DIY Picture Ornaments Made With Recycled Wrapping Paper

Photo ornaments are a tradition on my family Christmas tree. It’s fun to see pictures from years past while we are decorating the Christmas tree, and the kids love to hunt around the tree to find their baby pictures and see how much they have changed. This year, I decided to recycle some of my leftover wrapping paper to create unique DIY picture ornaments.

Recycled Wrapping DIY Picture Ornaments Supplies:

Darice Paper Mache Puffy Heart Ornament
Lace Ribbon
Gift Wrapping Paper
Mod Podge (Matte)
Darice Foam Brush
Darice Scissors
Family Photos (Printed about 2 x 3 inches)

Step 1. To begin your DIY picture ornaments, squeeze Mod Podge onto the paper mache heart ornament and spread it around with a foam brush. Apply gift wrap to the surface.

Hint: Cheaper, thin gift wrap is perfect for these DIY picture ornaments because it will mold to the surface of the paper mache ornaments more easily.

Cut slits into the paper wherever it starts to fold or buckle, then spread Mod Podge over and under the wrapping paper to keep it flat against the ornament. You will use multiple pieces of wrapping paper to get a good fit around the curves and contours of the paper mache ornament. Just overlap the wrapping paper so that you completely cover the paper mache surface.

Step 2. After the ornament is covered with wrapping paper, add a thin coat of Mod Podge over the entire ornament and set it aside to dry. Don’t worry, the Mod Podge will dry completely clear!

Step 3. Cut strips of lace wide enough to make a frame for the photo. Brush a thick layer of Mod Podge on the back of the photo, then lay the lace strips onto the back of the photo, with the edges overhanging the photo.

Step 4. Allow the Mod Podge to dry completely onto the back of the photo, then trim the lace frame to make the edges even.

Step 5. Glue the lace-framed photo onto the ornament with Mod Podge, or alternately, hot glue.

Add any additional embellishments you like to your DIY picture ornaments, such as rhinestones, buttons, or other trinkets. Consider these DIY star ornaments for another fun homemade ornament option to try this year.