27 Cardboard Christmas Decorations DIY
As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of creativity and sustainability can merge beautifully in your home decor.
Cardboard, a humble and often overlooked material, hides a world of possibilities that can transform your festive decorations.
In this article, we’ll explore 27 unique and delightful DIY cardboard Christmas decorations that are not only easy on the wallet but also kind on the planet.
Cardboard Christmas Decorations DIY
1. Santa Claus Greeting
Craft a festive mood with a playful Santa Claus cutout and complementary cardboard decorations like candy canes and stars.
Using simple cardboard pieces, paint, and a few embellishments, you can create a charming holiday display that welcomes guests with a warm “Season’s Greetings”.
This easy-to-make set not only adds a personal touch to your decor but also recycles materials for an eco-friendly celebration.
2. Holiday Mailbox Ornament
Craft this charming holiday mailbox to hold your season’s greetings or tiny gifts.
Using cardboard to form the structure and painted details to simulate wood and metal elements, this decoration adds a playful yet rustic touch to your tree.
Place small gifts or cards inside to surprise your family each day leading up to Christmas.
It’s a delightful way to bring the magic of holiday giving into your home decor.
3. Festive Cardboard Tree
Create a full-sized cardboard Christmas tree that’s perfect for small spaces or as an additional festive element in your home.
This tree features multiple layers for hanging ornaments and a striking star topper.
Adding a variety of cut-out shapes gives it a playful look, while the natural brown of the cardboard brings a rustic charm.
It’s a fantastic way to celebrate while being mindful of environmental impact and storage needs.
4. Personalized Stocking Ornament
Create personalized stockings for each family member using cut cardboard, a simple and heartfelt addition to your Christmas tree.
Add names and designs with paint or markers, turning each piece into a unique keepsake.
These ornaments can celebrate milestones like a baby’s first Christmas or act as gift tags for larger presents.
It’s a wonderful way to make the holiday season feel special for everyone involved.
5. Rustic Cardboard Ornaments
Turn strips of cardboard into stunning holiday decorations by folding them into festive shapes like trees and stars.
Accent them with bright ribbons to hang on your Christmas tree or around your home.
These eco-friendly ornaments bring a natural, minimalist charm to your holiday decor.
Crafting these allows you to upcycle materials while creating memorable, stylish adornments.
6. Sentimental Keepsake Ornament
Craft a meaningful keepsake ornament using a simple cardboard backing and heartfelt message.
This decoration not only adds a personal touch to your tree but also serves as a lovely reminder of loved ones.
Incorporating elements like a painted cardboard bird enhances its charm, making it a perfect gift for remembering special moments or people during the holidays.
It’s a wonderful way to bring a personalized and thoughtful element to your festive decorations.
7. Whimsical Cardboard Display
This charming display transforms cardboard into a festive centerpiece featuring a multi-tiered tree and friendly snowman, adorned with a variety of hanging ornaments.
Simple to create and delightful to behold, this setup uses interlocking pieces to construct a sturdy and attractive holiday decor item.
Adding different shapes and sizes of ornaments gives a playful and personalized touch.
8. Starry Cardboard Tree
Celebrate the season with a vibrant starry cardboard tree, adorned with colorful stars that bring a playful sparkle to your holiday decor.
This DIY project is perfect for involving kids, as they can help paint and decorate the tree with glitter and multi-colored cutouts.
Not only is it a fun activity, but it also creates a bright and joyful centerpiece that embodies the festive spirit, making it a standout addition to any room.
9. Buttoned-Up Tree Decor
This cardboard tree decor is creatively adorned with buttons to simulate festive ornaments.
By gluing buttons of various sizes onto a simple tree cutout, you can create a visually engaging and tactile ornament.
It’s a fun and easy project that recycles materials and brings a homemade touch to your Christmas decor.
Such a design not only enhances the aesthetic but also adds a touch of whimsy to your holiday gatherings.
10. Pom-Pom Festive Tree
Brighten your holiday display with this vibrant pom-pom tree, crafted from painted cardboard and adorned with colorful pom-poms and glitter stars.
This easy DIY project infuses traditional Christmas tree designs with a fun, tactile twist.
Adding soft, fluffy pom-poms provides a playful touch that is sure to catch the eye and charm visitors, making it a delightful addition to any festive setting.
11. Striped Tree Elegance
This striking cardboard tree makes a stylish statement with its bold red and white stripes, offering a modern twist on traditional holiday decor.
This tree can be easily assembled and customized with different colors to match any theme.
The clean lines and sharp contrast make it an eye-catching piece, ideal for contemporary spaces or as a minimalist but festive tabletop display.
This DIY proves that sometimes, less truly is more when it comes to Christmas elegance.
12. Lace-Trimmed Tree
This elegant cardboard Christmas tree is a vision of winter charm, adorned with delicate lace trimmings that add a touch of softness and sophistication.
The green painted layers give it a classic look, while the white lace contrasts beautifully, creating a festive yet refined appearance.
This tree blends traditional holiday themes with a unique, handcrafted aesthetic, bringing warmth and style to your seasonal decor.
13. Colorful Crafted Forest
Create a cheerful cardboard forest with trees and a playful snowman, decorated with vibrant circles of color.
This project is perfect for a family crafting day, as kids can help cut and decorate each piece.
These decorations not only add a fun pop of color to your holiday setup but also provide a fantastic way to reuse materials creatively.
The simple yet joyful designs make it an excellent choice for those looking to infuse their home with handmade charm this Christmas season.
14. Enchanted Forest Decor
Craft a magical woodland scene with these beautifully painted cardboard trees, complete with charming windows and whimsical doors.
Adding small figurines like gnomes or fairies creates a lively and enchanting display.
This DIY decoration is perfect for sparking imagination in children and adults alike, bringing a piece of a fairy tale right into your living room.
The vibrant patterns and colors on the trees make them a festive and eye-catching addition.
15. Jolly Santa Cutout
This vibrant Santa cutout brings classic Christmas cheer to any room with its bright design.
It’s both eco-friendly and delightful, perfect for adding a festive touch to your holiday decor.
Standing alongside other cardboard trees, this Santa makes an excellent indoor decoration or a welcoming figure near your entrance.
It’s a simple, budget-friendly project that brings big smiles during the holiday season.
16. Glimmering Gem Trees
These radiant cardboard trees are adorned with colorful gems that catch and reflect light, creating a vibrant and festive display.
The green paint mimics the traditional Christmas tree color, while the added sparkle of gems brings a modern twist to your holiday decor.
These trees are perfect for anyone looking to add some brightness and cheer to their seasonal decorations, providing a delightful visual appeal that lights up any corner of your home.
17. Festive Cardboard Ensemble
This charming scene features a full cardboard ensemble with Santa, trees, and ornaments, creating a cohesive holiday display.
The simplicity of cardboard with subtle details like folds and cutouts makes each figure stand out.
These decorations are perfect for adding a homemade touch to your seasonal decor.
Crafting these items can be a fun family activity, bringing joy and creativity into your home while preparing for the festive season.
18. Chic Folded Trees
These elegant folded trees elevate cardboard into high-class holiday decor with their intricate designs and vibrant colors.
The combination of simple folds and unique embellishments like glass baubles creates a sophisticated visual appeal.
These trees can be customized in various shades to match any decor style, offering a modern twist on traditional Christmas trees.
19. Oversized Santa Display
This oversized Santa decoration pairs a jolly cardboard Santa with a striking, flame-colored tree, making a bold and playful statement.
The large scale of this setup is perfect for filling empty spaces or making a festive impact at a holiday event.
Using simple shapes and vibrant colors, this DIY project provides a fun photo backdrop or a welcoming entrance piece.
Adding extra details like a cardboard gift box enhances the holiday spirit even further.
20. Christmas Barn Scene
A whimsical cardboard barn decorated with festive wreaths, bows, and fairy lights for a scene.
Adding a small lit tree inside the barn brings a magical glow, while painted details like windows and rustic doors enhance the barn’s charm.
This project transforms simple cardboard into a stunning holiday display, perfect for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home.
The addition of faux snow completes the enchanted winter wonderland look.
21. Candy Cane Wonderland
A colorful Christmas with a cardboard tree, candy canes, holly, and a cheerful wreath.
Using green and red construction paper adds a vibrant, festive feel to your creations.
The 3D tree design gives your display depth, while the star topper and candy canes provide a playful holiday touch.
This project is simple yet effective, perfect for adding a splash of holiday cheer to your shelves or mantels this season.
22. Frosted Cardboard Tree
Create a stunning frosted effect using a cardboard cutout tree decorated with shimmering tinsel and bold, colorful ornaments.
The golden star topper adds an extra sparkle, while metallic baubles and string lights bring holiday magic.
Using light pastel paint on the cardboard gives a frosted look.
Add white fabric around the base to resemble snow, and you’ll have an eye-catching centerpiece that blends well with a festive living room scene.
23. Rustic Cardboard Setup
Use a wooden pallet base to elevate your cardboard Christmas decorations.
A layered green cardboard tree stands out in the center, adorned with small red beads.
Surround it with a cardboard star outlined in wooden beads for a charming effect.
Add a buffalo plaid cloth for a rustic touch.
Placing miniature cardboard stockings and gift boxes around enhances the scene.
Using wood textures creates a warm, holiday-inspired setup.
24. Hanging Twig Tree
Gather natural twigs and arrange them in a triangular shape against a wall to resemble a Christmas tree.
Attach string lights along the branches for a warm glow.
Use handmade cardboard ornaments and angels in geometric shapes to add a unique touch.
Decorations like painted pinecones or colorful paper diamonds elevate the visual interest.
Wrapping gift boxes in bright paper and placing them underneath completes the holiday look.
25. Cardboard Cutouts
Create simple yet charming cardboard cutouts by tracing festive shapes like stars, trees, and mittens onto sturdy cardboard sheets.
Use a craft knife for precision and sand down edges if necessary.
If you paint these cutouts or use them as is, you get versatile decorations.
Adding a hole punch at the top lets you thread some twine, and just like that, you have rustic and eco-friendly ornaments for your Christmas tree.
26. Twine-Wrapped Tree
Make a twine-wrapped tree by cutting a cardboard triangle and wrapping it with natural twine until fully covered. Glue the twine in place to prevent unraveling.
Attach festive elements like red bows, bells, or mini pinecones for a vibrant touch.
Adding a small wooden base provides stability and rustic appeal.
Placing fairy lights around it will transform your cozy tree into a charming holiday centerpiece.
27. Festive Cardboard Scene
A Santa figure, reindeer, and tree using colored cardboard and simple folding techniques.
Create Santa with bold red, a fluffy white beard, and a cute hat.
Add a reindeer with striking antlers for a fun touch.
Use a glue gun to assemble everything securely.
Enhance your setup with a cardboard snowman or Christmas star to make your holiday display engaging and perfect for tabletop decor.
Sophia, founder of ‘The Crafty Hacks,’ transforms homes with charm and creativity.
From cozy bedrooms to lively living rooms, her website guides readers in crafting spaces that aren’t just aesthetically pleasing but are true sanctuaries for the soul.
Join her in turning everyday homes into dream spaces.
