Want to get crafty this Christmas? Here are a ton of plastic ball ornament decorating ideas to inspire you!
One of my favorite parts of Christmas decorating is making new ornaments each year. It’s a fun tradition and a great way to mix things up on a budget.
My favorite Christmas ornaments to make start with clear Christmas ball ornaments. These ornaments come in plastic or glass versions and are inexpensive and easy to customize.
These ornaments are fantastic because there are truly so many possibilities. Like color? You can paint them! Prefer a rustic look? Add natural tones and textures.
Clear ornament balls are super versatile and a great way to decorate your tree this Christmas.
Where can I buy clear plastic ornaments to fill?
My favorite place to buy clear plastic ornaments is Michaels. They sell the glass ornaments in 8 packs and the plastic ornaments in giant 20 and 30 packs.
You can also buy them on Amazon. Amazon has clear plastic ornaments as well as clear glass ornaments for sale.
I have also seen these clear ball ornaments at Walmart and individually at the dollar store.
If you plan on decorating clear ornament balls, I strongly recommend that you buy a bunch. Once you get going, you will come up with so many decorating ideas! Also, your tree will look most cohesive if you have a lot of similar balls going on.
Additionally, clear ornaments make great gifts. You can decorate them any way that you like – but personalized is awesome! We gave photo ball ornaments as grandparent gifts last year and they were a big hit!
What can I do with a clear ornament balls?
You have two main options when decorating clear fillable ornament balls:
- Paint or decorate the outside
- Fill the inside
How do I open a fillable ornament?
Make sure that your clear ornament balls are fillable before you buy them. To fill the ornaments, you will need to remove the cap. On my ornaments it is silver metal. You sort of pinch the loop and pull up to remove the lid.
Then, fill the ornament as desired and then replace the lid. To replace it, there are two metal wire pieces you have to squeeze into the ornament, and then push down to snap the lid securely into place.
Most ornaments do not come with hangers. You can add metal hooks or a loop of ribbon or string. Ribbon with a bow looks fabulous for a gift!
If you love making crafts, you might have so many ideas for how to decorate the clear acrylic ornaments. The possibilities really are endless!
Download FREE printable funny Christmas gift tags?
How do you paint inside ornaments?
The easiest way to paint inside of ornaments is to squirt the paint directly in there! Then swirl the paint around inside the ornaments and then place upside down to drain out any excess and allow to dry fully.
You can thin the paint to make it spread easier, but you will get a more transparent look. Find a full tutorial in this post on DIY sea glass ornaments.
How do you glitter inside ornaments?
To add glitter inside ornaments balls, you follow the same tutorial as painting but use modge podge, glitter it, or polycrylic inside the ornaments balls.
Then, add loose glitter and allow to dry. Be sure to shake out any excess glitter once the ornament has fully dried.
What kind of paint do you use on Christmas ornaments?
I use plain acrylic craft paint for my ornaments! But, you can use any type of craft paint. Experiment to see what you like best!
Clear ball fillable ornament ideas
I asked some of my favorite bloggers for their best ideas for decorating clear ornament balls, and they delivered! Here are their best ideas:
Clear ball Christmas ornament decorating ideas
Looking to DIY some Christmas ornaments? How about using clear ball ornaments? These fillable ornaments are so easy to customize! Here are a ton of ideas.
Add a snowy touch to your tree, even if you don't get a white Christmas!
Use modge podge and paint or dye to give your ornaments a sea glass or stained glass look!
Love the beach? Use sand and glue to add sand to the outside of your clear ornament balls!
Love the beach? Fill your fillable ball ornaments with sand and shells for an instant nautical feel.
It's super simple to add photos to the inside of clear ball ornaments! Click through to learn how.
Upcycle patterned paper napkins to make beautiful and inexpensive ornament balls!
Snowman Christmas Ornament Using Clear Plastic Ball Fillable Ornaments
Turn a ball ornament into a snowman's head - this is a craft your kids would love to get in on!
Love the lottery? This is a cute ornament and a great gift idea!
Kids are sure to get excited if you fill their ornaments with little guys!
Hot chocolate ornaments are beautiful and functional!
I love all of these ideas for fun ways to fill fillable ornaments!
These ice cream ornaments are SO cute and fun. perfect for a whimsical tree.
This is an excellent tutorial on how to use alcohol ink to dye ornaments. I love the final look!
Fabric scraps can be upcycled to make these colorful and textured recycled ornaments.
If you decorate with marble in your home or just dig the aesthetic, these marbled ornaments are perfect for you!
Love gold glitter? Here's how to layer different sparkles and glitter for a totally blinged out look.
Love plants? Here's how to turn a ball ornament into a mini cactus!
Love the boho aesthetic? Then you will love these DIY boho inspired ornament balls.
Make Beautiful Homemade Christmas Ornaments with Twisted Paper!
Get crafty with paper to make these twisted and textured ball ornaments.
Love the traditional look of hard candy? You'll love this simple fillable ornament decorating idea!
These hot chocolate ornaments are super cute for a santa themed tree or as a gift topper!
Scraps of fabric can make a big impact when added to fillable ornaments like this one.
DIY Yarn-filled Christmas Ornaments Snowman, Santa and Reindeer
Got yarn? I love this idea for using scrap yarn as a colorful ornament filler!
Love Frozen? Or just love the snow? This is a great DIY fillable ornament decorating idea for you!
Is it getting hot in here or is that just your snowman melting? Scoop him up in a cute melting snowman ornament ball!
The easiest way to paint any ball ornament plaid!
These keepsake ornaments are great to make for yourself or as a gift to a new parent!
You can also use wedding scraps to make a wedding keepsake ornament ball!
Turn a clear ball ornament into a mini gumball machine - perfect for a candy themed tree!
This ornament is super simple to make but would make a great gift for anyone passionate about breast cancer research. It could be tweaked to fit many kinds of causes, too.
The grinch's heart grew two sizes in one day... just like this ornament!
Lover of space? Planets and stars? Check out these DIY ornament balls!
This DIY ornament decorating idea is for the dogs.
I was really impressed that these colorful ornaments were decorated with melted crayons!
Harry Potter fans will love these simple DIY ornaments with a floating effect.
It's easier than you might think to turn clear ball ornaments into glitter ornaments and customize them!
DIY Christmas Ornament to Make for Your Kids Each Year! - Leap of Faith Crafting
I love these DIY ornaments personalized for your kids each year.
It doesn't get any more simple than these DIY ornaments made with stickers!
These glitter gingerbread ornament balls are perfect for your traditional Christmas tree.
Love tinsel but don't love the mess? Turn traditional tinsel into a ball ornament with this simple craft.
First Trip to the Beach Ornament with a Floating Photo, Sand, & Shells!
Commemorate a favorite vacation with these simple DIY fillable ornaments.
I love how these marble painted ornaments turned out!
DIY Snow Globe Ornament - Fill a clear ornament with a bottle brush tree!
How precious are these ornaments? The glass balls are perfect for turning into miniature snow globes.
This was a simple update but the ornaments turned out really beautiful.
Having a holiday party? These fillable ornaments double as place cards!
I love the metallic look that these ornaments were customized with.
It's easier than you might think to paint clear ball ornaments! Here is a great tutorial.
What is your favorite way to customize Christmas ornaments?
See all of our handmade ornament ideas:
- How to make photo ornament balls
- DIY sea glass ornaments
- Sand ball ornaments
- How to make beach ornaments
- DIY pier post nautical ornaments
- Fur ball pom pom ornaments
- DIY snowball ornaments
- Citrus felt ornaments
- Mink snowman ornament
- Deviled egg felt ornament
- Metallic dipped textured ornaments
- Paper ball 3D ornaments
- Toilet paper roll starburst ornaments
- Bottle brush tree terrarium ornaments
Simplify your crafting journey and eliminate guesswork with our free ornament crafting cheat sheet – your essential guide to selecting the right materials and tools with ease! Click here or the image below for the free download!
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Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!