If you bought some Christmas balls and aren’t sure what to do with them, get over 50 DIY glass ornaments to decorate your Christmas tree!

Every year I get a lot of questions about making Christmas ornaments. Which I totally get. Because honestly, the display at the craft store can be a little intimidating. There are a bunch of clear glass balls in a tray and some paints and glitters and Mod Podge.
But what are you supposed to do with it all?
It’s not as straightforward as one might think. There’s quite a lot that you can do, which is what can make it overwhelming! I’m going to show you how to make a bunch of DIY glass ornaments with ALL kinds of different techniques.
And none of them are hard to make.
Glass Ball Ornament Crafts
I’m really excited to share some great ideas with you, but before I do, I wanted to share my tips and FAQs with you. If you are ready to get to the ideas, just scroll down. Otherwise, I hope these help you during your Christmas crafting journey!
Preparing the ornaments
Before getting started, you’re going to want to clean the ornaments. This step is crucial if you want any painting or Mod Podge to stick. You are removing oils from fingers – oils that repel paint.
Thoroughly wash in warm, soapy water, then rinse in warm water and let dry. You can also use rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. If you’re going to paint the inside, you’ll want to swirl some rubbing alcohol around on the inside and let dry.
What glue is best for glass ornaments?
I really like to use Mod Podge to glue things to ornaments, like fabric, paper, or tissue paper. To add embellishments to painted or Mod Podge ornaments, I use craft glue. If it’s directly to the glass, I use E-6000 for the strongest bond.

What paint is best for glass ornaments?
You’ll want to use one of three things: craft paint made for glass or multisurface, spray paint, or chalk paint. Regular craft paint can be used on the inside of an ornament, but you won’t want to paint it on the outside. It’s too easy to scrape off. More about painting on glass here.
Does Mod Podge work on glass ornaments?
It absolutely does! I have several examples of tutorials you can try below. I’d also love for you to check out my guide to Mod Podge on glass to get my best tips.
How do you fill ornaments with glitter?
There are a few ways to do it. If you have Mod Podge, you can mix it with glitter. Pour it into the ornament, let it drain out, and the Mod Podge dries glittery on the inside.
You can also use floor wax (I know, crazy!). You pour it into the glass ornament, swirl it, then pour out the excess. Then add the glitter, swirl it, and pour out the excess again. Let dry and you have a glitter glass ornament!
Can I use plastic ornaments?
Yes BUT acrylic products like Mod Podge and regular craft paint don’t work very well directly on them. I recommend prepping the ornament first with white primer made for plastic. OR pick a method that doesn’t require Mod Podge or paint!
Are you ready to learn how to decorate some glass ball ornaments? Take a peek at the list below and let me know your favorites in the comments!
DIY Glass Ornaments
Looking for some cute glass ball ornaments crafts? This is your list, with over 50 ideas using a variety of craft supplies!
DIY Fingerprint Snowman Ornament
This is one of my favorite glass ball ornaments of all time! Paint a ball blue, then add a kid's handprint in white for snowmen. Then add the rest of the details. Isn't it so cute?
Ten Minute Snow Globe Ornament
The ornament would look beautiful on any tree, and it would also make a thoughtful hostess gift this holiday season. Plus, it is quick and easy to make! Test
DIY Winter Floral Ornament with Vinyl
Make a DIY winter floral ornament for your Christmas tree using vinyl and your Silhouette. It’s easy to customize your colors and design, and Alexis walks you through all of the steps.
Peppermint Cocoa Christmas Ornaments
A tasty treat for those neighborhood gifts or use them to decorate your own Christmas tree! Fill a glass ball ornament with everything you need to make a delicious cup of peppermint cocoa.
Glittered Reindeer Ornament
I love the idea of using brown glitter to coat the inside of an ornament and turn it into a cute little reindeer! I love the fun little bow on top too.
DIY Sprinkles Ornaments
You know the same process you use when adding glitter to an ornament? Well, you'll use the same basic method to get sprinkles on the inside as well. It's nice because you don't have to fill the entire ball with sprinkles.
Alcohol Ink Ornaments That Look Like Blown Glass
Learn how to make these beautiful alcohol ink ornaments that resemble blown glass, but are so easy. They also cost very little so you can cover an entire Christmas tree on a budget!
Fingerprint Reindeer Ornament
Yes - I love fingerprint ornaments, and this is a different version! Adorn your tree with this cute fingerprint reindeer ornament, perfect for Christmastime crafting with the kids.
Glittery Galaxy Inspired DIY Glass Ornaments
These ornaments feature swirls of glitter to resemble the night sky. These galaxy-inspired glass baubles will become a keepsake you treasure for years to come!
Frosty the Snowman Ornament
From his corncob pipe and button nose to that magical hat placed on his head, this Frosty the Snowman has it all! You'll find the tutorial for this glass ball ornament as well as several other holiday characters you will recognize.
DIY Photo Ornaments
A floating photo ornament has an image — like a family photo — that seems to hover inside a clear ornament like magic. They’re really simple to make if you know the trick: a piece of clear plastic to suspend the photo in the middle of your ornament!
Glitter Unicorn Horn Christmas Ornaments
I feel like unicorns have had a moment these past couple years, and I'm glad they're part of Christmas too! These ornaments are glittery and fabulous, and I love that the horns are made out of clay. So cute!
DIY Black, White, and Gold Ornaments
When given a bag of mystery supplies including faux snow and glass ball ornaments, Amy made these upscale looking ornies with gold and black. I'm impressed!
Apple Barrel Poured Ornaments
Take your acrylic paint pouring skills to the next level with this fun Apple Barrel paint poured ornament idea! Bring some color to your tree with cool paint shades - and the stencil on the front is a nice added touch.
Christmas Grinch Ornament
Green feathers with a little red heart? That says "the Grinch" to me! This is a cute and easy ornament to make and just takes a few minutes to put together.
Mandala Christmas Ornaments
Decorate basic ornaments with a unique mandala pattern for added charm to your Christmas tree! You'll use dotters to make intricate patterns that are much easier to make than they look.
Game of Life Glass Ornament
Do you love making your own DIY Christmas tree ornaments? This fun “Game of Life” version is based on the popular game from your childhood!
DIY Painted Copper Leaf Christmas Ornaments
I'm a big fan of aqua and turquoise shades of paint mixed with copper leaf. It's so striking and beautiful! These DIY glass ornaments were made with those two supplies, and are much easier than you might think.
Temporary Tattoo Glass Ball Ornaments
Turns out that temporary tattoos aren't just for wearing on your body - you can also use them to create some pretty cool DIY glass ornaments for Christmas! They apply straight to the glass, or you can paint the ornaments first.
Disney Princess-Inspired Christmas Ornaments
Do your kids love Disney princesses? Then they will definitely recognize these ornaments! Turn glass balls into your favorite characters . . . then see if your kids can recognize them on the tree.
Tissue Paper Ornaments for Christmas
These confetti ornaments pack a visual punch for Christmas decor, and are easy enough that kids and adults alike can make them.
Map Ball Ornaments
If you like map crafts, you're going to love making these Christmas ornaments. Grab your Mod Podge and maps and get started. The secret to good coverage is using smaller pieces.
Botanical Ornament
Do you like Christmas projects that take two minutes? Yep, me too! You're going to fill a glass ornament and tie a bow to make these, and the results are quite beautiful.
DIY Glass Ornaments with Snowflakes
If you can find small doilies or lace circles, you can use Mod Podge Stiffy to make this project. The results are beautiful, glittery "snowflakes" display in glass on your tree.
Ice Cream Cone Christmas Bauble Ornaments
These ice cream Christmas ornaments take a few minutes to make, but the results are well worth it! Pick your favorite flavor and create the cutest bauble to hang on your tree.
Cactus Christmas DIY Glass Ornaments
Cintia is genius - she made the spikes for these cactus ornaments out of hot glue! I need to make a few of these for my friends that live in Arizona.
Easy DIY Christmas Ornament To Make In Minutes
Have some old ornaments that are no longer your style? Follow this tutorial for an easy DIY Christmas ornament to make using old ones and some on trend fabric.
Glass Tinsel Christmas Ornaments
There's not really a tutorial for this ornament because it's simple - you simply cut a piece of tinsel garland stick it into a glass ball ornament. It's that easy, and the results are actually quite stunning.
Candy Canes in a Glass Ornament
These candy cane filled glass Christmas ornaments make the sweetest tree trimmings! Learn how to make this simple DIY holiday ornament that also is perfect for gifting.
Dollar Store Faux Mercury Glass Ornaments
Create high-end looking Christmas ornaments using dollar store items and a fun paint technique! These were inspired by expensive Pottery Barn finds, but you can easily DIY them.
Cupcake Ornaments for Christmas
These handmade cupcake ornaments for Christmas are regular ornaments painted to look just like delicious treats! Have you ever seen anything so sweet?
Pom Pom Christmas Bauble Ornaments
How much easier does it get than filling a glass ornament with colorful pom poms! This is a fun one to try with the kids, because they will love picking their own colors for this Christmas project.
Melted Snowman Ornament
What does a snowman look like when he's melted? Recreate it with this darling ornament - kids will love shaking it up and finding the pieces of Frosty inside!
Spray Painted Glass Ball Ornaments
Sometimes the easiest way to decorate glass ball ornaments is simply with spray paint! One of my favorite ways to do this is with complimentary colors that all look good together - like these shades of green. So pretty!
Sea Glass Ornaments
Learn how to make the easiest sea glass ornaments ever! If you like simple with beautiful results, this beach glass technique can be applied to a lot of glass surfaces for the perfect nautical themed Christmas.
Mini Gumball Machine Christmas Ornaments
It turns out that seed beads make some pretty cute gumballs! Use mini clear glass Christmas ornaments to make the sweetest gumball machines I've ever seen.
DIY Star Confetti Ornaments
Confetti is fun for everyone! If your tree needs a little something colorful, Grab Mod Podge, metallic confetti, and a glass ball ornament. You'll have cute tree decor in minutes.
DIY Crayon Drip Holiday Ornaments
I absolutely love how watercolor-y and colorful these ornaments turned out, and they are SO easy to make. They really only take three things to create.
Fun & Fruity Christmas Bauble Ornaments
If you're the kind of person who likes a themed tree, may I suggest fruit this year? Learn how to decorate glass baubles to look like a display at your local farmer's market! These would look beautiful on a white tree.
Christmas Ornament Souvenir
Did you have a wonderful beach trip this past summer that you'd like to remember? Grab some shells and put them in a glass ornament! It's fun to hang these on the tree and be reminded of a great vacation.
How to Mod Podge Glass Christmas Ornaments
Learn how to Mod Podge glass Christmas ornaments with paper scraps – no crafting skills required! Such an easy holiday project that everyone in the family will love.
Kids' Character Christmas Ornaments
Craft projects at Christmas are always fun for the kids and they will love these character ornaments! They can make any character they would like, like Elmo or Minions, and hang it on the tree to enjoy for years to come.
Curled Paper Strip Ornaments
Who knew that curled paper could make such an impact! You can use a variety of themes and patterns to fill your glass ornaments. Add a huge bow and they look beautiful on the tree.
Fabric Scrap Ornaments
Looking for some good fabric crafts to do with your scraps after sewing? Don't throw them away! Grab a bottle of Mod Podge and apply them to some Christmas ball ornaments. The results are fun and colorful, and the project is so easy.
Glitter Monogrammed Christmas Ornaments
Nothing says Christmas crafts like glitter! These monogrammed Christmas ornaments are the perfect NO MESS glitter holiday project.
Rustic Christmas Ornament
Learn how to make a glitter Christmas ornament with a rustic feel using Mod Podge and twine! This is easy enough even for a beginner.
Faux Jadeite Ornaments
Have you ever heard of Jadeite glassware? The milky green color is something a lot of us fall in love with! Recreate it with these cute Christmas ornaments, and add a glitter monogram to boot.
Neon Marble Paint Ornaments
Neon isn't something you usually associate with Christmas, but why not be a little different this year? Use neon paints to decorate some glass balls. Wouldn't these look beautiful on a white tree?
Frosted Cupcake Ornament
What a cute little cupcake for your Christmas tree! My favorite part of this DIY ornament is the use of Sparkle Mod Podge to make it in a little bit more blingy. So fun!
DIY Glitter Ornaments Your Tree is Begging For
Do you love the look of sparkle on your tree? These pretty Mod Podge glitter ornaments are EASY to make - and like a million bucks.
Did you enjoy playing with Christmas balls? If so you might like these other posts!
- Christmas Door Decor for Your Holiday Home
- 30+ Paper Christmas Ornaments for the Tree
- DIY Photo Ornaments to Decorate the Tree
- Dollar Tree Christmas Crafts for Gifts or Decor
- Christmas Card Decor: 25+ Festive Things to Make
- Free Christmas Printables to Up Your Holiday Game
- Mason Jar Christmas Crafts for Gifts and Decor
Mare
Wednesday 15th of December 2021
What great eye candy. I cannot wait to make some of these with my great granddaughter (because of her youth, I will be using plastic).
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
NJ King
Wednesday 15th of December 2021
So many great ornament ideas!
Amy
Wednesday 15th of December 2021
Thank you so much!
terry freeman
Wednesday 15th of December 2021
Something for everyone! some fancy, some cute. so many choices!