How to Make Christmas Tree Photo Ornaments

When it comes to decorating my Christmas tree I like to change it a little bit each year by adding something new. Last year I made Christmas tree memory ornaments. This year I will add more family, especially photos of my daughters.

Ornaments that show our interests and each family member in photos taken all through the years. I call it wrapping the tree with love.

Whenever I make decorations for my home for the holidays it always has to include a bit of glitter or something sparkly.  To me glitter makes anything look so much more festive and in the holiday spirit.

You may remember my ornament bowl from last year which involved a bit of the stuff, too. So it should be of no surprise that glitter is involved in these photo ornaments that I am making by re-purposing. 

How to Make Christmas Tree Photo Ornaments

I love to find new decorative uses for things – like these slide mounts that you can find at your local camera store very inexpensively.

supplies needed:

  • Slide Mount
  • Photo or computer generated name, initial, monogram, or greeting
  • Glitter
  • Spray paint
  • Tacky glue
  • Awl
  • Ornament hangers
  • Beads
  • Jewelry making end-pins and jump-rings
  • Needle-nose pliers
New uses for Photo Slide mounts - repurpose
  1. Carefully open the slide mount.
Christmas Ornaments to make

2. Coat it with spray paint

Glitter Christmas Ornament craft tutorial

3. While the paint is wet – pile on the glitter -then shake it off

Christmas craft ideas

4. Add a favorite photo cut to 1  1/2″ x  1  3/8″, glue, and close the slide.

Christmas Ornaments Craft Ideas

5. Add glue and glitter to the back

Christmas Ornament tutorial using photo slide mounts

6. Use an awl to make 2 holes

Handmade Christmas ornament craft ideas to make

Add a pretty dangle from the bottom hole and an ornament wire with a bead strung from the top hole

 You have a sparkly personalized ornament to catch the light on your tree.

Instructions for making a dangle are at the end of this post

Be imaginative and add your style to each ornament you make.

 Handmade Christmas Tree Ornament craft ideas.
  • Try jingle bells and pinecones. 
  • Or use the two existing holes to tie ribbon or twine to hang.
    • I used textured spray paint on the brown one below instead of glitter for a more rustic look.
Handmade Christmas Glitter Ornaments to make

Shank style buttons work well also – on the top and bottom.

Handmade Christmas Ornament Craft Ideas

Christmas Tree Ornament Ideas

This one is my favorite. I didn’t add glitter to the back, I used two photos.  On the front is my hubby as a baby – turn it around and there he is all grown up.  Makes me smile.

How to Make a Beaded Dangle For Photo Ornament

Add a bead or two to a jewelry making end-pin that you can buy at the craft store. 

How to make a beaded dangle for a Christmas Ornament

Using needle nose pliers bend the wire as shown. I like to use the wrapped loop.  Once you have that done, put it on a jump ring and attach to the bottom of the slide.

Christmas Ornament Crafts

On some of my slides the glitter didn’t completely cover the two existing holes on the top of the slide. I had to go back with a dab of glue and more glitter to make sure they were covered.

Do you like to see your families photos on your tree smiling back at you? 

What kind of Christmas ornaments do you use or make?

Handmade Christmas Ornaments to make. Glittery photo Christmas tree ornament ideas.

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  7. As always, everything is lovely that you’ve done. Hoever, I was totally distracted by the glass rolling pins! I’m in love. I am literally obsessed with glass objects and I love baking so now I am on a quest – lol 🙂 Beautiful. So enjoy watching your home transform and the holiday decorating.

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  11. Hi, So helpful, thank you! I’m new to the cricut and am excited to make some ornaments. Your post was so helpful!

  12. mel mccarthy says:

    These are so lovely & clever. I know I have a box of those somewhere. Now where oh where in the hoard could they be? Thanks for the gorgeous inspiration!

  13. Heather - Dollar Store Crafts says:

    You always have the best projects!!

  14. such a great project, with lots of room for unique personalization!

  15. ColleenwithMurals&More says:

    absolutely gorgeous, Diane! You give the greatest tutorials. I especially like the bead tutorial. I can use that for some many other things. Thank you!

  16. Those are really pretty! I love the glitter! Thanks so much, I’ll be spreading the word!

  17. These ornaments are just great. I love having pictures of my children on my tree.

    Sorry that your girl won’t be home for Christmas. May God bless your family.

    1. Hi Amy-

      It will be hard not having my oldest daughter home. We are looking forward to Skyping with her on Christmas Day. I love seeing their photos on the tree and all the cute little ornaments they made when they were little, also. They make me smile.

  18. Elizabeth says:

    These are so cute! I love all the options.

  19. What a great idea…clever you…love it x

  20. love this !! going to have to copy it !!
    (sorry your daughter is away…first xmas without one of my kids was very hard ! hang in there)

  21. ooooh…these are so pretty! I’m easily distracted by glitter! Great idea!

    Happy Holidays!
    Michelle

    1. Hi Doris-

      Thanks for the invite. you can buy the slide mounts at any camera or photography store. They are sold in packs.

  22. Rene'@Bargainhoot says:

    This is so creative, I love how cute and personal they are!!!

  23. Bonnie@Creative Decorating says:

    What a great idea! I have to save this to make for next year!!

    1. Hi Bonnie-
      I have already started my idea file for next year, too. Thanks for leaving me the comment.

  24. Rust-Oleum Scott says:

    Love the project, Diane! Thanks for using Rust-Oleum to make your beautiful ornaments.

  25. What a darling idea. I love those picture frames. A perfect way to remember your loved ones. I am saying a prayer for your dear daughter in Africa. …and for you to have peace in your heart when she is so far from home. Hugs-Diana

    1. Hi Diana-

      Thanks so much for you kind words and prayers. I just exchanged texts with her today. She wants me to send her some pictures of the house all decorated for the holidays – so she can feel a little bit of home in her village.

  26. Amanda@relovedrubbish says:

    Diane, your picture frame ornaments are so pretty and glitzy! I love the little dangles too. Thanks for sharing this great tutorial :)

  27. Christine says:

    this story kind of reminds me of that new coffee commercial (folgers?) where the oldest son comes home from Africa in time for Christmas and the little sister pops a bow on him and says he is her present. The only commercial to leave me misty. Now, it will even more so, having a real life example to think of. Congrats on raising such a courageous and motivated daughter!
    BTW, love the ornaments! Hand made and glitter are the best!

    1. Hi Christine-

      I have seen that commercial and it left me misty too.

  28. I love these ornaments. Great tutorial, too. Thanks so much for linking this up this week!

  29. Lilianna Grace says:

    These are much cuter than any photo ornaments I have seen for sale in stores. Why am I not surprised? Thanks for posting it!

    1. Hi Lil-

      I have had the idea to make these for a long time. I am home sick with a cold today and deceided to finally make them. Now I just have to buy a tree and put it up.

  30. beachhouseliving says:

    This is so clever!
    Hope your daughter’s time in Africa is a safe one. What an incredible thing to do.

    1. Hi Rita-

      My daughter has been in Africa since March 1. She is havng an incredible experience so far, but has told us she is getting a bit teary thinking about not being home for the hoildays. I just am so thankful for Skype, as we can talk and see her in real time whenever she can get an internet connection. As a mom it is so good to see her even if it is just on the compiuter screen.

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