Weekend Workshop
To make wood burned Christmas ornaments, use pre-drilled untreated wood slices or blanks, transfer a simple design such as a star, snowflake or tree, practise on scrap, burn the outline and details in short steady strokes, and seal the ornament. Add a ribbon or twine loop and let the finish cure fully before wrapping.
In this article
What you need
- Untreated wood ornament blanks or slices, ideally pre-drilled, plus spares
- A pyrography pen with a pointed or fine tip, and its manual
- A heat-proof stand and surface, safety glasses and good ventilation
- Pencil, graphite transfer paper, a soft eraser and fine sandpaper
- A small drill or hand tool for a hanging hole, if blanks are not pre-drilled
- Ribbon, twine or cord, and a finish with its label instructions
Why wood burned ornaments make great gifts
A burned ornament is small, personal and keeps. People hang them year after year, which makes them one of the most appreciated handmade gifts. They are also quick to make in batches, inexpensive and forgiving for beginners, since each ornament uses only a small area and a few lines.
Ornaments also work well for practising consistency, because a set of matching ornaments teaches you to repeat a motif. If you are new to the craft, start with wood burning for beginners and the easy wood burning ideas list.
What you need
Most of what you need is the usual kit, with a few extras.
- Blanks. Pre-drilled wood slices, discs, stars and other cut shapes are sold as craft blanks. Choose solid, untreated, unfinished wood, with a smooth face.
- Hangers. Twine, ribbon or thin cord, cut to a loop long enough to hang over a branch.
- A hole-making tool. If a blank is not drilled, a small drill bit or hand tool can make a hanging hole. Make the hole before you burn, with the pen unplugged and cool, and support the blank firmly.
- A finish. A clear sealer suited to decorative items.
Buy more blanks than you plan to make, so you have spares for practice and mistakes.
Easy ornament designs
Choose designs with a few lines and plenty of space.
Star
A simple outline with a few lines or dots inside. Straight lines make it easy to do neatly.
Snowflake
Build it from a central cross with short branches. Use a ruler or pencil guides so the arms are even.
Tree
Stacked triangles or a zigzag outline, with a small star or dots as decoration.
Name
A name in clean block letters on a round blank, with a small leaf or star below. Check the spelling twice.
Year
The year in simple numerals, with a border of dots or leaves, makes a lovely keepsake.
For more motifs, see wood burning ideas.
Step by step: burn an ornament
- Choose a blank that is untreated and smooth, and sand it lightly. Brush off the dust.
- Check that the hanging hole is in the right place. If you need to drill one, do it now, with the pen unplugged and the blank supported.
- Plan the design and keep it away from the hole so that the edge stays strong.
- Transfer the design lightly in pencil. See how to transfer a pattern to wood.
- Set up a heat-proof stand and surface, ventilate the room and put on safety glasses.
- Practise on a spare blank to check heat and speed.
- Burn the outline in short, connected strokes, then add small details.
- Switch off, unplug and let the pen cool completely.
- Erase pencil marks gently and brush off ash.
- Apply a thin coat of finish, let it dry and cure, then thread the hanger.
Adding holes and hangers
A hanging hole needs to be placed carefully. Keep it a little way in from the edge, so the blank does not split, and centre it above the design so the ornament hangs straight. Make the hole while the tool is unplugged and the wood is cool, and support the blank on a scrap board so the drill does not tear the back.
Thread twine, ribbon or thin cord through the hole and knot it. Test that the loop is strong and long enough. For gifts, attach a small tag with the name and year.
Sealing
A clear sealer protects the ornament and deepens the colour of the burn. Test it on a burned scrap first, since it can change the look, and apply thin coats according to the label. Let the ornaments dry on a clean surface, with the hangers kept out of the wet finish. Cure time matters: do not wrap or stack ornaments until the label says the finish is ready. See how to seal wood burning projects.
Packaging and gifting
Wrap ornaments in tissue paper or small kraft boxes, and tie them with twine and a sprig of greenery. Include a small card with the year and a short message. Ornaments in a matching set of three or four make an attractive gift, and a name ornament for each family member suits a household. For more gifting ideas, see wood burned gift ideas.
Make a set in an evening
A set is easy to make if you work in batches.
- Prepare all the blanks at once: sand, drill and wipe them.
- Make a paper template of the main shape, and trace it onto each blank.
- Burn the same stage on every ornament before moving to the next stage.
- Let the pen cool between batches and take breaks.
- Finish all the ornaments together.
Allow time for the finish to dry and cure before wrapping, so start well ahead of the day you need them. A leisurely plan over a couple of weekends is better than a rush.
Ornament design ideas by theme
- Woodland: pine trees, stags, owls and pine cones.
- Winter: snowflakes, stars, mittens and snowy hills.
- Traditional: bells, holly leaves, angels and wreaths.
- Personal: a name and year, a pet’s name, or a tiny house outline for a new home.
- Modern: simple geometric shapes, such as triangles and circles, with dots.
Choose one theme for a set, so that the ornaments look good together. Keep each design simple enough to read from a distance.
Troubleshooting ornaments
- The blank split near the hole. Keep the hole further from the edge and use thicker blanks.
- The ornament hangs crooked. Centre the hole above the middle of the design and check the balance.
- Details are too small. Simplify the design, and make lines slightly thicker.
- The finish is tacky. Apply thinner coats and allow the full cure time before packing.
For more fixes, see common wood burning mistakes.
Storing and caring for ornaments
Wooden ornaments last for years with simple care. After the season, wrap each ornament in tissue and store them in a dry box, away from damp and direct sun. Keep them away from heat sources, candles and lights that get hot. If an ornament looks dry, a light coat of a suitable finish can refresh it. Add a tag with the year so the collection becomes a family record.
Next steps
Once you have your ornaments, try a matching set of coasters or personalise your gifts with name signs. The free printable pattern pack includes star and leaf patterns that suit ornaments.
Frequently asked questions
What wood is best for ornaments?
Solid, untreated basswood or birch blanks, or natural wood slices, are popular. Choose pieces with a smooth face and enough thickness not to snap, and avoid anything painted, stained or sealed.
How do I add a hole?
Use pre-drilled blanks if you can. Otherwise, drill a small hole with the pen unplugged and cool, a little way in from the edge, with the blank supported on a scrap board.
Can I personalise ornaments with names?
Yes. Use simple block letters, plan the spacing on paper and check the spelling before you burn. Add the year or a small motif to make it a keepsake.
How early should I start?
Allow several weeks. Practice, burning, finishing and curing take time, and finishes need their full cure before you wrap. Starting a month or more ahead removes the pressure.
Can ornaments be hung on a real tree?
Yes, wooden ornaments are light and suit natural trees. Keep them away from lights or candles that get hot, and do not hang unfinished wood near heat sources.
Your next small step
Choose one technique to practise before starting a finished piece. Read the linked guides for the material, transfer and finishing questions that apply to your project.
