12 Bauble Decorating Examples to Try This Christmas

A plain bauble is a small thing with a big job: it has to hold its own among the lights, greenery and much-loved decorations that come out every December. These bauble decorating examples are designed to turn simple blank shapes into keepsakes, gift tags with a little extra magic, or an afternoon of happy, screen-free making with the family.

The nicest part is that there is no single right way to decorate a bauble. A painted wooden shape suits a rustic tree, while a clear fillable bauble can become a tiny winter scene. Start with the materials you enjoy using, choose a finish that works with your tree or gift wrapping, and allow each one to be a little different.

Bauble decorating examples for every kind of maker

1. Painted wooden baubles with a simple motif

Wooden baubles are a wonderfully forgiving starting point, especially for children and anyone returning to painting after a break. Cover the surface with acrylic paint, let it dry fully, then add a small design such as a star, holly sprig, candy cane stripe or initial. A fine paintbrush or paint pen helps keep details crisp.

For a calm, coordinated look, work with three colours only. Cream, forest green and red feel traditionally festive, while navy, silver and white are lovely for a wintry scheme. Finish with a coat of suitable varnish if the bauble will be handled often, then thread ribbon or baker's twine through the hole.

2. Decoupaged paper baubles

Decoupage is ideal when you have beautiful scraps of wrapping paper, old music paper, napkins or patterned craft paper that deserve another outing. Tear rather than cut the paper for softer edges, then attach overlapping pieces with decoupage glue. Smooth each piece gently from the centre outwards to reduce creases.

Thin paper gives the neatest result, but a stronger design often matters more than a perfectly flat surface. Try botanical prints for a country-style tree, book pages for a literary feel, or bright paper scraps for a cheerful family collection. Add a painted name or a small wooden letter once the surface is dry.

3. Clear baubles filled with tiny treasures

Fillable clear baubles make even everyday craft materials look special. Use feathers, pom-poms, paper stars, faux snow, dried petals, beads or curled strips of coloured paper. A little goes a long way: overfilling can hide the individual textures that make this style so appealing.

For a gift bauble, choose fillings with a personal link. A baby’s first Christmas might feature a tiny printed name, soft white feathers and a miniature ribbon bow. For a friend who loves sewing, try miniature buttons, thread snippets and a fabric tag with the year written on it.

4. Glitter-dipped statement baubles

A glitter-dipped bauble catches tree-light beautifully without requiring lots of intricate work. Paint glue around the bottom third of a bauble, sprinkle glitter over a tray, and leave it flat or hanging until fully dry. Use one shade for a clean finish, or layer two related shades for depth.

Glitter does have a trade-off: it can shed if it is not sealed. Work over a wipe-clean surface, keep young children away from loose fine glitter, and apply a suitable clear sealant once the adhesive has dried. Chunky glitter is often easier for small hands to control and gives a more textured effect.

5. Fabric-covered baubles

Fabric-covered baubles bring warmth to a tree and are an excellent way to use favourite offcuts from sewing projects. Cut small fabric pieces, brush adhesive onto a foam or papier-mâché bauble, and overlap the pieces until the whole shape is covered. Cotton works well, but lightweight linen, velvet and festive prints each create a different character.

A narrow ribbon wrapped around the middle can hide joins and make the result look more polished. Consider matching these baubles to a handmade stocking, table runner or gift bag for decorations that feel thoughtfully tied together.

6. Button and bead mosaics

If your craft drawer contains a colourful mixture of buttons or leftover beads, a mosaic bauble lets you use them without needing matching quantities. Cover a sturdy blank with adhesive and arrange the pieces close together. Start with the largest buttons, then fill gaps with smaller beads or sequins.

This is a satisfying project for older children and adults, although it benefits from patience. A foam base is lightweight, but a wooden or papier-mâché bauble may be better for heavier embellishments. Make sure each item is firmly attached before hanging it on the tree.

7. Ribbon-wrapped baubles

Ribbon-wrapped baubles look far more elaborate than they are. Begin at the top, secure the end of the ribbon with a small amount of glue, and wind it around the shape with slight overlaps. Satin ribbon gives a smooth, smart finish, whereas velvet, gingham or natural jute creates a more textured look.

You can wrap in a single direction or cross ribbons over each other to form a neat pattern. A small bow at the top is enough decoration on its own, but a button, wooden star or bell can add a final detail. This is a practical choice when you want several matching baubles quickly.

8. Salt dough handprint keepsakes

Flat salt dough baubles are made for memory-making. Roll the dough to an even thickness, press in a little handprint or a thumbprint, cut out a circle, and make a hanging hole before baking. Once cooled, paint the print in a contrasting colour and add the child’s name and date to the reverse.

These are particularly lovely for grandparents, teachers and nursery gifts. As with any craft project involving an oven, an adult should handle the baking and supervise the making. Store finished salt dough decorations somewhere dry after Christmas so they are ready to enjoy again.

9. Hand-lettered name baubles

A plain painted bauble becomes a place setting, a thoughtful gift topper or a treasured tree decoration with a handwritten name. Use a paint pen in white, gold or metallic silver over a darker background, and practise the lettering on paper first. Short names and initials are easiest to place neatly around the curve.

If freehand lettering feels daunting, use letter stickers or a stencil. Add the year underneath for a decoration that records family celebrations as they grow. A set of named baubles also helps younger children feel that the tree is theirs to help decorate.

10. Mini winter scenes inside a bauble

For makers who enjoy detail, turn a clear bauble into a miniature snowy scene. Add a little faux snow, a small bottle-brush tree, a tiny house or woodland animal, and secure the pieces with a dab of glue where needed. Tweezers make placement much easier through a narrow opening.

Choose lightweight pieces and keep the arrangement simple. The scene needs room to be seen from different angles, and a heavy bauble may pull a branch down. These take more time than a painted design, but they make memorable handmade gifts and look lovely grouped together.

11. Stamped clay baubles

Air-drying clay gives you a beautifully tactile alternative to round baubles. Roll it out, cut circles or festive shapes, then press in lace, leaves, alphabet stamps or textured fabric before making a hole for hanging. Leave the clay to dry according to the instructions, then paint selectively or leave it natural.

White clay with a simple black name stamp has a modern, calm look. Terracotta-coloured clay paired with jute twine feels more rustic. Because clay decorations can chip, wrap them carefully if you are giving them as presents or packing them away after the festive season.

12. Photo baubles for a personal tree

A photo bauble can celebrate a new baby, a beloved pet, a wedding, a holiday or a year of family moments. For clear baubles, print a small photograph on ordinary paper, trim it into a narrow strip, gently curl it around a pencil and slide it inside. Add a little faux snow or confetti if you like.

Alternatively, attach a small printed photograph to a flat wooden bauble and seal it with decoupage glue. Choose copies rather than irreplaceable originals, and make sure ink is dry before sealing. A date written discreetly on the back turns a lovely decoration into an annual tradition.

A few finishing touches that make a difference

Hanging material matters more than it first appears. Velvet ribbon makes an ornate bauble feel luxurious, natural twine suits wood and clay, and colourful cord is cheerful for children’s makes. Keep the hanging loop generous enough to fit comfortably over a branch, especially if you have a fuller artificial tree.

Before adding your bauble to the tree, check that paint, glue and sealant are completely dry. If you are crafting with children, prepare a tray for each maker with the chosen blank, adhesives and a manageable number of decorations. Too many choices can make the project feel harder, while a small colour palette often leads to results they are proud to hang up.

Make a few baubles each year rather than trying to transform the whole tree in one weekend. The handprint, the slightly wonky painted star and the ribbon chosen by a small pair of hands are often the decorations everyone looks for first when Christmas comes around again.