The Nine Best Ways to Spruce Up Boring Holiday Decorations

Decorate your tree with thoughtful handmade ornaments. Use paint, ribbon, stickers, and more to decorate basic ball ornaments. These hand-made ornaments and presents are sure to brighten anyone’s holiday.

Dipped Globes

In a single short dip, you can give your frosted glass ornaments a brand new look. The decorations can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol and then let to dry. Put two parts water to one part clear crafts glue in a jar and shake until you have paint. Put in a few drops of the gel food coloring and mix. Hang the ornament for 20 minutes after dipping to allow the paint to dry. Keep the bottom clean by wiping up condensation as it forms. Iterate with different hues.

Unicorn Ornament

Transform an ordinary glass ball ornament into a stunning piece of art. It takes little more than some paint and creativity to make these whimsical unicorn ornaments. Gather a bunch of basic ball ornaments and adorn them with gold horns and lots of flowers for a festive display.

Tartan Ornament 

Pretty plaid ornaments are a great way to display the season’s hues. Put together a charming Christmas tree decoration by combining fabrics in a variety of colors and patterns. Use buffalo check or tartan plaid fabric ($5 on Etsy) to bring a country feel to your home’s decor.

Ornament Created Using Dripping Paint

This handmade decoration features swirls of bright craft paint. Drip paint ornaments can be made by filling a standard glass ball ornament with paint of various colors. A beautiful marbled ornament can be made by gently shaking and spinning the ornament.

Decorative Pile of Pom-Poms

Clear glass ball ornaments may be given a dazzling, lively makeover by stuffing them with white, silver, and gold pom-poms ($2, Michaels). The time required to complete this handmade decoration is minimal.

Ornament Shaped Like a Swan for the Holidays

The fact that this adorable swan ornament was once just a round piece of glass is unmistakable. This charming handicraft features a white feathered body and a face fashioned from modeling clay ($3 at Michaels).

Washi Tape Ornament

Is there a style or pattern on any of your holiday decorations that you actively dislike? (Take this ball as an example; it sported a glistening dimension design in a former life.) Give them a new look using washi tape instead of throwing them away or leaving them in the decorations box. Washi tape strips can be adhered directly on the ball, overlapping and smoothing out as you go.

Painting on Marble Sculpture

Marbleized paint is easy to make by combining many colors. Created by pouring water into a huge disposable tray. In the water, spray two complementary hues of spray paint ($5 for a two-pack at Target). (It’s safe to assume that the paint will float on top.) Submerge a glass ornamental ball in the paint. The ball will absorb the paint and take on a marbleized appearance.

Christmas Decoration Snowflake

Use unique decorations you find in your crafting supplies to jazz up ordinary glass ornaments. A snowflake applique made from scrapbooking paper was used as a modern touch on this turquoise ornament.