Learn how to make the cutest DIY gnome ornaments for your Christmas tree! Great for beginners and includes a free beard template.
Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never crafted before, you can make these ornaments. You’ll essentially be cutting and gluing, so it’s fine as a first project.
The whole world is obsessed with gnomes, and I’ll be honest, I am too. I’ve always loved them and have a few pairs of gnome socks. I also have a small garden gnome statue I bought at Target years ago, and has been at the front door of every place I’ve ever lived.
They have just always put a smile on my face!
I’ll admit that until today I didn’t know the meaning of gnomes – but get this:
“Historically, gnomes have always been thought of as good luck. In more spiritual times, they were thought to protect your home, property, livestock, or crops, watching over them to prevent thieves and pests from wreaking havoc.” –Source
Um, wow. That’s kind of cool! And sounds good to me.
I had no idea that gnomes were good luck while I was making these DIY gnome ornaments. And oh my, were they fun to make! They are at the top of my handmade ornaments list. And if you know me – you know I love making ornaments and that I’ve made a lot.
Gnome Ornaments DIY
These cute gnome Christmas ornaments were made in five simple steps. You’re going to cut out the beard, then attach it. Then you’ll make the hat, glue down the nose, and top the whole ornament off with a hat and hanger.
It’s a really easy craft that even kids can enjoy. I’ve tried to make it as easy as possible by providing a template for the beard that you can download and print!
Note that you can easily customize the color of the nose bead, the beard, and hat to whatever works for you. Your gnome ornaments can have any skin color, beard color, and style that you like.
I guarantee that once your friends and family see these on your Christmas tree, they’re going to want you to make one for them. Maybe give them as gift tags if you are feeling nice? They’re not only super easy, they’re inexpensive.
So let’s get to it. Learn how to make these gnome Christmas ornaments below!
Gather These Supplies
- Wood circles (2.5″) – 1 per ornament
- Felt – a 6″ square scrap minimum
- Wood bead (5/8) – 1 for the nose
- Fake fur
- Beard template
- Baker’s twine – about 12″ or so
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Marker
Cut Out the Beard
I don’t typically work with faux fur, so this was pretty fun! I chose a silvery-gray tone for my first ornament, and grabbed a Sharpie.
Draw a beard shape on the back of the faux fur with your Sharpie. You can also use the template.
When you are cutting the board, try to pull the fur/beard material forward AWAY from you, towards the front of the fur. This is because you really want to just cut the background, instead of just snipping random fur pieces off. You’ll see what I mean when you cut.
Attach the Beard
Grab a wood circle and the piece of beard. You’re going to start assembling your gnome ornament!
Place a line of hot glue across the top of the beard and attach to the circle a little under halfway down. Let cool.
Make the Hat
Now you’ll get to make the hat! This is the fun part. I used some leftover felt scraps I’ve had forever. Draw a triangle on the felt with a pen or Sharpie.
If you don’t trust your own triangle making skills, place a dot on the felt to create the point of the triangle. And then use a ruler to draw the lines and create the triangle.
You’ll notice the triangle is larger than the circle on either side. That’s because you’re going to flip the hat inside out, so you need some excess felt.
Once you cut one triangle, you’ll cut a matching one. So that you have two felt triangles for the hat.
Glue the triangles together by placing a line of hot glue on the long sides and sandwiching them.
Let cool and then fold the gnome’s hat inside out.
Make sure it fits the circle and then set the hat aside for a moment.
Attach the Nose
Place a dab of hot glue on the wood bead and put it in the center top of the faux fur to create a nose.
Attach the Hanger
Now you’re going to make a hole that will hang your DIY gnome ornaments. Drill a small hole in the top; you want it relatively small, but the twine should fit through still.
Tie a knot in the end of the baker’s twine and pull through the hole from front to back as shown.
Glue Down the Hat
Cut a small hole in the top of the gnome’s hat – then thread the hat down onto the ornament.
Situate the hot down onto the ornament. Pull over the top of the gnome’s face and glue down in a few areas to keep the hat in place.
Your DIY gnome ornament is done and ready to hang on your Christmas tree! Or tape to a present with washi tape.
But don’t leave yet. You need to see the other gnomies I made. I love their hats! I love their beards.
Are you ready to make these cute Christmas gnomes? Let me know what you think in the comments!
DIY Gnome Ornaments
Learn how to make a DIY gnome ornament the easiest way possible! This will look cute on your Christmas tree.
Materials
- Wood circles (2.5") - 1 per ornament
- Felt - a 6" square scrap minimum
- Wood bead (5/8) - 1 per ornament
- Fake fur
- Baker's twine - about 36"
Tools
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Marker
Instructions
- Draw a beard shape on the back of the faux fur with your Sharpie.
- Cut the faux fur piece out with scissors, pulling the fur towards the front so you don't snip off too much excess.
- Hot glue the beard to the wood circle, just a little bit over halfway down. Let cool.
- Draw a triangle with a base slightly larger than the wood circle onto the felt with Sharpie (about 2.75" base).
- Cut out with scissors - then use as a template to cut one more out of felt.
- Glue the triangles together by placing a line of hot glue on the long sides and smoothing together. Let cool.
- Turn the hat inside out and set aside.
- Place a dab of hot glue onto the wood bead and attach as a nose.
- Drill a small hole into the top of the wood circle. Tie a 12" length of baker's twine into a knot at one end and pull through from front to back.
- Cut the very tip off the top of the hat and thread down onto the baker's twine and onto the gnome head.
- Organize the hat so the seams are on the sides and glue down around the ornament onto the nose to finish.
If you enjoyed making a DIY gnome ornament, I’d love for you to check out these other project ideas: