Fill clear plastic ornaments with toys, art supplies, mementos, and more creative ideas for easy and thoughtful handmade Christmas ornaments.
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I love handmade ornaments. I also love old ornaments.
They’re kind of like time capsules. All the ones my mom bought or I made as a kid have my name and the date written on them somewhere in her tiny-but-neat handwriting. Every Christmas, we would get out the huge box of ornaments (I’m the oldest of four) and decorate the tree.
We’d talk about where some of them came from, or what was going on the year we got them. I have one that’s dated 1994 and it’s a mouse with an ink bottle because I had decided I was going to be a writer.
I’ve still got most of my old ones from when I was a kid and so does my husband. We’ve made the same tradition with our own kids, giving them special ornaments or making a few together each year. I write their names and the date so we can remember it.
Tips for fillable ornaments
If you need a simple handmade ornament idea that will be fun for kids and adults of all ages, pick up a box of those clear plastic balls and fill them with something.
There are two styles of clear plastic ornaments: the kind that is only open at the top and the kind that opens in half. You’ll need the second style if you’re adding something that’s bigger than the half-inch opening on the first style.
Be sure to add a piece of paper with the ornament maker’s name and the date. You can place it inside the ornament with the other items or tie it to the top with a ribbon.
Ideas for filling clear plastic ornaments
1. Sheet music cut into strips for a musician or beginning band student
2. Sand and shells from a family trip to the beach
3. Beads, buttons, ribbon, and other small findings for someone who sews or crafts
4. LEGO pieces for a LEGO lover
5. Yarn for someone who loves to knit or crochet
6. Leaves, acorns, pebbles, or other findings from a nature walk (Be sure to wash and thoroughly dry them.)
7. A tiny favorite toy, such as an army man, Hotwheels car, Pokemon, or any of those tiny collectible figures
8. Cinnamon sticks, cloves, and dried oranges for “scents of the season”
9. Wine corks from your favorite drink
10. Rubber bands, paperclips, erasers, washi tape, etc. for an office theme
11. Dried lavender, rose petals, or something that smells nice
12. Wood shavings, bark, or other scrap wood leftover from a DIY project
13. Leftover rainbow loom bands that your child no longer uses
14. Cut up strips from a favorite tee or sweater that’s too worn out to wear
15. Mini servings of tea, coffee, candy, or other tiny wrapped food
16. A tiny printed and trimmed photo
17. Dried flowers from the bouquet for a newlywed
18. The hospital hat and bracelet for a newborn; a tiny favorite stuffed animal
19. A copy of the key to your first home
20. Tickets to a movie or show you saw this year
21. Deflated balloons, confetti, or paper from a party
22. Wooden blocks with your child’s initials
23. Clippings of your favorite comic strip
24. A clipping from your tree if you do a live Christmas tree
25. Favorite memories from the year written on slips of paper
26. Glitter! or any extra craft supplies
27. Folded paper origami creations
28. Special wrapping paper from a birthday or Christmas
29. A new puppy’s pawprint on a piece of cardstock
30. A letter to yourself to open on a future date
What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
Love these ideas, thanks.
Thanks, Pam! Happy holidays!
Yes!! I filled some with little card and trees, then added fine “snow” glitter. But– how do I seal the top so the glitter doesn’t leak in storage / shipment to family?
If you want the top permanently sealed, you could run a bit of hot glue around the seam before closing. For something temporary, plastic wrap might work. I would wrap it really snug around the whole ornament and use a couple of layers.
Do you glue these ornaments that come open. 1/2 and 1/2 for larger items?
I’m filling with dried flowers from my Gpa’s funeral and don’t want them to open and lose the flowers.
You don’t have to, but for a keepsake, I would go ahead and glue it so you’re sure it stays sealed. I would use just a dab of superglue.
I am so excited for Christmas! These ideas are so beautiful! I will totally be using this post as inspo. We are having our kitchen cabinets painted this month so I think we will have to wait for that project to be finished before we get our Christmas decorations out but this is making me so excited to get our tree up!
That sounds lovely! I’d love to know what ornaments you end up making!