The Ultimate Guide to Painting DIY Christmas Ornaments
Welcome to your go-to guide for bringing a touch of handmade magic to your holiday decor! Whether you’re a crafting newbie or a seasoned pro, our DIY Christmas Ornament Bar is your canvas for creating something truly special. In this post, we’ll walk you through the steps to beautifully finish your ornaments, complete with vibrant paint color suggestions and inspiring photos to guide your creativity.
Get ready to turn those plain pieces into eye-catching Christmas ornaments that will shine on your holiday tree or brighten up your home. Let’s make this season the most memorable one yet with ornaments that reflect your unique style and crafting spirit!
What is a DIY Ornament Bar?
A DIY Ornament Bar is a festive crafting haven where you can create your own holiday decorations. Choose from a variety of unpainted, unadorned ornaments. It’s ideal for community events, holiday parties, or a craft night at home or with friends. This interactive station not only adds a personal touch to your decor but also provides a memorable experience, making it perfect for family fun or a creative outing with friends.
Where to find a DIY Ornament Bar
Many ornament bars are held locally. I’ve always wanted to have a local paint studio but since I don’t, I created a Virtual Ornament Bar where you can choose your favs and have them shipped to your door. I’ve got 14 designs to choose from.
This is the perfect way to have a girl’s craft night, to paint with your family or to make keepsake ornaments for everyone on your list. Shop my 2024 Ornament Bar here!
Choosing the Right Paint Colors for Your Ornaments
Let’s be honest – this is the most intimidating part for most crafters. When it comes to painting your DIY ornaments, the color possibilities are endless, and choosing the right palette can make all the difference! Dont’ worry – I’ve got you!
Start by thinking about your holiday decor theme—do you love the classic red, green, and gold? Or are you drawn to a winter wonderland look with soft blues, silvers, and whites? For a modern twist, try bold combinations like deep navy paired with metallic copper or rich emerald with soft blush tones.
If you’re feeling playful, consider a mix of bright, cheerful colors like turquoise, pink, and lime green—perfect for a more whimsical holiday vibe. Don’t be afraid to add some accents like metallic gold or silver to make your designs really shine. Neutral tones like white, cream, and light grey are also great options for a sophisticated look that fits with any decor and makes the other colors pop.
Remember, the best part of creating DIY ornaments is making them truly your own. Choose the colors that bring you joy and fit your holiday style. Whether you go traditional or trendy, your hand-painted ornaments will be a reflection of your unique spirit, adding warmth and personality to your festive home!
If you’re still unsure, I’ve created a list of suggested colors for all of the ornaments in our DIY ornament bar this season. You can use the exact colors or use these as a jumping off point.
But before we get into paint colors, I have two videos to help you create your ornaments. One shows you how to use the pop-out ornaments. The other shows how to add the jute hanger, bead and bow.
Ornament Video Tutorials
Ornaments and Paint Color Suggestions
In 2024, our ornament bar as 14 total ornaments to choose from. There is something for everyone on your list. I’ve got a list of all the colors I used below. If you’ve got a similar color in your stash go ahead and use it. Check out all the fun options and get your ornaments here!
You can check out all of my favorite supplies for making ornaments here – I’ve got a complete list for you!
Shop our DIY Ornament Bar Here!
Nutcracker Ornament
Suggested Paint Colors:
– FolkArt Classic Green
– FolkArt Christmas Red
– FolkArt Antique Gold
– FolkArt Vintage White
– Apple Barrel Sunkissed Peach
Snowman Truck Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Licorice Black
– FolkArt Vintage White
– FolkArt Cloudy Day
– FolkArt Steel Gray
– FolkArt Christmas Red
– FolkArt Sunset Canyon
– Master’s Touch Gitter Medium
Reindeer Truck Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Licorice Black
– FolkArt Vintage White
– FolkArt Burnt Umber
– FolkArt Steel Gray
– FolkArt Christmas Red
– FolkArt Metallic Gold
– FolkArt Conch Shell
– Craft Smart Golden Brown
Wisemen Still Seek Him Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Navy
– FolkArt Linen
– FolkArt Antique Gold
– FolkArt Decor Wax in Antique
Merry & Bright Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Christmas Red
– FolkArt Vintage White
– Master’s Touch Glitter Medium
Let It Snow Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Navy
– FolkArt Vintage White
– Master’s Touch Glitter Medium
Baby Jesus Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Navy
– FolkArt Cloudy Day
– FolkArt Decor Wax in Antique
– FolkArt Christmas Red
– Apple Barrel King’s Gold
World’s Best Teacher Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Mossy Meadow
– FolkArt Newport Blue
– FolkArt Decor Wax in Antique
Mail Truck Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Vintage White
– FolkArt Navy
– FolkArt Christmas Red
– FolkArt Metallic Silver
– FolkArt Licorice
Military Hero Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Vintage White
– FolkArt Navy
– FolkArt Christmas Red
Gingerbread Tag Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Christmas Red
– FolkArt Conch Shell
– FolkArt Cinnamon
– FolkArt Vintage White or a white fine-Tipped acrylic paint marker
– FolkArt Licorice or a black fine-tipped acrylic paint marker
Snowman Pallet Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Christmas Red
– FolkArt Vintage White
– FolkArt Classic Green
– FolkArt Vintage White or a white fine-Tipped acrylic paint marker
– FolkArt Licorice or a black fine-tipped acrylic paint marker
Camper Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Christmas Red
– FolkArt Vintage White
– FolkArt Classic Green
– FolkArt Licorice
– Folk Art Metallic Silver
– white fine-Tipped acrylic paint marker
Christmas Tree Pallet Ornament
suggested paint colors:
– FolkArt Mossy Meadow
– FolkArt Sky Mist
– Folk Art Vintage White
– Folk Art Christmas Red
– FolkArt Decor Wax in Antique
Aren’t these cute? You can curate your own set of DIY ornaments at our Ornament Bar.
There is so much joy to be had when creating DIY ornaments. Each year, when these are displayed on the tree, you or whomever you gift them to will smile and think of the love and kindness shared through this simple but powerful token from the heart.
If you love crafting and creating your own home decor, check out my Joyful Crafting Club. Each month, there’s a DIY project complete with paint colors, tutorials and wood cutouts shipped right to your door. Learn more about the Joyful Crafting Club here.
xoxo,
Amy