Many people enjoy decorating their Christmas trees, and with good reason. Unwrapping shimmering ornaments and placing them on every bough not only makes the house look festive, but it can also trigger a trip down memory lane, with each piece a reminder of previous Christmases and an indication of future celebrations. But, with so many beautiful ornaments on the market, we say why limit them to the tree? The best-looking ornaments can double as tabletop decor, whether they're glass balls in a bowl as a centerpiece, Santa figurines ruling over your meal, or decorative stars used as napkin rings or place-card holders. We've gathered some of our favorite ornaments, all of which would look equally at home on a festive table as they would among the pine branches on your tree.
1. Loaded Double Decker Bus
When you begin looking for ornaments, you will notice that there are several themes available on the market. One of them is's iconic mode of transportation. This glitzy Loaded Double-Decker Bus ornament will brighten up your Christmas tree. Other icons on top include Big Ben, call booths, and the iconic Underground logo. The double-decker bus is adorned with adorable details such as a Union Jack on both sides and glitter on the edges.
2. Festive Felted Bus
If you enjoy felting, you'll go crazy for this adorable Festive Felted Bus. This felt pendant, made using needle felting techniques, takes a step back from more traditional ornaments and adds a quirkier vibe to your Christmas tree. It has beautiful hand-stitched detailing. The seller makes a lot of ornaments, and you can mix and match a few to make a set. The Union Jack, a Coldstream Guard, and Big Ben are among the options. Another advantage is that these ornaments are biodegradable.
3. Personalized Ceramic Ornament
This Ceramic Ornament is as delicate as they come. The ornament is made of ceramic and features icons, including a double-decker bus in the center and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Eye in the background. The printing is of high quality, with sharp images and vibrant colors. Because you can personalize it with a year or phrase, it's ideal as a gift or a small memento to remember your trip. Just make sure it's no more than 28 characters long.
4. Wood-Carved Christmas Ornament
This Christmas ornament is made of wood and is ideal if you want something unique. It's very eye-catching, with bright and bold colors that stand out. The lovely ornament condenses iconic landmarks into 3.75 inches. It includes Big Ben, the Eye, and the Tower Bridge, which is crossed by a double-decker bus and overlooks the River Thames! The seller appears to have replicated all of the landmark's details in the wood carving. You can also choose to personalize it on the back with a laser-engraved message.
5. Personalized Wood-Carved Big Ben Ornament
If you're looking for subtle ornaments, this Big Ben Ornament is the way to go. The ornament is made of birch plywood and features the iconic Big Ben clock tower. The design is extremely intricate and delicate, and you can personalize it with a tiny message on the bottom for an added touch. The ornament comes with a cute ribbon to hang on the tree, and you can choose from a variety of colors. It comes in lovely gift packaging, making it an ideal choice for a gift.
6. Landmarks Bauble Ornament
It's time for a classic. Ceramic Christmas baubles are a must-have ornament for your Christmas tree. Fortunately, I discovered this Landmarks Bauble Ornament on Etsy to add a bit of flair to your Christmas this year. This ceramic bauble is stunning, and it will instantly evoke memories of your days in the cosmopolitan city. This fine bone china bauble depicts all of London's iconic landmarks, including the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and the museums. The design is entirely handmade by the seller, who has brilliantly captured the essence of each drawing.
7. Scene Dome Bauble
This Scene Dome Bauble is arguably one of the cutest ornaments on the list. The ornament resembles a snow globe and is the ideal addition to your -themed Christmas tree. It includes a double-decker bus, a tree (possibly the massive Norwegian spruce in Trafalgar Square), and the iconic Big Ben. Because the ornament has a flat base, you can choose to display it in a different part of the house once the holiday season is over.
8. Skyline Bauble Ornament
If ceramic baubles are your thing, check out Victoria Egg's baubles on Etsy. She created a lovely Skyline Bauble Ornament with red and black fine-line drawings of landmarks. A double-decker bus, Coldstream Guard (the ones with the really tall hats at Buckingham Palace), and Big Ben are among the cute drawings featured in the bauble. She also created this lovely Bus Bauble in the same style. The ceramic bauble, as the name implies, features a cute drawing of iconic double-decker buses.
9. Glass Ornament Trio
Sometimes just one ornament on our Christmas tree isn't enough. Check out this adorable trio of Christmas ornaments. The set includes a gold Big Ben, a red and black palace guard, and a red post-box-shaped ornament to hang on your Christmas tree. Each ornament is made of glass and aluminum and features exquisite details and sparkling glitter on some parts to enliven your Christmas tree. These ornaments would also make a wonderful gift for someone who adores England.
10. Glass Phone Booth Ornament
I'm not exaggerating when I say this Glass Phone Booth Ornament is a miniature work of art. The seller uses traditional drafting techniques from the 1800s, and it shows. They carved this beautiful ornament out of glass and wood. To begin, they mouth-blow molten glass into finely carved molds to shape the ornament. Then they paint and glitter the fine details. As a result, you'll have a one-of-a-kind Christmas ornament that you'll want to display all year.
11. Black Cab with Tree Glass Ornament
Lavinia's Tea Party created this lovely Black Cab ornament in the style of 'iconic black cabs.' It's ideal for recalling your nighttime rides to pubs or chic restaurants. The windows, wheels, and headlights all have intricate designs and glittery details. On top, there are a few gift boxes and a Christmas tree. The ornament comes with a Christmas "candy cane" cord to hang on your tree to add a splash of color.
12. Beaded Buckingham Palace Ornament
This Beaded Buckingham Palace Ornament is stunning! The sellers create the design with a highly skilled embroidery technique passed down through generations that employs gold wires and jewels. Each Buckingham Palace Ornament is one-of-a-kind and will add a magical touch to your tree. Everything about this ornament is lovely, but the gold detailing is especially lovely. The packaging is equally stunning. It is packaged in a delicate gold pouch with flowery details.
13. Santa on the Tube Glass Ornament
Not all landmarks can be seen with the naked eye. Some are cultural in nature, such as the unmistakable British sense of humour. This Santa on the Tube glass ornament depicts Santa standing on top of a tube. While the design is beautiful and glitzy, it is the graffiti-like inscription on the bottom that reads "Santa don't miss my stop" that stands out the most. It will remind you of the British and their love of sarcasm and irony.
14. Bus with Tree Glass Ornament
This ornament is inspired by another traditional mode of transportation, a double-decker bus with a tree on top. This glass novelty bauble will add a festive touch to your tree. The bus has red, silver, and glitter detailing, while the tree is a bright green with lovely snow flocking details. This ornament would look great on any Christmas tree, and you can combine it with other transport novelty baubles from this list to make your own transport theme set.
15. The Christmas Decor Set from Pop Box
Pop has put together the cutest Christmas decor set, complete with six different Christmas decorations. Each of the charming decorations in the set is inspired by a famous landmark in the cosmopolitan city. The ornaments are by high-end designers like Sass & Belle and Gisela Graham. Each box is one-of-a-kind and a limited edition. Union Jack ceramic baubles, various Big Ben ornaments, the Queen's Crown, and a lovely bauble with multiple black cabs are all available.
A handmade ornament, on the other hand, is more than just a decorative addition to your Christmas tree—a memory made with your children and family, celebrating the season and cherishing time together. Browse our most popular projects, such as felted woodland animals, ribbons and rosettes, shooting stars, and more.
16. Silver Seed-Pod Ornaments
Seed pods are Mother Nature's stocking stuffers if pine trees are her Christmas gifts. Simply spray an assortment of pinecones, poppy pods, acorns, and other natural beauties, such as sponge mushrooms, with gleaming metallic paint to create your forest of simple and eye-catching ornaments. Add hooks, and they'll shine in your home or the home of a lucky recipient.
17. Pipe-Cleaner Angel Ornament
Nothing says holiday cheer like classic pipe-cleaner ornaments. Take a look at our newest addition: angelic disco dancers. Pre-painted doll heads with sweet, blushing faces are included. Make chenille pipe cleaner arms, legs, and hairstyles, then twist metallic ones into wings, halos, and teeny-tiny high heels. These dancing queens can shimmy their way through the season when dressed in "lamé" cupcake-liner dresses.
18. Paper-Clay Botanical Ornament
It's second nature to make these delicate botanical ornaments. Roll out paper clay-like cookie dough, then top with seasonal sprigs (such as rosemary, spruce, fern, or dried berries) and roll in. (Paper clay is only available in white.) Add a few drops of black or pink craft paint to make these subtle shades.) Remove the greenery, cut it out with a round cutter, make a hole for hanging, and set aside to dry. Ornament with Golden Wood Beads
You'll need gold leather cord and two or three sizes of round wooden beads, as well as gold spray paint to coat a few beads if desired.
If desired, paint the beads and set them aside to dry. (We used 12-millimeter, 3/4-inch, and 35-millimeter measurements.) String a small, medium, and large bead onto a 90-inch length of gold cord. Knot cord loosely under a small bead. As shown, wrap the cord around and back up through the large bead; repeat all around. Tighten the cord. Finish with a medium (or small) and small bead. Thread the cord back down through all of the beads' holes, leaving a 4-inch loop at the top, and undo the knot at the bottom, as shown. Tie the two ends of the cord together and trim the excess. Make a loop above the top bead.
20. Glittered Spun-Cotton Ornament
We've got just the thing for a first tree: a box of handmade ornaments so delicious they'll make you think of sugarplums. And because they're made of shatterproof spun cotton that's been painted and glittered, you can give a complete set with confidence (and pets, and toddlers).
21. Quartz Icicle Ornament
Make shimmery, dangling strands by stringing clear and light-pink quartz points on jewelry wire, adding a loop at each end, and tying metallic cord to the ends.
22. Marbled Ornament
These swirled stones were created by combining soft-toned paint with marbling medium (a specialty product that takes the mess out of this technique). Remove the top of the ornaments, add a teaspoon of each of two paint colors mixed with marbling medium, swirl, and dry. Brush glue on the bottom and roll in glitter for the flashy one.
23. Agate Pendant Ornament
Snip the jump ring off an agate pendant and thread gold cord through the remaining loop for an instant ornament (or an extra-special gift tag).
24. Glitter Cupcake Ornament
When it comes to Christmas, "The Nutcracker" is the herald of the season. It piques a child's interest in sweet treats, specifically the Sugar Plum Fairy and her candy-themed companions. In our minds? Make champagne-colored glass baubles into sweet treats with glitter spackle for frosting, and forgo the (beaded) sprinkles and cherry on top.
25. Silk Flower Ornament
Remove the flowers from the stems. Separate layers of petals for flowers with multiple layers of petals, as shown with anemones on the far left. Take out the flower centers. Spray-paint flowers (and leaves and stems, if using) to cardboard (or a protected work surface) in desired colors. If necessary, turn and spray the other sides (paint may soak through fabric). Reassemble the flowers, placing gold balls on picks for the centers. To secure petals, twist wire on the backs of the balls into small loops. Attach with wire to the tree.
26. Flower and Gem Ornament
Metallic pink, copper, and gold glass "gems" dangle from the boughs, many as pendants on chains. Lower branch chains are longer, emphasizing the dripping-with-jewels effect. To make flower gems, place two identical flowers back to back. (For added dimension, use three flowers, sandwiching a larger one between two smaller ones.) To hold the flowers together, thread wire through the centers and around the petals. Cut the wire. Glue rhinestones to the flower centers with hot glue. Using pliers, open a jump ring and attach a length of chain to a flower or glass gem. Finish by closing the jump ring. Wrap a length of wire around the tree branch and attach it to the other end of the chain for hanging. Glue a rhinestone to a sequin to make sequined balls. Glue that sequin to a larger one if desired. Continue by constructing "stacks" of two and three pieces. Stick the ornaments together with glue, evenly spacing them. Allow 24 hours for drying.
27. Dresden Rosette Ornament
Dresdens come in a variety of sizes and designs, and they are frequently cut with antique dies that have been in use for decades. We stacked a few Dresdens for many of our ornaments, giving them a more detailed and dimensional appearance.
28. Circus Ornament
When decorating your tree, don't forget to stop by the party store, where you can find honeycomb balls that look like oversize ornaments, as well as striped straws. Combine those bright items with our clipart cutouts for a tree that is inexpensive to decorate from top to bottom.
29. rozen Ice Ornament
Combine fine and shard glitter. Divide each ornament into two or three sections with one or two strips of tape. Apply glue to one section. Working your way around the tray, sprinkle lightly with seed beads, not completely covering them, and then sprinkle with the glitter mixture. Remove the tape and allow it to dry for 2 hours.
30. Glittered Bird, Nest, and Mushroom Ornament
Using a brush, add details to the birds, such as outlining the wings and tail, dotting the tips of the beaks, and creating speckles on the body. Sprinkle it with glitter while the dish is still wet. Hang ribbons from the beaks of birds in your Christmas tree. Make a nest out of lametta or wrap tinsel garland around wire and spiral it into a nest shape. Brush craft glue on mushroom caps, then sprinkle with glitter and arrange them around the base of your tree.
31. Plaid Ball Ornament
Tartans with red and yellow backgrounds are a modern take on the traditional Christmas colors of red and green. Winding bias strips of plaid fabric around Styrofoam balls or folding and snipping ribbons into banners and finishing them with kilt pins are simple ways to make the ornaments (for either a Scottish or a decidedly punk vibe). To make plaid ball ornaments, cut 1/2-inch bias strips of fabric with a rotary cutter and a cutting mat. (Some will be too short to be used.) Tack one end of one strip to a ball with glue. Wrap the remaining strip around the ball, gluing the end when it runs out. Wrap more strips in various directions around the ball until it is completely covered. Secure with glue. Fold over and knot an 8-inch piece of ribbon. Insert a bank pin into the ball, securing the knot beneath the pin's head. Cut ribbon into 8-inch lengths to make pennant ornaments. Fold each length in half and pinch the sides in to form a point, as shown. Iron the pleats to set them. At the bottom, cut a serpent-tongue shape. Pierce a hole through each ribbon at the point where you want to thread a jump ring. Knot an 8-inch piece of cord through. Optional: Accessorize with a kilt pin.
32. Glittered Shell Ornament
Shells, sea stars, and sand dollars are either dusted with glitter (a single color or two shades blended for an ombré effect) or left alone. Sparkly stripes adorn naturally spotted tuna shells, while spangled sea urchins transform into "jellyfish" with tinsel tentacles. Miniature wooden sailboats drenched in glitter add a new shape to the nautical mix. The ornaments are strung with metallic thread and, in some cases, a single pearl bead.
33. Star Ornament
The winter night sky provides a whole new world of inspiration, and these star ornaments are easily accessible. Make all of the different types or multiples of the same style. It only takes a few shimmery supplies to make ornaments that will shine this season and beyond. Before gluing, add a loop of metallic cord between the stars to hang them as ornaments.
34. Brass Ornaments
Brass is used to make these gleaming ornaments depicting seasonal symbols. Some ornaments are threaded with sturdy gold wire and colorful mason's twine to help them keep their striking silhouettes. A small pipe cutter is useful for cutting round tubes, while a hacksaw is useful for cutting square tubing. To add interest, wrap the strings around the branches.
35. Holiday Card Ornament
These ornamental balls are made from vintage Christmas cards. Make twenty circles: Use a 1 1/4-inch hole punch for a small ball; for a large one, trace around the bottom of a glass. Draw an equilateral triangle with points touching the circumference on another circle of cardboard. Cut out the triangle and trace it inside each circle. All of the lines should be scored and folded. Next, join one flap from each of two circles with clear-drying craft glue; triangles should point in the same direction. Attach three more circles to these two, forming the top, using the same technique. Make the bottom in the same manner. Glue the remaining ten circles together, alternating triangle points up and down to form a line. Glue two end flaps together to form the middle section, then glue top and bottom flaps together. A silver thread is used to hang the pendant.
36. Drum Ornament
Drum ornaments are among the most well-known Christmas decorations. But you don't have to scour antique stores and flea markets for your own set; all you need are plain wooden boxes, festive ribbon, and glue. Decorate round boxes by using craft glue to wrap patterned ribbon around the bases and lids. (We glued a 1-inch-wide ribbon around the base of our 3-inch-wide box.) Cut a length of thin ribbon and glue each end to the inside lip of the box lid to make a strap for hanging the ornament. Optional: Fill the ornaments with cookies, truffles, or other small treats if using them as favors.
37. Needle-Felted Woodland Ornament
Forest animals, mushrooms, and bristle ornaments combine natural and fantastical elements to add texture to your tree. Print templates and cut them out. Trace templates with tailor's chalk onto felt and cut out. Under felt, place a felting-needle mat and a few tufts of roving side by side where desired. Punch fibers through felt with a needle-felting tool until they transfer evenly to the reverse side. Removing stray fibers is as simple as pressing the felted area with one hand and teasing out stray pieces with the other. Rep until the entire area is covered. Make a hole at the top with a screw punch. Use twine to hang.
38. Glossy Painted Ball Ornament
When former Living crafts editor Blake Ramsey didn't have enough trimmings for her first Christmas tree, she embellished inexpensive glass balls beautifully. Fill squeeze bottles halfway with paint. To thin the color and make it more translucent, apply a gloss finish as desired. Insert wooden skewers into a foam board to create a drying rack. Remove the ornament caps. For speckled decorations: Squirt paint upward into an ornament with a narrow-tip bottle, causing it to spatter. Allow to dry upside down on the rack for one day. After that, add a second layer: Squeeze a small amount of the new color into the ornament, allowing it to run down the sides, and then rotate the ornament to spread the paint. Repeat as necessary to achieve the desired effect. Repeat the above steps for streaked ornaments, but don't let the first color dry. Add a second layer right away so the colors blend. For solid ornaments, squeeze paint into the ornament with a wide-tip bottle until it runs down the sides, then rotate the ornament to spread the paint. Repeat as needed to achieve the desired look. Allow all of the ornaments to dry on the drying rack for one day. Allow caps to dry after painting them with a paintbrush.
39. Spun-Glass Butterfly Ornaments
These butterfly ornaments are reminiscent of an antique spun-glass German pair. The materials for making them are not as difficult to come by as the originals: We bought spun-glass wings from a specialty craft store and combined them with clay bodies, adding red and white painted details.
40. Salt Dough Ornaments
They adorn the boughs of your Christmas tree in pairs: These animal ornaments resemble cookies but are more durable and "iced" with glue and glitter. Combine two cups of flour and one cup of salt to make a batch. Mix in one cup of warm water slowly. Knead the dough for 7 to 10 minutes on a floured surface. Roll out to a thickness of 3/8-inch. 30 minutes in the freezer Preheat the oven to 200°F. Cut out animal shapes with cookie cutters. Insert screw eyes into the tops of the shapes. 30 minutes in the freezer. Bake for 4 to 6 hours. Allow them to cool. Mix craft glue and paint in a bottle to achieve the desired color. Draw an animal outline with colored glue. "Flood" the surface with colored glue to fill it in. Coat glue immediately for a solid glitter effect. Allow the first coat of glue to dry overnight before applying the second color for details, adding tinsel, regular glitter, or microbeads as desired. For small details, use glitter glue pens. Each ornament will require one screw eye (for hanging).
41. Metallic and Spun-Glass Ornaments
These refined ornaments, some adorned with gold or silver leaf and others in soft pastels, are among the dozens that adorn Martha's tree. Her own antique china collections, which included Wedgwood drabware, jasperware, and Old Paris porcelain, served as inspiration. To make them, apply acrylic paint (yellow ocher for gold leaf, white for silver leaf) to both sides of an architectural ornament with a paintbrush; let dry. Apply size (an adhesive available at art supply stores) to the front of the ornament with another brush, and drape a gold- or silver-leaf sheet over the front of the ornament; smooth gently with fingers. Tie or attach a looped cord to the top of the ornament with hot glue.
