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.