How to make rustic wooden gift tags that double as ornaments

Make a festive wood slice Christmas ornament that will add some simple rustic charm to your tree. Or use them as beautiful handmade tags to top your gifts.

You can hunt around the yard for straight branches in different sizes, or you can use the bottom end of your Christmas tree and ask the guys at the tree lot to cut you a couple of slices.

How to make wood slice ornaments and gift tags

Supplies:

Wood slices in various sizes (cut your own, or purchase ready-made at a craft store)
Printer (optional)
Pencil
Drill or eye hook
Twine or embroidery thread for hanging

For the chalkboard version

Chalk
Acrylic white paint pen (fine tip recommended)
Flat black or chalkboard paint
Small paint brush

For the raw wood version

Sharpie or paint pen in the color of your choice
Carbon paper (optional)

Directions:

Cut the branches into 1/2-inch slices using a chop saw. If you don’t have one, you can use a hand saw and sand the tops smooth. Or skip this step and purchase wood slices at your local craft store or through an online source.

wooden ornament and gift tag DIY — Image: Mariko Giverink/SheKnows

For the chalkboard version, paint the inner part of the slice with a thin coat of black or chalk paint, then let dry. Don’t worry about filling in the natural little cracks — they only add to the rustic charm.

Transfer your design by rubbing chalk on the back side of the paper, placing it on your “chalkboard,” and tracing over it with a pencil.

This will leave a nice little design template on your piece, ready to trace over with a permanent white acrylic paint pen.

For the raw wood version, you can freehand your letters directly on to the wood in pencil first, then trace over them with permanent pen. If you need a stencil, you’ll want to use carbon paper, found at your local craft store.

Just lay the paper carbon-side down, then lay your template on top and trace. You can use the same paper multiple times.

After painting, you can either drill a hole at the top or screw in an eye hook, then hang your little masterpieces with pretty twine or embroidery thread. Don’t forget to mark the year on the back for remembrances.

Just the right touch to make your tree and Christmas gifts that much more personal and pretty, and your recipient now has a darling little mini ornament for their tree.

Now that you can see how much fun it is to whip these up, use the same techniques to make year-round projects and gifts:

Use larger slices and put your favorite message on it: “Joy to the World,” “Let it Snow,” family name and date, wedding date… the possibilities are endless.
Skip the drilled holes and use as coasters. Spray with clear coat first.
Attach a magnet to the back for fun refrigerator art. Make alphabet letters for a kids’ game.
Make a matching game for kids with symbols or colors on 1 side.
String a set together to form the words JOY, PEACE, NOEL, WELCOME or your family name, then string across the mantel.
Drill 2 holes into a tiny slice and turn it into a really cool rustic button.
Mark 5 of each with x’s and o’s for a rustic tic-tac-toe game.
Make a batch of them and use for wedding escort cards with guest names and tables.
Make a large chalk slice for the kitchen and write out your holiday menus.
Use this idea all year round for gift tags or holiday place settings.

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How to make rustic wooden gift tags that double as ornaments

Mariko Giverink