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Rudolph’s Rustic Wood Slice Christmas Decor

Craft Charming DIY Rustic Wood Slice Reindeer Ornaments: A Fun Family Christmas Project

As the holiday season officially begins, there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than with a heartwarming craft project. This DIY rustic wood slice Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ornament is not only incredibly easy to make but will also add a charming, handmade touch to your Christmas tree this year. Imagine the cozy, rustic feel these unique ornaments will bring to your home!

A finished DIY rustic wood slice Rudolph reindeer ornament with googly eyes, a red pom-pom nose, and mini clothespin antlers, ready to hang on a Christmas tree.

The magic of handmade Christmas decorations lies in their unique character and the memories created while making them. This delightful wood slice reindeer ornament project is perfectly designed to be super simple, making it a fantastic Christmas craft for kids and adults to enjoy together. It’s an excellent activity to gather the family, put on some holiday music, and craft your way into the holiday spirit.

While we specifically opted for sparkly red pom-poms to craft our ornaments into the iconic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the beauty of this DIY project lies in its versatility. You can easily switch out the red pom-poms for brown ones to create classic reindeer ornaments, allowing for a whole herd of charming festive characters to adorn your tree. Each one will be a unique expression of your creativity!

For those crafting with younger children, safety is paramount. We recommend that an adult pre-drill any necessary holes in the wood slices before the kids join in, as this step requires careful handling of power tools. Alternatively, if you prefer to skip the drilling altogether, you can simply use strong craft glue to securely attach the ribbon loop to the back of the wood slice. This ensures a safe and enjoyable crafting experience for everyone involved.

Essential craft supplies laid out: wood slices, craft glue, googly eyes, sparkly red pom-poms, mini red clothespins, ribbon, scissors, and a drill with a small bit.

DIY Wood Slice Reindeer Ornament Supplies:

Gathering your materials is the first exciting step to bringing your rustic reindeer ornaments to life. You’ll find most of these items readily available at your local craft store or online, making this a convenient and accessible project for crafters of all skill levels. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Wood slices: These are the base for your reindeer. Look for pre-sanded and pre-drilled options for ease, or natural ones if you prefer to drill them yourself for an authentic rustic look.
  • Craft Glue: A reliable, quick-drying craft glue or school glue is essential for securely attaching the various small embellishments to your wood slices.
  • Googly eyes: These add so much character and personality to your reindeer! Various sizes are available, so pick ones that fit the scale of your wood slices.
  • Sparkly small red craft pom poms: Perfect for Rudolph’s iconic nose. The sparkle adds an extra festive touch, but regular red pom-poms work just as well. For traditional reindeer, use brown pom-poms.
  • Miniature red clothespins: These clever little items cleverly transform into charming antlers for your reindeer. Red adds a pop of holiday color, but natural wood or brown clothespins would also look great.
  • Ribbon: Choose a festive ribbon for hanging your ornaments. Satin, grosgrain, or even rustic twine would complement the wood slices beautifully.
  • Scissors: For cutting the ribbon to the desired length.
  • Drill with small drill bit (optional): Necessary if your wood slices aren’t pre-drilled and you prefer a drilled hole for hanging the ribbon. Always use with caution and adult supervision.

Shop DIY Reindeer Ornament Supplies:

Ready to start crafting your very own unique holiday decorations? Below are some links to help you easily find and purchase the supplies needed for your rustic wood slice reindeer ornaments. Gathering these materials is quick and simple, so you can dive into the fun of creating festive decor in no time!

Elmer’s Glue-All Multi-Purpose GlueChristmas Glitter Pom PomsSatin Ribbon, Emerald GreenGoogly EyesSoftgrip Blunt-tip Kids ScissorsMini Glitter Clothespins, RedUnfinished Predrilled Wood Slices

Making Your DIY Wood Slice Reindeer Ornament:

Now that you have all your supplies ready, it’s time to embark on the creative journey of making your adorable wood slice reindeer ornaments. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a festive, handmade decoration ready to hang in no time!

A hand drilling a small hole into the top center of a rustic wood slice, preparing it for an ornament hanger.

Step 1: Prepare Your Wood Slice for Hanging. Begin by carefully drilling a small hole in the top center of each of your wood slices. A small drill bit, appropriate for your ribbon size, works best. This hole will be used to thread the ribbon for hanging your finished ornament. If you’ve purchased wood slices that already have pre-drilled holes, you can happily skip this step! Alternatively, if you prefer a no-drill method, plan to use a strong craft glue or hot glue to attach the ribbon loop directly to the back of the wood slice in a later step. Always ensure proper safety precautions when using a drill, especially if children are observing.

Two googly eyes glued onto the front of a wood slice, creating the start of a reindeer face.Step 2: Give Your Reindeer Some Eyes. Next, apply a small dot of craft glue to the front of the wood slice and carefully attach two googly eyes. Position them towards the top half of the wood slice, leaving enough space below for the nose. The googly eyes instantly bring your reindeer to life and add a playful, whimsical touch to your rustic ornament. Experiment with different sizes of googly eyes for varied expressions!

A sparkly red pom-pom glued to the lower center of a wood slice, beneath the googly eyes, forming Rudolph's red nose.
Step 3: Add Rudolph’s Iconic Red Nose. Then, apply another dab of glue just below the googly eyes. Carefully attach a sparkly red pom-pom to this spot. This will be Rudolph’s famous red nose, making your ornament instantly recognizable and extra festive. If you’re creating a regular reindeer, use a brown pom-pom, a small painted brown circle, or even a tiny wooden bead for the nose. Press firmly for a few seconds to ensure the pom-pom adheres well.

Two mini red clothespins clipped onto the top edge of a wood slice, above the eyes, to form the reindeer's antlers.
Step 4: Attach the Antlers. To create the antlers, attach two miniature red clothespins to the top edge of your wood slice. Position one clothespin above each googly eye, allowing them to clip onto the top rim of the wood slice. The rustic wood and the bright red clothespins offer a charming contrast. You can angle them slightly for a playful look or keep them straight. If you prefer, natural wood clothespins or even small twigs collected from your yard can also make excellent rustic antlers.

A piece of red ribbon being threaded through a pre-drilled hole at the top of a wood slice reindeer ornament.
Step 5: Add the Hanging Ribbon. Finally, cut a piece of ribbon approximately 6-8 inches long. Thread one end of the ribbon through the drilled hole at the top of your wood slice. Bring both ends together and tie them in a secure knot to form a loop. This loop will be used to hang your beautiful new ornament on your Christmas tree, from a mantel, or even as part of a festive garland. If you opted not to drill a hole, simply form the ribbon into a loop and use strong craft glue to attach it firmly to the back of the wood slice, ensuring it’s completely dry before hanging.

Tips for Success & Creative Variations:

  • Personalize It: Use a permanent marker to write the year or the name of the person who will receive the ornament on the back of the wood slice, turning it into a cherished keepsake.
  • Different Reindeer Expressions: Play with the placement and size of the googly eyes to give each reindeer a unique personality. Slightly angled eyes can make them look curious, while larger eyes add a cartoonish charm.
  • Antler Alternatives: Beyond clothespins, consider using small, thin twigs gathered from outdoors for an even more natural, rustic antler look. Pipe cleaners or even cut-out felt shapes can also work well, especially for younger crafters.
  • Glitter Galore: For extra sparkle, apply a thin layer of glue to the edges of the wood slice and sprinkle with fine glitter. Or, use glitter glue to add decorative details.
  • Gift Giving: These DIY wood slice reindeer ornaments make fantastic handmade gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, and family. Pair them with a homemade treat for an extra thoughtful present.
  • Non-Rudolph Reindeer: If you don’t want Rudolph, simply use a brown pom-pom for the nose. You can even paint a small brown circle directly onto the wood slice for a minimalist look.
  • Group Activity: Set up a craft station during a holiday party or family gathering. Provide all the supplies and let everyone create their own unique reindeer ornament. It’s a fun activity and a lovely party favor!

A close-up of a finished DIY rustic wood slice Rudolph ornament, featuring googly eyes, a sparkly red nose, and red clothespin antlers.

We truly hope you enjoy crafting this fun and simple DIY rustic wood slice reindeer ornament! It’s a wonderful way to add a touch of handmade charm to your holiday decor and create lasting memories with loved ones. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a joyful crafting season! Don’t forget to share your creations with us online!

More Easy DIY Christmas Ornaments:

If you loved making these rustic reindeer, explore more of our easy and festive DIY ornament ideas to fill your tree with handmade treasures!

  • Charming Snowman Christmas Ornament
  • Creative Clothespin Reindeer Ornaments
  • Fun Snowball Fight Christmas Tree Ornament
  • Adorable Popsicle Stick Rudolph Ornament

Pinterest graphic featuring a finished DIY rustic wood slice Rudolph ornament and the title: 'DIY Rustic Wood Slice Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Ornament Craft'.