Are you looking for the perfect Keepsake Christmas gift? Maybe you’re a teacher and you want to send home something special to the student’s parents for Christmas. I love this DIY photo ornament! It reminds me of my other favorite handprint keepsake ornament, but this one has a photo. You know what else I love about this project, glitter fun without the mess just like our glitter sand art ornaments.
If you love snow globe crafts, make sure to check out this adorable paper craft!
How to Make A DIY Photo Ornament for Christmas
DIY Photo Ornament Supplies:
(affiliate links)
- Plastic Ornaments, size 80mm (click here)
- Glitter (1/4 cup per ornament), we used this mega jar of glitter (One large jar of glitter is enough to fill 8-10 ornaments).
- If you are anti-glitter, try this instead.
- Clear Packing Tape (click here)
- Sharp Scissors (click here)
- Ribbon (this satin ribbon is the best deal around) or grosgrain red. Translation: satin (pictured above) is smooth and silky. Grosgrain has ridges and a matte finish (wedding snow globe).
- Twine or gold ribbon
- Hot glue gun (optional)
- Sharpie Permanent Marker
Instructions To Make Your Photo Ornament
How do you get the glitter not to stick to the plastic snow globe?
Lightly rub the inside of the globe and the photo with a dryer sheet. I looked up different options and this worked the best. It wasn’t perfect, but it did help.
If the glitter will drive you crazy with the static cling, you could try this. It will look sparkly, but is weighted enough to stay in the bottom of the ornament.
Photo Ideas for the Snow Globe Photo Ornament:
1. If you want to have the child dress in winter clothes (coat, gloves/mittens, etc), go for it! I chose to go with what the kids were wearing to keep the ornament a surprise and to get a jump start on it before Christmas.
2. Center the child on a neutral wall. Don’t worry about extra things in the background (outlets, etc), because you’ll be cutting around the child and you won’t see the random stuff.
3. Model to the child how to raise their hands in the air and smile!
Cutting Out the Photo:
The number one tip is do not cut between the child’s legs. You’ll need it in order to adhere the photo to the ornament. I accidentally did that on the example above and it made it harder to attach inside the ornament.
I read that wiping a dryer sheet on the photo and plastic ornament would help with the static cling. It worked a little… but it did work for cleanup.
Place the Photo in the Ornament:
Depending on the size of the photo, you’ll need to fold it at the knees or waist of the child. The goal is to have the child fill up the globe for maximum photo-cuteness impact.
Once you cut the child out (hands, head, and upper body are most important), fold the bottom and tape it down to the back side of the ornament.
Note: Make sure the photo is hanging over the edge of the ornament. Doing this will allow the photo to be seen clearly through the front and not look like it’s sitting too far back.
Now Add the Glitter
In one half of the snow globe photo ornament, pour the glitter in.
- Glitter (1/4 cup per ornament), we used this mega jar of glitter
Place the other side on top. Snap in place.
Attach the Bow
First, for a safety measure, place a clear piece of packing tape on the ornament seam once they snap together. This should prevent the ornament from opening up. If you’re sending this home with a child, place it in tissue paper with strict instructions not to open it on the bus! It can be held by little hands, it just won’t withstand being dropped on a hard surface.
Second, the ornament pieces will snap together at the top. Put the piece of twine or gold ribbon through the top. This is how the ornament will hang.
Third, tie a bow with the red ribbon. You can either tie it around the plastic hook or you can make a bow and hot glue it to the front. Either way, make sure you add a little dab of glue in the knot to keep it from untying.
All done! Take the permanent marker and write the child’s name and date on the bottom.
How to Clean Up Glitter
You can use a dryer sheet. Just wipe the counter or area you’re working with the dryer sheet. Play-do also works.
I think adults should do the glitter portion of this project, but I do love this Glitter Sand Art ornament that is perfect for kiddos.
Like this snow globe photo ornament? You’ll love these other Christmas crafts:
Wedding Snow Globe
My beautiful friend got married in an outdoor wedding. I was inspired by the natural environment and the trees. I followed the same directions as above and just added mini trees to make her a wonderful keepsake.
Directions for Snow Globe Wedding Ornament:
- Build everything on one side of the ornament. Place trees first. Don’t be afraid to use wire cutters/pliers to make the trees fit. Cut the bottoms off.
- Glue in with E6000 and let dry (may take up to 24 hours). It took a little tweaking to make sure the trees didn’t fall over while drying, but it worked!
- Cut and glue your picture in. You can actually glue it right to the trees. Sprinkle some glitter on the glue as it dries and it will cover up any blemishes.
Snow Globe Materials for Keepsake Ornaments:
(affiliate links)
- Plastic Ornaments, size 80mm (click here)
- 1-3 mini trees or if you have larger trees, cut the tops off
- E6000 industrial glue
- Glitter (1/4 cup per ornament), we used this mega jar of glitter (One large jar of glitter is enough to fill 8-10 ornaments).
- If you are anti-glitter, try this instead.
- Clear Packing Tape (click here)
- Sharp Scissors (click here)
- Ribbon (this satin ribbon is the best deal around) or grosgrain red. Translation: satin (pictured above) is smooth and silky. Grosgrain has ridges and a matte finish (wedding snow globe).
- Twine or gold ribbon
- Hot glue gun (optional)
- Sharpie Permanent Marker
Hi there. So cute. How do u make sure this doesn’t open up. Super glue it close?
Hi Isy! Thanks for your question. I cut clear pieces of packing tape and put them on the bottom. The ornament also seals at the top and string or ribbon helps keep it in place. My only concern is making sure kids hold it over carpet. They can play with it, but I’m not sure it would withstand dropping on a hard floor. Hope that helps! – Kristen
I love theses ideas! Do you know how many snow globe ornaments can be filled with a glitter container of that size? I am trying buy supplies for my entir class.
Thank you!
Hi Mikayla – From my rough calculations it looks like one large bottle of glitter should fill 8 with a quarter cup in each ornament. I bet you could make it stretch to 10 if needed though. Hope that helps! – Kristen
I am not quite understanding how to secure the picture.
Hi Jennifer – I folded the picture at the knees and taped it down. Thanks for letting me know so that I can edit the directions. – Kristen
Hi Kristen! Thanks for the idea, I’m going to make these for my class. I bought the plastic ball ornaments that only open from the top ( didn’t realize till I got them home). Any tips on getting their pictures in them?
Thank You! Merry Christmas!
Hi Allison – that is an excellent question! I wonder if you cut the photos in an ornament shape (circle with a square at the top), if you could roll the photo and place it inside. If you do it quickly, it should pop right open. Then add the glitter. Worth a try! Thanks for stopping by, let me know how it goes! -Kristen
HI! What size of picture did you print?
Hi Mandy – that’s a good question. I had 4×6 pictures printed on real photo paper. Due to the nature of kid sizes, each child measured a bit differently. I think you need at least need 3 inches to work with, the face is the most important part. Hope that helps!
Hello! I love this idea and plan to use it in my classroom. I had three questions.
1. When you tape/glue down the picture is in the center on the ornament?
2. You just use one picture correct? So the back is just the back of the picture (I guess I’m asking do you double up so the front and back are both pictures of the student)
3. do you tape of glue the hands on the top of the ornament?
Hi Brooke! Thanks for the great questions. #1 – Tape the picture down in the center of the ornament, facing out. #2 – We used one picture. The back is just white, but no one seems to mind at all. #3 – We didn’t tape the hands. I don’t think it would work very well and the glitter would stick to it when you shake it. Hope they’re super cute!
I’m going to do this with my daughter’s class. I think I’ll have the students write their name and the year on the back of their head/upper body after they cut it out.
What a great idea! I love this Nicole!
Hi. What size ornament did you order? There’s several options on the link. Thanks!
Super cute idea BTW!
Hi there! I purchased the 80mm, 12 Pack. I hope that helps you! 😉
I’m excited to try these this year. Have you tried using the epsom salt? I’m trying to decide between the salt and glitter. Or maybe a mixture of the two?
Thanks!
Absolutely! I used Epsom Salt on the newest ones I made this year (wedding). I thought about adding silver glitter too, but decided to leave it pure. Gorgeous!!
I have made these for every member of my family years ago. We now have several new ones come along and I don’t know where yo get the globes,
I live in Hamilton, Ontario. Could you tell me where I could buy the globes.
What is the black sharpie for? To personalize?
Oops! Just added it in. You are correct. Personalize the ornament by writing the child’s name and year on the bottom. Thank you!
Your directions are amazing! Thank you so much for taking time to explain everything, I’m looking forward to making these with my preschoolers for their parents Christmas gifts. 🎁
Aw thanks! Hope they turn out fabulous! Merry Christmas!
Great directions! How do you recommend affixing the red satin ribbon to the top and is that what is used to hang it on the tree?
Great question! I tied the bow and glued it to the front of the ornament. I just used white twine to go through the top. I’ll add this to my directions. Thanks!
Hi. I was wondering if you thought this would work with a glass ornament ball? Im a preschool teacher and I’ve already purchased all the glass ornaments and taken the pictures for it. Id have to roll up the picture and put it in first most likely, but do you think it’ll work?
Hmm – I’m not so sure about the glass balls because in my experience they break very quickly in little one’s hands. You could always try to hand it directly to the parents. Tip: Cut the photo in a round ornament shape with rectangle at the top. Roll it up, slide it in and then add a little glue to keep the picture in place at the top.
Do you think the fake snow would work?
Hi Allison – I tried it in the “I Spy” ornaments I made and it worked great with the little pieces. Not sure how it would be with a photo, but it’s worth a try! https://www.busykidshappymom.org/spy-christmas-ornament/
Does anyone have a cute poem or tag to send with this ornament? I love this idea and made it for my class this year! Thank you for the great directions and cute idea. I know the parents will love it!
That is a fabulous idea Heather! I found some cute tags on-line, but think I’ll try to design one that says “Let it Snow!” Maybe it could have a TO:, FROM: and Year. Does that sound good?
Did you keep the folded part of the photo or cut it off?
Hi Angie – I just save enough of the folded part to tape or hot glue down into the ornament. You can cut the rest off. Merry Christmas!
Use filling beads are actually the same little beads they use in stuffed animals and other sewing projects. They are with the batting and stuffing at the craft store. I would think it would be better than glitter for our environment!
Sure! Why not try it. I think it could be heavy. The beauty of this ornament is that you can make it anyway you want to!
Iam new to all of this but the globes all look amazing . Iam going to do a few for family and friends .
If the picture could be stuck onto something with small print, Christmas images, a poem…and then cut out? Double-sided tape? Hopefully there is a more suitable version like a sheet that can be cut?
I’m sure that would probably work too! Why not try it? It’s a little tricky to get the person inside, but your idea would make both side of the ornament look great!
Hi! Love this idea! Do you know if the epsom salt will eventually eat away at the photo? I want to do them for my son’s class Christmas party but they don’t allow glitter. TIA!
I would think not Jessica as Epsom salt has a neutral pH and is not acidic.
I’m confused about ‘snow’. Is it glitter, styrofoam balls or something else? And can it be shaken around like an actual snow globe? This is so so cute
Hi Kate – This is a “dry snow globe” – nothing too heavy for the tree. I listed glitter in the ingredients above, but went back to add that epsom salt would work too. The mini styrofoam balls all clanged to the inside and didn’t work for me. I’m sure you will make something beautiful!
do you have a recommendation as how far to stand back to take the picture?
I see you mentioned to print on 4×6. But I’m afraid I don’t understand how close or far to take the picture. And to take the picture vertical?
Thank you
Hi Colette – this is a great question! To do the picture like I did, I recommend putting the child against a blank wall, hands up. They should fill your camera frame with some border around them. Once you print the photo 4×6, you can adjust for where their hands hit the top of the globe. No need to measure exactly. You can also do it with their hands down, hands on their hips, etc. You can see from the wedding globe that it was completely different, but still looked good. Hope that helped!
PLEASE HELP….!!!!!I sent my husband to buy the ornaments and he bought the ones that only open from the top, the typical ornaments and they are no returnable so any idea on how i can get the pictures in the ornaments? We are on a tight budget and can’t afford to go and buy anymore he says that he can’t remember where he bought them because I sent him to town with a long Christmas list and had to go to multiple stores….lesson learned, go buy the stuff myself.
Hi there! Sorry that happened! I’ve only seen the special opening ornaments on-line. That said…. I think Happily Ever Elementary Teach Resources has a snow globe that they did with your type of ornament. I think you have to roll up the photo and they’ll pop open inside. Good luck! Hope they turn out.