Dog Christmas Ornaments: Best DIY Tutorials + Shop Finds
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If your camera roll is 90% dog and 10% screenshots of dog stuff (same 😅), Pinterest is full of cute—but not always dog‑safe—ornaments—here’s what actually works.
So today we’re rounding up the best pet Christmas ornaments—from quick DIY’s to under‑$25 shop finds that look chic, not cheesy.
We’ll also cover what’s safe for dogs (salt dough is a no from me, FYI), simple tools you likely already own, and a few smart pro tips I learned making ornaments with my Westie, Monty.
He nailed the paw press… then tried to eat the ribbon. Classic.
Paw‑Print Ornaments (Air‑Dry → Clean‑Touch Ink → Salt Dough)
Time: ~20 min active • Cost: <$10 • Skill: Beginner
Want the sweetest keepsake with the least faff?
A paw‑print ornament wins every time.
You can go the classic route with salt dough, try air‑dry clay (my fave—clean, fast), or pick a mess‑free ink kit if your pup hates wet paws.
- Air‑Dry Clay (no baking): Pet‑specific walkthrough with great pressing tips → Dalmatian DIY – Clay Paw Prints.
- Clean‑Touch Ink (no mess): If your dog squirms, use a clean‑touch pad that keeps paws ink‑free → Pearhead Clean‑Touch Ink Pad (Chewy) .
- DIY Salt Dough: Debbie’s tutorial at One Little Project is the internet classic and still gold for technique and troubleshooting. See the full recipe and steps here → Paw Print Salt Dough Ornaments.
Important!: Salt dough is dangerous if eaten. The FDA and vet orgs warn about salt toxicity in pets. If you make salt dough for people‑only ornaments, hang them high and keep dogs away. Learn more: FDA – Holiday Pet Hazards, Cornell Vet – Holiday hazards, and Pet Poison Helpline – Salt Dough Ornaments.
See more ideas in our → Dog Paw Print Craft: 4 Cute Keepsakes (Salt‑Dough + Safer No‑Salt Options) post
Paw‑Print Ornament (Air‑Dry or Salt Dough) — Monty’s Pick
If you’ve got two spare coffee breaks and a moderately cooperative dog, a paw‑print ornament is your slam‑dunk keepsake.
I use either air‑dry clay (clean and quick) or the classic salt dough for a rustic look.
Press the paw once with steady pressure (no wiggles), punch a hanging hole with a straw, and finish with a non‑toxic, water‑based sealant once fully dry.
The real magic? Personalization—add your dog’s name and the year before drying for a crisp imprint that won’t flake later.
Bonus: if your pup is a wriggler (looking at you, Monty), do a quick “practice press” on scrap clay first.
Display on the tree, gift to grandparents, or tie onto a present for instant awww.
Materials: air‑dry clay or (flour, salt, water), rolling pin, cookie cutter (circle), straw, ribbon, non‑toxic sealant.
Pro tip: Keep thickness ~5–7 mm to reduce cracking; stamp the name before drying.
Photo Frame Ornaments (Printables & Ready‑Made)
Paper tip: Print on glossy photo paper (8.5×11 in., 200+ gsm) for crisp inserts, and choose shatter‑resistant plastic frames if kids or pets are around.
Want the snap‑open kind you can stuff with photos or ribbons? See the Clear Fillable Baubles section below.
Photos on the tree = instant happy. You can DIY a polished look with clear discs, mini embroidery hoops, or print‑at‑home frames.
Prefer to click “add to cart”? I’ve got you covered.
DIY ideas:
- Clear disc photo insert: Simple supply list + steps → DIY Pet Photo Ornaments.
- Rescue‑style baubles: Low‑cost, community‑tested → Deaf Dogs Rock – Photo Bauble.
- Printable frames: Gorgeous retro frames to print at home → The House That Lars Built – Free Printable Photo Ornament.
Shop supplies:
- Clear fillable discs/balls → bulk options at Amazon, Factory Direct Craft or Oriental Trading .
Styling tip: Print black‑and‑white dog photos and add a skinny red ribbon for that whimsical Christmas look without visual clutter.
Minimalist Wood Ornaments (Engraved Breed Silhouettes)
Love a clean, Scandi tree? Go with laser‑cut wood in your dog’s breed silhouette (yes, Westie options abound 🙃). Wood looks polished, is lightweight, and won’t shatter.
- Etsy finds: Search Westie wood ornament; look for US‑based sellers and 1k+ reviews. Example listing: Westie Personalized Dog Ornament – TracisFunCreations.
- Budget personalized options: Chewy’s house brand offers cute engraved wood styles usually under $20 → Custom Personalization Solutions – Wood Paw Ornament and Dog Bone Ornament.
- DIY route: Grab unfinished cutouts and paint or letter them → Wood cutouts on Etsy.
Why wood? It lands that minimalist vibe and survives curious tails better than glass. Still hang higher if your dog jumps.
Clear Fillable Baubles (Photo Strip / Ribbon / Confetti)
Your tree, but make it personalized. These clear plastic baubles snap open so you can add treats (for gifting), curled photo strips, mini ribbons, or faux snow.
- Treat bauble how‑to: Cute, fast, and totally giftable → Pretty Fluffy – Dog Treat Bauble.
- Shelter‑style photo bauble: Simple glaze‑and‑stick approach → Deaf Dogs Rock.
- Supplies: Fillable rounds and discs in 70–100 mm sizes → Amazon.
Heads‑up: Don’t hang treat‑filled baubles where dogs can grab them (temptation is real). Pick plastic over glass for obvious reasons.
Name Tag “Bone” Ornaments (Polymer / Metal Stamped)
Want a keepsake that feels a bit “jewelry for your tree”? Try metal stamping or a chunky polymer‑clay bone.
- Metal‑stamped tutorial: Clear step‑by‑step for beginners → Amy Latta – Metal Stamped Christmas Ornaments. Pair with blanks like these ImpressArt dog‑bone blanks or this Amazon option.
- Polymer version: Cut a bone shape, stamp your dog’s name, bake to cure, and seal (non‑toxic finishes). Use any basic polymer‑clay bone tutorial for steps; same “ornament, not toy” rule applies.
Safety note: Wear eye protection when stamping; tiny metal shards happen. And again, ornaments live on trees—not in mouths.
Felt & Embroidery Hoop Ornaments (Beginner‑Friendly)
Soft textures make trees feel cozy. Felt silhouettes match any gingerbread Christmas decor vibe; mini hoops look fancy with zero effort.
- Felt silhouettes: Trace a cookie cutter or printable template, stitch, and stuff → Daily Dog Tag – Felt Dog Ornaments.
- Mini hoop ornaments with free printables: Pretty + fast → Lovely Etc. – Free Printable Hoop Ornaments.
- Simple stitched hoops: Add a star, name, or tiny paw → Alice & Lois – DIY Embroidery Hoop Ornament.
Bonus: Crochet Christmas Ornaments (Free!)
If yarn is your love language, try these free crochet ornament patterns: a Paw‑Print Ornament and a Dog‑Bone Ornament. They’re light, flat, and perfect for gifting.
Resin Alternatives / Fur Keepsakes (read this first)
Memorial ornaments tug the heartstrings, I know. You can embed a tiny lock of fur in resin and hang it with a ribbon. If you go this route, work safely: ventilate well, wear gloves, and keep pets out of the room. Start here → Resin Obsession – Pet Hair Beads Tutorial.
Not into resin? Pop a small curl of fur into a clear plastic globe with a paper name banner. No chemicals, still lovely.
Shop Picks Under $25 (Stocking Stuffers)
Need something quick‑ship and cute? These often run $10–$20 (prices change, so peek before checkout):
- Personalized wood paw or bone → Wood Paw Ornament and Dog Bone Ornament.
- Breed silhouette (Westie!): Example → Westie Wood Ornament on Etsy.
- More personalized styles: Amazon – Personalized Pet Ornaments ideas.
Tools & Materials Checklist (copy‑and‑shop)
- Basics: rolling pin, cookie cutters, straw, ribbon, craft glue, sanding sponge, non‑toxic water‑based sealant (look for “ASTM D‑4236”).
- Photo ornaments: clear fillable discs/balls (70–100 mm), Mod Podge, transparent film or regular photo prints, fine glitter.
- Paw prints: air‑dry clay or salt dough ingredients; clean‑touch ink pad (Chewy).
- Hoop/felt: mini embroidery hoops (3–4”), felt sheets, embroidery floss/needle.
- Metal stamping: letter stamps, steel block, masking tape, hammer, dog‑bone blanks (ImpressArt).
- Free paw‑print stencils: JustFamilyFun and PatternUniverse PDF.
Quick Safety Notes (read before you hang)
- Salt dough: Tempting for dogs, dangerous if eaten. Choose air‑dry clay or clean‑touch ink instead, or hang salt‑dough high and supervise. Sources: FDA, Cornell Vet, Pet Poison Helpline.
- Ornaments = décor, not toys. Pick plastic over glass; place fragile ornaments on the top third of the tree. See tips from AKC and ASPCA.
- Finishes: Use non‑toxic, water‑based sealants and let everything cure fully before hanging.
- Resin: Cure completely; gloves + ventilation. Keep all chemicals away from pets.
Pep Talk / Takeaways
You don’t need a craft room or a Cricut to make DIY Christmas ornaments that melt hearts.
Pick one idea, gather your bits, and give yourself 30 minutes.
If it turns out slightly wonky? Even better—handmade has soul.
And hey, if life is lifing, snag a cute under‑$25 shop pick and call it a day.
Your tree will still say “dog family lives here,” loud and clear. 😊
Psst… want more festive inspo? Dive into our Christmas Dog Ideas posts
FAQs About Dog Christmas Ornaments
1. Are salt‑dough paw‑print ornaments safe for dogs?
Short answer: No, not as chewables. Salt dough contains a lot of salt and can cause life‑threatening salt toxicity if eaten. If you make them, keep them out of reach, or swap to air‑dry clay or a clean‑touch ink kit.
2. What’s the easiest beginner ornament with no special tools?
A clear fillable bauble. Print a photo, curl a ribbon, pop it inside, snap shut. Done. They’re shatter‑resistant and look surprisingly premium.
3. Can I use Mod Podge or spray sealant on dog ornaments?
Yes—choose water‑based, non‑toxic products and let them cure fully before hanging. Ornaments are décor, not toys, so they shouldn’t be licked or chewed. See Quick Safety Notes.
4. I’m not crafty—what can I buy that still feels personal?
Go for engraved wood ornaments (name + year) or photo frame ornaments. Check Chewy’s personalized section and Etsy sellers with lots of reviews. See our Shop Picks Under $25.
5. Any free templates I can print?
Yep! Grab a paw‑print stencil from JustFamilyFun or PatternUniverse, and printable photo frames from The House That Lars Built.
6. What’s the safest sealant for dog ornaments?
Pick water‑based, non‑toxic sealants labeled ASTM D‑4236 and let them cure per label (often 24–72 hours) before hanging. Avoid solvent/strong‑odor finishes. For products and tips, see Tools & Materials and Quick Safety Notes.
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