How to Make Christmas Calming Ornaments at Home (2025 Guide)

Ever feel like the holidays fly by in a blur of wrapping paper, sugar rushes, and tangled lights? Same here. That’s why I love making Christmas Calming Ornaments—these are the perfect blend of craft, mindfulness, and magic. Inspired by snow globes but simpler and more soothing, these ornaments shimmer and swirl gently when shaken. Whether you’re crafting with your kids or enjoying a quiet moment to yourself, this DIY project brings a sprinkle of peace to your holiday chaos. Bonus? They’re beautiful on the tree and in the window.

Materials You’ll Need for Calming Ornaments

Let me tell you, the first year I made these calming ornaments, I thought I could just wing it with whatever I had in the junk drawer. Big mistake. The glue didn’t mix right, the glitter clumped, and my poor kid ended up with what looked like a sad, glittery snowstorm in a bottle. Since then, I’ve learned a thing or two about picking the right stuff—and trust me, it makes a huge difference.

🧰 My Go-To Ornament Materials

1. Clear plastic ornaments (or glass ones if you’re feeling brave):
These are the foundation of your DIY holiday decorations. I go with plastic because… kids. If one drops, it’s not the end of the world. Plus, you can usually get a whole set on Amazon or at craft stores for under ten bucks.

2. Clear glue or glitter glue:
Elmer’s clear glue works great, but I sometimes grab glitter glue to give it that built-in sparkle. Don’t cheap out here—thin glue = no calming swirl.

3. Warm water:
Yeah, I know, boring. But don’t skip it. Warm water mixes better with the glue and makes everything swirl like a snow globe.

4. Fine glitter:
This is where the magic happens. I like mixing gold, pink, and iridescent glitter—it catches the light beautifully. Don’t use chunky glitter though. That stuff just sinks.

5. Dried flowers, sequins, or tiny confetti:
Okay, this part is fun. You can use dried lavender, tiny fake flowers, little snowflakes, even star-shaped confetti. Just make sure whatever you add can float a little. It’s part of the calming effect.

6. Optional: Food coloring (just one drop):
A single drop can give your ornament a lovely soft tint. Too much, though, and you’ll end up with swamp water vibes. Don’t ask me how I know.

7. Funnel or squeeze bottle:
This will save your sanity. Pouring glue mix without a funnel is like trying to hit a dartboard blindfolded.

8. Stir stick or skewer:
I use a bamboo skewer to give the mixture a quick swirl before sealing it up. It spreads the glitter and makes the whole thing look like magic.

I usually set up a little “crafting station” in the kitchen—think butcher paper, bowls, and a bunch of towels for the inevitable spills. Pro tip: If you’re doing this with little ones, pre-fill the glitter and decorations in cups to avoid chaos. Also, maybe don’t wear your favorite sweater.

Next time we’ll dive into how to actually mix the calming solution, and I’ll show you the ratio that gives that perfect slow swirl.

How to Mix the Calming Solution

Okay, so here’s where things get tricky—or at least, they did for me the first few times. The calming solution is what gives your ornaments that dreamy, slow-motion swirl. Get it wrong and you either get a blob of unmixed glue or water that looks like someone just dumped glitter in a puddle.

I wish someone had told me that a perfect glitter swirl is all about ratios.

🧴 The Right Glue-to-Water Ratio

So, the basic formula I use is 1 part clear glue to 2 parts warm water. It’s simple, but here’s the kicker: quality matters. Use name-brand clear glue. The dollar store stuff? Yeah, that’s what gave me a chunky mess the first time. Not worth it.

If you want a slower swirl—you know, like those fancy snow globes where everything drifts down like it’s dancing? Just add a little extra glue. The thicker the mixture, the slower the sparkle moves.

Also, make sure the water is warm—not boiling, not cold. Warm water helps the glue dissolve better. I usually stir it for a solid minute until it’s completely smooth and not cloudy. Pro tip? Use a clear measuring cup so you can see when it’s fully blended.

✨ Add Some Sparkle

Here’s where it gets fun: glitter glue crafts meet science experiment. I usually dump in a healthy pinch of fine glitter at this stage. My go-to combo is iridescent + gold. It catches the light in the prettiest way.

And if you want to tint the whole thing? Just one drop of food coloring. ONE. Any more and the mixture gets too dark, which totally ruins that “calming” effect. Ask me how I know. (Spoiler: I ended up with neon green sludge that looked like a failed witch potion.)

😌 Sensory Tip for Extra Calm

If you’re making these as DIY calming ornaments or even homemade Christmas decorations for stress relief, try adding one drop of lavender or peppermint essential oil. Not enough to overpower the room—just a little something that makes you breathe deeper when you shake it.

Mixing this part properly changed the whole experience for me. The first year, I was skeptical that glitter glue and water could do anything calming—but when it’s mixed right, it really does work. My 8-year-old calls it her “glitter meditation ball.”

Decorating Your Ornaments

Ahhh—this is my favorite part. If mixing the glittery solution is the science part, decorating is where the magic happens. Seriously, there’s something deeply satisfying about dropping tiny, beautiful things into a clear ornament and watching them dance around in slow motion. It’s like building your own little snow globe world.

🌟 Choose Your Floating Pieces Wisely

When I first tried this, I dumped in whatever I had: glitter stars, chunky sequins, even bits of wrapping paper. Rookie mistake. Half the stuff just sank or clumped into a sad little pile at the bottom.

Now I use these go-to floaters for Christmas sensory crafts:

• Mini dried flowers (lavender and baby’s breath are gorgeous)
• Tiny sequins in holiday shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes
• Small plastic confetti hearts or snowflakes—they float beautifully
• Little beads if you want some extra sparkle, but not too heavy

The rule of thumb? If it’s lighter than a paperclip and smaller than a dime, you’re golden.

💡 Pick a Color Theme (Or Don’t)

For real, this is where your creativity can go wild. I usually let my kids choose their own “theme.” One year we did:

• Rose gold + white glitter + lavender flowers (looked like winter fairy dust)
• Red + green + peppermint oil (classic holiday vibes)
• Blue + silver + snowflake sequins (like Elsa’s ice palace 🧊)

The trick is to stick to 2–3 colors max. Otherwise, it starts to look like a glitter bomb exploded. Ask me how I know. 😅

🧠 Calming Touches for Extra Zen

Because these are meant to be calming Christmas decorations, you can sneak in a few sensory-friendly elements:

• Soft pastel colors instead of loud, bold ones
• Lavender or eucalyptus essential oil for that spa-in-a-snowglobe vibe
• Handwritten tags with little messages like “Breathe” or “Let it go” (yep, Disney fans—go wild)

I’ve even made a few of these as gifts for friends dealing with anxiety or burnout. Add a ribbon, write a heartfelt message, and boom—you’ve got a homemade gift that actually means something.

The coolest part? Watching your kids (or honestly, yourself) shake the ornament and just… stare at it. You can literally see the calming effect happen. It’s like mindfulness, but glittery.

Assembling the Ornaments

Okay, real talk—this is where I used to screw things up. After getting the glitter mix just right and picking the perfect floaty bits, I’d get impatient and rush the pour. Let’s just say… glittery disaster. 🙃

So now? I slow it down. Here’s how I get it right every time.

🪣 Pouring Like a Pro (No Mess, No Stress)

I always use a small funnel—or if I can’t find mine (read: lost in the junk drawer), I’ll snip the corner off a ziplock bag and use that. You want a steady pour to avoid air bubbles.

Steps I follow for each ornament:

• Drop your glitter and decorations in first. It’s way easier than trying to cram them in after the liquid.
• Then, using the funnel, slowly pour in the glue-water solution. Leave about ½ inch of space at the top. This space is crucial—it gives the glitter room to swirl.
• Grab a skewer or stir stick and gently swirl the inside. It helps spread everything out and breaks up any glue clumps.

🔐 Seal It Right (Avoiding Glitter Leaks)

One of my biggest fails? Underestimating gravity. I didn’t seal the top tightly enough and gave one a good shake… let’s just say my dining table had a sparkle makeover.

Now, I do this:

• Once everything’s inside, press the ornament top back on tightly.
• If kids will be handling it, I run a little clear-drying craft glue around the rim before sealing. Just in case.
• Give it one gentle test shake to make sure it’s leak-free. Trust me, better now than after it’s on your tree.

🪄 Moment of Calm

This part never gets old. After the first shake, I just sit there and watch. The glitter moves so slowly, like it’s floating in space. It’s the kind of quiet beauty that makes you exhale without even thinking. My daughter actually started calling hers a “calm bomb”—because when she’s stressed, she shakes it and watches everything settle.

If you’ve followed everything up to this point, you now have a floating glitter ornament that looks like a mini universe in a ball. And guess what? You made that with some glue and glitter. Pretty cool, huh?

Displaying and Enjoying Your Ornaments

Once your calming ornaments are sealed and swirly, you might be tempted to stash them away like fragile treasures. But don’t! These little guys are meant to be seen. They sparkle, they soothe, and they bring a subtle kind of joy that’s hard to describe—but you’ll feel it.

🌲 Where to Hang Them for Maximum Sparkle

My absolute favorite spot? Right near the Christmas tree lights. The glitter inside catches every flicker, and the whole ornament glows like magic. I’ve also hung a few by the window where morning light hits—it turns into this shimmer show that stops me mid-sip of coffee.

Some great places to hang your DIY Christmas tree ornaments:

• On the tree (obviously!)
• In front of windows using suction cup hooks
• From garlands or stair railings
• Even on cabinet knobs for unexpected sparkle

You could even add one to a wrapped gift as a keepsake topper. People go nuts over that.

🎀 Ribbon, Tags, and Personal Touches

Here’s where I add that cozy, homespun touch. I tie each ornament with a bit of twine or satin ribbon, usually in holiday colors or whatever matches the ornament’s vibe.

Sometimes I’ll attach a small tag with:

• The year (“Calm 2025”)
• The kid’s name (we have a mini family set!)
• A short message like “Breathe” or “Let It Glow” 😅

These little details turn them into handmade Christmas decorations that are actually meaningful—not just pretty.

🧘‍♀️ Use Them for Holiday Stress Relief

No joke, these ornaments have become a go-to for calming down in our house. If my kid’s wound up or overstimulated, we sit together, shake one, and just watch. There’s something about the way the glitter slowly settles that naturally encourages deep breaths.

We call them “calm catchers” and keep a few low on the tree just for that. No rules say ornaments have to be out of reach!

So whether you’re making these for your tree, as gifts, or just to slow down for a minute during the December madness, remember—they’re not just decorations. They’re a little pocket of peace.

If you’ve made it this far—heck yes, you did it. You now know how to make your very own Christmas Calming Ornaments from scratch. And not just some glitter-filled plastic balls—these are personal, peaceful, purposeful decorations that do more than just look pretty.

You’ve gathered the right materials, mixed the glittery magic, carefully crafted your ornaments, and hung them up like little beacons of calm in your holiday chaos. Whether you’re doing this with your kids as part of your DIY Christmas crafts, making them as thoughtful gifts, or just sneaking in some quiet time for yourself… these tiny orbs of sparkle can make a big difference.

They’re not just ornaments. They’re reminders to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the moment.

So here’s what I’d love:
📌 Share this guide on Pinterest and help someone else discover the peace in crafting.
📸 Snap a pic of your calming ornaments and tag it #CalmChristmas2026.
🎄 And hey, if you found this helpful—pass it on! Holiday joy multiplies when it’s shared.

Now go shake one of those ornaments, watch the glitter swirl, and let it all drift away for a moment. You earned it.