These Dollar Tree Christmas crafts look expensive but cost just a few dollars each. Below you’ll find 30 easy ideas for decor, gifts, outdoor displays and kid-friendly projects, each with the difficulty, approximate cost and time, so you can pick your favorites fast.
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Before You Shop for Dollar Tree Christmas Crafts
A few quick tips will save you a second trip:
- Prices: most Dollar Tree items now cost $1.25 to $1.50, and some larger seasonal pieces are $3 to $5. Prices vary by store, so our costs below are estimates.
- Shop early: Christmas stock usually arrives in the fall and the popular items (bottle brush trees, ornaments, wood beads) sell out well before December.
- Basic kit: a hot glue gun and glue sticks, sharp scissors, floral wire, spray paint and a roll of ribbon cover most of the projects on this list.
- Make it look expensive: stick to two or three colors, mix in natural textures like wood, jute and greenery, and group decor in odd numbers.
Dollar Tree Christmas Decor Projects
Start with these Dollar Tree Christmas DIY projects for the mantel, coffee table and entryway. Most take under an hour.
1. Picture Frame Wreath Window
Pop the glass and backing out of a large Dollar Tree picture frame and spray paint the frame white or gold. Hang a small faux wreath in the open center with a length of ribbon, then add a bow at the top. It reads like a vintage window and works on a door, wall or leaning on a mantel.
2. Snow Globe Jar
Hot glue a mini bottle brush tree to the inside of a jar lid, sprinkle in faux snow and screw the jar on upside down. Group three jars in different sizes on a tray for a centerpiece that costs less than one store-bought snow globe. Keep this one dry; there’s no water, so nothing can leak.
3. Wood Bead Garland
String Dollar Tree wood beads onto jute twine, tying a knot every few beads so they stay spaced. Add a tassel at each end for a farmhouse finish. Drape it on the tree, across a mantel, or around a stack of books on the coffee table.
4. Candy Cane Vase Centerpiece
Hot glue candy canes around a glass cylinder vase or a clean can, hooks facing the same way, then tie a ribbon around the middle. Fill it with red flowers or evergreen picks. Real candy canes can get sticky in humid rooms, so use plastic ones if it will sit out all season.
5. Lantern Centerpiece
Fill a Dollar Tree lantern with battery fairy lights, a few shatterproof ornaments and a small evergreen pick, then add a bow to the handle. Battery lights keep it safe on a table or near kids. Two lanterns on either side of the fireplace look polished and cost very little.
6. Charger Plate Christmas Sign
Glue a ring of faux greenery around the rim of a gold charger plate and add a small bow at the bottom. Write “Merry Christmas” or your family name in the center with a paint pen or vinyl letters. Hang it with a plate hanger or display it on a small easel.
7. Pool Noodle Wreath
Bend a pool noodle into a circle and join the ends with duct tape, then wrap it tightly in tinsel garland, ribbon or yarn. Finish with a big bow and a few ornaments glued on. It’s very light, so it hangs on a door hook without damaging the door.
8. Frosted Mason Jar Luminaries
Brush Mod Podge over the outside of a glass jar and roll it in Epsom salt for a frosty look. Once dry, tie twine around the neck and add a battery tea light. Never use a real flame with paper or ribbon decorations.
9. Mini Christmas Tree Forest
Cluster several Dollar Tree bottle brush trees in a wood tray or dough bowl and scatter faux snow around them. Mix two or three sizes and add a tiny house or deer figurine. It’s one of the quickest ways to make a table look styled.
10. Shatterproof Ornament Garland
Thread shatterproof ornaments onto floral wire or fishing line through their caps, mixing sizes and finishes. Shape the wire into a gentle curve and hang it over a doorway or along a staircase. Matte and shiny ornaments in one color look more expensive than a rainbow mix.
11. Mirror Candle Tray
Set a round Dollar Tree mirror in the middle of your table and arrange battery pillar candles, pinecones and a few greenery sprigs on top. The mirror doubles the candle glow at night. Stick to warm white candles for a classic look.
12. Christmas Gnome
Cover a foam cone with a felt or sweater-knit hat, add a faux fur beard and a wooden bead nose with hot glue. Weight the base with a bag of rice inside the cone if it tips over. Make a set of three in different heights for a mantel display.
Dollar Tree Christmas Gifts
These Dollar Tree Christmas gifts are easy to make in batches for teachers, neighbors and coworkers.
13. Hot Cocoa Gift Jar
Layer cocoa mix, mini marshmallows and crushed peppermint in a clean jar, then tie on a tag with mixing instructions. Add a candy cane on the outside for a festive finish. Check food labels for allergies before you give them out.
14. Spa Gift Bucket
Fill a small tin bucket with bath salts, a washcloth, lip balm and a mini lotion, then wrap it in cellophane with a bow. Dollar Tree’s beauty aisle covers everything. It’s a reliable gift for teachers and coworkers.
15. Personalized Ornament
Write a name and year on a clear or matte ornament with a paint pen or vinyl letters. Fill clear ornaments with faux snow, tinsel or confetti first. Personalized ornaments are one of the most-requested handmade gifts and cost very little.
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16. Coffee Mug Gift Set
Fill a Dollar Tree mug with cocoa or coffee packets, a few candies and a tiny ornament, then wrap it in cellophane and tie with ribbon. Choose plain mugs and add a vinyl initial for a custom look. Easy to make ten at once for a classroom or office.
17. Wood Slice Coasters
Paint or stamp a simple design such as a snowflake, tree or initial on wood rounds, then seal them with a clear water-based sealer. Stack four with twine and a gift tag. Seal both sides so they don’t warp from cold drinks.
18. Candy Cane Reindeer Treats
Glue googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose onto wrapped candy canes, then twist a brown pipe cleaner around the top for antlers. They’re a fun classroom or party favor. Small parts are a choking hazard for children under three.
Outdoor Dollar Tree Christmas Decor
Use these outdoor Dollar Tree Christmas decor ideas for the porch and yard. Choose weather-safe materials and outdoor-rated lights.
19. Tomato Cage Christmas Trees
Flip a tomato cage upside down, gather the legs at the top with zip ties and wrap it in garland and outdoor lights. Look for cages in the garden aisle or at a hardware store. Make two to flank the front door.
20. Oversized Porch Ornaments
Glue two plastic bowls rim to rim, spray paint them in a glossy color, and top with a painted plastic cup as the ornament cap. Add a ribbon loop and set them in a planter or hang them from the porch ceiling. Seal with clear spray so they hold up to weather.
21. Candy Cane Pathway Markers
Slide a stiff wire through a pool noodle, bend the top into a hook, and wrap it with red and white tape in a spiral. Push the wire end into the ground along your walkway. They’re light and bright, and kids love helping make them.
22. Lighted Door Garland
Wire several Dollar Tree garlands together to frame the front door, then weave in battery lights and shatterproof ornaments. Secure them with adhesive hooks rated for outdoor use. Use a timer on the lights to save batteries.
Grinch Christmas Crafts From the Dollar Tree
Grinch decor is one of the most-searched Christmas themes on Pinterest. These Dollar Tree Grinch crafts are made for personal decor.
23. Grinch Tinsel Wreath
Wrap a foam or wire wreath form in lime green tinsel garland and add a single red ornament or felt heart off center. Tie a red and white striped bow at the top. The bright green and red combination is what makes it read as Grinch.
24. Whimsical Grinch Tree
Decorate a small tabletop tree with red and lime green ornaments and a crooked topper made from a foam cone wrapped in felt. Bend the top so it leans to one side. Add a red bead garland for a cheerful, playful look.
25. Grinch Heart Treat Jars
Paint small jars bright green, add a red heart to the front with paint or vinyl, and fill with green and red candy. Tie a red ribbon around the lid. They work as party favors or a fun classroom treat.
Easy Dollar Tree Christmas Projects for Kids
These easy Dollar Tree Christmas projects are kid-friendly. An adult should handle hot glue and sharp tools.
26. Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
Glue three or four craft sticks crossed at the center, paint them white or silver and add glitter or sequins. Hang them on the tree or in a window. Use white school glue for younger kids and let them dry overnight.
27. Paper Plate Wreath
Cut the center out of a paper plate, paint the ring green, and let kids glue on torn tissue paper or pom-pom berries. Add a ribbon bow and a hanging loop. It’s a classic classroom craft that kids can take home as a gift.
28. Clothespin Reindeer Ornaments
Glue two wooden clothespins together to make antlers and a face, then add googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose. Tie on a ribbon loop. Kids can make a whole herd in one afternoon.
29. Paint Swirl Ornaments
Squeeze two or three acrylic paint colors inside a clear plastic ornament and let kids swirl it around until it’s coated. Turn it upside down on a cup to drain and dry. Every ornament comes out different, which makes it a sweet keepsake.
30. Salt Dough Handprint Ornament
Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt and about 1/2 cup water, roll it out and press in a child’s handprint. Poke a hole for ribbon, bake low until hard, then paint and seal. Write the year on the back for a keepsake.
Dollar Tree Christmas Crafts FAQ
What can I make with Dollar Tree Christmas supplies?
Garlands, wreaths, centerpieces, ornaments and small gifts are the easiest projects. Bottle brush trees, shatterproof ornaments, wood beads, lanterns and frames are the most versatile items to buy.
How do I make Dollar Tree Christmas decor look expensive?
Use a tight color palette, mix in natural textures like wood, jute and fresh or faux greenery, and repeat items in groups of three. Spray paint in matte or metallic finishes also hides the plastic look.
When does Dollar Tree put out Christmas decorations?
Christmas items usually start arriving in the fall, often before Halloween, and popular pieces sell out early. Shop in October or early November for the best selection.
How much does Dollar Tree charge now?
Most items are $1.25 to $1.50, with some larger items at $3 to $5. Prices vary by store, so check in your local store before you plan a project.
Looking for more? Browse our Christmas crafts and decor, homemade DIY gifts, and easy kids crafts.
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Photos are illustrative stock images from Pixabay. Prices are approximate and were checked at the time of writing.
