Imagine a Christmas tree twinkling with lights, showcasing elegant, glass-like ornaments that catch every shimmer. Now imagine you made those ornaments for pennies and sold them for a massive profit. That is the magic of creating DIY Christmas gifts to sell for profit.
As a busy mom of three, I know the holiday chaos well. Between chasing my two boys and helping my daughter with her crafts, I don’t have time for complicated projects. That is why I love this Side hustle for moms. It fits perfectly into nap times and brings in extra cash for presents.
You might wonder, ” How do I price my handmade christmas gifts? ” so I actually make money? The secret isn’t making complex items; it is making simple items look expensive with the right styling. Today, I will teach you my favorite Easy cricut christmas projects to sell: the Personalized Velvet & Acrylic Ornament.
📸 [Image-1: A stunning, high-resolution photo of three clear acrylic ornaments hanging on a pine branch. They feature gold calligraphy names and are tied with luxurious rust and moss-green velvet ribbons. The background is blurred with warm white fairy lights.]
📝 Key Mechanics
Before we start styling, here is the hardware you need to make sure everything stays put and looks professional.
Key Mechanics: 3-inch Clear Acrylic Blanks, Permanent Vinyl (White or Gold), 3/8 inch Velvet Ribbon, SVG Font files, Cardstock Backing Cards.
Supplies & Tools List
Base Decor & Materials:
- Clear Acrylic Ornament Blanks: Round or Hexagon shape (3-inch is standard).
- Permanent Vinyl: Matte gold, white, or black.
- Velvet Ribbon: 3/8 inch width in jewel tones (emerald, burgundy, rust).
- Rubbing Alcohol: For cleaning the surface.
Tools & Hardware:
- Cricut Machine: (Maker, Explore, or Joy).
- Standard Grip Mat: Green mat.
- Weeding Tools: For removing excess vinyl.
- Fabric Scissors: Sharp shears cut ribbon cleanest.
- Lighter: To seal ribbon edges.
Step 1: Prep Your “Canvas” (The Critical Step)
Most beginners skip this, but you must not. Fingerprints are the enemy of vinyl adhesion. Take a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol and wipe down every single acrylic blank.
Let them air dry completely on a clean towel. This ensures your Handmade holiday decor lasts for years without peeling. While they dry, set up your design space.
Step 2: Design and Cut in Batches
Time is money, so we are using Batch working crafts methods. Open your design software and type out your list of names using a modern, calligraphy-style font.
📸 [Image-2: A screenshot of the design software showing multiple names nesting close together to save vinyl material.]
Resize your names to fit within a 2.5-inch width (for a 3-inch disc). Send the project to cut. Cut all your names at once on a single sheet of vinyl.
Step 3: Weeding and Transfer
Weed out the negative vinyl around the letters. Do this for the entire sheet before cutting the names apart. This saves you from picking up and putting down your tools constantly.
Apply transfer tape to the entire sheet of names. Cut the names apart individually with scissors. Now you have a stack of ready-to-apply decals.
Step 4: Application and the “Floating” Effect
Peel the backing off a name decal. Center it on your clean acrylic blank.
📸 [Image-3: A close-up action shot of hands smoothing the vinyl decal onto the clear acrylic disc using a scraper tool.]
Burnish (rub) the vinyl firmly from the center outward to remove bubbles. Peel back the transfer tape slowly at a 45-degree angle. The clear background makes the text look like it is floating.
Step 5: The Velvet Touch (The Value Multiplier)
This specific step transforms a cheap craft into Personalized gift ideas that sell for top dollar. Cut a 10-inch length of velvet ribbon.
Thread it through the hole at the top of the ornament. Tie a simple, tight knot at the top to create the hanging loop.
Designer Tip: Quickly run the flame of a lighter over the cut ends of the ribbon. This melts the fibers slightly and stops them from fraying.
Step 6: Boutique Packaging
Never ship a loose ornament. Cut a piece of heavy cardstock (white or kraft paper) slightly larger than the ornament.
Cut two slits in the cardstock and thread the ribbon tails through them. This secures the ornament so it doesn’t rattle. This is How to package handmade ornaments for shipping securely while looking high-end.
📸 [Image-4: The finished ornament mounted on a white cardstock backing card, slipped inside a clear cellophane bag.]
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I price my handmade Christmas gifts?
Use this formula: (Materials Cost + Labor Time) x 2 = Wholesale Price. Multiply that by 2 again for your Retail Price. For these ornaments, if materials cost $2 and labor is $3, your minimum retail price should be roughly $10-$12.
Where is the best place to sell crafts online for free?
Start with Facebook Marketplace and local “Buy/Sell/Trade” groups. They have zero listing fees. Once you have momentum, move to Instagram DM sales to avoid platform fees.
How to take good product photos with iPhone?
Natural light is key. Set up your ornament near a window but out of direct sun. Tap your phone screen on the ornament to focus and slide the sun icon up slightly to brighten the image.
Is it legal to sell Disney or trademarked designs?
No, it is not. Never sell items with mouse ears, famous logos, or song lyrics you don’t own. Stick to names, monograms, and generic holiday phrases like “Joy” or “Noel” to keep your shop safe.
What are the cheapest crafts to make and sell?
Paper crafts and acrylic projects are generally the cheapest. They require minimal raw materials but yield high results when you use good typography and styling.
Final Thoughts
Creating Budget friendly diy christmas gifts for coworkers or products for your own small business doesn’t have to be stressful. By focusing on clean designs and luxurious ribbon accents, you can create a product that stands out in a crowded market.
These ornaments are truly the Best selling handmade christmas gifts 2024 because they combine modern minimalism with classic holiday warmth. Happy crafting and happy selling!
Warmly,
Nancy