I honestly think there's nothing quite like the charm of christmas ornaments made with seashells to bring a little bit of the ocean into your holiday decor. Whether you live right on the coast or you're just someone who misses the sand between your toes during the winter months, these beachy decorations add a really personal, handmade touch to the tree. Plus, they're a fantastic way to use up those buckets of shells you probably have sitting in the garage from your last beach trip.
Most people stick to the traditional red and green theme, but there's something so refreshing about a coastal vibe. It's light, airy, and a bit unexpected. If you've ever looked at a scallop shell and thought it looked a bit like an angel's wing or a tiny fan, you're already halfway there. Crafting with shells is surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it, and it's a great project to do with kids on a rainy afternoon.
Finding and Prepping Your Shells
Before you start gluing things together, you've got to make sure your materials are actually ready for the craft table. If you're lucky enough to live near the beach, you can head out and forage for your own christmas ornaments made with seashells. But here's a pro tip: make sure you clean them properly. There's nothing worse than a Christmas tree that smells like a damp pier.
To get them ready, I usually soak my finds in a mix of water and a tiny bit of bleach for a few hours. This gets rid of any lingering organic bits and brightens the shells up. After that, give them a good scrub with an old toothbrush and let them dry completely in the sun. If you don't live near the water, don't worry—you can find bags of shells at most craft stores or even online that are already cleaned and ready to go.
The Classic Painted Shell Ornament
The easiest way to jump into this is by simply painting the shells. It sounds basic, but you can get some really stunning results. I love using metallic acrylic paints—think gold, silver, or champagne. A solid coat of gold on a large flat shell, like a sand dollar or a flat scallop, looks incredibly elegant against the dark green needles of a Christmas tree.
If you want something a bit more detailed, you can try "dipping" them. Instead of painting the whole thing, just dip the bottom half of a shell into some white paint to give it a "snow-capped" look. It's subtle, but it looks really professional. Once the paint is dry, you can use a tiny bit of twine or some thin ribbon to create a loop for hanging. A dab of hot glue on the back of the shell is usually enough to hold the string in place.
Adding Some Sparkle and Shine
Let's be real, Christmas isn't really Christmas without a little bit of glitter. If you want your christmas ornaments made with seashells to really pop under the tree lights, glitter is your best friend. I usually prefer fine glitter because it looks a bit more refined, but chunky glitter can be fun too if you're going for a more whimsical look.
The trick to a mess-free glitter shell is Mod Podge. Just brush a thin layer of the glue onto the parts of the shell you want to sparkle, then sprinkle the glitter over it. I like to do the edges of the shell—it gives it a sort of frosted, crystalline look that catches the light perfectly. If you want to get really fancy, you can find iridescent glitter that mimics the natural mother-of-pearl finish found inside many shells. It's a beautiful way to enhance what's already there rather than covering it up.
Creating Shell Characters and Figures
If you want to get a bit more creative, you can start assembling different shells to make little characters. One of the most popular ideas is the shell angel. You take a large scallop shell for the body and a smaller, rounder shell (like a periwinkle or a small snail shell) for the head. Glue them together, add some wire or ribbon loops for wings, and you've got a beautiful, coastal angel.
You can also make tiny snowmen by stacking three round shells on top of each other. Paint them white, add a little felt scarf, and use a permanent marker for the eyes and buttons. It's a fun twist on a classic holiday icon. My personal favorite is making "reindeer" out of smaller oyster shells. The shape of the shell is perfect for a face, and you can glue on small twigs or bits of coral for the antlers.
Filling Clear Baubles with Coastal Treasures
Sometimes the best way to showcase christmas ornaments made with seashells isn't by working on the shell, but by putting the shell inside something else. Clear glass or plastic ornaments are perfect for this. You can find these at any craft store during the holidays, and they're usually pretty cheap.
Pop the top off the bauble and drop in a little bit of fine white sand—or even blue craft sand if you want to be adventurous. Then, carefully slide in a few tiny shells, maybe a small piece of driftwood, and a bit of dried sea glass. It's like a tiny beach scene trapped in a bubble. These look amazing when you have a bunch of them scattered around the tree because they add depth and texture. If you want to go the extra mile, tie a piece of jute twine around the top of the ornament instead of using a standard metal hook to keep that rustic, nautical feel going.
Choosing the Right String and Finish
The "hardware" you use to hang your ornaments matters more than you might think. For a more natural, boho-chic look, jute or hemp twine is the way to go. It's sturdy and fits the whole beach theme perfectly. If you want something a bit more sophisticated, a thin velvet ribbon in a dusty blue or a soft cream color looks incredible paired with a white shell.
And don't forget the final finish! While raw shells look great, a quick spray of clear gloss sealer can really bring out the colors and give them a "wet" look, which makes them look much more vibrant. If you prefer a more muted, farmhouse style, you can leave them as they are or even use a bit of white wax to give them a weathered, chalky appearance.
Why Seashell Ornaments Make Great Gifts
I've found that christmas ornaments made with seashells are some of the most appreciated gifts I give during the holidays. People love handmade items, especially when there's a story behind them. If you collected the shells during a family trip, writing the date and the name of the beach on the back of the shell with a fine-tip marker turns a simple decoration into a meaningful keepsake.
They're also perfect for "Secret Santa" exchanges or as little extras tied onto the top of a wrapped present. Since they aren't very heavy, you don't have to worry about them weighing down the branches of a smaller tree, and they're generally pretty durable as long as you don't drop them on a tile floor.
Storing Your Coastal Ornaments
One thing to keep in mind is that shells can be surprisingly fragile, especially the thinner ones like sand dollars. When the holidays are over, don't just toss them into a big bin with the rest of the lights and tinsel. I usually wrap mine individually in a bit of tissue paper or bubble wrap. Egg cartons are actually a genius way to store smaller shell ornaments—they keep them separated and protected from getting crushed.
At the end of the day, making christmas ornaments made with seashells is all about having fun and being a bit resourceful. There are no real rules. You can go full-on "glam" with pearls and gold leaf, or keep it simple and rustic with just some twine and a bit of paint. Either way, you'll end up with a tree that feels unique, personal, and a little bit like a vacation in the middle of December. So, grab your glue gun, find your shell stash, and see what you can come up with!