Decoupage Ornaments the Easy Way

Decoupage ornaments are an easy and inexpensive way to jazz up ordinary Christmas ornaments to match your home decor perfectly. They are also fun presents to personalize for a friend. All you need is an ornament, paper (I used a pretty napkin) and Mod Podge — and you can create wonderful, one-of-a-kind decoupage ornaments too.

---

Decoupage Ornaments Tutorial

This post contains affiliate links for your decoupage ornament-making convenience.

Decoupage Ornaments Supply List

• Ornament
• Paper napkin or decoupage paper
• Mod Podge
• Paint brush
• Glitter (optional) — but you know if glitter is an option, I’m going for it!

I like to stock up on clear ornaments (glass or plastic) when they go on sale after Christmas. There are so many projects you can create with these for next year’s Christmas presents or even year-round home decor.

(I like the napkins so much, I used them on this little table and this sofa table.)

When I saw the cherry blossoms in my napkin stash, I thought they were perfect for the 2019 Ornament Exchange. The cherry trees in Washington, D.C. were a gift from Japan and bloom every spring as a symbol of friendship.

I thought the napkin was a pretty design and I loved the idea of sending a symbol of friendship to my ornament partner Kristie from Love My Little Cottage. I hope she likes it!

The Simple Secret to Beautiful Decoupage Ornaments

It can be tricky to decoupage ornaments and get the paper completely smooth and wrinkle-free. In fact, I think it is pretty darn impossible! The secret to neatly decoupaging ornaments–or any other object–is simple.

The first thing I do is crumple up the paper. That’s right. I wad it all up into a tiny ball to intentionally create my own wrinkles. Now, any wrinkles accidentally created in the decoupage process will blend right in like they were meant to be there. (Hey, we all have a few wrinkles, right? Why not embrace them.)

I think this step gives the decoupage ornaments a timeworn vintage look and takes a lot of pressure off to make it look perfect.

How To Apply Paper Napkins to a Christmas Ornament

Once the napkin is ready, paint the Mod Podge all over the ornament and start sticking on napkin pieces, gently smoothing them with your finger as you go to iron out any air bubbles. Make sure you smooth down the edges really well so the napkin sticks to the ornament. You may need to paint a little more Mod Podge over the edges as you go to make them stick.

I continue painting on Mod Podge and layering napkin pieces until the entire ornament is covered. Don’t worry about matching up the design exactly. It will all flow together and look beautiful in the end. The paper becomes more fragile when it gets wet with Mod Podge. If you accidentally tear a piece, no worries. Just smooth it out and Mod Podge another piece of paper right over the hole.

Once your entire ornament is covered, run your hands over it again (gently!) to smooth out any air bubbles and make sure all of the edges are secured. Then let it dry. I like to come back later and apply a second coat of Mod Podge all over to seal the ornament and make sure all of the paper will stay in place.

Let the Mod Podge dry and add the finishing touches to your decoupage ornaments. I always love glitter, especially at Christmas. I painted a little bit more Mod Podge just around the top of the ornament and sprinkled some gold glitter. You can also add a bow or other pretty flourishes.

My 2019 Ornament Exchange Link Party Project

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial. If you decoupage ornaments this holiday season, please share a photo in our All Things New Again Artisans Group over on Facebook. It is free to join and filled with lots of furniture painting advice, inspiration and encouragement.

And don’t forget to check out the other tutorials from the 2019 Ornament Exchange Link Party!

Merry Christmas!

~ Courtney

All Things New Again is a family-owned furniture boutique and paint studio in Leesburg, Virginia (about an hour or so west of Washington, D.C.) We sell hand painted furniture, home decor and lots of holiday decorations. We also sell several lines of paint for your next DIY project and offer painting classes and workshops. Here is our current class schedule.

Pin This!