Get crafty with these free printable retro Christmas paper ornaments! Six adorable designs- snowman, tree, Christmas pudding, brussels sprout (yes, a proper British twist!), and two shiny baubles in classic red and teal. Easy to make, bold in colour and perfect for hanging on your tree, garlanding a mantel or topping a gift.
A Retro Festive Craft (with a cheeky British nod)
If you’re a fan of bright, cheerful paper projects, you’ll know I’ve previously made my printable paper fruit ornaments with that same retro, fruity charm. Well, this year I’m turning up the festive dial and bringing you six retro-style printable paper ornaments for Christmas.
And yes, I’ve added a proper British twist: along with a snowman, Christmas tree, and two shiny baubles (red and teal), you’ll also get a Christmas pudding and a Brussels sprout ornament.
Yes, the sprout! Because honestly, can you even call it a British Christmas dinner without one? I happen to love them, and they deserve a place right alongside the pudding on the tree.
These ornaments are delightfully bold, quirky and fun. Perfect for hanging on your tree, garlanding your mantel, or gifting as a little handmade surprise. And just like the fruit ones, they’re simple to make yet have plenty of retro charm.
What You’ll Need
- Printable retro Christmas ornament templates (downloads below)
- Printer and cardstock or heavy paper (around 240gsm works best)
- Scissors or craft knife
- Glue stick or tacky glue
- Sharpies
- Ribbon, twine, or string for hanging
3D Christmas Ornament Templates
There are six cool retro designs to choose from. Click the link for the ornament you’d like to make, and the printable template will open in a new tab, ready for you to print. Each Christmas decoration fits neatly onto a single sheet of A4 or US Letter paper. For the best results, I recommend printing on good-quality 240gsm cardstock so your ornaments hold their shape beautifully.
- Brussels Sprout Paper Christmas Ornament
- Christmas Pudding Paper Ornament
- Christmas Tree Paper Ornament
- Snowman Paper Christmas Ornament
- Red Shiny Brite Paper Ornament
- Teal Shiny Brite Paper Ornament
How to Make Printable Retro Christmas Ornaments
Step 1: Print and Cut
Download and print the six ornament shapes onto your paper or cardstock. Carefully cut out all the pieces for each design. Use short, sharp paper scissors to give you more control when cutting.
Step 2: Fold in Half
Fold each cut-out neatly in half, printed side in. This fold gives the ornament its 3D “fan” effect (just like the fruit tutorial).
Step 3: Glue Halves Together
Take one folded piece for a design, apply glue to the unprinted side of the half and align it with another folded half, printed sides out. Continue adding folded halves one at a time until you have all five pieces glued together around the “fan”.
Note: Three of the shapes are mirror images, so they’ll fit together better. Look closely when matching them up. This only really matters with the Christmas pudding ornament to make sure the leaves at the top match up!
Step 4: Insert Hanging Loop
Before you glue the last piece closed, tuck your loop of string or ribbon into the top central spine of the fan and glue it in place so the ornament hangs neatly.
Step 5: Finish the Shape
Glue the final folded shape in place to close the fan shape and create a 3-D ornament. Make sure all edges align and the glue is firm.
Step 6: Tidy Up
Trim any uneven edges if needed, and any white paper edge showing with scissors. Then use a matching coloured Sharpie to trace the white edge of the paper, blending it into the ornament colour.
Step 6: Decorate or Embellish (Optional)
You can add a touch of sparkle with glitter glue, metallic pens, or even tiny pom-poms if you’re feeling extra festive!
Display Ideas & Pairings
Hang them from your Christmas tree, group them into a festive garland, or even use them as quirky gift toppers. Because of my British twist, the Brussels sprout ornament makes a fun conversation piece (and the pudding one? Classic!).
These pair beautifully with other crafts on the blog. If you enjoyed this, you might like my DIY paper Christmas baubles from old books or the fun make-your-own Christmas crackers with old maps. And don’t forget to check out the list of Christmas paper craft ideas and free printable paper crafts for even more inspiration.
If you like the Christmas pudding ornament, there is also a tutorial for a wood slice pudding ornament.
Why You’ll Love Making These
- They’re super simple and don’t require fancy materials.
- They bring a retro, cheerful look that’s bold and fun.
- The British twist adds a bit of character and a smile.
- They work for adults, craft sessions, or even kids (with a bit of help).
- They’re a great alternative to commercial decorations, a homemade charm for your festive space.
