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15 DIY Heirloom Christmas Ornaments

Nothing feels more personal than handmade Christmas ornaments — especially ones that look like antiques. This year, the old-money trend meets holiday nostalgia through air-dry clay cameos — think gilded edges, velvet ribbons, and timeless keepsakes you can craft in an afternoon.

Whether you’re styling a Ralph Lauren–inspired tree or creating heirloom gifts for loved ones, these 15 designs blend vintage sophistication with easy DIY magic.

Materials You’ll Need

• Air-dry clay (white or off-white)

• Rolling pin or smooth bottle

• Silicone cameo molds or oval cutters

• Skewer or straw (for hanger hole)

• Fine sandpaper

• Metallic acrylic paints (gold, silver, bronze, pewter)

• Gold/silver leaf or metallic foil

• Clear varnish or Mod Podge

• Assorted ribbons (tartan, velvet, grosgrain)

• Hot-glue gun

• Dried flowers, greenery, or pressed lace

• Flat-back pearls, rhinestones, or charms

• Decoupage medium + vintage paper (for transfers)

• Optional: resin topcoat for photo cameos

How to Make the Base Cameo Ornament

1. Roll out air-dry clay about ¼-inch thick.

2. Cut into oval or circle shapes, or press clay into a silicone cameo mold.

3. Use a skewer to make a small hole at the top for hanging.

4. Let dry 24–48 hours.

5. Lightly sand edges for a smooth, porcelain-like finish.

6. Paint, embellish, and seal with clear varnish.

Once your base is ready, explore these 15 heirloom variations.

1. Antique Gold Leaf Cameo

How to make:
Paint your clay medallion in ivory, then brush gold leaf adhesive along the edges. Press small pieces of gold leaf and seal with varnish. Add a burgundy velvet ribbon for hanging.

Shop the Look:

• Air-dry clay set

• Gold leaf sheets

• Velvet ribbon pack

• Mini cameo mold – baroque style

2. Pewter & Ivory Monogram

How to make:
Use a letter stencil or clay stamp to imprint an initial. Paint the ornament in ivory and dry-brush pewter paint over raised areas. Finish with a satin ivory bow.

Shop the Look:

• Alphabet clay stamps

• Metallic pewter paint

• Ivory satin ribbon set

3. Tartan Ribbon Accent

How to make:
Paint ornament in matte cream, lightly distress the edges with gold dry-brush, and tie with tartan-patterned ribbon.

Shop the Look:

• Ralph Lauren-style tartan ribbon

• Gold dry-brush paint set

• Antique matte acrylics

4. Velvet Tassel Ornament

How to make:
Attach a small tassel to the bottom hole and thread a velvet ribbon through the top. Paint in champagne gold with pearl edging.

Shop the Look:

• Velvet ribbon bundle – green, burgundy, navy

• Mini tassel set gold or cream

• Flat-back pearl kit

Trusted by many

5. Wax-Seal Style Medallion

How to make:
Form a round ornament and press a wax seal stamp or metal button in the center. Paint the relief in old-gold tones and tie with jute twine.

Shop the Look:

• Wax seal stamp kit

• Antique gold acrylic paint

• Natural jute twine

Trusted by many

6. Pressed Greenery Cameo

How to make:
Press a fern or eucalyptus leaf gently into wet clay. After drying, paint around it in soft ivory and seal with clear varnish.

Shop the Look:

• Pressed fern and eucalyptus kit

• Clear gloss varnish

• Mini craft roller

Trusted by many

7. Dried Flower Inlay

How to make:
Press small dried flowers or petals into clay surface before drying. Once dry, brush lightly with pearl paint and seal.

Shop the Look:

• Pressed flower pack – neutral & pink tones

• Mother-of-pearl acrylic paint

• Small craft brush set

Trusted by many

8. Citrus & Spice Ornament

How to make:
Use thin dried orange slices pressed into clay or create a relief pattern using cloves. Paint edges bronze and tie with twine.

Shop the Look:

• Dried orange slices pack

• Whole clove spice set

• Bronze metallic paint

Trusted by many

9. Pinecone & Evergreen Relief

How to make:
Press pine needles or a pinecone edge into the clay before drying. Paint the relief metallic green, edges gold.

Shop the Look:

• Mini pinecones for crafts

• Metallic green and gold acrylics

Trusted by many

10. Toile-Transfer Cameo

How to make:
Print a vintage toile pattern and decoupage it onto the clay surface using Mod Podge. Edge with gold foil.

Shop the Look:

• Printable vintage toile papers

• Decoupage medium Mod Podge

• Gold foil sheets

Trusted by many

11. Pearl & Lace Accent

How to make:
Press lace gently into wet clay to create texture. Paint in antique white, add pearls around the perimeter.

Shop the Look:

• Lace trim assortment

• Flat pearl craft kit

• Antique white paint set

Trusted by many

12. Mini Photo-Cameo

How to make:
Print small portraits on photo paper, cut to fit the center, and seal with resin or Mod Podge. Add metallic frame paint.

Shop the Look:

• Printable photo paper pack

• Resin gloss coat kit

Trusted by many

13. Frosted Filigree

How to make:
Paint in matte white, then lightly dry-brush with champagne metallic and add a whisper of fine glitter.

Shop the Look:

• Champagne metallic paint

• Fine snow-glitter

• Matte white acrylic base coat

Trusted by many

14. Mixed-Metal Ombre

How to make:
Blend gold, bronze, and silver paints across the surface in gradient strokes. Buff with soft cloth for luster.

Shop the Look:

• Mixed metallic paint trio

• Soft polishing cloths

• Neutral grosgrain ribbon

Trusted by many

15. Minimalist Matte Monotone

How to make:
Paint the ornament in a single solid tone — matte black, ivory, or sage — and tie with a matching grosgrain ribbon.

Shop the Look:

• Matte finish paint set – black, ivory, sage

• Grosgrain ribbon bundle

• Minimalist ornament hooks

Trusted by many

Create a Legacy on Your Tree

Each ornament tells a story — your story. Whether you craft them for your own tree or gift them as keepsakes, these air-dry clay cameos combine timeless design with handmade warmth.

Embrace the old-money aesthetic this Christmas season, and fill your home with heirloom pieces that future generations will cherish.

FAQ:

Q: What’s the easiest wrapping idea for beginners?
A: Start with kraft paper and a simple ribbon — it’s foolproof and elegant every time.

Q: How can I make my wrapping look expensive on a budget?
A: Layer natural textures like paper + twine + greenery. It’s all about thoughtful details, not the price tag.

Q: Can I wrap gifts without using tape?
A: Yes! Try fabric wraps or folding techniques with string to secure — both eco and aesthetic.

Hi! I’m Barbora, the voice and heart behind The Soul Blogger. I’m a creative spirit who finds joy in home projects, cozy spaces, soulful travel, and simple-yet-beautiful living. I started this blog as a personal outlet—a place to share my inspirations, explore fresh ideas, and connect with others who value both beauty and meaning in everyday life.

I live surrounded by the rhythms of family life and find peace in moments of creativity, whether I’m crafting a DIY project, styling a comforting corner of my home, or discovering a hidden café in a far-off city. Travel—especially journeys that blend culture, food, and stunning scenery—fuels my sense of wonder and storytelling.

This blog reflects my world—warm, intentional, and full of heart. Whether you’re here for a new recipe, a mindful lifestyle tip, or inspiration for your next adventure, I hope you leave feeling inspired to create a life that feels like home to you.