These clear glass ornaments look like Christmas lights! I think it would be fun to just add paint to them, especially neon paint, or even a lot of glitter!
Cricut Christmas Ornaments That Are Quick and Easy!
Learn many different ways to make Cricut Christmas ornaments. Get inspired by this list of over 25 ornaments to make with a Cricut!
I have made a lot of Christmas ornaments with my Cricut over the past 10 years and I’ve been busy making more for this year during the holiday season.
I purchased one pack of acrylic ornaments and made a bunch of quick and elegant ornaments in minutes. These Cricut ornaments should definitely be added to your Christmas crafts list!
There are a lot of ways to decorate ornaments with a Cricut, but today I have my favorite three. These would go perfectly with your other DIY Christmas decorations or as gifts for any family member or really anyone!
And you don’t need to stop with ornaments, these would make super cute gift tags, great gifts, or acrylic keychains (or both)!
I do have a full YouTube video going over all of these steps if you like to watch the steps in action (link below).
Materials Needed for Cricut Christmas Ornaments
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- acrylic ornaments – I am using this bag of 50
- permanent vinyl
- transfer tape
- liquid gold leaf or chalk paint or extra fine glitter and Mod Podge
- Cricut or other cutting machine
- printable vinyl (for DY photo ornaments or to use print then cut)
- Cricut Maker and engraving tip for engraved ornaments
- basic Cricut tools
Options for the Back of Cricut Ornaments
There are so many ways to decorate the back of these acrylic Cricut Christmas ornaments. I looked through my stash of crafting supplies and found a few things to try.
The first thing you’ll need to do is peel off the paper backing on one side of the acrylic ornament. There is a paper on each side, but I like to leave the front one on until I am adding the vinyl so it doesn’t get scratched.
A fun way to add a pop of color to the ornaments is by adding some paint to the back.
I painted swishes of liquid gold leaf on some and white chalk paint on others. (Make sure to watch the video at the bottom to see all these steps in action!)
I also used a Martha Stewart pearl paint and glitter speck paint. I tried a Patio paint but it was kind of see through (the green one) so I didn’t end up using it. Let all the paint fully dry before adding the vinyl to the front.
How to Glitter the Back of Acrylic Ornaments
I love my disc glitter ornaments, but I have to say these flat ornaments are much easier to make because there is no curve to them!
Once I peeled the paper backing off, I applied a thin layer of Mod Podge to the acrylic circle using long and even brush strokes.
Once Mod Podge is covering the entire ornament, dump some extra fine glitter all over it so it’s covered and then shake the excess off.
Let the glitter dry for 15-20 minutes. Then use a dry flat brush and brush over the glitter to take the excess glitter that didn’t glue down off.
I wanted two layers of glitter to ensure good coverage (but this is optional). So I applied another thin layer of Mod Podge on top of the glitter and again dumped glitter on top and then tapped off the excess.
Let that layer dry for another 20 minutes or so. Then I applied a layer of Triple Thick on top since I think it’s a little better sealer, but you can also use another layer of Mod Podge to seal it.
I stuck my weeding tool into the hole at the top of the ornament to open it up so the Mod Podge didn’t seal it. Then let the ornament fully dry.
Favorite Ways to Fill Clear Ornaments
If you want to make homemade ornaments, filling clear plastic balls is easy enough for kids to help and the results are a stunning Christmas ornament to hang on your Christmas tree or give as a handmade gift.
When we first wrote about using clear ornaments as the foundation of an ornament craft, only clear glass ornaments were available. Thankfully, many versions of clear plastic ornaments have come to market making these ways to fill clear ornaments perfect for even younger kids.
DIY Clear Ornaments Ideas
1. DIY North Pole Ornament
Create a Scene-scape inside a clear ornament. Use a straw and a snowman charm to re-create the North Pole with this sweet idea from Tatertots and Jello!
2. Clear Ornament Painted on the Inside Craft
Paint the inside of your clear plastic ornament red, and then add Elmo’s face to create a fun Elmo Ornament with this tutorial from Crazy Little Projects!
3. Neon Swirl Idea for Clear Glass Ornament
The VSCO girl on your list will adore I Love to Create‘s fun Neon Glitter Ornament! You can use glow in the dark paint behind the glitter to add a glow.
4. Disco Ball Ornament Craft for Older Kids
Make a Disco Ball Ornament by gluing bits of a broken CD to the outside of clear glass ornament balls. This idea, from Creme de la Craft, isn’t just for Christmas! They can also be used to create a stunning centerpiece to leave out, year-round!
5. Photo Inside a Clear Ornament Craft
Create a time capsule of sorts by filling clear ornaments with a current family photo, along with a couple items to remember the year. What a fun craft from Fynes Designs!
6. Fillable Ornaments That Look Like Marbles
This was the original idea for using clear glass ornaments for crafts many years ago here at Kids Activities Blog! We used a marble and some paint to create the coolest clear Christmas ornaments.
7. Beach in a Clear Ornament Idea
Grab your favorite shape of a clear plastic ornament and fill it with kinetic sand. Your kids will love to fill ornaments with the sand, and then dump it out and play with it after the holidays! This is also a cute way to “gift wrap” kinetic sand to the kiddos on your list!
8. DIY Clear Ornaments Using Rubber Band Bracelets
My daughter loves wearing these rainbow loom bracelets. What a fun way to decorate the tree, and then Christmas morning, kids can dig the bracelets out of the ornament to wear, with this creative idea from Dobleufa.
9. Eye Spy Clear Ornament Idea
Use glue dots to affix googly eyes on clear plastic ornaments–kids will love making these! You can also pour glow in the dark paint inside of them, coating the interior, for these playful ornaments.
10. Water Color Paints Transform Clear Ornaments
We are loving this idea from By Stephanie Lynn! Use alcohol ink to dye ornaments into a gorgeous mottled look.
11. Neon Puffy Paint Ornament Crafts
Grab neon puffy paint and scribble over an ornament and make a fun statement with this idea from I Love to Create!
12. Make Your Clear Ornament a Terrarium
Make a mock terrarium with this educational ornament craft from Brit + Co! Fill ornaments with bits of moss and greenery.
13. Oil Diffusing Ornament Crafts
Add drops of your favorite essential oil, along with a tablespoon of kitchen oil to an ornament, with some dried spices, to make a DIY Oil Diffuser Ornament.
14. Make Your Own Ornament That Smells Good
Give the gift of a soak in the tub this Christmas! Fill an ornament with Epsom Salt , and add a touch of your favorite essential oils. If you really want to get fancy, add a drop of food dye to color the ball!
Simple DIY Ornament Ideas Using Clear Balls
15. Clear Plastic Ornament Snowman Craft
Add a styrofoam head, and your clear glass ornaments can become a snow man with this cute idea from Whatever…! Fill it with fake snow, and use a marker to create buttons and a face.
16. Hot Cocoa Glass Fillable Ornaments
Looking for the perfect gift idea for a neighbor? Try out Sprinkle Some Fun‘s idea to fill a clear glass ornament with hot chocolate! Layer hot chocolate mix, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and mini-marshmallows for a fun treat. Be sure to seal it and drink before the season is over, though!
17. DIY Washi Tape on Clear Ornaments
Wrap Washi tape around your ornament! The easiest ornament your kids will ever make!
18. Glitter Glass Ornament Balls
All you need is glue and glitter to make Brittany Makes‘ Zentangle Scribbled Ornament.
