session with your favorite holiday playlist, or even turning them into personalized gifts — you now have a super creative and surprisingly easy way to make this season feel extra magical. Seriously, once these go on your tree, it’s hard to go back to store-bought.

So if you found these holiday DIY ideas helpful, fun, or just cool to look at — do me a favor? Hit that little “Pin” button and save this to your Christmas board on Pinterest. Or better yet, tag me if you share your own versions — I’d love to see how your galaxies turned out.

Go make your tree sparkle like the Milky Way. You got this.