How to Make DIY Paper Christmas Baubles from Old Books

With this simple tutorial, you can upcycle old book pages into beautiful DIY paper Christmas baubles. A festive and eco-friendly holiday craft!

One of my favourite parts of Christmas is decorating the tree, especially with ornaments I’ve made myself. Every year, I challenge myself to make unique, beautiful, and eco-friendly Christmas ornaments. There’s something so satisfying about transforming everyday items into holiday treasures. This year, I’ve fallen in love with crafting these gorgeous baubles made from old book pages and a wooden curtain ring. The layered paper circles remind me a little of delicate sea urchin shells.

I love crafting with old books because they’re such an affordable and versatile paper source. They’re also great for adding a vintage touch to your projects, whether from the colour of the pages or the nostalgic typeface. Plus, upcycling old materials into something beautiful always feels so rewarding. These baubles are not just ornaments—they’re a creative way to repurpose and reuse.

If you’re new here, you’ll quickly learn I’m a big fan of Christmas paper crafts and upcycling. From map garlands to paper rosettes and even dictionary page baubles, I’ve made all kinds of decorations to prove that you can create stunning Christmas decor using items you already have at home.

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What You’ll Need

• Old book (thin pages like encyclopedias or dictionaries work best)
• 2-inch circle paper punch
• Large wooden curtain ring
• Glue stick (for paper spheres)
• All-purpose glue (for curtain ring assembly)
• Twine and wooden beads for hanging
• Optional: Paint for the curtain ring

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Punch Out Paper Circles: Begin by punching out lots of 2-inch circles from your book pages. Thin paper allows you to punch several pages simultaneously, saving time. You’ll need enough circles to form two half-spheres. At least 100, but depending on the thickness of your paper, you can always add more as you go along.

Step 2. Fold & Build: Fold each circle into quarters, then glue the folded edges together using a glue stick. Continue adding folded pieces until you have a sturdy half-sphere.

Step 3: Make a second half-sphere the same way.

Step 4. Paint the Curtain Ring (Optional): To add a festive touch, paint your wooden curtain ring red, green, or gold. Let it dry completely before proceeding.

Step 5. Assemble Your Ornament: Use all-purpose glue to attach one half-sphere to the top of the curtain ring and the other to the bottom. To make the DIY paper Christmas baubles more stable, roll a small piece of book paper into a cylinder, glue it, and place it in the centre of the sphere.

Step 6. Thread and Decorate: Thread a piece of twine through the curtain ring and add wooden beads for decoration. Tie a secure knot, and your bauble is ready to hang!

Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and suggestions to make your DIY paper Christmas baubles even more festive and personalized:

1. Glitter Edges: Brush the edges of the folded paper circles with glue and sprinkle fine glitter for a subtle sparkle. Gold, silver, or iridescent glitter works beautifully for a festive look.
2. Metallic Paint: Lightly dry-brush metallic paint (gold, silver, or copper) onto the bauble for a glamorous effect.
3. Metallic or Colored Paper: Incorporate metallic or patterned paper circles alongside the book pages for a mixed-media look.
4. Paint the Curtain Ring: For a bolder statement, paint the wooden curtain ring with bright, festive colours like red, green, or metallic tones.
5. Dye the Paper: Lightly tint the book pages with tea, coffee, or watercolour paint in holiday shades like red, green, or gold.
6. Beads and Charms: For a decorative touch, add festive beads, jingle bells, or charms to the twine loop.

These baubles would look stunning crafted from old road maps as well. The vibrant colors often found on map paper—like the red of the roads and the green of the landscape—naturally evoke a festive feel, making them a perfect alternative to book pages for a unique holiday touch.

Conclusion & Other Christmas Ideas

There you have it: an upcycled Christmas bauble combining vintage charm and eco-friendly crafting. The layered paper design gives it an almost sea urchin-like appearance, making it a unique and eye-catching addition to any tree. I love how something as simple as old book pages and a curtain ring can create such an elegant ornament.

If you enjoyed this craft, don’t stop here! Check out my other recycled Christmas decorations, like paper pine cone ornaments, handmade crackers, paper Christmas trees and recycled Christmas card ornaments. These projects are perfect for anyone who loves handmade Christmas decor with a touch of nostalgia.

You may also enjoy this collection of cardboard Christmas crafts and upcycled Christmas card ideas.