There’s something magical about homemade ornaments.

Every painted peanut shell holds the spirit of old-fashioned Christmas with tiny faces, simple details, and the joy of crafting together.

Whether you hang them on the tree, gift them to friends, or use them as little keepsakes, these peanut ornaments bring back the feeling of a holiday made with love and laughter.

Materials Needed

• 8-10 peanut shells (2-3” long, intact)
• Acrylic paints (white, red, black, gold, orange, brown)
• Mini felt pieces (red for Santa hat, scarf material)
• Pipe cleaners (black for reindeer antlers, white/gold for angel wings and halo)
• Small pom-poms (red for Rudolph’s nose, orange for snowman’s nose)
• Black string or baker’s twine
• Hot glue gun or strong craft glue
• Fine paintbrushes

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Paint each peanut shell according to the character including white for snowman and angel, red accents for Santa, natural for the reindeer. Let them dry completely.

Step 2: For the snowman, glue on a small orange pom-pom for the nose and wrap a red felt strip as a scarf.

Step 3: To create the reindeer, attach black pipe cleaners as antlers and a red pom-pom for Rudolph’s nose.

Step 4: For the angel, twist white pipe cleaners into wings and add a small golden pipe cleaner halo above the shell head.

Step 5: Make Santa by attaching a red felt cone hat and painting on a white beard.

Step 6: Tie a loop of string through the top of each ornament or glue it at the back for hanging.

Tips:

Mix and match characters to make a full set. If you’re doing this with kids, keep the glue steps supervised and let them have fun painting the little faces.