In this post, we’ll look at fifteen primitive Christmas crafts ideas for you and the family to tackle this holiday season to infuse your home with vintage charm!
Published: 9/15/24
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It seems that every year, as the price of everything around us rises, the price of holiday home decor SKYROCKETS!
I have always loved decorating my home for the holidays, and now that I’m a mom, it means even more to me.
I want my son to grow up with Christmas feeling just as magical to him as it did to me when I was a kid!
A huge part of that magic, I know now, was because of all the effort my mom put into making the house feel warm, inviting, and festive around Christmas time.
So even though not all of us can afford to go out and purchase new and trendy decorations every year, that doesn’t mean we can’t deck our halls!
These easy DIY primitive Christmas crafts ideas make the perfect holiday traditions to start with your family. The only thing better than decorating with your family is creating the decor with your family!
Kiddos of all ages will be able to get in on the fun with these ideas. Not only will they create family fun, but they’ll save your wallet a lot of damage as well.
If you’re like me and love the primitive home decor style with all its vintage charm and rustic magic, then you’re sure to find something on this list that will get you excited about decorating for Christmas this year.
15 Primitive Christmas Crafts
1. Dehydrated Fruit Ornaments
Credit: @marcieaton63
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Nothing looks more classic and vintage to me when it comes to Christmas home decor than dehydrated fruit garlands and ornaments.
I love the look of dried oranges or strings of cranberries hung throughout homes in the winter.
The best part about decorating this way is it also smells incredible! You get two in one decor and potpourri.
2. Book Page Garland
Crafts: @homespunwithlove
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For this idea, you can either use a book that you have lying around the house or purchase a book from a thrift store so you can use the pages.
Cut the pages into identical shapes and use either stencils or stamps to create lettering on the pages.
You can create any type of holiday saying on your book page garland, but some classics are “noel”, “let it snow”, or “happy holidays”.
3. Cutout Gingerbread Men
Credit: @farmhousewares
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One of the reasons I love using garland for my holiday decorations is it always looks beautiful, is versatile where you can place it, and it makes a great family project.
Almost any age can get involved in cutting out pieces, decorating faces, or tying bows.
Holiday home decor is so much more special and sentimental when the family has made it all together than just buying something from the $3 bin at Walmart!
4. Embroidered Quilt Squares
Credit: @daisycottagequilting
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Now obviously if you’re hoping to DIY this primitive Christmas crafts idea, you’ll have to be on the craftier side!
I am personally not much of a wiz with needle and thread (and don’t even mention a sewing machine) but I’m cursed because there’s nothing I love more than quilts.
These adorable homemade quilt squares make the perfect primitive decor as is, or obviously strung together to create a warm and inviting holiday quilt.
5. Model of Your Home
Credit: @tscrabtree
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I can’t believe I’ve never thought to do this, but now I can’t get the idea out of my head!
Instead of curating a Christmas village with buildings that you’ve never seen, create a Christmas vignette with your very own house and yard as inspo.
It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. It could even be made out of cardboard! But how fun would it be to have your own little model of your home to decorate for each season?
6. Burlap Mini Trees
Credit: @thehalseyhomestead
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Instead of buying handfuls of plastic bottleneck trees from the Target dollar section to place throughout your home this year, make your own version that’s even better.
Stitch together triangles of burlap filled with a little bit of stuffing or even newspaper then attach to a stand.
These little trees have much more character and primitive charm. Plus, they’re a more sustainable option and will probably last in storage better anyway!
7. DIY Pine Trees
Credit: @southernhomeandliving
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Check out Southern Home and Living’s Instagram page tagged above for the full DIY of this adorable pine tree.
She says she came up with the idea because she loved the look of layered trees in many different sizes throughout her home but couldn’t justify the cost of buying so many artificial trees.
Instead, she purchased these artificial pine branches that can be bent into shape. She then wraps them around a branch to create custom primitive look trees for an affordable price!
8. Ribbon Candy Canes
Credit: @foster.farmhouse
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This primitive Christmas craft is going on my To Do list this year because I am obsessed.
I love primitive and rustic home decor, but it can be challenging to learn how to incorporate color when using so many natural materials.
These plaid and striped ribbon candy canes are a great way to add a pop of red to your displays. Plus, they’re easy to make in bulk so you can place them all over the house!
9. Book Page Paper Snowflakes
Credit: @hamburgdaniahoi
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Another idea using book pages to DIY your decor, but can you blame me? It’s such an easy way to make your Christmas decor look more vintage and romantic.
This is another great idea to turn into craft time with the kids if you’re looking for family holiday activities and traditions.
Cut out paper snowflakes as you would with any other material, just use book pages to make them look even better! I used to love filling the ceiling of my childhood home with paper snowflakes as a kid.
10. Holiday Themed Quilt
Credit: @maz_eclectic
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Again, this craft takes some actual skill, but for all the quilters out there, this is the perfect holiday craft.
I love quilts that aren’t absolutely flawless because the mistakes and jumbled stitches add character.
Create a quilt with all kinds of holiday symbols like bright red berries, pine trees, gingerbread men, and little candy canes. The best thing about crafts like these are they can be passed down family lines for years!
11. Pine and Greenery Bundles
Credit: @1776colonialhome
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There are ways to bring winter greenery into your home other than just layering a ton of Christmas trees and garlands!
Get creative with something a little more unique like these pine bundles tied with a ribbon in the center.
You can find all sorts of assorted branches and berries at your local craft store, then just bundle them up how you like, and secure with a festive ribbon of your choice. These look great line among stair railings!
12. Hand Sewn Gingerbread Men
Credit: @diybeautify
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Look, I love baking gingerbread men cookies as much as the next person, but the problem is they never last very long around my house!
I wish I could blame that on someone else, but it’s really because gingerbread is my vice. So if I want to have any type of gingerbread decor around the house, it has to be fake.
That’s why these handsewn gingerbread men are perfect. They look similar to the cookies, but I, my son, my dogs, and my partner can’t nibble at them until they’re gone.
13. Paint Stick Stars
Credit: @upstatecreativeworks
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This is the kind of DIY craft idea that is right up my alley. It takes minimal skill and effort, but the result is totally beautiful!
All you need or this craft is a hot glue gun (honestly could probably use any type of glue), some paint stirring sticks, and your choice of paint or wood stain.
I feel like using wood stain is your best bet to making this star decor look expensive and elegant. Add on some bells or greenery to elevate them even more!
14. Homemade Vintage Stockings
Credit: @delightfulclutter
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I have been totally sold on this vintage mismatch stockings look for my fireplace mantel this year.
Instead of lining up a row of matching stockings that look too perfect and shiny new, let everyone create their own stockings out of scrap material and buttons.
This way, everyone can make their stocking look exactly the way they want, and you get this adorable vintage looking mantel display!
15. Sheet Music Paintings
Credit: @gingershull
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Like I always love to do, I saved my favorite idea for last. These adorable Christmas carol sheet music turned painting pieces are so lovely and make or an easy afternoon craft.
It’s not hard to find holiday sheet music. You’d probably have luck at any thrift store around the holidays, or you can just find vintage looking sheet music printables online.
Then it’s as simple as painting a sweet little holiday scene over top. The trick is to paint with a soft hand so the music notes shine through the portrait.
Pair with a rustic frame to complete this primitive project that will make your home feel more festive than ever this holiday season.
