How to Make a DIY Grinch Christmas Tree Ornament

Written by Rachel Barkowski Published on August 28, 2024

How to make Easy Grinch Ornaments | How to Make a Grinch Christmas Tree Ornament | How to Make a Grinch Christmas Ornament | Grinch Christmas Tree Decorations at Six Clever Sisters!

How to Make a DIY Grinch Christmas Tree Ornament

DIY Grinch Christmas Tree Ornaments: Bringing Whoville Charm to Your Holiday

The Grinch may have started as a grumpy character with a heart “two sizes too small,” but over the years, he’s become a beloved symbol of the holiday season. His unique style and iconic green color make him the perfect inspiration for Christmas decorations. If you’re looking to add a touch of Whoville to your holiday decor, why not try making your own DIY Grinch Ornaments? These fun and easy crafts will give your tree a playful twist that’s sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

In this post, we’ll guide you through making salt dough Grinch-tree ornaments that are the perfect touch for your Grinch Christmas! Whether you’re an experienced crafter or just looking for a fun holiday project, this easy Christmas craft will help you bring a little Grinchy cheer into your home this Christmas.

Why Go Grinchy?

Incorporating the Grinch into your Christmas decorations is a great way to add a whimsical and nostalgic touch to your holiday festivities. If you’ve seen the Grinch movie (I *love* the original version!), you probably love the cute Whoville Christmas tree, which is the ornament I’ve got instructions for below!

:: PIN FOR LATER ::

Grinch decorations stand out with their vibrant greens, reds, and playful designs, offering a fresh alternative to traditional Christmas decor. They can be a hit at family gatherings, especially for children who love the classic Dr. Seuss story. If you’re throwing any party this time of year that is a “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” theme, having the pre-baked salt dough ornaments ready for kids to decorate and take home would be a fun activity!

Materials You’ll Need to Make a DIY Grinch Christmas Tree Ornament:

Before you start crafting, gather the following materials:

Salt dough, one batch (our recipe is HERE)
green liquid food coloring
Christmas tree cookie cutter
Gel pens for decorating
String for hanging your ornaments (THIS is the one used in my photos)
Clear sealer, optional

All of these supplies can be found at a craft store, like Hobby Lobby, or of course on Amazon. 😊 I do receive a small commission when you use my affiliate links (no additional cost to you!), so thank you! Don’t forget to check the dollar store for a tree cookie cutter around Christmas!

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Making these fun Grinch Christmas ornaments is easy:

You’ll need to mix up a batch of salt dough (it’s easy and so much fun — basically like playing with play dough 😆), then color your salt dough green. You’ll use a Christmas tree cookie cutter, then stretch it and shape it a bit to give it that Whoville holiday spirit, then color the ornaments on!

I’ve got a step-by-step guide below to make this easy. 🥳

STEP 1: Mix up salt dough (it’s just salt, flour, and warm water). Click HERE for the recipe. I used my stand mixer with the kneading hook to do this, but it’s really easy to do by hand as well. It’ll feel like you’re playing with Playdough all over again. 😊 You’ll want to completely cover your salt dough with plastic wrap when you’re not using it, because it does dry out really quickly.

STEP 2: Add a couple drops of liquid green food coloring to your dough to make it Grinchy-green. Definitely use disposable latex gloves for this so that you don’t stain your hands!

STEP 3: Roll your dough out onto a floured surface to about 1/4″ thickness. Thicker is fine, too, but keep in mind that it will take longer to dry. Your goal is to have all the ornaments on the pan be the same thickness so that they dry out at the same pace.

STEP 4: Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out your shapes, then you’ll need to stretch them gently to look like the Whoville Christmas tree – see my photos below. ⬇️ I stretched the top up and over, then curled each point of the sides up a little. Great creative and do whatever looks best to you!

TIP: If your dough is cracking as you stretch it, it’s too dry. Simply get your hands wet, and pick up your dough and knead it to get the water incorporated so it’s nice and pliable.

STEP 5: Put all of your green christmas trees onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then use a straw to make holes in the top of each ornament for string or twine to go through – don’t forget this step!

STEP 6: Bake at 225 F for 2-3 hours, or until dry. You can also air dry this for several days for the same results. Don’t turn the oven up to speed things up because too high of a temperature will make the dough bubble or rise. You want to go low and slow here.

STEP 7: Decorate your adorable DIY Grinch Christmas ornaments the easy way — with sparkly gel pens! I used THESE ONES and colored larger and smaller ornaments since the Whoville tree is a bit funky. 😆 For my Grinch tree topper, I just drew gold dots on the tops of my trees. You could also add a base coat of green glitter glue to your ornaments before drawing the ornaments on to get some extra sparkle!

STEP 8: Seal your ornaments with a spray of clear sealer, if desired. I used Colorshot Clear Sealer.

STEP 9: Time to display your Grinch ornament! Of course, the Christmas tree is the most typical place to hang your adorable Grinch ornaments; however, there are other options. I went to a Christmas party where they had lots of cute ornaments on the mantel, and when our number was called, we got to pick one to take home. You could also make a Grinch garland for an easy project – add a pop of fun by putting pom poms between them as you string them.

Creating a DIY Grinch Christmas tree ornament is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season. With just a few simple materials and a bit of creativity, you can make a unique decoration. Whether you’re adding it to your own tree or giving it as a gift, or providing an easy grinch craft idea for a party, this Grinch ornament is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face—just like the heartwarming story of the Grinch does every year.

So, gather your supplies, follow these steps, and enjoy bringing a little Grinchy festive spirit to your holiday decor!

Looking for other GRINCH CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS? Check out some of these great Christmas crafts from other bloggers!

We have a bunch of really simple ORNAMENTS TO MAKE WITH KIDS over HERE! Check it out!

When you post your DIY Grinch Christmas Tree Ornament, we *definitely* want to see it, so be sure to tag us on social media! @sixcleversisters #sixcleversisters