A quick and easy Christmas decorating idea for lamps where you will learn how to turn an inexpensive Christmas ornament into a lamp finial.

Today is 20-Minute Decorating day where I share a project that can be completed in under 20 minutes. Its Christmas themed this month.

I made a Christmas ornament finial for the thrift store lamp that I made over recently.

This little decorative detail can be made in 5 minutes with no DIY skills needed.

Holiday lamp finial idea. Close up of white table lamp with red Christmas ball ornament made into a finial above the lamp shade.

The ornament finial adds a festive Christmas touch to any lamp that has a finial that secures the shade.

Bronze floor lamp with white drum shade with a red and white Christmas ornament finial.

I liked how the finial looked on the table lamp so much that I decided to also make one for the floor lamp in the room using a different style ornament.

You can use any shatterproof ornament. They look like glass, but are plastic and bounce when you drop them. I bought mine at Walmart. They are usually sold in bulk by color in a clear tube or container.

Christmas lamp finial DIY idea showing a red and white ornament.

You also need a lamp where the lampshade is attached with a finial like the shade in the photo above.

Christmas decorating idea for lamps. Make a finial using an ornament.

How to Make a Christmas Ornament into a Lamp Finial

supplies needed:

Existing lamp finial that holds shade on lamp
Shatterproof Christmas ornament – Walmart
Sharp, pointy scissors or a craft knife
Cutting board
Optional – glue dot

Time needed: 5 minutes

How Do You Make a Lamp Finial for Christmas?

Remove Finial From Lamp

Eyeball the top diameter of the current finial on your lamp.

You are going to cut a hole around the top of the ornament to fit over this existing finial. You need to make a cut circle on the ornament that is as wide as the existing finial.
Place Ornament on Cutting Board

Place the ornament on it’s side on a cutting board. Use a craft knife to cut off the hook.
Cut Hole Larger If Needed

Using a craft knife, cut hole to size needed. The shatterproof ornaments are very easy to cut.
Optional Way to Cut

Another way to cut the top off the ornament is to use a pair of scissors.

Use a Sharpie to draw a circle (to the size needed) around the top of the ornament to use as a cutting guide.

Place the one tip of the scissors into the top of the ornament. It may need a gentle push. Once the scissor tip is through the ornament, start cutting the top off.

Place it over the top of the finial, if it is too small, cut a little more off until it fits. As you cut, try to keep the hole even as much as possible.
Different Ways to Place Ornament Over Existing Finial

Depending on the type of finial you have, you can cut the hole large enough to cover the whole finial or just a part of it as shown below.
Optional – Place a Glue Dot

If the ornament is wobbling or won’t stay straight, roll a piece of tape so the sticky part is out. Place on top of finial and then place the ornament on.

If you have Glue Dots, use instead of the tape.
The ornament on the left is sitting on top of the existing finial allowing the bottom section to still be visible.

The ornament on the right covers the whole finial.