Skip to Content

Upcycle Old Books With Big Christmas Ornaments from Dollar Tree

Are you ready to transform old books into festive big Christmas ornaments? Join me on this budget-friendly Dollar Tree craft upcycling adventure. Today, we are creating old book ornaments that look high-end.

If you look for ways to decorate your home with festive flair, you will enjoy saving money while upcycling old books destined for the discard pile. While traditional ornaments and decorations can be charming, they often have a hefty price tag. However, with a touch of creativity and some budget-friendly supplies, you can transform old books into enchanting Christmas ornaments that will add a touch of whimsy and vintage charm to your holiday décor.

So, gather your supplies, unleash your creativity, and prepare to be amazed at the magical transformation that awaits your old books and cheap Dollar Tree big Christmas ornaments.

(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)

How Do I Find Old Books To Recycle or Upcycle?

I love vintage and old books. I have several that I would never use for a recycling project. However, many books are tossed in the trash and taken to landfills when they are no longer useful.

I find many books with broken spines or missing pages at thrift stores. Most are sold for less than 50 cents each. My local Salvation Army Thrift Store has a huge bin of old books priced at 10 for $1.00.

If you don’t want to use an old book, you can use a newspaper or magazine print for this project.

Big Christmas Ornaments from Dollar Tree

Don’t you just love Dollar Tree? I’m always finding items that can be upgraded into a high-end look for a Dollar Tree craft.

This year, I grabbed several of these big ornament balls without a clue what I might do with them. However, I knew they would disappear fast from the store, and I might find a use for them.

Dollar Tree Craft Idea - Big Christmas Ornaments upcycled with vintage book pages.

Upcycle Old Book Page Christmas Ornaments

Inspiration sparked as I wanted something new to add to the garland above my kitchen sink, so the Dollar Tree craft project began.

I would use some old book pages to create unique big Christmas ornaments to hang on the garland.

Supplies

So, let’s gather the supplies needed to make your fun ornaments.

Dollar Tree Craft Project - recycle old books for a high-end oversized Christmas Ornament for Farmhouse Decorating.

Upcycle Old Book Pages

To begin, determine a design for your upcycled big Christmas ornaments.

I used a petal design cut from the old book and attached it to the ornament balls.

Cut a template of your design from some heavy scrap paper such as junk mail. Then, trace the design onto the old book page.

Next, stack several pages together. Cutting the petals can be tedious, so I like to simultaneously cut as many as possible.

Use small, sharp scissors to cut the petals. You will also need to cut a circle approximately 2 1/2 inches in diameter to attach to the bottom of the big ornament ball.

Determine the exact center at the bottom of the ball and use hot glue to attach the circle.

Add Petals to the Oversized Christmas Ornament

Now, you are ready to begin adding the petals. Begin at the bottom, and using hot glue, attach the rounded side of the petal to the circle you just attached. You will also want to add hot glue to the other flat end and press it to the ornament. Allow each petal to overlap, covering the ball ornament completely as you go. Be sure to wear the finger protectors for this project.

This is the only round that you will attach both ends of the petal to the ornament.

For the next round, attach the flat end of the petal to the ornament and allow the rounded end to overlap the previous row. Continue to slightly overlap from the sides to completely cover the ball.

Big Christmas Ornaments for Dollar Tree Project with upcycled book pages

Work upward from the ornament’s bottom until you reach the hanger hook. If any areas allow the original ornament color to be exposed, fill in with additional petals.

Just lift the petal, slide another one under, and attach it with hot glue.

Old book big Christmas Ornaments for a Dollar Tree Craft Project that looks High-end.

Finished Old Book Big Christmas Ornaments

The big Christmas ornaments are now covered with old book page petals and look nothing like the original Dollar Tree ball ornaments.

You are ready to attach a ribbon and hang it from a tree or to a garland. Or wait, could they be improved upon?

Upcycled old book big Christmas ornaments for farmhouse decorating.

Optional Enhancements for the Dollar Tree Craft

Although I love how the upcycled old book page big Christmas ornaments look, I decided I wanted a little sparkle over my kitchen window.

So here’s what I did to enhance the Dollar Tree craft.

Begin by preparing a surface with wax paper to catch the glitter.

Now, find a small paintbrush and use the handle to add drops of glue to each petal on the ornament.

Add glue dots to the petals with a small paint brush handle.

Finally, sprinkle with a fine glitter that will adhere to the glue dots. The glitter only sticks to the glue, so shake to remove excess glitter.

Sprinkle with fine glitter to enhance petals.

Insider Tip

Don’t waste the glitter.

Prepare an area with wax paper and sprinkle the ornaments over the paper.

Shake the ornaments to catch any loose glitter.

Now, fold the paper and capture the glitter in the center.

Open the cap on the glitter bottle and use the wax paper as a funnel to pour the extra glitter back into the bottle.

The old book ornaments now have a little extra sparkle to capture the holiday lights.

Upcycled Old book Big Christmas Ornaments look high-end when enchanced with glitter.

How To Decorate With Big Christmas Ornaments?

The big Christmas Ornaments are a fun Dollar Tree craft idea, but what will you do with them?

They look amazing on the Christmas tree, attached to a garland, or hanging from a pegboard.

Because they are larger than most ornaments, they are statement pieces and will add a festive feel wherever they are placed.

DIY Dollar Tree Craft - upgrade inexpensive big ball ornaments by using recycled paper.

As planned, I have started adding mine to the garland above my kitchen window. They really add to the rustic ambiance I have planned for this area.

Check out my Curated Christmas Home Tour and see how the garland looks.

Old book page DIY oversized Christmas Ornaments for a unique budget-friendly holiday Dollar Tree Craft upgrade.

Updated Decorating Ideas

First, the old book page ornaments look great after being stored for a year. I’ve been stagging them around the farmhouse and deciding how to use them for the second year. Let me know what you think.

I love them on the banister garland and they are adorable added to brass candlesticks on the mantel.

Video

If you enjoyed this budget-friendly tutorial, check out 5 Easy Dollar Tree Ornament Makeovers for fun ways to create boutique-worthy Christmas decor.

Resources

Click Image Below for Resources

Pin It To Remember It

Did you find some great ideas you’d like to save for future reference? Hover over the images you’d like to save and pin to your favorite Pinterest Boards when you see the PIN button.

Upcycled Old Book Big Christmas Ornament from Dollar Tree for budget-friendly high-end Farmhouse decor.

CoCo

Tuesday 28th of November 2023

OMG Rachel, when is your book coming out! You are seriously the most creative person I know. I am in love with these ornaments. I would have never guessed they came from the dollar tree. They look like they were shipped over from a French market. Pinning now and will share them on Fridays From the Front Porch - they're gorgeous, CoCo

Rachel

Wednesday 29th of November 2023

Coco, You are so kind me and are always so encouraging. I appreciate you so much.

Margie Clements

Thursday 23rd of November 2023

I just love that idea! In fact I love all your craft ideas! I hope you have a very blessed Thanksgiving and we are grateful for the goodness that God has given us each day🙏 thank you for sharing all your crafts and I love your home tours!

Rachel

Thursday 23rd of November 2023

Margie, I appreciate your comments so much. You lift me up and keep me going. Thanks and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Judith Schanzer

Sunday 19th of November 2023

You can always find old books at your public library. Some beautiful coffee rable books might be there.

Nina

Wednesday 22nd of November 2023

@Rachel, Very unique ornament!! Old world charm!!

Rachel

Sunday 19th of November 2023

Judith, Oh, thanks for the tip.

Kathleen A.Randolph

Saturday 18th of November 2023

Awesome ideal,thank you.

Rachel

Saturday 18th of November 2023

Kathleen, Thank you so much. I'm glad you like it.

Kim | Shiplap and Shells

Saturday 18th of November 2023

This is just the cutest ornament, Rachel. Thanks for sharing!

Rachel

Saturday 18th of November 2023

Kim, I'm glad you like them.