Somewhere in a junk drawer there is an envelope of prints that are too good to throw away and too random for a frame. Give them a second life as photo ornaments this holiday season. These keepsakes aren’t only for Christmas trees—they look cheerful on a winter windowsill or a cabinet pull, and they make thoughtful small gifts from kids, siblings, or longtime friends.
Photo ornaments, in their simplest form, are holiday decorations that display a favorite picture. Instead of cutting up one-of-a-kind prints, you’ll use duplicate copies and a clear, fillable ornament, so the project is forgiving. If you decide next year that the cousin you cropped out deserves a spot on the tree, you can swap in a new photo in seconds.
The easiest DIY photo ornaments
This ten-minute version doesn’t require glue or special tools. You’ll need a few basics from a craft store or the photo counter at your local drugstore:
- Clear fillable ornaments (one per photo), about $1–$3 each. Plastic versions are safer than glass if children will help handle them or if the ornaments will hang low on the tree.
- Small photo prints, 2×3 inches or wallet-sized, trimmed to fit through the opening. Make copies of original prints; keep those originals in a box or album.
- Scissors and a bamboo skewer or pencil with an unused eraser to nudge the photo into place.
- Optional sparkle: a pinch of fine glitter, faux snow, or narrow ribbon tucked inside for color.
How to put one together
- Print the photos. If you’re using faces, crop tightly around the heads and eyes—ornaments are small, and busy backgrounds get lost inside the ball.
- Take the top off one ornament. Hold the photo next to the opening; if it’s wider, trim the edges and rounded corners a little at a time.
- Roll the photo with the image side facing the outside into a loose cylinder. Slip it through the opening and let it spring slightly. Use the blunt end of a skewer or the eraser on a pencil to press it gently against the inner surface. Rotate the ornament and smooth the photo until it looks right.
- Add a pinch of glitter or faux snow if you want a little sparkle. Shake lightly so it settles below the photo.
- Replace the cap and tie a ribbon loop onto the hanging hardware.
✨ Note: For a more polished look, print each photo with a thin white border (about a quarter-inch). The border acts like a tiny mat frame and keeps the photo from running into the ornament’s edge.
The best part about this project is that there’s no wrong picture: a serious first-day-of-school face, a blurry shot from a family barbecue, or the dog looking straight into the camera all deserve a turn. Start with one ornament tonight, and you’ll have a simple tradition you’ll look forward to every December.
Related Terms:
- Photo Ornaments personalized
- Photo Ornaments for christmas
- ceramic Photo Ornaments
- acrylic Photo Ornaments
- ball Photo Ornaments
- blank Photo Ornaments