Holiday gift exchanges are fun, fun, fun! Even more so when it’s with a group of super creative and talented DIY bloggers from all over the US! We had one simple criteria..the gift had to be made. Of course I planned on making something coastal. I made a DIY beach themed Christmas ornament. My partner in creativity for this event is the talented Leslie from House Along The Way. I’m sharing today how I made my coastal Christmas tree ornament and I get to share what my secret Santa sent me as well! Looking for more ornament ideas? I collected 102 Handmade ornaments, you’re sure to find one you love.
I met Leslie last year at the Haven Bloggers Conference. She’s super nice and very creative! I happen to know that the beach has a special place in Leslie’s heart. So for my gift exchange I thought sending her a piece of our beach was an excellent idea!
Here’s what I used to make the DIY beach themed Christmas ornament for Leslie. I started out with a large clear plastic round ornament.
I collected a few of my favorite beachy items. Sand, driftwood, shells and couple starfish. Everything but the starfish came from our local beach.
Just because you can’t have enough glitter at Christmas, of course, I had to add some clear diamond dust glitter to the sand.
After adding the sand and shells, my DIY beach themed Christmas ornament was still looking kind of plain. So I decided to made a little beach sign out of paper and a wooden skewer. Hot glue worked great for putting it together. Here’s a little tip (because I learned the hard way) If you’re adding a sign, be sure to make the stake (skewer) long enough to go to the top of the ornament. The narrow ornament top will hold it upright. Otherwise, your sign will sadly lay on the bottom of your coastal Christmas ornament. 🙁
getting the sign into the ornament was easy, I wrapped the paper edges around a pencil and carefully slid it in. I straightened it out once it was in place.
To finish my ornament gift off I spray painted the ornament top with my favorite beachy blue color and topped it off with a twine and gold glitter ribbon bow.
Of course I had to take a photo at the beach where the sand and shells came from 🙂
And then I carefully boxed up my DIY beach themed Christmas ornament and sent if off to Leslie’s house.
A few days later…my box from Leslie arrived!
I absolutely LOVE the burlap sign she made. I have the perfect place for it too.
…and yes, Christmas is better at the beach! At least in our family!
Thank you Leslie!!
If you love a coastal Christmas, you’ll want to see my Coastal Wreath , Coastal Christmas Tree Ornament, and Silver and Gold Christmas Tree Ornaments .
But…wait! There’s more! Take a look at the rest of our talented group’s Christmas decorations below!
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Nancy says
What size ornament did you use? Thanks tons. Love this
Wendi says
Hi Nancy. That’s a good question. I believe I used the large size. It was about 3 – 4 inches across. Sorry I don’t have the exact size! Enjoy making your ornament!
Denise says
Love the ornament! Where did you get the base clear ornament? The ones I’m seeing online don’t have a hole at top large enough for even small shells? (Your shells don’t look teeny tiny but “average” small in size) Thamks for sharing your cute idea!
Denise
Wendi says
Hi Denise and thank you so much! The shells I used are pretty small. The ornament is about 3 – 4 inches across in size. I hope that helps, I know it’s not the exact size but I gave this ornament away as a gift and I have to go by memory! Thanks so much for your visit and I hope you make one!
Pastor Katie says
My granddaughter (a Texas native) got to see the beach for the first time in her 13 years this past summer. She found your beach ornament & asked me to make her & her brother each one. Gonna use sand from the beach they enjoyed SO much! ONLY problem & concern is shipping…Will UPS honor the “THIS SIDE UP” lettering all over the shipping box?! Shells will be hot glued barely touching, but using non-aerosol hair spray to secure sand as I DO glitter on other craft projects will be nearly impossible with the sand. Any hints??
Wendi says
Hi Pastor Katie 🙂 I’m certain that no one will ship and keep the right side up on the ornament, especially this time of year. I made one of these and shipped it to Spain a while back. I put the sane in a plastic baggie and let the people at the end put it in the ornament themselves. I hope that helps. Good luck and I love the idea that you’re using sand from a special place. I’m sure your Grandaughter will cherish her ornament!
Nancy Schrock says
How did you color the paper for the beach->
Sign?
Wendi says
Hi Nancy, It’s just watercolors. I painted the background with a watery mix of brown and then added a darker brown to make the wood plank look 🙂 I hope that helps & have fun making one!
KG says
Wendi–My family was blessed to spend Christmas in Kauai and I brought items back to follow your example. I am having the hardest time finding an ornament with an opening big enough. I need 3/4 inch. Your sea stars look like they needed a larger opening too–could you tell me where you purchased yours? Thank you!
Wendi says
KG.. First I want to tell you the poem you shared was beautiful. Thanks so much for taking the time to do something nice for a fellow reader:) I found my ornament at Michaels and the sea stars too. The ornament was in the Christmas section. The sea stars are available year round where they keep the shells. Look for a bag of starfish, some are about the size of your hand and others are about the size of a pencil top eraser. I hope that helps! Good luck and please share a picture of your project when you’re done!
Diane says
About two weeks ago I saw a Christain poem to go with this ornament. Was in a hurry and did not save. Now I can not find. Have you seen it. Thanks.
Wendi says
Diane.. I haven’t seen that one. I think it would be easy to follow the tutorial and make one of these with any message you’d like to have on the sign though.
KG says
This one?
Footprints in the Sand
One night I had a dream.
I dreamed I was walking along the beach
with the Lord..
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life..
For each scene, I noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand,
one belonging to me, and the other to the Lord..
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me
and I questioned the Lord about it:
“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why
when I need you most you would leave me.”
The Lord replied:
“My precious child, I love you and would
never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints, it was then
that I carried you.”
by Mary Stevenson
Rita C at Panoply says
Wendi, this is so great. As much as I love Christmas (my favorite holiday), the winter that comes after it sort of leaves me gloomy, but you’ve certainly got the right idea to beat those winter doldrums with ornaments like this on a holiday tree! You certainly caught me eye at the One More Time party. So cute, and thanks for the tip on the sign/skewer.
Rita C at Panoply
Wendi says
Hi Rita & thank you! This is such a fun ornament and it would be so cute personalized with a name or a place from a favorite vacation spot. Have a fantastic day & thank you so much for your visit & taking your time to leave me a nice comment:)
Virginia says
I love the beach themed ornament!
Wendi says
Hi Virginia & thank you so much:) It was easy to make and looks so good on the tree:)
Pamela Smith says
What a great ornament! We love the beach in our home too. I will be pinning and adding to my Christmas craft list!
Wendi says
Thanks so much! This oe has been super popular:) It’s an easy project and so fun to customize as well. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kim~madeinaday says
Being from the beach, this is totally adorable! Love this so much! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on FB tomorrow & pinned! Have a great week!
Kim
Wendi says
Thanks so much Kim! You know I HAD to make something from the beach! Thanks so much for sharing my ornament too:) Have great week!
Kate says
I’ve come across these empty ornaments at the dollar store and have yet to come up with an awesome idea until now! This would be perfect for my mother in law!
Kate | TheOrganizedDream.com
Wendi says
Hi Kate… So glad I could inspire you to use those plain ornaments! I loved putting a little of our local beach inside mine. Have a fantastic week and thank you for stopping by!
jen says
For the sign. How did you get it to stay on the twig once inside the ball?
Wendi says
Hi Jen,
I attached the sign to the stick first, rolled it up and carefully put it into the ball. Then I used tweezers to straighten it out. I hope that helps! Thanks so much for visiting!
Jess says
I am a newbie, and about to make these adorable ornaments – but, how did you tie the bow and hanging loop ?!?
Wendi says
Hi Jess, The hanging loop I used was the one that came with the ornament. I took a piece of jute string and thin ribbon and held them together, wrapped them around the top of the ornament once and tied a bow. The bow was tied just like you’d tie a shoe. Hope that helps and thanks for reading my post:) Happy Holidays!
Sheila Fleminy says
Do you sell the ornaments? I would be interested in the on FaceBook!
Wendi says
Sheila, I’m not set up to sell them yet, I’m planning on having an Etsy store in the near future. So sorry.. Thank you for asking though!
Megan @ Rhapsody in Rooms says
What fun back themed presents! I love it (and wish it were warm where I am)! I love the glitter you added to the sand too. So Christmasy!
Wendi says
Thanks Megan:) I had a blast with the Secret Santa gift this year! I’m glad I added the glitter in the sand too, it was so sparkly in the light:) Thanks so much for stopping by & Happy Holidays!
Beth says
I love this ornament Wendi! I need a beach vacay right about now. 🙂
Dria says
Wendi this is such a sweet gift! It is amazingly beautiful. You did a fantastic job on this!
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Love everything about this sweet ornament, Wendi!! Pinned 🙂
Vanessa says
Wendi,
The ornament is fabulous! I love how you made it so easy looking. Lovely!
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Adorable beach sign ornament Wendi! What a fun blog hop and now I’m off to see what everyone else made and received.
Wendi says
Thanks so much Marie! You know I’d come up with something beachy.. 🙂 Our Christmas blog hop was lots of fun!
Leslie @ House on the Way says
Thank you so much for my ornament Wendi! It makes me long for the sun, surf and sand!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Leslie
Wendi says
Leslie..You are so welcome! I had fun making it for you, especially with all of the local items 🙂 I love my Christmas canvas too! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Oh .. my … gosh …Wendi, that is the cutest ornament ever!!! Love it!!
And I love what you got too!! This is so fun! 🙂
Nancy
Wendi says
Thanks Nancy! The ornament came out cute..the sign was a little bugger for a while but, I finally figured it out! LOL – LOVE my canvas too!