These curled ribbon ornaments are so festive and pretty, it’s hard to believe they’re so easy that you can make them in just minutes.
Because they’re made with curled ribbon, you can match them to any theme or decor, just like my Washi Tape Ornaments — simply choose the right colored ribbon. And since these ornaments don’t cost much to make (in terms of time or money), if your taste changes next year, you can make a whole new batch.
These also make perfect gifts when you want to do something for lots of people but don’t have a ton of time or money to spend on gifts for everyone. Create a variety for your neighbors, co-workers, friends from church, fellow club members, child’s classmates or team members. You can give them one of these DIY Fabric Mason Jar Lid Ornaments too.
Depending on the age of your kids and how good they are with scissors or hot glue guns, they can either help you make this entire project or just help with certain parts of it.
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Creative Ways to Customize Your Curled Ribbon Ornaments
- Different Colors of Ribbon: Choose different colors of ribbon to match your child’s school colors, your husband’s favorite sports team, the birthstones of each family member, the colors from your best friend’s wedding, etc.
- Add Glitter Inside: Before adding the curled ribbons, sprinkle some fine glitter inside the ornament for extra sparkle. Swirl it around to coat the interior.
- Use Different Materials Inside: Swap ribbon for shredded paper, tinsel, yarn, or strips of fabric for a unique look.
- Create Designs With a Theme: For a winter wonderland theme, use white, silver, and blue ribbons with faux snow and small snowflake charms; or for a candy cane theme, alternate red and white curling ribbons with small candy cane ornaments inside or glued on the outside. If someone you know loves the beach, use teal and sandy-colored ribbons with tiny seashells or sand inside.
- Include a Scent of the Season: Add a drop of essential oil like cinnamon, pine, or peppermint on the ribbons (don’t do this if the person you’re giving this to has any allergies).
Materials Needed
You don’t need very many supplies to make these ornaments and you probably already have most of them in your craft supplies or you can find them at your local Dollar Store. The amount you need of each supply depends on how many ornaments you’re going to make.
- Clear glass or plastic ball ornaments: You can use whatever material you prefer, however if you have small kids, I would recommend the plastic ones in case they get dropped.
- Curling ribbon: Christmas colors or any other colors are fine — it depends on what theme you want for your ornaments.
- Pre-curled bows: This can be placed on the stem of the ornament or you can just tie some curling ribbon on it if you don’t want to use a bow.
- Hot glue gun: If you’re adding embellishments to the outside of the ornament, use this to attach them. You can also use it to help secure the ribbon/bow on top of the ornament.
- Embellishments: This is optional, but you can use these for customizing your ornaments.
How to Make These Easy Curled Ribbon Ornaments
These ornaments are so easy to make. After you’ve gathered your supplies, you’ll have an ornament made in just about 10 minutes (the time will vary based on how elaborate you make your design).
Step 1: Prepare the Ornament
First, carefully remove the lid from the ornament.
Step 2: Curl the Ribbon
If you’re using curling ribbon, use scissors to curl the ribbon. If you have older kids, they can help with this.
Step 3: Fill the Ornament
Then, use the eraser-end of a pencil to push the curled ribbon into the ornament. Continue adding ribbon until the ornament is filled.
Your kids can help with this step.
Step 4: Add Embellishments (Optional)
If you want to add embellishments, use a glue gun to attach them to the ornament. Your older ones can help with the glue and your younger kids can help add the embellishments (with instructions to not touch the glue).
Step 5: Add Ribbon to the Stem
You can simply tie some extra ribbon around the stem of the ornament, but a little drop of glue will help secure it for years to come.
If you have pre-curled bows, you can attach that to the stem.
Ideas for Leftover Craft Supplies
Now that you’re done making the ornaments, you might have some leftover craft supplies. So, if you’re still in the crafting mood, here are some other things you can make using these same supplies.
Clear Glass or Plastic Ball Ornaments
You can use any leftover ornaments to make place cards. There’s a video of how to do that if you scroll down a little bit in this post about creative uses for ornaments.
Create tiny dioramas inside clear ornaments. Add faux snow, small figurines (e.g., mini trees, snowmen), and glitter for a winter theme and add these as decorations or as a centerpiece at the table.
Curling Ribbon or Pre-Curled Bows
The ribbon can be used to tie up the bags used in this New Year countdown activity for kids. It can also be used to attach the cards to the sunglasses for this cute non-candy Valentine treat.
Attach lengths of curling ribbon to a wooden dowel or straw and secure with a pre-curled bow at the top and embellishments for a fun, festive wand for kids or as party decor.
Of course, you can use the ribbon and bows to tie up and decorate presents.
Embellishments
Any leftover embellishments can be used on these washi tape ornaments or tied on gifts for a special touch.
Glue embellishments to plain hair clips, headbands, or scrunchies for festive hair accessories.
You can also attach them to handmade greeting cards for added dimension.
Additional Christmas Fun
Keep the Christmas fun going strong for your family with some of these other fun printables, activities and treats.
- Christmas Would You Rather Questions – Excited to play a fun and insightful game this coming holiday? Check out our list of Christmas would you rather questions for all ages here!
- Christmas Playdough Mats – Download these free printable Christmas Playdough Mats for fun, festive learning! Perfect for keeping kids engaged while enhancing fine motor skills this holiday season.
- 30 Days of Family Christmas Activities – This 30 Days of Family Christmas Activities printable will help keep you on track to have the best holiday season making memories with your family.
- Christmas Dessert Lasagna – This Christmas Dessert Lasagna is made with delicious layers of red velvet brownies, and vanilla pudding, and topped with tangy peppermint.
- Grinch Jello Snack Cup – This Grinch Jello Cup is such a cute idea! What an easy way to transform this snack cup.
- Eggnog Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe – These eggnog snickerdoodles are perfect for your Christmas cookie jar or cookie exchange! Chewy, delicious, and so easy to make!