We all know the struggle: you want a stunning, cohesive Christmas tree, but buying enough ornaments to fill the branches costs a fortune. 😩 And let’s be honest, those generic plastic bulbs from the big box store just feel so… impersonal.
Enter the ultimate savior of your holiday budget: Mason Jar Lid Crafts. By simply upcycling those old metal bands sitting in your kitchen drawer, you can create high-end looking rustic farmhouse decor for pennies! Whether you are looking for DIY Mason Jar Lid Ornaments for a scout troop, a classroom, or just a cozy family craft night, these ideas turn “trash” into sentimental treasures. 🎄
These 12 distinct styles range from cute Canning Ring Christmas Crafts to magical snow globes, promising to fill your home with memories without the mess. Let’s get crafting! ✂️ ✨
🎄 My Top 3 Favorites
- Lowest Mess: The Classic Flannel Wreath (Idea #1)
- Most “High-End” Look: 3D Mason Jar Lid “Snow Globe” Shadowbox (Idea #2)
- Best for Little Kids: The “Button Mosaic” Tree (Idea #6)
12 Creative DIY Mason Jar Lid Ornaments You’ll Love
1. The Classic Flannel “Fabric Scrap” Wreath ❄️
This is the ultimate cozy craft. By tying strips of leftover flannel or burlap around the ring, you create a mini wreath effect that screams rustic charm. It requires zero glue, making it perfect for a stress-free craft night.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Mason jar rings
• Scraps of plaid flannel or burlap
• Twine for hanging | Best For: Fabric Scraps, Farmhouse Decor
Time: 15 mins
Mess Level: Low |
💡 Pro-Tip: Cut your fabric strips using pinking shears to prevent fraying and give it a textured, professional finish.
[Image-1: A close-up of a red and black buffalo check fabric-tied ring hanging on a pine branch.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: Fiskars 8 Inch Pinking Shears 🐦
Why I love it: Investing in quality pinking shears ensures the fabric cuts are clean and zigzagged, preventing the ornament from looking “tattered” over time. #NancyApproved
2. 3D Mason Jar Lid “Snow Globe” Shadowbox ❄️
This idea creates a magical winter scene by gluing a miniature bottle brush tree inside the rim of the lid. It uses the depth of the ring as a shadowbox for a truly high-impact look that makes people ask, “You made that?!”
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Wide-mouth jar rings
• Cardstock backing
• Cotton balls (snow)
• Mini bottle brush trees | Best For: Snow Globe, Gifting
Time: 20 mins
Mess Level: Med (Hot Glue) |
💡 Pro-Tip: Use a wide-mouth lid rather than a regular one; the extra space is crucial for fitting the tree without squishing the bristles.
[Image-2: A side-angle shot showing the depth of the ornament with a tiny snowy tree inside.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: 48 Pieces Mini Sisal Snow Frost Trees 🐦
Why I love it: Local craft stores sell these in packs of 2-3 for high prices; Amazon offers bulk packs (40+) for a fraction of the cost, making this viable for group crafts. #NancyApproved
3. Black & White Photo Keepsake Ornament ❄️
This is a sentimental favorite where the metal lid serves as a sturdy, industrial-style frame for a beloved family photo. It’s an easy way to make a Mason Jar Lid Photo Ornament that grandparents will cherish forever.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Jar lids (ring + insert)
• Printed photo
• Mod Podge
• Festive ribbon | Best For: Grandparent Gifts, Yearly Tradition
Time: 10 mins
Mess Level: Low |
💡 Pro-Tip: Trace the flat metal insert over your photo before cutting to get the perfect circle size every time.
[Image-3: A black and white photo of a smiling baby framed by a silver mason jar ring, hanging with red velvet ribbon.]
4. Rustic Jute Twine & Bell Hanger ❄️
Wrapping the entire ring in jute twine transforms the metal into a warm, rustic circle, finished with a dangling jingle bell in the center. It’s perfect for that boho or minimalist aesthetic.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Mason jar rings
• Jute twine
• Hot glue
• Large rusty/gold bells | Best For: Minimalist, Budget Mom
Time: 20 mins
Mess Level: Low |
💡 Pro-Tip: Dab a small dot of hot glue every 5-6 wraps to ensure the twine doesn’t unravel if the ornament is dropped.
[Image-4: A neutral-toned ornament completely wrapped in twine with a single rusty metal bell hanging in the empty negative space.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: Tenn Well 3mm Jute Twine 🐦
Why I love it: You need a
lot of twine to wrap rings fully; this bulk roll ensures you won’t run out halfway through the project like you might with small dollar-store spools. #NancyApproved
5. Scrabble Tile “Holiday Words” ❄️
Using festive scrapbook paper as a backing, glue Scrabble tiles inside the ring to spell out short words like “JOY,” “NOEL,” or “SNOW.” It’s a huge hit with teachers and book lovers.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Jar rings
• Scrapbook paper
• Scrabble tiles
• Ribbon | Best For: Teachers, Personalized Names
Time: 15 mins
Mess Level: Low |
💡 Pro-Tip: If the word is too long (like “Christmas”), place the tiles diagonally or use a wide-mouth lid.
[Image-5: Three ornaments hanging together spelling “JOY”, “HOPE”, and “LOVE” on plaid backgrounds.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: 100 Wood Scrabble Tiles for Crafts 🐦
Why I love it: Buying vintage games is hit-or-miss; this bulk pack guarantees you get multiple sets of common letters (like E and O) needed for holiday words. #NancyApproved
🎅 Quick Question!
Real tree or Artificial tree? Tell me in the comments!
6. The “Button Mosaic” Tree ❄️
This is a colorful, tactile craft where kids glue assorted green buttons in a triangle shape onto a cardstock background inside the lid to form a tree. It’s excellent for preschoolers practicing fine motor skills.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Jar lids
• White cardstock
• Green buttons (various sizes)
• Yellow star button | Best For: Preschoolers, Color Matching
Time: 20 mins
Mess Level: Med (Glue) |
💡 Pro-Tip: Overlap the buttons slightly to cover the white paper background completely for a textured mosaic look.
[Image-6: A kid-made ornament showing a cute, slightly imperfect tree made of mismatched green buttons.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: 600pcs Assorted Resin Buttons 🐦
Why I love it: Finding enough
green buttons in a home sewing kit is impossible, but this pack provides a specific color sort ideal for holiday crafting. #NancyApproved
7. Chalkboard Paint Personalization ❄️
Paint the flat metal insert with chalkboard paint to create a reusable ornament where you can write the year or a name. It’s chic, modern, and fits perfectly with farmhouse themes.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Mason jar metal inserts
• Chalkboard spray paint or acrylic
• Chalk markers | Best For: Modern Farmhouse, Place Settings
Time: 10 mins
Mess Level: High (Paint) |
💡 Pro-Tip: “Season” the chalkboard paint by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk over the whole surface and wiping it off before writing your first word; this prevents “ghosting.”
[Image-7: A matte black ornament with “2024” written in elegant white faux-calligraphy.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: Chalkola Liquid Chalk Markers 🐦
Why I love it: Standard chalk smudges easily on ornaments; Liquid chalk markers dry permanent-looking but can be wiped clean with water for a cleaner finish. #NancyApproved
8. Sheet Music “Vintage Star” ❄️
Decoupage old sheet music or book pages onto the lid insert, then add a wooden star or glitter shape on top for a Victorian feel. It’s stunning for choir groups or music lovers.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Jar lids
• Vintage sheet music (or photocopies)
• Gold glitter glue
• Wooden stars | Best For: Music Teachers, Vintage Aesthetic
Time: 20 mins
Mess Level: Med (Mod Podge) |
💡 Pro-Tip: Burn the edges of the paper slightly (adults only) or use brown distress ink to make new paper look antique.
[Image-8: An ornament featuring “Silent Night” lyrics in the background with a gold glitter star in the foreground.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Vintage Photo 🐦
Why I love it: This specific ink pad is the industry standard for “aging” paper crafts; it’s hard to find in general stores but essential for that authentic vintage look. #NancyApproved
9. Cinnamon Stick “Stem” Pumpkin/Apple ❄️
While often used for fall, painting the rings red or green and adding a real cinnamon stick as the “stem” creates a rustic “apple” or “pumpkin” vibe. It makes for lovely scented decor on a kitchen tree.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Jar bands
• Acrylic paint (red/green)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Green felt leaves | Best For: Scented Decor, Kitchen Trees
Time: 15 mins
Mess Level: Med |
💡 Pro-Tip: Sand the metal ring lightly with sandpaper before painting so the acrylic paint adheres better and doesn’t chip.
[Image-9: A cluster of rings painted red, tied together with twine and cinnamon sticks, resembling rustic apples.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: 6 Inch Cinnamon Sticks Bulk 🐦
Why I love it: Grocery store cinnamon sticks are tiny and expensive (cooking grade), but craft-grade bulk bags on Amazon are longer, straighter, and much cheaper per stick. #NancyApproved
10. The “Snowman Face” Stack ❄️
Paint the flat insert white and draw a snowman face, then glue black felt on the top rim to create a “top hat.” This is whimsical and so fun for kids to assemble.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Jar lids (insert + ring)
• White paint
• Orange and black paint pens
• Black felt | Best For: Kids, Whimsical Trees
Time: 20 mins
Mess Level: Med |
💡 Pro-Tip: Use paint pens instead of brushes for the face details—it gives much more control for small hands and reduces mess.
[Image-10: A happy snowman face framed by the silver ring, with a tiny felt hat glued to the top of the ring.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: Acrylic Paint Pens for Rock Painting 🐦
Why I love it: Paint pens allow for detailed work (like the carrot nose) that is frustrating with a brush; buying a multi-color pack covers all holiday craft needs. #NancyApproved
11. Crystal “Borax” Snowflake ❄️
A science experiment meets craft! Suspend a pipe cleaner shape inside the mason jar ring and submerge it in a borax solution to grow real crystals. It creates a stunning “ice” aesthetic.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Mason jar rings
• White pipe cleaners
• Borax powder
• Boiling water | Best For: STEM Activity, Older Kids
Time: 30 mins (Active)
Mess Level: High |
💡 Pro-Tip: Wrap the ring in yarn after the crystals grow on the inner pipe cleaner, or let crystals grow on the metal ring too for a frozen industrial look.
[Image-11: A sparkly, crystallized star shape suspended inside a mason jar ring, catching the light like real ice.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: 20 Mule Team Borax Detergent Booster 🐦
Why I love it: While available in grocery stores, it is often sold out during holiday craft season; ordering a multi-pack ensures you have enough for a whole classroom of crystal growing. #NancyApproved
12. Mini “Embroidery Hoop” Style ❄️
Treat the ring like a tiny embroidery hoop! Stretch a piece of linen or Aida cloth across it and hot glue it in place for a soft, textured ornament. It’s perfect for needlepoint lovers.
| 📝 Key Materials | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|
• Jar rings
• Linen fabric
• Embroidery floss or iron-on holiday patches | Best For: Needlepoint Lovers, Grandma Gifts
Time: 30+ mins
Mess Level: Low |
💡 Pro-Tip: If you don’t sew, use “Heat n Bond” to attach a festive fabric shape (like a heart or tree) to the linen background.
[Image-12: A close up of neutral linen stretched in the ring with a simple red embroidered snowflake in the center.]
🛒
Buy on Amazon: Caydo 6 Pieces Linen Needlework Fabric 🐦
Why I love it: Buying linen by the yard at a fabric store is expensive, but these pre-cut squares offer variety (white, beige, cream) perfect for small ornaments without the waste. #NancyApproved
Ready to Craft?
I hope these Mason Jar Lid Crafts inspire you to dig through your kitchen drawers and get creative! Whether you are making a mason jar lid snow globe or a simple flannel wreath, these little rings are proof that you don’t need a big budget to make beautiful memories.
Can you reuse old canning lids for crafts? Absolutely! Since you aren’t sealing food, it doesn’t matter if the rubber seal is worn out or if the metal is slightly bent. In fact, that little bit of rust just adds to the farmhouse charm!
Happy Crafting! 🎄❤️
Pin your creations and tag me—I’d love to see your trees!
