Think of these as little jewel boxes dressed up for Christmas.
A touch of vintage sheet music, a sprinkle of glitter, and golden accents turn humble matchboxes into ornaments that look like heirlooms.
Hang them from your tree, tuck a secret note or candy inside, and watch the joy they bring.
They’re not just decorations, they’re memories waiting to happen, handmade with love and a little sparkle.
Materials Needed
- 6-8 empty matchboxes (2” × 1.5” size)
- Scrapbook paper or vintage music sheets (cut to 2” × 1.5”)
- Gold paint or metallic spray paint (1 small bottle)
- Glitter glue or loose gold glitter (1 tube)
- Decorative charms, stars, or cameos (4–6 pcs)
- Rhinestones or beads (20-25 pcs assorted)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Ribbon or gold string (12” per ornament)
- Small bells (optional, 1 per ornament)
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Paint or spray your matchboxes gold and let them dry completely.
Step 2: Cut and glue vintage sheet music or scrapbook paper onto the tops and sides of the boxes.
Step 3: Add decorative details like stars, pearls, cameos, or rhinestones to give each box its own unique character.
Step 4: Use glitter glue to highlight edges and add extra sparkle.
Step 5: Attach a loop of ribbon or gold string to the back of each box for hanging.
Step 6: (Optional) Glue a small bell at the bottom of each ornament for a festive jingle.
Tips:
These look even more magical when grouped together on a tree.
Try creating a mix of “vintage music box” and glitter jewel box designs so your ornaments sparkle in different ways under the lights.