25 Amazing Cardboard Christmas Decorations & Crafts

25 Best cardboard Christmas decorations & crafts ideas such as easy DIY Xmas trees, ornaments, wreaths, fireplace, gingerbread houses, winter village, snowman, etc!

If you have visited us before, you know how much we love DIY projects like these 45 amazing Christmas paper crafts, or paper mache clay home decor, or creative ways to transform cardboard boxes.

What makes cardboard crafting so exciting is how accessible it is for the whole family. Cardboard is easy to work with and perfect for everyone from kids to grandparents. With a few basic supplies—like paint, scissors, glue, and a little imagination, you can turn simple cardboard into a winter wonderland. 

This holiday season, why not transform something as simple as cardboard into stylish Christmas decor and beautiful crafts? Upcycling cardboard is an easy and eco-friendly way to create unique decorations that add charm to your home. Plus, the fun lies in seeing how you can turn everyday materials into something magical and festive!

Ready to dive in? Save some cardboard boxes and let’s begin!

DIY Cardboard Christmas Trees

Cut out tree shapes and notch them to create a 3D tree, as shown in template. You can decorate it with LED ornaments string lights , glitter, or paint it any color. Source

You can join the cardboard Christmas tree cutouts with vertical notches or small horizontal notches and a connecting piece. Via Lovely Indeed

Snow Flocked Tabletop Christmas Trees

Save your cardboard cereal boxes to make an easy DIY tabletop Christmas tree with magical snow flocking made from a bar of soap!

Cardboard Tabletop Christmas Trees

Cut out several sizes of triangles, painting them, and then stacking them vertically on a stick or cardboard wedge to create this lovely Christmas display. Tutorial by Aline.

Cardboard Christmas Tree Box

This modern farmhouse style Christmas tree box takes less than an hour to make. As an easy and stylish alternative to the traditional Christmas tree skirt, it also makes your tree taller!

Cardboard Wreath

Cut a circular cardboard base and layer with real or cardboard leaves. We used this simple method to make our kitchen cabinet wreaths and this beautiful magnolia wreath. 

Cardboard Gingerbread House

Make individual or a row of gingerbread houses using cardboard instead of cookies, great as Christmas ornaments or other decorations. Via Oh Oh Deco

Use dimensional puff paint to decorate these cardboard houses with “icing” and candy details, and use them as a centerpiece or holiday display. See video tutorial below-

Gingerbread House wreath

The cardboard gingerbread houses are so much fun to make. Here’s another creative idea:  turn them into a wreath for your Christmas wall decorations. ( From Etsy, link no longer active. Please let me know if you find it!)

Cardboard Christmas Village

Joana created this lovely cardboard Christmas village by crafting small houses, pine cone Christmas trees and a snow covered pathway (which can be easily made from DIY salt dough).

Cardboard Fireplace

If you’re feeling ambitious, build a faux fireplace out of cardboard boxes! Paint it to look like stone or bricks and add a “mantle” to display garland and stockings. Via Karen Kavett.

Stacked Cardboard Box Snowman

This adorable snowman is easy and fun to make from stacked cardboard boxes. Simply wrap the boxes with white kraft paper, then decorate them with a hat, scarf, buttons, and a cheerful face. It’s an easy, budget-friendly craft that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Place your snowman by the door or in the living room to welcome guests with a smile! Via Smart Schoolhouse

Cardboard Winter Wonderland

Create a meaningful and artistic winter scene such as nativity or North Pole, using simple cardboard cutouts. This timeless decoration adds a heartwarming, homemade touch to your holiday display. Via Mr Printables

Cardboard Winter Forest

Let’s make animals and trees from cardboard, and create a magical winter wonderland! Cut out animal silhouettes and stand them upright, then create a snowy forest backdrop by layering different-sized cardboard trees. You can even add cotton for snow, and string lights for a cozy glow. Via Emily Dawe

DIY Advent Calendar

This unique DIY cardboard advent calendar is made of cardboard Christmas trees. Label them with numbers for each day leading up to Christmas, and fill the trunks with little treats or messages.

Cardboard Christmas Stars

Cut star shapes in any size out of cardboard. Use them as tree toppers or hang them around the house with some twine. Via The Shabby Tree

You can make the stars 2D or 3D, layer them, or paint them gold, silver, or any color you like. Get creative and have fun! Via DIYnCrafts

Cardboard Christmas Ornaments

Cut out different shapes like snowflakes, hearts, angels, or bells, and decorate them with white puff paint , or glued-on embellishments. Punch a hole at the top and hang them on your Christmas tree. Via Cuckoo4Design

Cardboard Christmas Gift Tags

These charming hand-painted DIY gift tags will make your Christmas gifts even more special. Via Kati Make It

Cardboard Reindeer Christmas Decor

Cut out reindeer shapes and paint them. You can use these as Christmas wall decor or as part of a larger holiday display. Via Mer_Mag

Create a three-dimensional reindeer Christmas wall decor from cardboard and festive elements. (Originally from Good Housekeeping, link no longer available, but you can use template and video above as reference. )

Cardboard Letter Christmas Signs

There are many ways to make cardboard letters. You can cut out 2D letters from cardboard and make holiday signs with festive phrases like “Merry Christmas”, “Joy” or “Ho Ho Ho”. If you are feeling ambitious, try these DIY 3D letters.

Cardboard Tube Nutcrackers

Take your holiday decor to the next level by crafting life-sized nutcrackers from large cardboard tubes or mailing tubes! Paint the tubes in bright, bold colors for their iconic uniforms. Use paper or  felt cutouts for details like buttons, belts, eyes, and mustache. Tutorial by Julianna.

These majestic nutcrackers will stand guard by your front door or fireplace, bringing an elegant yet playful touch to your holiday space. It’s an exciting, family-friendly project that adds a grand, festive feel to your home!

Egg Carton and Cardboard Animal Wall Art Frames

Make these magical animal portraits from egg cartons and glue them to little cardboard frames. Decorate with festive designs and hang them on your tree or wall. Via Lavendelblog

Which ideas are your favorite? Hopefully all of them. 🙂 Happy creating! See you soon!