17 Cardboard Christmas Decorations Ideas to Spark Your Holiday Spirit

Christmas is a time for joy, creativity, and a bit of DIY magic. One of the most sustainable and budget-friendly ways to decorate your home is by using cardboard. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it also allows you to get creative and personalize your decorations. In this article, we’ll explore 17 cardboard Christmas decoration ideas that are sure to add a unique touch to your holiday season.

1. Cardboard Christmas Tree

A cardboard Christmas tree is a classic and versatile decoration that can be customized in countless ways. You can create a simple, minimalist tree or go all out with intricate designs and vibrant colours.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, green paint, paintbrush, and decorations.
2. Steps:

• Cut out several large triangles from the cardboard.
• Stack the triangles, decreasing in size, and secure them with tape or glue.
• Paint the tree green and let it dry.
• Add decorations like ornaments, lights, and a star on top.

Pro Tip: Use different shades of green paint to create a more realistic look.

2. Cardboard Snowflakes

Snowflakes are a beautiful addition to any Christmas decor. They can be hung from the ceiling, placed on windows, or used as table centrepieces.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, white paint, and string.
2. Steps:

• Cut out several small squares from the cardboard.
• Fold the squares into intricate snowflake patterns.
• Unfold the squares and paint them white.
• Attach a string to each snowflake for hanging.

Pro Tip: Use a hole punch to create small holes in the cardboard before folding it for a more delicate look.

3. Cardboard Reindeer

Create a herd of adorable cardboard reindeer to add a whimsical touch to your home. These can be placed on mantels, and shelves, or even used as part of a larger scene.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, brown paint, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shapes for the reindeer’s body, head, and antlers.
• Assemble the pieces using glue or tape.
• Paint the reindeer brown and let it dry.
• Add googly eyes and pipe cleaners for the antlers and nose.

Pro Tip: Use different sizes of cardboard to create a family of reindeer, from tiny fawns to large stags.

4. Cardboard Advent Calendar

An advent calendar is a fun way to count down the days until Christmas. Using cardboard, you can create a personalized and reusable calendar that can be enjoyed year after year.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, markers, and small envelopes or bags.
2. Steps:

• Cut out 25 small squares or rectangles from the cardboard.
• Number each piece from 1 to 25.
• Attach the pieces to a larger piece of cardboard in a grid pattern.
• Place small treats or notes in envelopes or bags and attach them behind each numbered piece.

Pro Tip: Use different colours of markers to create a festive and vibrant calendar.

5. Cardboard Gingerbread House

A cardboard gingerbread house is a sweet decoration that can be displayed on a table or shelf. It’s also a fun project to do with kids.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, brown and white paint, and decorations like buttons or beads.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shapes for the house, including the roof, walls, and door.
• Assemble the pieces using glue or tape.
• Paint the house brown and the roof white.
• Add decorations like buttons or beads to create a gingerbread look.

Pro Tip: Use a hot glue gun to attach the decorations for a more secure hold.

6. Cardboard Wreath

A cardboard wreath is a simple yet elegant decoration that can be customized with various materials and colours.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, green paint, and decorations like ribbons or artificial flowers.
2. Steps:

• Cut out a large circle from the cardboard and then cut out a smaller circle in the centre to create a ring.
• Paint the wreath green and let it dry.
• Attach decorations like ribbons, artificial flowers, or pine cones to the wreath.

Pro Tip: Use a hot glue gun to attach the decorations for a more professional look.

7. Cardboard Stockings

Create a set of personalized cardboard stockings to hang by the fireplace. These can be decorated with your family’s names or initials.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, markers, and decorations like fabric or ribbon.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shape of a stocking from the cardboard.
• Decorate the stocking with markers, fabric, or ribbon.
• Attach a string or ribbon to the top for hanging.

Pro Tip: Use different colours of cardboard to create a variety of stockings.

8. Cardboard Snowman

A cardboard snowman is a charming addition to any Christmas decor. It can be placed on a table, or shelf, or even used as a lawn ornament.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, white paint, and decorations like buttons or a carrot nose.
2. Steps:

• Cut out three large circles from the cardboard.
• Stack the circles, decreasing in size, and secure them with tape or glue.
• Paint the snowman white and let it dry.
• Add decorations like buttons, a carrot nose, and a scarf.

Pro Tip: Use a black marker to draw the snowman’s face and buttons for a simple and cute look.

9. Cardboard Christmas Cards

Making your own Christmas cards is a thoughtful and personal way to send holiday greetings. Using cardboard, you can create unique and eco-friendly cards that are sure to be appreciated.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, markers, and decorations like stickers or glitter.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shape of a card from the cardboard.
• Decorate the card with markers, stickers, or glitter.
• Write a personal message inside the card.

Pro Tip: Use a hole punch to create a decorative border around the edges of the card.

10. Cardboard Bell

A cardboard bell is a simple and elegant decoration that can be hung from the ceiling or used as a table centrepiece.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, silver or gold paint, and a jingle bell.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shape of a bell from the cardboard.
• Paint the bell silver or gold and let it dry.
• Attach a jingle bell to the bottom of the cardboard bell.

Pro Tip: Use a ribbon to hang the bell and create a festive look.

11. Cardboard Star

A cardboard star is a classic and versatile decoration that can be used in various ways. It can be hung from the ceiling, placed on a tree, or used as a table centrepiece.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, gold or silver paint, and a string.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shape of a star from the cardboard.
• Paint the star gold or silver and let it dry.
• Attach a string to the top of the star for hanging.

Pro Tip: Use a hot glue gun to attach the string for a more secure hold.

12. Cardboard Ornament Holder

Create a cardboard ornament holder to display your favourite Christmas ornaments. This can be a beautiful and functional addition to your holiday decor.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, and decorations like ribbon or twine.
2. Steps:

• Cut out a large rectangle from the cardboard.
• Fold the rectangle in half to create a standing holder.
• Decorate the holder with ribbon or twine.
• Place your ornaments on the holder.

Pro Tip: Use a hot glue gun to attach the ribbon or twine for a more secure hold.

13. Cardboard Gift Tags

Making your own gift tags is a thoughtful and personal touch to your holiday gifts. Using cardboard, you can create unique and eco-friendly tags that are sure to be appreciated.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, markers, and ribbon.
2. Steps:

• Cut out small rectangles or circles from the cardboard.
• Decorate the tags with markers or stamps.
• Attach a ribbon to each tag for hanging.

Pro Tip: Use a hole punch to create a hole for the ribbon.

14. Cardboard Nativity Scene

A cardboard nativity scene is a beautiful and meaningful decoration that can be displayed in your home. It’s also a fun project to do with kids.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, markers, and decorations like fabric or beads.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shapes for the manger, figures, and animals.
• Assemble the pieces using glue or tape.
• Decorate the figures with markers, fabric, or beads.
• Place the figures in the manger.

Pro Tip: Use a hot glue gun to attach the decorations for a more secure hold.

15. Cardboard Christmas Village

Create a cardboard Christmas village to add a festive and nostalgic touch to your home. This can be a fun and creative project to do with the whole family.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, markers, and decorations like glitter or fabric.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shapes for the buildings, trees, and other elements.
• Assemble the pieces using glue or tape.
• Decorate the buildings with markers, glitter, or fabric.
• Place the village on a table or shelf.

Pro Tip: Use different colours of cardboard to create a variety of buildings and elements.

16. Cardboard Candy Cane

A cardboard candy cane is a simple and fun decoration that can be hung from the ceiling or used as a table centrepiece.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, red and white paint, and a string.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shape of a candy cane from the cardboard.
• Paint the candy cane red and white and let it dry.
• Attach a string to the top of the candy cane for hanging.

Pro Tip: Use a hot glue gun to attach the string for a more secure hold.

17. Cardboard Angel

A cardboard angel is a beautiful and meaningful decoration that can be displayed on a tree, shelf, or even hung from the ceiling.

How to Make It:

1. Materials Needed: Cardboard, scissors, white paint, and decorations like glitter or beads.
2. Steps:

• Cut out the shape of an angel from the cardboard.
• Paint the angel white and let it dry.
• Add decorations like glitter or beads to create a halo and wings.
• Attach a string to the top of the angel for hanging.

Pro Tip: Use a hot glue gun to attach the decorations for a more secure hold.

Conclusion

Cardboard is a versatile and eco-friendly material that can be used to create a wide variety of Christmas decorations. From classic trees and snowflakes to more intricate nativity scenes and villages, the possibilities are endless. By getting creative with cardboard, you can add a unique and personal touch to your holiday decor while also being kind to the environment.