Christmas Ornament Painting Ideas for Families to Enjoy Together

When you think about holiday crafting, you may have one idea of what that is. You may think about sitting in a circle with some other women, chatting and making paper mache projects. But that is not the only way to make the season special.

In fact, there are so many different ways to enjoy the holidays than you may even realize. That is why we want to share our favorite Christmas ornament painting ideas with you this year. Let’s get painting and have some family fun!

Traditional Red and Green Ornaments

Let’s start with the classics. Red and green are the iconic colors of Christmas, and using them for your ornaments brings a touch of tradition to your holiday decor.

Gather plain glass or plastic ornaments and paint them with red and green stripes, polka dots, or even simple holiday-themed patterns like candy canes and holly leaves. These timeless designs will add a comforting and familiar feel to your Christmas tree, reminding everyone of the warmth of the season.

Personalized Family Ornaments

Create a special keepsake this Christmas by painting ornaments that represent each family member. Take plain, round ornaments and let your creativity run wild. Paint their names, initials, or even tiny portraits on the ornaments.

You can also add personal touches that reflect their hobbies or interests, making each ornament a unique reflection of your loved ones. These personalized ornament painting ideas will not only adorn your tree but also serve as a beautiful reminder of your family’s unity during the holiday season.

Snowman Ornaments

Snowmen are a beloved symbol of winter and the holiday season. Create adorable snowman ornaments by painting round ornaments with a white base. Then, add the classic snowman features: a top hat, a carrot nose, coal eyes and mouth, and a cute scarf.

These little snowmen will not only make your tree look charming but will also bring a smile to everyone’s face, just like a real snowman on a snowy day.

Gingerbread Ornaments

The smell of gingerbread is one of the most delightful scents of the holiday season. This year, bring the joy of gingerbread to your Christmas tree by painting gingerbread-themed ornaments.

Start with brown ornaments as your base and then add white icing designs. Get creative with cute faces, buttons, and even colorful “gumdrop” decorations. These ornaments will look so delicious that you might be tempted to take a bite!

Nativity Scene Ornaments

Christmas is, above all, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Capture the true meaning of Christmas by painting ornaments that depict the Nativity scene.

Use small wooden or ceramic ornaments as your canvas and paint Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and the animals in the stable. These ornaments will add a beautiful spiritual touch to your holiday decor and serve as a visual reminder of the holiday’s sacred significance.

Starry Night Ornaments

Create a celestial wonderland on your tree with starry night ornaments. Paint dark blue or black backgrounds on your ornaments and use metallic paint to add shimmering stars and constellations. These ornaments will add a touch of magic and wonder to your holiday decorations, evoking the feeling of a clear, starry winter night.

Elf Hats and Shoe Ornaments

Give your Christmas tree a whimsical and fantastical touch by painting ornaments that resemble elf hats and shoes. Use red and green as the primary colors and add bells, stripes, and even a jingle bell on the tip of the hat. These ornaments will make your tree look like it’s straight out of Santa’s workshop, and they are sure to delight children and adults alike.

Santa Claus Ornaments

Santa Claus is the jolly face of Christmas, and painting Santa Claus ornaments can be a delightful family project. Start with round ornaments and paint them with Santa’s iconic red suit and white beard.

Add details like his belt, boots, and, of course, his rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes. You can even paint tiny gifts or a sleigh on the ornament. These Santa Claus ornaments will bring the spirit of gift-giving and joy to your tree.

Reindeer Ornaments

Santa’s reindeer are an essential part of the Christmas story. Create a festive atmosphere by painting reindeer ornaments with brown bodies, red noses, and antlers.

To make them extra special, add names to each reindeer to represent family members. These ornaments will not only celebrate the holiday spirit but also remind you of the magic and wonder of Santa’s sleigh ride on Christmas Eve.

Winter Wonderland Ornaments

Capture the serene beauty of a winter wonderland with ornaments that depict snowy scenes. Paint snowy trees, snow-covered cabins, and serene landscapes on round ornaments. These ornaments will transport you and your family to a peaceful winter retreat, where the world is quiet and serene under a blanket of snow.

Peppermint Swirl Ornaments

Peppermint candies are a favorite treat during the holiday season, and you can incorporate their classic red and white swirl pattern into your ornament crafts. Paint round ornaments with a white base and then carefully add red swirls to mimic the look of peppermint candies. These ornaments will not only add a pop of color to your tree but also remind everyone of the sweet indulgences of the season.

Christmas Movie Ornaments

Christmas movies hold a special place in our hearts during the holiday season. Choose your family’s favorite Christmas movies and create ornaments inspired by them.

For example, you can paint an ornament with Buddy the Elf’s smiling face from “Elf” or a leg lamp from “A Christmas Story.” These movie-inspired ornaments will bring a touch of cinematic magic to your tree and serve as a conversation starter about your favorite holiday films.

Ugly Sweater Ornaments

Ugly sweater parties have become a popular holiday trend in recent years, so why not bring that fun and quirky spirit to your Christmas tree?

Paint ornaments with colorful and mismatched sweater patterns, complete with faux stitching and a few pom-poms. These custom shaped Christmas ornaments will add a playful and humorous touch to your holiday decorations and might even inspire an ugly sweater contest at your next family gathering.