12 Christmas Decor DIYs You Can Make Using Dollar Tree Jars

Gifts aren't the only major expense during the holidays. Decor costs a pretty penny, too. In fact, about 50% of Americans plan on spending over $150 to get their home Christmas-ready in 2025 (according to a recent Statista survey). Thinking of channeling your inner Scrooge to save the cash? Put that idea on hold for a minute and head on to your local Dollar Tree to buy a few jars. Using these, you can craft a magical winter scene, make your basic votive candles look festive, or rehome your tissues into a more joyful holder. You can even let your holiday stories shine with snow globes in a jar.

The best part about these DIYs is that you don't need any specialized tools to decorate your interiors. Gather a couple of glass jars, some miniature figurines, a little artificial snow (looking at you, Epsom salt), a few strings of fairy lights, and you'll be ready to craft. You also don't need to set aside too much time or put in a huge amount of effort. Bonus advantage: You can save these decorations for next year and ensure you get the highest return possible on your investment. So, rather than canceling Christmas, try out these 12 holiday decor DIYs you can make using Dollar Tree jars.

After you go to the trouble of harvesting Christmas greenery without harming your plants, don't just plop them in dull vases. Instead, grab a Clear Glass Jar from your local Dollar Tree and paint it in your preferred shade. Use colored hot glue gun sticks, like the ones from Ewparts, to draw on holiday-themed motifs. You can even opt for glittered glue sticks to give your design some extra pizazz. Add finishing touches with winter-specific decals, ribbons, tinsel, and artificial greenery. In case you don't like the scale on the side, layer your jar with some scrap cloth and a thick mesh or burlap ribbon.

Want to bring the magic of a white Christmas indoors? You just need a clear Dollar Tree jar and a Christmas House 3D Holiday Craft Kit. Paint the houses, trees, snowmen, and gifts to set the scene. You can embellish with tinsel cut-outs and colorful foam beads, like these from CCINEE. Next, lay down some crafting foam in the jar and adhere your painted set to it using hot glue. Sprinkle in some Epsom salt, and your snow scene is ready. Want a sparkling effect? Add a string of battery-operated lights, or go with Beistle's Sparkling Snow.

Setting up a few votive candles on your mantel, console table, or in your dining room is a great way to add a warm and festive glow to your celebrations. Here's how you can craft a Christmas-y pedestal for them. Simply insert some fillers, such as Christmas House's Merry Decorative Metal Balls, foraged pinecones, dried citrus fruit slices, or tinsel garlands, into a mason jar. Alternatively, decoupage the jar using a winter-themed napkin. Once your jar is ready, set your votive on top. Remember, your filler shouldn't come into direct contact with the bottom of the candle, as it could be a fire hazard.

If you'll be displaying some fresh cut flowers on Christmas, dress up your Dollar Tree jars in a Santa outfit for some festive flair. When using real florals, get some black felt (ribbon works, too) for the belt and another smaller piece in a different color to fashion a matching buckle. However, if you like the convenience of artificial blossoms, stick some red felt or plaid cloth to the bottom of the jar before adding the belt and buckle. This will help you hide unsightly wire stems and make your artificial flowers look real.

To create an immersive experience for your guests, tell your favorite festive stories through snow globes in a jar. Gather your characters (Santa, elf, or gnome figurines) and backdrop elements (think miniature trees, gifts, sleigh, and reindeer) to bring your winter wonderland alive. Decide on how many jars you'll need and start gluing your figurines and decorations upside-down to the inside of the lid. To add some liquid snow, mix baby oil (or use distilled water and glycerin in a 3:2 ratio) with fine glitter. Otherwise, opt for dry imitation snow for mess-free DIY. If you go this route, you can repurpose your old holiday greeting cards by cutting out festive scenes and gluing them to the back of your jar.

Need a quick, fun holiday decor idea? Get multiple small jars from Dollar Tree and a pack of clear water beads, such as Notchis' 100,000 Gel ones. Build a chunky layer using the beads, then add your bells, baubles, and other ornaments. Keep layering before filling your jar with water. This will hide the beads and make your decorations look like they're floating. Place them against a lit surface for maximum impact, or adhere a few waterproof tea lights (Luxjet's Mini LED Lights come with a remote) to the bottom of your jars. For added oomph, tie some twine or ribbon around the neck.

This decor DIY idea is perfect for anyone who likes lighting holiday candles around their home. Get a regular Dollar Tree jar, place a wick in the center, and fill it up with melted wax. While it hardens, grab a Christmas-specific silicone mold (ones with Santa, gingerbread men, candy canes, and snowflakes are good options) and pour wax inside to create fun inserts for your candles. You can even embellish the jars before giving them as holiday gifts to your friends and family. To go the extra mile, grab some glass paint and a toothpick to personalize the art on your candles.

Are you a fan of "The Nutcracker?" Then, craft an adorable toy soldier as part of your holiday decorations. Purchase and paint a Candy Jar from Caterer's Corner and draw your soldier's face on top. Use an old canister for the body, pool noodles for the arms, and foam crafting balls for the wrists. Paint them in a shade that matches your festive decor and glue the pieces together. You can also add colored glitter for a sparkling finish. Finally, get two plastic planters and use one to stabilize your soldier's body; the other will serve as its hat.

If you like setting out a large container filled with chocolates, pair them with imitation hot chocolate jars for picture-worthy decor. Buy a Glass Country Style Mason Jar Mug from Dollar Tree and spray paint the inside a warm, chocolate-y brown. Cut a Floral Garden Foam Crafting Ball in half and stuff it inside your jar's mouth. Seal it with hot glue to prevent it from falling in. Finally, add your favorite toppings, like whipped cream (you'll need Dap's White Spackle for this), sprinkles, and marshmallows (craft them from air-dry clay or paint DT dices white), and your decadent jar of hot chocolate will be ready for display.

Love watching heartfelt Christmas movies? You'll need tissues on hand to wipe away your tears. But instead of plonking down the same old tissue packet on your side table, elevate your boring tissue box to match your home's aesthetic. Get any Dollar Tree jar you like, clean it well, and let it dry. Now, give it a coat of paint to hide its humble origins and stick on a gnome sticker before decanting your tissues inside. You can even experiment with other decals (decoupage is an option, too) or draw Christmas scenery on top if you're feeling especially crafty.

If you're not a fan of open flame candles, LED lights are the next best option to lend your interiors a cozy atmosphere. But don't just place them around your house in all their plastic-y glory. Put them in DIY snowy jars for a beautiful lantern-like effect. Brush a little Mod Podge onto your Dollar Tree jar and sprinkle on a generous quantity of Epsom salt (like the one from Amazon Basics) for that snowy texture. You can even mix in a little glitter to make your lanterns sparkle. Then, tie some ribbon, twine, or thin rope around the jar's neck, and glue holly berries, pinecones, dried orange slices, and other winter foliage on top.

Looking for ways to have a sustainable Christmas? Replace your LED fairy lights with ones that use solar energy, like Vookry's Solar Mason Jar Lids with Fairy Lights. An easy idea is to take a Dollar Tree jar, add a layer of Epsom salt inside, and insert a few Mini Bottle Brush Trees from Crafters Square. If your container is too deep, line the bottom with pebbles before adding the snow. Tighten a solar panel lid on top and place the jar near a window that receives sunlight.