14 Old-Fashioned Christmas Decorations to Make This Year

ByMakyla Baines Updated on:

There’s a special kind of magic that seems to glitter around an old-fashioned Christmas, don’t you think? It’s a feeling woven from the warmth of candlelight, the scent of gingerbread baking in the oven, and the simple beauty of decorations made by hand.

In a world that often rushes, taking the time to slow down and create something beautiful for our homes feels more meaningful than ever. It’s about more than just aesthetics – it’s about crafting memories, starting traditions, and filling our spaces with love and intention.

This year, let’s bring back that heartwarming, nostalgic charm. Forget the perfectly curated, store-bought look and embrace the unique character of handmade treasures.

I’ve gathered 14 beautiful, old-fashioned Christmas decoration ideas for you to make. Each one is designed to add a touch of timeless elegance and simple joy to your festive season, helping you create a home that truly feels like Christmas.

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3 Tips for Creating an Old-Fashioned Christmas

  1. Embrace Natural Elements: Bring the outdoors in by foraging for pinecones, sprigs of holly, and fragrant pine branches. Dried orange slices, cinnamon stick bundles, and garlands of cranberries add beautiful, natural colour and scent that you just can’t get from a box.
  2. Focus on Handmade & Heartfelt: The charm of an old-fashioned Christmas lies in its personal touches. Set aside an afternoon for crafting, whether it’s sewing simple ornaments, stringing popcorn garlands, or making salt dough creations with your children. The memories made are just as precious as the decorations themselves.
  3. Engage All the Senses: A truly old-fashioned Christmas is an experience. Simmer a pot of water on the stove with cloves, cinnamon, and orange peel to fill the air with festive fragrance. Play classic Christmas carols, light beeswax candles for a soft glow, and have plenty of home-baked treats on hand.

14 Old-Fashioned Christmas Decorations To Make

1. Homemade Christmas Crackers

What a delightful tradition to bring to the Christmas table! Making your own crackers is surprisingly simple, and you can fill them with personalised little gifts and jokes your family will truly love. This classic red-and-white striped paper, tied with a simple cream ribbon, has such a timeless and elegant feel. They are the perfect finishing touch for a festive tablescape.

A flat lay of homemade red-and-white striped Christmas crackers tied with cream ribbon, next to an open vintage book and a Christmas plate on a wooden table.

2. Glowing Paper Window Stars

There is something so magical about a glowing star in a window on a dark evening. These beautiful paper stars, lit from within, cast the warmest and most inviting light, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. The tiny pin-prick patterns add such delicate detail. This is a beautiful tradition to bring a sense of warmth and welcome to your home during the festive season.

3. Nostalgic Paper Chains

Is there any craft more cheerfully nostalgic than a handmade paper chain? This is such a wonderful activity for a quiet afternoon, watching the chain grow longer with every colourful loop. Using different patterns of festive paper adds a great deal of charm and character, transforming a simple craft into a truly beautiful decoration. They are perfect for draping over doorways, windows, or right on the tree itself.

Colourful handmade paper chains made from festive scrapbook paper, arranged on a wooden table with a wooden rocking horse ornament and an open book.

4. Classic Paper Snowflakes

This is a timeless Christmas craft that brings back the sweetest childhood memories. A little bit of paper and a pair of scissors are all you need to create a magical winter flurry on your windows. I love how each one is completely unique, just like a real snowflake. They look especially beautiful at night when they catch the soft glow of twinkling fairy lights.

5. Embroidered Felt “Gingerbread” Ornaments

For the lovely look of gingerbread that will last year after year, these felt ornaments are just perfect. The simple white embroidery mimics piped icing beautifully, giving them such a charming and rustic character. These sweet little decorations, shaped like hearts and rocking horses, would look so cosy nestled amongst the green branches of the Christmas tree. What a beautiful sewing project for a quiet afternoon.

6. Fragrant Orange & Clove Pomanders

The scent of orange and clove is the very essence of Christmas. These beautiful pomanders are a delight for all the senses, filling your home with the most incredible festive fragrance as they slowly dry. It’s a classic, centuries-old tradition that feels wonderfully slow and intentional. Display them in a bowl as a centrepiece or hang them with a ribbon to let their scent drift through the air.

A decorative bowl filled with orange and clove pomanders, which are tied with festive red velvet ribbons.

7. Scented Gingerbread Garland

How utterly charming is this sweet gingerbread garland? This is such a lovely way to bring the sights and smells of Christmas baking into your decor. These can be made from a traditional gingerbread recipe or a simple cinnamon salt dough, providing a version that will last all season long. Strung on a festive ribbon, it’s perfect for hanging on a mantlepiece or a doorway.

A close-up of a handmade gingerbread man garland strung on a red and white ribbon, hanging against a dark wood surface.

8. Hand-Painted Ornaments

Add a personal touch to your tree this year by decorating your own ornaments. Giving plain baubles a fresh coat of matte paint creates a beautiful canvas for simple, delicate patterns. These tiny, hand-painted leaves are so wonderfully understated and elegant. This is a lovely way to create a custom set of ornaments that you will cherish for years to come.

A close-up of several cream and muted red Christmas baubles that have been hand-painted with simple, delicate leaf patterns.

9. Star Anise Place Setting Wreaths

What a truly elegant and fragrant way to welcome your guests to the Christmas table! These tiny star anise wreaths, placed on a simple linen napkin, are a beautiful touch that elevates any place setting. The natural spice adds a subtle, festive aroma and looks absolutely stunning against the crisp white. It’s a simple detail that makes a big impact and feels wonderfully luxurious.

A white table setting with a folded linen napkin, adorned with a small wreath made from star anise, next to a vintage dark spoon.

10. Popcorn & Cranberry Garlands

This is the epitome of old-fashioned Christmas charm! Stringing popcorn and cranberries is a classic tradition that brings smiles and a touch of natural beauty to any holiday decor. The bright red of the cranberries pops against the fluffy white popcorn, creating such a cheerful and festive garland. It’s a lovely activity to do with family, creating decorations that are truly heartfelt.

A close-up of handmade garlands made from strung popcorn and red cranberries, draped over fresh pine branches on a wooden surface.

11. Mini Rosemary Wreaths

These delightful mini rosemary wreaths are a beautiful and fragrant way to add a touch of fresh greenery to your home. Simple to make, they can be used in so many ways – as ornaments on a tree, tied to gifts, or even as charming place card holders for your Christmas dinner. The rustic twine and simple bow add to their natural, understated elegance, and the fresh scent is absolutely divine.

Several small, handmade wreaths crafted from fresh rosemary sprigs, tied with white ribbons, scattered on a rustic wooden surface.

12. Embroidered Fabric Advent Calendar

A fabric advent calendar filled with tiny pockets is a cherished heirloom that can be brought out year after year. The delicate embroidery on each pocket tells a story, making the countdown to Christmas feel truly special and personal. This is a wonderful project for those who love to sew and adds such a beautiful, tactile element to the festive season. Imagine the joy of discovering a new treat or message each day!

A close-up of a handmade fabric advent calendar with small numbered pockets, each featuring delicate embroidery like a heart, musical notes, and a Christmas tree.

13. Felt Banner

A felt “Merry Christmas” banner, like the one hanging over the fireplace, is a cherished decoration that can be brought out year after year. Making your own is a wonderful project for a quiet afternoon and adds a beautiful, personal touch to the festive season. Imagine the joy of seeing your handmade creation hanging on display throughout the holidays.

A cosy living room fireplace decorated with a lush green garland, a "Merry Christmas" banner, and knitted stockings, with a wooden chair and blanket nearby.

14. Dried Orange Garland

A dried orange garland looks beautiful strung across a window, mantel, or doorway. As the days grow shorter, the subtle, sweet scent of the dried oranges fills the room, making the home feel so cosy and festive. This is a simple project for those who enjoy old-fashioned skills and adds such a wonderful, natural element to your holiday décor.

A kitchen window decorated with a garland of dried orange slices, pine boughs, and string lights, looking out onto an open landscape.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to slow down and enjoy the simple, creative joys of the holiday season. Creating a home filled with handmade, old-fashioned decorations is a beautiful way to make the season feel extra special and uniquely yours.

Wishing you a wonderful and creative Christmas.

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Hi I'm Makyla. A homemaker from Christchurch, New Zealand who is passionate about simple living. I enjoy sharing wholesome recipes, tips for creating a cosy and functional home, and advice on embracing a more intentional, seasonally inspired lifestyle. If you're looking to slow down, savour life's moments, and create a home filled with purpose, you’ve come to the right place.

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