5 DIY Christmas Ornaments that Don't Break

The first step to making these is to get some pre-made papier mache ornaments from your local craft store -- they usually come with a string already attached, and are available in various shapes, sizes, and textures.

How to Make Unbreakable Painted DIY Christmas Ornaments

Use high-gloss acrylic paint and gloss finish to create these vibrant unbreakable DIY Christmas ornaments that have a glasslike finish. Tip: Find something around the house that you can hang the ornaments from while you are painting and drying them.

MATERIALS

• Wrinkled or smooth papier mache balls
• Flat craft paintbrush
• Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Acrylic Craft Paint in desired colors
• Small foam brush
• Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Durable Gloss Finish

DIRECTIONS

1. Use the paintbrush to paint the ball, starting from the bottom and working your way to the top. Note: Lighter colors (e.g., yellow) may need up to three coats (with at least 30 minutes in between to dry). Let dry completely.
2. Use the foam brush to apply an even coat of gloss finish over the paint, again starting from the bottom. Let dry completely.
3. Repeat the process for each paint color.

How to Make the Unbreakable DIY Christmas Ornaments with Peel-and-Stick Embellishments

Use metallic paint, peel-and-stick rhinestones, and gloss finish to create an ornament that is high on style and low on effort.

MATERIALS

• Wrinkled or smooth papier mache ball
• Flat craft paintbrush
• Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Metallic Acrylic Craft Paint in Rose Chrome
• Peel-and-stick rhinestones with desired design
• Small foam brush
• Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Durable Gloss Finish

DIRECTIONSUse the paintbrush to paint the ball, starting from the bottom and working your way to the top. Let dry completely.

1. Use the paintbrush to paint the ball, starting from the bottom and working your way to the top. Let dry completely.
2. Peel rhinestones from backing and place as desired on the surface of the ball.
3. Use the foam brush to apply an even coat of gloss finish over the rhinestones and the rest of the ball's surface, starting from the bottom. Let dry completely.

How to Make Unbreakable DIY Christmas Ornaments with an Antique Look

Use gold metallic paint and elegant gold trim to create an ornament with a rich, gilded feel.

MATERIALS

• Wrinkled papier mache ball
• Flat craft paintbrush
• Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Metallic Acrylic Craft Paint in Gold
• Fancy gold fabric trim (1/2 inches wide and about 1 yard long, depending on the size of the ball)
• Scissors
• Glue gun

DIRECTIONS

1. Use the paintbrush to paint the ball, starting from the bottom and working your way to the top. Let dry completely.
2. Place the trim at the top of the ball and curve it slightly as you place it flat on the surface of the ball.
3. Use one hand to mark where the trim hits the bottom of the ball and use the scissors in your other hand to cut the trim at that point.
4. Use the glue gun to apply glue to the back of the piece of trim that you just cut, then carefully adhere the piece to the ball, again curving it slightly. Press to secure.
5. Repeat steps 2-4, spacing each piece of trim about 1 inch apart from its neighbors at the widest point. Note: We used seven pieces of trim on our ball.

How to Make Unbreakable Glittered DIY Christmas Ornaments

Use fine glitter and gloss finish to create these unbreakable DIY Christmas ornaments with splendid shine. Tip: Cover your workspace with wax paper before you start.

MATERIALS

• Smooth papier mache balls
• Flat craft paintbrush
• Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Acrylic Craft Paint in desired colors that correspond with selected glitter colors below
• Small foam brush
• Martha Stewart Crafts Glittering Glue
• Martha Stewart Crafts Fine Glitter in desired colors
• Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Durable Gloss Finish

DIRECTIONS

1. Use the paintbrush to paint the ball, starting from the bottom. Let dry completely.
2. Starting from the bottom, use the foam brush to apply a smooth coat of glittering glue to a 1 1/2-inch wide section of the ball.
3. Sprinkle corresponding glitter over the section with the glue. Shake off excess glitter.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 until the entire ball is coated with glitter.
5. Sprinkle additional glitter over any areas that you may have missed. Shake off excess glitter. Let dry completely.
6. Wash the foam brush with soap and water. Squeeze out excess water and pat dry.
7. To seal the glitter, apply even coats of the gloss finish over the ball in 1 1/2-inch wide sections, starting from the bottom.
8. Repeat step 7 until the entire ball is coated with the gloss finish. Let dry completely.
9. Repeat the entire process for each glitter color.

How to Make the Beautifully Trimmed DIY Christmas Ornaments

Use metallic paint, different types of glitter, fabric trim and gloss finish to create this unbreakable DIY Christmas ornament complete with all the beautiful trimmings. Tip: Cover your workspace with wax paper before you start.

MATERIALS

• Onion-shaped papier mache ornament
• Flat craft paintbrush
• Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Acrylic Crafts Paint in Platinum
• Martha Stewart Crafts Coarse Glitter in Crystal
• Coarse glitter in silver
• Martha Stewart Crafts Hexagonal Glitter in Sterling
• Small foam brush
• Martha Stewart Crafts Glittering Glue
• Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Durable Gloss Finish
• Fancy silver fabric trim (3/4 inches wide and about 1 yd long, depending on the size of the ornament)
• Scissors
• Glue gun

DIRECTIONS

1. Use the paintbrush to paint each face of the onion. Let dry completely.
2. While the ornament is drying, make a mix of the glitter.
3. Use the foam brush to coat one face with the glittering glue.
4. Sprinkle the glitter mix over the section with the glue. Shake off excess glitter.
5. Repeat steps 3-4 on every other face. Let dry completely.
6. Wash the foam brush with soap and water. Squeeze out excess water and pat dry.
7. To seal the glitter, apply even coats of the gloss finish over the glittered sections. Let dry completely.
8. Repeat step 7 until the entire ball is coated with the gloss finish. Let dry completely.
9. Place the trim at the top of ornament and curve it flat along the edge of one of the painted faces.
10. Use one hand to mark where the trim hits the bottom of the ornament, and use scissors in your other hand to cut the trim at the point.
11. Use the glue gun to apply glue to the back of the piece of trim that you just cut, then carefully adhere that piece to the ornament, again curving it slightly. Press to secure.
12. Repeat steps 9-11, placing the trim along each edge of the painted faces only. Note: We used six pieces of trim on our ornament.
    
    
    *This article was first published on the MarthaStewart.com network on December 18, 2015.