How To Make DIY Wood Slice Ornaments (Two Ways)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our full Disclosure Policy.

Try crafting these simple wood slice ornaments this year to add a touch of rustic Scandinavian charm to your Christmas decorations! I’ll guide you through two easy ways to personalize these wooden ornaments to create unique DIY gifts or hang them on your Christmas tree during the holiday season.

Every Christmas, I like to try a new, easy way to make Christmas ornaments using natural elements. Over the years, I have made everything from dried orange garland to air-dried clay gift tags and even fresh evergreen winter wreaths! Making these homemade decorations and ornaments is always a fun activity that I can do with my kids. Plus, they make great gifts or stocking stuffers for loved ones, too!

Types of Wood To Use

If you are making wood slice ornaments from scratch, try finding a type of wood suitable for crafting with a smooth surface that is durable enough to withstand handling and hanging. In the past, I have used pine and birch poles to cut my slices from a larger piece of wood to make wood ornaments, and both work great. Just make sure to find ones that are big enough to fit your design and have been properly dried to prevent warping or cracking.

Shop DIY Supplies

Although these wood slices are very easy to make on your own, sometimes it is just easier to order them in. You can always find precut wood rounds at your local craft store too. They come in many different sizes and wood colors!

I also wanted to link the stamp letters I used and the simple Christmas twine that I use every year. Find more of my holiday craft supplies here, or if you are Canadian, find them in my Canadian Amazon shop.

DIY Wood Slice Ornaments Using Cameo or Cricut Designs

Last year, my daughter and I decided it would be a fun project to make wood circle ornaments for our teacher’s gifts. We used the Cricut design site to find a design we loved and then adhered the vinyl to the wood slices. This project was easy enough for my 10-year-old daughter to do almost entirely independently, and the result was beautiful!

Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to make DIY wood slice ornaments using a Cricut vinyl transfer:

Materials

Wood slices
Vinyl sheets
Transfer tape
Acrylic paint and brushes (optional)
Twine or ribbon
Clear sealant spray or polyurethane (optional)

Equipment

Drill with a small bit
Cricut or Cameo machine
Weeding tools
Scissors

Instructions

Prepare the Wood Slices – Sand the surfaces of the wood slices to create a smooth and even texture. If necessary, drill a hole near the top of the ornament. If you want a painted background, apply a thin layer of acrylic paint to the wood slices. Allow them to dry completely.
Design in Cricut Design Space – Open Cricut Design Space and create or choose a design for your ornaments. There are so many beautiful options, and the program is extremely user-friendly. Just ensure you adjust the design dimensions to fit your wood slices.

Vinyl Application Tip:

Your image and text will be will be reversed on the wood, so make sure you flip the design horizontally before printing, if necessary.

Cut Vinyl with Cricut- Load the vinyl sheet into the Cricut machine and select the appropriate settings for your material. Once the vinyl is cut, weed out the excess vinyl using weeding tools, leaving only your design on the backing.

Apply Transfer Tape – Cut a piece of transfer tape slightly larger than your design. Carefully apply the transfer tape over the vinyl design, smoothing out any bubbles.

Transfer Vinyl to Wood Slice – Position the transfer tape with the vinyl over the wood slice, ensuring proper alignment. Press the vinyl onto the wood surface, smoothing it out to adhere securely.

Remove Transfer Tape – Gently peel off the transfer tape, leaving the vinyl design on the wood slice.

Add Twine or Ribbon – Cut a piece of twine or ribbon to your desired length and thread it through the hole. I love using burlap twine or colorful Christmas twine for a different look. Tie a knot to create a loop for hanging.
Seal (Optional) – You can apply a clear sealant spray or poly to protect the ornament and enhance durability. Allow it to dry completely before handling.

That’s it! So easy, and now your DIY wood slice ornaments using Cricut vinyl transfer are ready for your Christmas tree or be shared as gifts!

Vinyl Wood Slice Ornament Video

DIY Wood Slice Ornaments Using Stamps or Paint

I also love the look of wooden ornaments used as gift tags or tree ornaments. A few years ago, I cut birch tree rounds, and using a small lettered stamp set, I customized our gift tags for the presents that year. I also used some cute wood slice ornaments on the tree. Both ideas were quick and easy to make and were adorable! You could use this same DIY to make fun designs using a black paint marker or acrylic paints, too.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make DIY wood slice ornaments using stamps:

Materials

Wood slices
Stamps of your choice
Ink pads in various colors
Twine or ribbon
Clear sealant spray or polyurethane (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Wood Slices – If your wood slices are not precut, carefully slice them to your desired thickness. Sand the surfaces of the wood slices to create a smooth and even texture.
Drill a Hole – Use a drill with a small bit to create a hole near the top of each wood slice for hanging.

Select Your Stamps – Choose the stamps you want to use for your ornaments. I used tiny block letter stamps so that I could write holiday messages on the wood slices, but you could try a festive design like snowflakes, holly, or tree silhouettes.
Ink the Stamps – Ink the stamps with the desired colors. I kept mine to a simple black ink, but you can use multiple colors for a more intricate design. Or try a metallic ink for something more festive.
Stamp the Wood Slice – Very carefully, press the inked stamp onto the wood slice firmly and evenly. Hold it in place for a few seconds to allow the ink to transfer. Ensure the stamp is centered on the wood slice before placing it!

Allow Ink to Dry – Carefully remove the stamp from the wood slice. Be extra careful not to smudge the stamped area with your fingers as you remove the stamp. Allow the stamped design to dry completely before handling to prevent smudging.

Stamped Application Tip:

Be extra careful not to smudge the stamped area with your fingers as you remove the stamp.

Repeat for Desired Designs – Once the first layer of stamping is dry, repeat the stamping process with different stamps and colors until you achieve the desired decorative effect on each wood slice.

Add Twine or Ribbon – Cut a piece of twine or ribbon to your desired length and thread it through the hole at the top of the wood slice. Tie a knot to create a loop for hanging.
**Optional: Seal with Acrylic Sealer – If you want to protect the stamped designs and add a subtle sheen, apply a thin coat of acrylic sealer or spray polyurethane. Allow it to dry completely.

Easy peasy! Your DIY wood slice ornaments with stamped designs are ready to be hung on your Christmas tree or layered with dried orange slices and used as gift tags as I did here.

Stamped Wood Ornament Video

Tips and Tricks For Making Wood Slice Ornaments

To further protect the ornaments, you can use a clear sealant spray. Ensure the decorations are dry before applying the sealant.
To prevent your wood slice ornaments from cracking, keep them away from temperature and humidity changes. Don’t display them in a sunny window, beside a fireplace, or by a heat register.

More Easy Holiday Projects

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my wood slice ornaments cracking?

Wood slice ornaments may be cracking due to insufficient drying or seasoning of the wood before crafting, causing it to shrink and crack as it dries further. Additionally, extreme temperature and humidity changes can contribute to the wood’s contraction and expansion, leading to cracks over time. So, to prevent cracking, keep your wood ornaments away from sunny windows, fireplaces, and heat registers.

How do you prepare wood slices for crafts?

To prepare wood slices for crafts, sand the surfaces to achieve a smooth finish and eliminate any rough edges. Wipe away dust, and optionally, apply a clear sealer or primer for an even surface before proceeding with your chosen crafting techniques.

Do you seal wood ornaments?

Yes, I recommend sealing wood ornaments with a clear sealant or polyurethane to protect them from moisture and add to their durability, especially if they will be displayed outdoors. The sealant helps maintain the quality of the wood and preserves the integrity of the ornament’s design.

want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from B Vintage Style.

Beautiful DIY wood slice ornaments with a snowflake on them, made using a Cricut vinyl design.

No ratings yet