A Christmas craft can look wonderful in the product photo and still be the wrong choice for a room with no drying space. Start with the activity you can actually run: beading, gluing, coloring, painting, or making a useful gift.
For simpler setup, consider the individually packaged snowman kits, a dry scratch-art activity, or color-your-own bookmarks. For a longer workshop, choose painted ornaments, keepsake boxes, or tissue paper lanterns. Match small parts, tools, and decorating materials to your participants and supervision.
These 15 choices include Christmas-specific kits, winter decorations, and general craft blanks adapted for holiday gifts. They are not all all-inclusive kits. Each entry explains what is supplied and what you need to add. Several website photos show finished examples; colors and embellishments are not automatically included.
Choose the Project by Your Program
| Program need | Good starting points | Prepare first |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas party station | Candy canes, snowman snowflakes, reindeer | Portioned pieces, suitable adhesive where needed, collection space |
| Winter alternative | Snowman snowflakes, general-pattern bookmarks | Seasonal wording and designs that suit your group |
| Handmade gift workshop | Frames, coasters, boxes, tote bags | Recipient choices, decorating supplies, drying and packing |
| Church Christmas session | Stars, lanterns, decorated keepsakes | A leader-selected lesson and matching design plan |
Age suitability is product-specific. Check the current package directions rather than assuming the entire list fits every age. Reserve time for drying wherever paint or adhesive is involved; no single completion time fits all 15 projects.
1. Beaded Candy Cane Ornaments
12-project kit: red and white tri-beads, pipe cleaners, and instructions. Participants thread a repeating pattern, then curve the stem into a candy cane. Choose this for a Christmas ornament station when your group can manage small beads.
Pre-count each person’s beads into a shallow cup and demonstrate how to secure the ends. The listing recommends ages six and up; check the package guidance and supervise. These are craft beads, not edible candy.
2. Snowman Snowflake Ornaments
12-project kit: foam pieces, googly eyes, and string; glue is sold separately. The individual kits make distribution straightforward, and the snowman design works for a winter display as well as a Christmas tree.
Set out suitable adhesive before opening the packets. Have participants arrange the face and scarf before gluing, then leave the ornaments flat until attachments hold. The finished ornament measures about 5¼ inches.
3. Red Reindeer Ornament Kits
12-project kit: plastic ornaments, pipe cleaners, ribbons, and pom-poms; glue is sold separately. Participants turn a round ornament into a reindeer with antlers and a colorful face.
Use a small cup or other stable support to keep the ball from rolling while details are attached. Prepare one assembly sample and give glued parts time to set before hanging. The listing gives a finished size of about four inches.
4. Wooden Nutcracker Ornaments
Six ready-to-decorate wooden ornaments give a Christmas painting session a recognizable starting shape. Use traditional uniform colors or let each participant invent a different palette. Decorating supplies are separate; the photo shows finished examples.
Prepare larger base-color areas first and add buttons, belts, and facial details after drying. For 24 participants making one each, order four six-piece sets, plus any spare pieces you want for demonstrations.
5. Plaster Rocking Horse Keepsakes
Each pack includes two unglazed plaster ornaments with hanging ribbons. Paint the horse, saddle, and rocker in different colors for a classic Christmas keepsake. The product photo shows a decorated example; paint and brushes are separate.
Choose this for a session with time to paint details and let pieces dry. Keep each piece on its own tray, then pack the dry ornament with cushioning. Plaster can chip or break if dropped.
6. Personalized Plaster Dog Ornaments
Two unglazed plaster dog ornaments with ribbons make a gift option for animal lovers. Participants can paint a familiar pet, add an imaginary coat pattern, or choose a collar color for the intended recipient. The photo shows a finished example.
Keep the project focused on the recipient rather than requiring a Christmas motif. Offer a larger brush for body color and a smaller one for spots and facial details. Add paint, protect the drying pieces, and cushion them for the trip home.
7. Scratch Art Animal Gift Ornaments
24 paper animal ornaments with scratching tools and satin cord offer an alternative when you want a dry activity. These are general animal designs, not Christmas-specific shapes; use them for personalized gift ornaments or a favorite-animal decorating station.
Participants reveal rainbow colors by scratching names and patterns into the dark coating. Show gentle tool use and attach cords after decorating. This is a practical option when you have no space to leave wet painted projects.
8. Decorated Foam Stars
12 white foam stars provide a blank starting point for a coordinated star display. Choose foam-compatible decorating materials, then let participants add dots, color, or a simple pattern. Adhesive, embellishments, and any hanging method must be planned separately.
For a church program, the leader can connect the star project to the chosen Christmas lesson. For a general seasonal event, make a shared starry display. Prepare a sample to check the finish and fastening before distributing the full batch.
9. Handmade Holiday Photo Frames
12 wooden rectangle frames can become gifts for family members or program volunteers. Paint a border, decorate with a restrained seasonal pattern, or use the recipient’s favorite colors. Photos and decorating materials are additional supplies.
Arrange photo printing before craft day and check the opening against your print. A drawing or handwritten message can replace the photo. Keep raised embellishments away from the opening so the picture remains the focus.
10. Painted Wooden Coaster Gifts
12 unfinished round wooden coasters offer a useful gift-making project. Choose simple stripes, dots, or seasonal colors rather than designs that require long stretches of fine detail. The photo shows decorated examples; coloring supplies are separate.
Decide whether each person will make one coaster or a pair. A 12-pack makes six two-coaster gifts. If the pieces will be used with drinks, test a compatible protective finish and follow its directions; decoration alone does not make a surface waterproof.
11. Wooden Keepsake Gift Boxes
12 preassembled wooden boxes with metal hinges and latches let participants concentrate on decorating rather than construction. Each measures about 4¼ × 2¾ × 2¼ inches. Paint, markers, trim, and glue are sold separately.
Turn the box into a recipient’s memory box by adding a name and a handwritten note. Keep paint and adhesive clear of the hinges and latch, and let the finish dry before closing. The photo includes a decorated example.
12. Jingle Sticks for Christmas Music
12 unfinished wood jingle sticks with bells already attached combine decorating with a later music activity. Add a simple holiday color pattern to the handle, then use the dry instruments during songs or rhythm games. Decorating supplies are separate.
Keep paint away from the bells and reserve playing for after the finish dries. A wrapped handle is an optional variation, as shown in the photo. Offer a quiet decorating space for participants who prefer less sound.
13. Personalized Gift Tote Bags
This white tote measures about 10¾ × 10¾ inches and can become part of the gift itself. Add a name, a simple star, or a repeating seasonal pattern using materials suited to the bag. Paint, markers, trim, and glue are separate.
Slide a protective insert inside before decorating to keep color off the opposite side. Test your chosen medium first, allow it to dry, and follow its finishing instructions. Check the listing for quantities rather than assuming this item comes in a class pack.
14. Tissue Paper Lanterns
Materials for 12 lanterns include plastic jars, lids, tissue paper, hanging cord, and battery-operated tea lights. Glue is needed separately. Use the included colors for a mixed-color glow or add separately purchased tissue paper for a specific Christmas palette.
Allow the tissue-and-glue decoration to dry before placing the light inside. Use only the battery lighting intended for the craft, with adults managing battery units and keeping batteries secured. A church leader can pair the project with the program’s chosen light-themed Christmas discussion.
15. Color-Your-Own Bookmark Gifts
12 paper bookmarks in six assorted doodle designs make a practical gift project for readers. These are general patterns, so participants can choose Christmas colors, a recipient’s favorites, or a completely different palette. Coloring tools are sold separately.
Pair the finished bookmark with a book recommendation or a personal note. Set out markers or colored pencils and let early finishers decorate a paper gift sleeve. This is a useful lower-setup option when painting and assembly would overcomplicate the session.
Count Projects, Then Count the Extra Supplies
For 24 participants making one project each, two 12-project packs cover the base quantity. Six-piece nutcracker sets require four sets, while two-piece plaster packs require 12 packs. Add demonstration pieces and your chosen spare allowance separately. If each participant makes two items, double the project quantity before ordering.
- Before the session: Open one pack, check the contents, make a sample, and gather missing decorating supplies
- At the tables: Label projects, portion small components, and keep shared colors within reach
- For drying: Reserve labeled, unstacked spaces and allow the product-directed waiting time
- For take-home gifts: Check that everything is dry, cushion fragile pieces, and include any care instructions
If you are running several stations, mix one dry activity with one wet activity instead of filling every table with paint. Keep the selection manageable: two well-prepared choices often serve a group better than a miniature craft store with nobody available to explain the glue.
Build a Christmas Craft Session You Can Run Comfortably
Choose the project for the setting, then buy the complete supply plan. A snowman ornament may suit a short winter activity, a painted box may suit a gift workshop, and a lantern may suit a longer church or community session. The right choice gives participants room to create and staff a realistic setup and cleanup routine.
Browse the Christmas craft collection for seasonal designs, or explore more craft projects for adaptable handmade gifts.
About EconoCrafts
Since 1956, EconoCrafts has helped schools and after-school programs, summer camps, recreation centers, senior centers, nursing homes, hospitals, churches, VBS programs, libraries, and families run successful arts and crafts programs. We supply affordable art supplies, ready-to-use craft kits, and engaging activities that make planning and leading creative projects easier. Whether you’re organizing one classroom activity or an entire season of programming, EconoCrafts helps you spend less time preparing and more time creating.
