The beauty of decoupage is that you can quickly and cheaply turn old things into new things with just paper and glue. Decoupaged Christmas ornaments are a great example. You can always find old Christmas ball ornaments at garage sale and thrift stores and give them new life.
To make decoupaged Christmas ornaments you just need some old Christmas ball ornaments, ModPodge, and paper, scissors, and a sponge paint brush. Any kind of paper will do – scrapbook paper, velum, tissue paper, paper from an old book or hymnal – but thicker paper will not has a smooth finish like thinner paper will.
You can also use glitter instead of or in addition to paper.
First coat your glass ball with the Mod Podge (I have a bristle brush here, but the the bristles came out so I went to sponge brush)
Next, put on the glitter or small pieces of paper. If using paper, be sure to layer it so that all the ball is covered. I used strips that were about 1/8″ wide and 1/2 to 1 1/2″ long. For the paper, you will want glue on both sides. Try to get the paper pretty smooth but don’t obsess about it. You’ll be able to smooth it out more once it dries to the touch.

Hang somewhere to dry. I used rubber bands and twisty ties to hang from a hanger on my book shelf.
After the paper ones are dry to the touch you can smooth the wrinkles out some. If you notice some bare spots, just dip a small piece of paper in the ModPodge and put it on the Christmas ball.
These are dry and ready for a couple more coats of ModPodge to finish them off.
These are the paper ones I did. The white one is velum paper (see through) and although it looked the worst while making it, I think it turned out the best. The others are just regular scrapbook paper. I think it’s a little heavy for this project. The balls look great from a distance but up close you can see the edges of the paper.
I think thinner paper is the way to go, so I’m really hoping I can get an old hymnal soon.
There are so many ways to make Christmas special without spending a lot of money; making homemade ornaments is just one way. There are many meaningful gifts you can give that cost a dollar or less. There’s a difference between being frugal and cheap, and gifts like these ornaments are frugal without being cheap.
What are some of your favorite frugal ways to make the holidays special?
They are very pretty. Tissue paper might work well?
Kathi @ oakhillhomestead.com
tissue paper’s a great idea!
My uncle always wanted a loaf of pumpkin bread for Christmas. 🙂 I’ve linked up the recipe.
yum, I love getting edibles for gifts.
I think that the thicker paper ones look like the ones from Pier one which are pretty expensive so I am sure that you will have lots of different people with different tastes. I have a bunch of the plain colored ones in the basement and I am thinking that I might do the glitter thing. That would make them new and different!!! Thanks for the great idea 🙂
Let me know how it works out for you. I love it when I can transform something I already have into something new.
Just use leftover Christmas wrapping paper. Free and thin enough to mold well against the ball. I use Stay Flo starch from Walmart. Ideal and no need to buy expensive craft clue. If the project turns out great, then apply a coat of A more permanent craft glue. I buy scratched and dulled glass balls from the Goodwill for $1 for a dozen and then just toss them when Christmas is over.— nothing to store.
Great ideas. Thanks for sharing Kenna. I would encourage you to donate your old ornaments to a thrift store instead of tossing them, I bet they would make someone very happy.