As the holidays roll around, there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than by crafting with your kids.
Making Christmas ornaments together is a fun, memorable activity that fills your home with creativity, laughter, and those cherished handmade touches. If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for new ways to engage your kids during the holiday season, and a laser cutter has quickly become my secret weapon for fun, family-friendly crafting.
Laser cutting may sound intimidating at first, but trust me, it’s not as complicated as it seems. With a bit of guidance, even beginners can create stunning, professional-looking ornaments that your family will treasure for years. Plus, involving your kids in the process teaches them a bit about technology and design while tapping into their artistic side. Let’s dive into some ideas that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy!
Why Laser-Cut Ornaments?
There’s something magical about crafting ornaments with a laser cutter. Unlike traditional hand-made decorations, a laser cutter allows you to achieve intricate designs that would be impossible to replicate with scissors or a craft knife. You can personalize every ornament to reflect your family’s unique style—whether it’s delicate snowflakes, cheerful reindeer, or custom designs featuring your kids’ names.
For moms like us, having a tool that makes crafting easy and precise is a game changer. If you’re new to laser cutting, start by checking out this guide on wood laser engraving. It’s packed with tips and inspiration to help you get started. Once you see how simple and versatile a laser cutter can be, you’ll be hooked.
1. Personalized Name Ornaments
One of my favorite traditions is making personalized ornaments for each family member. Using your laser cutter, you can create beautiful name tags that double as tree decorations. My kids love designing their fonts and choosing holiday motifs like holly leaves or snowflakes to surround their names. Once cut, we paint them in festive colors and add glitter for an extra sparkle. It’s such a simple yet meaningful project—and it makes great gifts for grandparents, too!
2. Festive Snowflakes
No Christmas tree is complete without a few snowflakes, and a laser cutter lets you create stunningly detailed designs. My kids get so excited picking out snowflake patterns from this Christmas craft ideas collection. The intricate details are mesmerizing, and once cut from thin wood or acrylic, the ornaments are ready to be painted or left as-is for a rustic charm. We often make a few extras to hang in the windows or use as gift toppers.
3. Animal-Themed Ornaments
If your kids are animal lovers, this project will be a hit. Whether it’s a prancing reindeer, a curious penguin, or a playful polar bear, animal-themed ornaments add a whimsical touch to your tree. My daughter loves drawing her own animal designs, which we then upload to the laser cutter for engraving. The best part? Watching her beam with pride when she sees her creations hanging on the tree.
4. Photo Frame Ornaments
Turn your Christmas tree into a scrapbook of memories with laser-cut photo frame ornaments. These frames can be designed in festive shapes like stars, bells, or hearts. My family uses these frames to display snapshots from the year, creating a visual time capsule of cherished moments. The kids enjoy picking the photos, and I love how it makes the tree feel so personal and nostalgic.
5. 3D Layered Ornaments
For those looking to step up their crafting game, try making 3D ornaments. These are made by layering multiple laser-cut pieces to create depth and dimension. While this might sound tricky, it’s surprisingly easy—and a lot of fun! My kids like to help glue the layers together and choose the color schemes. Watching a flat design come to life in 3D is always rewarding, and these ornaments never fail to impress visitors.
6. Gingerbread Houses
Why stop at gingerbread men when you can make gingerbread house ornaments? These laser-cut designs are adorable and add a playful touch to your tree. We cut the pieces from thin wood, then assemble them like a puzzle. Once the houses are glued together, the kids go wild decorating them with paint, markers, and glitter. It’s messy but so much fun, and the results are worth it!
7. Wooden Stars with Engraved Messages
Stars are a timeless symbol of Christmas, and they’re incredibly versatile as ornaments. To make them extra special, we engrave holiday messages or quotes onto the wooden stars. A laser cutter allows you to engrave with precision, so even tiny lettering looks crisp and clean. These ornaments make thoughtful gifts for teachers, neighbors, or anyone who appreciates a personal touch.
8. DIY Advent Calendar Pieces
Who says ornaments have to hang on a tree? This year, we’re creating a laser-cut advent calendar with tiny ornaments for each day leading up to Christmas. Each piece is unique—a tiny Christmas tree, a candy cane, a snowman—and the kids take turns adding a new ornament to the tree every morning. It’s such a joyful way to count down to the big day, and the kids love the anticipation of discovering the next ornament.
9. Holiday-Themed Puzzle Ornaments
If your kids love puzzles, this idea is a hit. Using your laser cutter, you can create ornaments that double as tiny puzzles. Cut festive shapes into several interlocking pieces, and let your kids assemble them before hanging them on the tree. These ornaments are great for younger children and make wonderful party favors for holiday gatherings.
10. Miniature Wreaths
Finally, miniature wreath ornaments are a classic choice with a modern twist. Using a laser cutter, you can create delicate wreath designs from wood or acrylic. My kids and I like to add embellishments like tiny red bows or painted berries to make them pop. These little wreaths are easy to make and add a cozy, festive feel to any tree.
Crafting Memories with Laser-Cut Ornaments
Crafting with kids is about more than just the finished product—it’s about creating memories together. With each ornament we make, we share laughs, tell stories, and build excitement for the holidays. The ornaments themselves become keepsakes, reminding us of the time spent together every time we hang them on the tree.
This holiday season, embrace the joy of DIY and let your laser cutter help you create ornaments that are as unique as your family. Gather your supplies, pour some hot cocoa, and make an afternoon of it. These moments are what make the holidays truly magical. Happy crafting!
