5 Cozy Cottage Ornament Ideas for a Meaningful December
5 Cozy Cottage Ornament Ideas for a Meaningful December
A slow-making guide from Steel Roots Market
December always feels like a gentle shift… the rush of the holiday weekend slowly fades, the house settles again, and we find ourselves craving more meaning and less noise.
This is the time of year when small, creative moments feel like gifts — quiet ornament-making sessions, a cup of Christmas tea, a little mixed media play, or using what you already have to create something handmade and heartfelt.
If you're feeling that same pull toward cozy, simple crafting, here are five meaningful ornament ideas to spark your creativity this week.
Whether you're making for your own home, for gifts, or simply to enjoy a peaceful moment at your maker table, these ideas are perfect for a slow, cottage-inspired December.
1. Mix & Match Layered Ornaments
One of my favorite ways to create unique ornaments is by combining different bases, frames, and shapes into a single layered piece. The depth you can achieve with 1/8" and 1/4" MDF is incredibly charming — like tiny cottage windows or miniature shadowboxes.
These designs are wonderful for:
Decoupage papers
Transfers
Tiny painted winter scenes
Vintage-style embellishments
Glitter, wax, mica, and mixed media textures
This is exactly why I created my Cottage Ornament Collection, and now the new Mystery Ornament Bundles in Small, Medium, Large, and Deluxe sets. Each bag includes a curated assortment of shapes so you can play, stack, experiment, and design your own tiny treasures.
🛒 Explore Mystery Ornament Bundles →
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2. Transfer + Paint Ornaments (Quick & Beautiful!)
If you're short on time but still want a stunning handmade ornament, this is your friend:
A wood ornament base
A bit of chalk paint
A section of an IOD transfer
Clear coat (optional)
A pretty ribbon or sari silk tie
It’s incredible how elegant these turn out — especially when you add a touch of Pentart gold wax or distressing around the edges.
This method is perfect for:
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Gifts
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Teacher presents
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Tag tied onto a wrapped package
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Last-minute craft nights
And it pairs beautifully with your ornament surfaces.
3. Scrap Tag Ornaments (Use What You Already Have!)
If you’ve been crafting this season, you probably have a pile of beautiful scraps — paper cutouts, bits of ribbon, torn book pages, leftover transfer pieces.
Turn them into mini tags or ornament tags by:
Layering scraps
Adding a focal image
Adding texture (stitching, stapling, brads, eyelets, wax)
Using your MDF ornament shapes as a sturdy base
These are wonderful for:
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hostess gifts
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Gift wrapping
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Garland
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Tucking into Christmas journals
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Adding to handmade basket
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ornament swaps
Plus, it’s an incredibly satisfying way to use up materials that are too pretty to toss.
4. Mixed Media Mini Ornaments
If you love texture, this one is for you.
Try using:
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Pentart pastes
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Crackle mediums
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Antiquing gels
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Mica flakes
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Texture powders
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Gold or copper wax
Apply them to:
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The edges of your ornament
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The frame layer
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Stamped details
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Raised mould embellishments
Mixed media is where your ornaments become truly one-of-a-kind — little art pieces full of personality and charm.
These also make beautiful gifts because they look boutique-quality.
5. Tiny “Cozy Window” Ornaments (Vellum + Shadowbox Frames)
This is a magical idea and perfect for your layered frames:
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Choose a base + frame
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Add a piece of vellum, tracing paper, or decoupaged tissue
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Add glitter flakes, mica, or tiny snow
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Secure the frame on top
The result?
A glowing little “winter window” ornament that feels straight out of a storybook cottage.
These are also charming with:
Mini florals
Die-cut snowflakes
Little stamped images
A light touch of metallic wax
A Cozy December of Making
If you’re craving a peaceful creative moment today, download the Free December Creative Checklist, choose one tiny task, and just enjoy the process.
🧡
Download your Free Checklist here → December Creative Checklist
And if you’re feeling inspired to start a small ornament-making project, the new Mystery Ornament Bundles are the perfect way to begin:
Shop the Ornament Bundles → Layered Ornament Collection
Thank you for being here and for choosing slow, meaningful making this season.
Here’s to a cozy December filled with creative joy.
Warmly,
Carrie
Steel Roots Market
