DIY Christmas Gnomes: Transforming Everyday Items into Whimsical Decor

ByChas

Welcome, craft enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into the creative world of DIY Christmas gnomes. We’ll explore step-by-step instructions to turn ordinary household items into charming holiday decorations. So, gather your crafting supplies, and let’s get started on these adorable and budget-friendly projects.

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We'll explore step-by-step instructions to turn ordinary household items into charming DIY Christmas gnomes.

DIY Christmas Gnomes:

I have not one gnome tutorial but several to make Christmas decor. No sewing machine is needed!  Everyone can make these including kids!  Run to the craft store, get your supplies, and let’s dive into several tutorials to give you inspiration to create some of these Christmas Crafts!

DIY Christmas Gnomes Video:

Upcycled Tide Pod Container GnomeMaterials Needed:

Upcycled Tide Pod Container Gnome

Materials Needed:

Instructions:

Sale for my Christmas DIY Ebook

Prepare Materials:

Save that empty Tide Pod container and head to the Dollar Tree for the necessary supplies – a Santa hat, a white hat, a dust mop attachment, and some bulbs.

Slide the white hat onto the bottom of the Tide Pod container.

Assemble the Base:

Slide the white hat onto the bottom of the Tide Pod container.

Place the Santa hat over the container, covering the white hat.

Place the Santa hat over the container, covering the white hat.

Add the dust mop attachment over the white hat, tucking it underneath the Santa hat to make the white beard.

Add the dust mop attachment over the white hat, tucking it underneath the Santa hat to make the white beard.

Secure with Glue:

Use hot glue to secure the layers in place.

Attach a gold bulb with hot glue under the hat to create the nose.

Attach a gold bulb with hot glue under the hat to create the nose.

We'll explore step-by-step instructions to turn ordinary household items into charming DIY Christmas gnomes.

Final Touch:

Your DIY gnome is ready to be displayed!

We'll explore step-by-step instructions to turn ordinary household items into charming DIY Christmas gnomes.

Consider changing the hat for different seasons.

How do you make a tree gnome? Santa Tree Gnome

You can find the full tutorial at Awesome and Easy Gnome Craft Ideas with Video

Materials Needed:

Gnome Christmas Tree Materials

Instructions:

Prepare the Tree:

Wrap the small tree with lights.

I bought a stocking at Dollar Tree. I cut the bottom of the stocking off in a triangle shape to help form my gnome hat.
I turned the stocking inside out and used my hot glue gun to adhere the edges together. You could sew this step if you prefer.
Once the glue was cool, I turned the hat right side out. I placed the hat on the top of my small tree.

Create the Hat:

  • Cut a triangle shape from the coordinating stocking.
  • Fold the stocking inside out, hot glue the edges, and flip it right side out to form a hat.
  • Place the hat on top of the tree, securing it in place.
I placed a small ornament bulb under the hat for my gnome's nose.
I bought this Santa ornament from Dollar Tree. I pulled the beard off the ornament for my gnome. If you can't find an ornament like this you could buy a dollar store mop or use yarn instead.
I added some kid's gloves to create hands-on my tree. You could use mittens if you prefer. You can also stuff the mittens or gloves if you like.

Assemble the Gnome:

  • Slide gloves onto branches on either side of the tree.
  • Attach a dollar store bulb under the hat for the nose.
  • Lay the Santa ornament beard under the nose and secure it in place.
I'm sharing a gnome Christmas Tree made with items from Dollar Tree, and the best part is you can adjust this to any size tree you want.
I'm sharing a gnome Christmas Tree made with items from Dollar Tree, and the best part is you can adjust this to any size tree you want.

Variation:

Explore different tree sizes and adapt the concept for larger trees using a blanket for the hat, a mop for the beard, a large bulb for the nose, and boots for the base.

I like to place mine in my bathroom. It's a great way to hide the extra rolls of toilet paper, and also have cute decor.

DIY Gnome Bottle Topper

For this whimsical gnome project, you’ll be crafting an adorable bottle topper using simple household items. Let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions:

You can find the full tutorial at Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Crafts, Easy and Creative DIYs

Materials Needed:

Cut the top and bottom sections off a sock.
Insert the toilet paper or paper towel tube into the bottom of the sock and tuck any excess fabric into the center of the tube.
Insert the toilet paper or paper towel tube into the bottom of the sock and tuck any excess fabric into the center of the tube.

Instructions:

Prepare the Base:

  • Cut the top section off the sock and then cut the bottom section off as well.
  • Stuff the toilet paper or paper towel tube into the bottom of the sock, tucking the excess into the center of the roll.
  • Fold up the cuff of the other end of the sock.

Optional Weight:

  • Optionally, add rocks to the tube to give it some weight. This step is beneficial if you plan to use the gnome for a different project.
Fold up the cuff of the other end of the sock. Wrap a little rubber band around the top of the sock and cut slits to create a pom-pom on the hat.

Create the Hat:

  • With the cuff at the other end, grab a little rubber band and wrap it around the top.
  • Use your scissors to cut little slits to create a little poof ball and hat.
Cut a section of a mop for the gnome's beard and hot glue it to the cardboard end.

Prepare the Beard:

  • Cut off a section of your mop and then trim it down to size.
Cut a section of a mop for the gnome's beard and hot glue it to the cardboard end.
Place the hat on top of the gnome and add a bead for the nose.

Assemble:

  • Hot glue the little mop to the cardboard end covered with the sock, creating the gnome’s beard.
  • Place the hat on top of the cardboard tube.
Place the hat on top of the gnome and add a bead for the nose.

Add Nose:

  • Apply hot glue to a bead and place it on top of the beard but below the hat to form the gnome’s nose.

Final Touch:

  • Your DIY gnome is now complete! Use it in various ways, whether as an ornament, a gift topper, or a cute bottle accessory.
Your gnome ornament is complete and can be used as an ornament or a gift topper.

Bottle Topper Variation:

If you’d like to use it as a bottle topper, cut a small slit in the bottom of the gnome’s sock and place it on top of a bottle for a charming and festive touch.

Your gnome ornament is complete and can be used as an ornament or a gift topper.

Gift Presentation:

Consider adding this delightful gnome on top of a gift for a cute and personalized giveaway. Here’s a quick look at what it would resemble on top of a gift.

Get creative with colors and embellishments to match your holiday theme. This versatile gnome can add a touch of charm to various occasions. Enjoy crafting!

Gnome Craft Ideas Materials

Are gnomes for Christmas only? 

No, here I have made a Gnome out of a bottle and you can adjust it for any season, and create one to leave up all year long.

DIY Sock Gnomes Using A Recycled Bottle

You can find the full tutorial at Awesome and Easy Gnome Craft Ideas with Video

Materials Needed:

This cute gnome is a great way to use leftover socks if you have those stragglers, or you can purchase a pair of socks at the dollar store and just use one of them. I'm going to take a single sock and slide it over the bottom of the bottle and pull it all the way up to the top.

Instructions:

Prepare the Bottle:

  • Slide a single sock over the top of the bottle to make the gnome body. You can choose any sock, even fuzzy socks are great!  You could add rice to the bottle to give it some weight.
Next, I'm going to be using a dollar store bear but you could use faux fur or craft fur fabric if you like.  This just happens to be a little less expensive and works just the same.   I'm going to focus on the back side of the bear and cut a triangle shape out of the back side of the bear.  This will become by gnome beard.  
I purchased some green felt from the dollar store and this will become my gnome hat.  I'm placing my bottle on top of the felt and I will cut a triangle shape with fabric scissors.  Make sure to leave it wide enough on either side to work with. Take that same piece and use it as a template to cut another identical triangle from the remainder of the fabric.  
So I have two pieces that are exactly the same.  I've got my two identical pieces on top of each other and I'm going to take my hot glue gun and run a line of glue down one side of the felt and press that into place. Then I'm going to repeat the same process on the other side. I'm going to take that piece of felt and turn it inside out which will actually be right side out, so the seams are now on the inside of my hat.  Now I have a cone shape gnome hat.
Now I'm going to start assembling. I'm going to place my little furry beard down at the bottom and hot glue it into place.  
Next, I'm going to put the hat on over the top of the bottle and slide it down so that it overlaps the beard.  

Create the Hat and Beard:

  • Cut a triangle shape from the felt to form the hat.
  • Hot glue the hat onto the bottle, covering the top of the sock.
  • Attach the beard (cut from the bear) under the hat.
I have a little bead from the dollar store that I will use for the gnome nose.  I'm going to slide that underneath the hat so that the hat gathers just a little bit and then the nose fits on the beard as well.  You could also use a small pom pom, a little ball, or a wooden bead as a gnome nose.
I saved a few scraps of the bear and I'm going to be using that for hair that I will glue on under the hat.  
I am going to add an embellishment to the gnome hat with some ribbon.  I have a gold ribbon and I cut a buckle shape.   Next, I measured the black ribbon and approximately how long I would need it to go around the hat.  I hot glued the gold buckle onto the black ribbon and then used a bit more hot glue to the black ribbon into place around the hat. You could also use yarn, beads, or really anything to spruce up the gnome hat.

Add Nose and Embellishments:

  • Hot glue a bead under the hat for the nose.
  • Attach a gold ribbon buckle to a black ribbon and glue it onto the hat.
  • Add additional embellishments like flowers on top.
Are you looking for gnome craft ideas? Here is a super easy DIY that anyone can do, plus a few more options along the way.

Final Touch:

Your DIY Sock gnome is ready to add a festive touch to your decor.  You can place this anywhere and some ideas include on a shelf or mantel.

DIY Gnome - 1. cut the pool noodle

Pool Noodle Gnome

You can find the full tutorial at Awesome and Easy Autumn DIY Gnome with Video

Materials Needed:

DIY Gnome 2. Make the diy gnome body

Instructions:

Prepare the Base:

  • Cut the pool noodles into two equal lengths.
  • Insert the pool noodles into a baby onesie to create the body.
diy gnome I cut a rope to go around the gnome's waist. I thread it through the belt loops and then tied it in the front.

Add Legs and Belt:

  • Slide thrift store toddler pants onto the pool noodles.
  • Cut and tie a rope around the pants to create a belt.
  • You’ve now created the body of the gnome
4. Make the gnome's beard

Create the Beard:

  • Cut a shape from the stuffed bear to form the beard.
diy gnome I made 2 circles on some old jeans and then cut them out. This would become the rim of the hat.
diy gnome I looped the felt in a tall circle and then hot glued it together.
diy gnome I hot glued the felt onto the jean brim.

Make the Hat:

  • Cut a triangle from a piece of felt and fold it into a cone to create the hat.
  • Cut a circle from old jeans and glue it to the bottom of the felt hat.
I hot glued the beard on the front of the toddler outfit, and I hot glued the hat onto the collar of the onesie.
diy gnome I hot glued an acorn onto the beard to become his nose. You could use a bead for this step if you like. I also pulled apart some flowers and hot glued them to the gnome's hat.
diy gnome I added some straw from my straw bale garden to the top of his hat and then tied it in place with some twine. You could use raffia, or just tie the top closed if you like.

Assemble and Embellish:

  • Glue the beard to the front of the onesie.
  • Attach the hat over the beard and secure it in place.
  • Glue flowers to the top of the hat for added flair.
  • Glue an acorn under the hat to serve as the nose.
  • Place straw into the top of the hat and tie with twine for a finishing touch.
Do you love gnomes? I'm sharing how to make an awesome and easy autumn DIY gnome with items from the thrift and dollar store!

Final Touch:

Your pool noodle gnome is complete, ready to add a whimsical touch to your holiday decor.

winter gnomes Materials

How to make a dollar tree gnome?  Winter Gnomes

You can find the full tutorial at Winter Gnomes: Easy and Cute Dollar Tree DIY with Video

Materials Needed:

1. Glue the mop Into The Hat
Once you have glue on the mop head attachment, place it all the way up inside the hat and make sure it is well adhered
2. Glue the Ornament onto the Mop for the Nose

Instructions:

Assemble the Gnome

  • Hot glue the mop into the hat
  • Hot glue the bulb under the hat slightly and onto the mop.
3. Optional unwind the mop for the beard
  • Optionally you can unwind the mop strings for a different look.

Attach String to Hat:

  • Tie a string or ribbon to the top of the gnome’s hat.
Are you looking for winter gnomes? Here are a few for you that are easy, cute, and only take a few supplies from Dollar Tree to make.
Are you looking for winter gnomes? Here are a few for you that are easy, cute, and only take a few supplies from Dollar Tree to make.
Are you looking for winter gnomes? Here are a few for you that are easy, cute, and only take a few supplies from Dollar Tree to make.

Hang on Door:

  • Use the string to hang the gnome on your door, creating a unique and charming door hanger.
  • Ensure the gnome is securely attached to welcome guests with a touch of holiday cheer.

Additional Tip: Sparkling Wine Gnome Topper

  • Slip a sock over the top of the sparkling wine or grape juice bottle.
  • Slide the gnome, created from the earlier projects, onto the top of the bottle.
  • Position the gnome securely to enhance the festive look of your beverage.
  • Place your gnome-topped bottle on a serving tray or table for a whimsical and festive presentation.

DIY Christmas Gnomes Video

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Do you want easy Christmas crafts to make and sell? I have 51 projects for you that are fun to make and won't cost you a fortune.
Are you looking for snowman crafts? I have several to share with you and the best part is that you can make them all in one day.

Further Reading

We'll explore step-by-step instructions to turn ordinary household items into charming DIY Christmas gnomes.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing these fantastic DIY Christmas gnome projects! Are you ready to create your holiday gnomes?  Which one is your favorite, let me know in the comments below!  Get creative and turn any of these into girl gnomes if you wish as well.  From festive bottle toppers to door hangers, these charming creations add a delightful touch to your holiday decor this Christmas season. Get ready to impress friends and family with your crafting skills. If you enjoyed these projects, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Chas’ Crazy Creations for more inspiring DIY ideas. Wishing you a joyful and craft-filled holiday season!

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Chas, the creative force behind Chas' Crazy Creations, is a renowned DIY expert, innovator, and passionate crafter with over 30 years of experience in repurposing, upcycling, and home improvement. Combining a successful career in dance program management with extensive expertise in digital marketing, website development, and consulting, Chas brings a unique blend of artistic vision and practical know-how to the DIY and crafting world.

At Chas' Crazy Creations, visitors find a treasure trove of crafting and home project resources, including detailed tutorials, creative inspiration, and practical tips. Chas specializes in making creativity accessible to all, offering projects ranging from budget-friendly upcycling ideas to seasonal and holiday-themed crafts. The website caters to crafters of all skill levels, featuring easy-to-follow instructions and projects utilizing everyday materials.

Beyond DIY, Chas is a sought-after motivational speaker and business consultant. Leveraging deep experience in digital marketing, SEO, social media management, and brand building, Chas helps businesses grow and thrive in the digital landscape. As an advocate for hands-on creativity and sustainable living, Chas' mission is to inspire and empower others through engaging, innovative content that bridges the gap between traditional crafting and modern digital strategies.

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