Oyster Shell Christmas Ornaments

Creating oyster shell Christmas ornaments with paper napkins is an incredibly easy and enjoyable craft that combines natural elements with artistic flair.

This project is perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of coastal elegance to their holiday decor or make personalized, handmade gifts for loved ones. The process is simple, and the results are stunning, making it a fun activity for crafters of all skill levels.

Oyster shells painted with green Christmas tree designs are arranged on a wooden surface.

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Seven painted oyster shells, each displaying a unique Christmas tree design in green and blue hues, arranged on a light wood surface.

The key to this project is selecting oyster shells with smooth surfaces and beautiful paper napkins featuring festive designs. From intricate snowflakes to coastal-inspired patterns, the variety of napkin designs allows endless customization.

Close-up of a handmade Christmas ornament, painted with a green tree topped with a star, hanging on a snowy artificial tree branch.

What makes this craft so much fun is how creative you can get with the finishing touches. Add a touch of glamour by brushing the edges of the shells with metallic gold or silver paint. Attach a small loop of ribbon, twine, or fishing line to the back with hot glue to turn the decorated shell into an ornament. Using a fine-tip paint pen, you can further personalize them with initials, dates, or messages.

These oyster shell ornaments are an excellent way to repurpose natural materials and create unique holiday decorations that feel elegant and handmade. Whether you use them to adorn your tree, add flair to a gift package, or display them in a bowl as part of your holiday decor, these ornaments will impress. The process is quick and easy, making it a perfect holiday craft for family or friends.

Here are more oyster shell Christmas ornaments and the napkins I used to make them.

Five small decorations with Christmas tree designs in front of a matching napkin on a wooden surface.

A napkin with seashell designs and "Season's Greetings" text, plus four seashell ornaments with red ribbon hangers on a light wooden surface.

Handmade clay ornaments with painted winter village scenes are arranged on a light wood surface, alongside a matching napkin.

Napkin and oyster shells decorated with nutcracker soldiers and Christmas trees on a light wood surface.

A pattern of nutcrackers, small Christmas trees adorned with red ribbons, and potted plants in blue and white vases decorates the white background, reminiscent of delicate oyster shells. — Holiday Collection Disposable 3-Ply Paper Lunch Napkin Pack

A whimsical snowy village scene with colorful houses, decorated trees, snowmen, and delicate snowflakes shimmering like oyster shells. — Pink Holiday Village Napkins

A festive image captures oyster shells, a sand dollar, and a starfish hanging from red ribbons against a blue striped backdrop. "Season's Greetings" is elegantly scripted in red cursive at the bottom, adding a warm touch. — 3-Ply Paper Party Napkin Pack, 5″ x 5″, Seasons Greetings

A hand holds a shell with a blue spiral pattern, surrounded by a circle of opened oyster shells.

20PCS Oyster Shells 3″-4″ Flat

Illustration of various green and blue Christmas trees with star decorations on a white background.

13×13 Christmas Napkins

A pattern of decorative holiday trees and wreaths in planters, adorned with bows, ornaments, and delicate oyster shell accents. — Bright Topiary Trees Napkins 16-Count

How to Make Oyster Shell Christmas Ornaments

Five oyster shell ornaments with painted holiday designs, including trees and wreaths, attached to green and white striped strings.

Materials Needed

Craft supplies on a table: Mod Podge, white acrylic paint, green twine, a small purple paint bottle, decorative napkin with trees, and six oyster shells.

Cleaned oyster shells (you can collect these or purchase them online). I like to use the top shell, which is the flat one. (The bottom shell is the curved one, which holds the oyster meat.)
Christmas-themed paper napkins
Mod Podge or decoupage glue
Foam brush
Gold or silver paint (optional)
Twine or ribbon for hanging
Hot glue gun

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Mod Podge

Glue Gun

Pack of 25 Assorted Paint Brushes

A spool of white and green twine, reminiscent of the delicate hues of an oyster shell, is shown against a pristine white background. — Wrapables Cotton Baker’s Twine

Acrylic metallic paint set with three bottles in gold, silver, and bronze, each paired with a brush. The packaging features color samples reminiscent of oyster shells and labels the set "Wadities Metallic Paint Set. — Acrylic Paint Metallic, 3pcs

A large spool of black and white twine is displayed, reminiscent of the intricate patterns found on an oyster shell, with smaller spools in various colors shown beneath it. — 2mm Twine for Crafts

I am fortunate to collect oyster shells from an oyster truck in Ventura. They are near the beach, and for years, they have saved discarded oyster shells around the perimeter of their “dining” area. They have thousands, so they don’t mind when I grab a few for my crafts!

Since I gathered my oyster shells, I used a drill to add the hole for the hanger. However, I realized adding hanging twine to the back of the shell with a glue gun was much easier. You can choose either way!

Finding the Perfect Shells

Close-up of a pile of white oyster shells with natural textures and holes, displaying weathered surfaces and varying shades.

First, you’ll need to gather your oyster shells. Luckily, I stumbled upon a local oyster trailer venue in Ventura that was happy to provide me with as many shells as needed.

For free.

As I mentioned, I like to use the flat top shell. The curved bottom shell holds the oyster meat.

Beachcombing along the shorelines is a fantastic way to find oyster shells for free. Look for beaches or rocky areas where oysters thrive.

However, if you’re not near a coastal area, don’t fret! There are plenty of other places where you can find oyster shells for free or purchase them at a reasonable price.

The first place to check is seafood markets and restaurants, as they often gift you their shells.

Of course, online retailers sell oyster shells specifically for crafting purposes.

Options Other Than Oyster Shells

If you have trouble finding oyster shells, use clay shapes or wooden blank ornaments. These will allow you to achieve an even cleaner look.

A set of unfinished wooden holiday ornaments, including a Santa, reindeer, snowman, and more, are neatly arranged in a grid like treasures from an oyster shell waiting to be discovered. — 45Pcs Unfinished Paintable Blank Wooden Christmas Ornaments

Twelve white star-shaped ornaments with jute twine loops, subtly accented in Christmas colors, are arranged in two rows.

Farmhouse Star Ornaments

Twelve pristine oyster shell-inspired white round ornaments with gold hanging strings are elegantly arranged in rows. — Ready to Paint DIY Round Circle Glazed Porcelain Ceramic Ornaments

Instructions:

A collection of empty oyster shells spread out on a striped towel.

Hand painting white shells with a brush on a paper towel.

Prepare the Shells: Clean the oyster shells thoroughly, removing dirt or debris. Paint the insides white if needed. If you paint them, paint the entire inside of the shell. Allow them to dry completely.
Cut the Napkins: Just as with the glass balls, separate the printed layer of the napkin and cut out the designs you want to use.

A paintbrush applies a white coat onto a tree-shaped ornament placed on a paper towel, next to other painted ornaments.

Person applying a paper transfer of a Christmas tree design onto a white clay surface with a star shape at the top.

Apply the Glue: Thin the Mod Podge with water. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the concave side of the oyster shell.
Place the Napkin: Press the napkin design onto the glued surface, smoothing it out gently to avoid wrinkles. You can cover the entire shell or use smaller pieces for a collage effect.
Seal the Design: Brush another layer of Mod Podge over the napkin to seal it and let it dry completely.

Four painted stone ornaments with various green and blue tree designs are placed on a textured white surface.

Clay ornaments with green tree designs are placed on a wooden surface next to a spool of green and white twine.

Paint the Edges: To give the shells a polished look, highlight the edges with gold or silver paint. Allow the paint to dry before proceeding to the next step.
Attach the Hanger: Cut a piece of twine or ribbon and thread it through the hole. (If you don’t want to cut a hole, use twine and form a loop. Use a hot glue gun to attach the loop to the back of the shell, ensuring it’s secure).
Add Finishing Touches: Add a light dusting of glitter or tiny beads around the edges for extra sparkle.

These oyster shell ornaments are stunning and great for incorporating natural coastal materials into your Christmas tree decor.