Did you know glitter sales spike every December? That shimmer isn’t just for cards—homemade DIY glitter ornaments are trending hard this season, and for good reason. They’re simple, mess-free (mostly), and drop-dead gorgeous. I love crafting with my kids, and nothing lights up their eyes like swirling glitter into clear globes. Whether you’re decking out your tree or adding sparkle to gifts, these glitter ornaments will steal the show. Let’s dive into this glittery adventure together!
Supplies You’ll Need for Glitter Ornaments
Okay, before you dive headfirst into glitter madness, let’s chat supplies. I’ve made these easy Christmas ornaments so many times, and trust me, having the right stuff from the start saves a ton of frustration—and cleanup.
Clear Ornaments: Glass or Plastic?
First off, you’ll need clear ornaments. I go for plastic. Why? Because I’ve got a dog and two clumsy hands. Glass ones look fancy but they’re just begging to shatter. You can find these almost anywhere—Target, Michaels, Amazon… heck, even the Dollar Store. Just type “clear ornament balls” on your favorite craft supplies online shop and boom—you’ll see a gazillion options.
Glitter: The Finer, the Better
Now for the fun part—glitter. Fine glitter sticks way better than chunky stuff. It gives this smooth, shiny finish that almost looks like it was store-bought. Gold, silver, rose gold—whatever fits your vibe. I bought a 12-pack rainbow set last year and still haven’t run out. Pro tip: buy extra red and green. They vanish fastest in December.
Polycrylic Finish: The Magic Binder
This is the secret sauce. Polycrylic clear gloss isn’t something I had lying around at first. I actually tried using glue my first time—BIG mistake. It clumped, streaked, and looked straight-up tragic. Just grab a small can of polycrylic from Lowe’s or Home Depot. One can will last forever. And you only need a few drops per ornament.
Tools: Funnels and Eyedroppers
A small craft funnel or even a rolled-up piece of paper will help pour the glitter in cleanly. I used a kid’s medicine dropper for the polycrylic—it worked like a charm. You could probably use a straw in a pinch, but it’s gonna get messy. Disposable cups are great for draining the excess liquid. I usually set up a “drying station” with old mugs and let the ornaments sit upside down.
Optional but Handy:
- Gloves (if you hate sticky fingers)
- Baby wipes (for glitter spills)
- A tray or newspaper to catch fallout
- Ribbon or twine if you want to hang them as soon as you’re done
These supplies don’t cost much, especially if you shop smart or already have a few around the house. You can make like 6–8 ornaments for under $10, depending on where you shop.
How to Make Glitter Ornaments Step-by-Step
Alright, now that you’ve got all your gear, let’s get messy—in a good way. I’m gonna walk you through how to make glitter ornaments the easy way, with tips from my many fails and a few accidental wins.
Step 1: Remove the Top Hanger
Start by taking off the metal top from the clear ornament. Easy enough, right? Just give it a little twist and set it aside. I like to line them up on a paper towel so they don’t roll off the table. That’s happened. More than once.
Step 2: Add the Polycrylic
Here’s where that eyedropper or funnel comes in clutch. Squirt a small amount of polycrylic—like a teaspoon—into the ornament. Swirl it around gently. Don’t shake it like a soda can. If you shake it too hard, you’ll get bubbles, and bubbles = bald glitter patches. Learned that the ugly way.
Step 3: Drain the Extra
Flip it upside down over a disposable cup and let the extra polycrylic drain out for at least 5 minutes. This step is boring but don’t skip it. If it’s too wet inside, your glitter clumps and slides around. And that ain’t the look we want for our DIY Christmas ornaments.
Step 4: Add the Glitter
Now the fun part—glitter time! Use a funnel or folded paper to pour in your fine glitter. Start with a little. You can always add more, but too much just falls right out when you rotate it. I usually tap the sides gently as I go to help it stick evenly.
Step 5: Swirl Like a Pro
Slowly roll and rotate the ornament until every bit inside is coated. It’s weirdly satisfying. If you see any spots that didn’t catch, sprinkle in a touch more glitter and repeat. Don’t rush this step. Patience = perfect sparkle.
Step 6: Dump the Extra Glitter
Pour the leftover glitter back onto your paper and funnel it back into your container. Boom—no waste. Glitter is basically fairy dust, so treat it like gold.
Step 7: Dry and Seal
Set your ornament upside down again to dry. Give it at least a few hours—overnight is even better. Once dry, pop the metal top back on, maybe tie on a ribbon, and admire your masterpiece. You just made a fancy-looking homemade holiday decoration for pennies.
Seriously, the first time I made these, I ended up making 15 more because I couldn’t stop. It’s low effort but high reward, which is rare in Christmas crafts for adults. You get all the festive vibes without the glue-gun burns!
Glitter Color Ideas and Themes for Every Style
You ever start a craft thinking “I’ll just do a couple,” and then suddenly you’re knee-deep in glitter with color combos dancing in your brain? Yep—been there. Once I figured out how to make these DIY Christmas crafts, I got way too into picking glitter colors. But hey, it’s half the fun, right?
Classic Christmas Colors
If you’re into tradition (like me when I’m feeling nostalgic), you can’t go wrong with red, green, and gold. They pop on any tree, especially with white lights. Red glitter on a green tree? Chef’s kiss. Add a little gold ribbon and it looks like you bought it from a boutique.
I usually do a set of six with two of each color. That way the tree looks balanced without being too matchy-matchy.
Elegant & Neutral Tones
When I wanted to go a little fancier last year, I tried rose gold, champagne, and silver. Let me tell you—they looked expensive. Like Pottery Barn expensive. These shades are perfect for elegant ornament ideas or if your home leans modern or minimalist.
Throw in some twine hangers or silk ribbon and it’s suddenly Pinterest-worthy.
Bright & Fun Combos
Got kids or just wanna have fun with it? Try hot pink, turquoise, lime green, and purple. They scream “holiday joy” in the best way. I made a rainbow set one year and my niece lost her mind—she hung them in her room and didn’t take them down ‘til March.
If you’re doing this as a family craft night, let everyone pick their own color. It turns into a super cute custom Christmas decoration tradition.
Frosted or Icy Looks
Want a winter wonderland vibe? Go with white, baby blue, icy silver, and maybe even a light lavender. Add a bit of iridescent glitter and they seriously look like frosted glass. They shine like crazy when the lights hit them. Great for snow-themed trees or mantle décor.
Whatever your style, picking a theme keeps your tree or gifts looking cohesive without being boring. And honestly, playing around with Christmas color themes might just be the most satisfying part of this whole project. I have a stash of glitter colors now because I never know what mood I’ll be in next season. Oops.
Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes
Whew, let me tell ya—I’ve made almost every mistake you can make with glitter ornaments. Some of them are funny (now), and some just made me want to toss the whole thing in the trash. So, to save you the drama, here’s what not to do when you’re knee-deep in glitter.
Too Much Polycrylic = Disaster
I used to think more was better, right? Nope. The first time I tried making a set of glitter ornaments, I legit poured in too much polycrylic. It didn’t just drip out—it gushed. Made this gross puddle at the bottom and turned into a sticky mess that wouldn’t dry. If you’re wondering how to make Christmas ornaments look professional—less is more. A teaspoon is plenty.
Shaking Instead of Swirling
Another fail? I shook the ornament like a soda can. Why? No idea. Maybe I was impatient. But it created bubbles everywhere, and the glitter stuck all weird. You gotta swirl it slow—think lava lamp vibes, not milkshake energy.
Not Letting It Drain Long Enough
This one stings. I rushed a batch one year because I wanted to gift them that day. Spoiler: they never dried. I wrapped ‘em up, and when the family opened their gifts… let’s just say it was glitter soup inside. Always give them time to drain fully. I usually flip them upside down in disposable cups for like 10–15 minutes minimum.
Cheap Glitter or Chunky Stuff
I made the mistake of using kid craft glitter once—like the dollar store kind. It just didn’t stick right. Looked patchy and kinda sad. If you want that smooth, dazzling finish, go with fine glitter. It clings like a dream. And bonus: a little goes a long way.
Touching the Inside of the Ornament
Sounds obvious, but I accidentally stuck a pinky inside once while swirling. Left a huge fingerprint streak. Couldn’t even fix it without starting over. Use a funnel and keep those fingers outta there!
Crafting’s supposed to be fun—not frustrating. These tips come from trial, error, and a couple of minor meltdowns. If you can avoid these DIY Christmas fails, you’re well on your way to making ornaments that’ll impress anyone.
Displaying and Gifting Your Glitter Ornaments
Okay, so your ornaments are dry, sparkly, and seriously gorgeous. Now comes the fun part—showing them off or giving them away like the holiday MVP you are. These aren’t just crafts—they’re legit homemade Christmas decorations that can light up any room or make someone smile big.
Decorating with Your Glitter Ornaments
I usually load up the tree first. Hang them near twinkly lights so the glitter catches every flicker. If you made a set with different colors, mix ‘em up around the tree to keep it balanced. I also love sticking a few into a big glass bowl as a centerpiece—super easy and it looks fancy with zero effort.
You can also clip them into garlands or wreaths. I just use twist ties or thin floral wire and boom—they’re secure and sparkly. Great for door frames, stair rails, or mantels. Seriously transforms the space with barely any work.
Personalizing for Extra Holiday Charm
Want to turn these into real personalized ornaments? Grab a metallic paint pen or some alphabet stickers and add names, dates, or even funny holiday quotes. I did a “2020—Glitter Survival Edition” one year, and it still makes people laugh.
Another fun idea—write a little message on a mini scroll and tuck it inside before sealing the top. Like a glittery time capsule. Perfect for family keepsakes or annual traditions.
Gifting Like a Pro
These ornaments make incredible DIY holiday gifts. Teachers, coworkers, neighbors—they all love something handmade. Wrap them in a kraft paper box with some shredded paper or place them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon. Add a tag that says something cheesy like “Have a Sparkly Christmas!”—yeah, it’s corny, but people eat it up.
I’ve also done ornament sets as hostess gifts. Just pop three or four into a little box with a bow and you’re golden. Way better than another scented candle, right?
I swear, giving these away is just as fun as making them. People always ask where I bought them, and when I say “I made it,” they’re genuinely surprised. These little beauties go way beyond basic Christmas gift ideas—they’re thoughtful, budget-friendly, and totally personal.
And that’s a wrap—literally and figuratively! If you made it this far, you’re officially ready to turn clear plastic globes into mini glittering masterpieces. These DIY Christmas projects aren’t just a fun way to spend a cozy evening—they’re a full-blown memory-maker. I’ve laughed through glitter spills, fixed ornaments that looked like a glitter bomb exploded inside, and gifted more of these than I can count.
Whether you’re making them for your own tree, handing them out as homemade gifts for the holidays, or just need a relaxing night covered in sparkles, I promise this is one of those easy Christmas crafts you’ll come back to every year.
If this guide helped or inspired you, do me a favor—share it on Pinterest. Spread that holiday cheer (and glitter) with your fellow crafters. Who knows, you might just start a new tradition.
Happy crafting, friend! 🎄✨
