Pressed Floral Glass Ornaments – A Handmade Christmas

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It’s week seven of my 16-week series titled A Handmade Christmas, and today I am sharing my Pressed Floral Glass Ornaments.

This project in my A Handmade Christmas series might be one of the prettiest ornaments to make. These pressed floral glass globes capture the delicate beauty of real flowers and glow softly when hung on a Christmas tree.

A clear round ornament filled with dried white and yellow flowers hangs from a white ribbon, with green pine needles above.
Four images show holiday-themed items: decorated cookies, vintage glass ornaments in a bowl, frosted cookies with tree designs, and a festive dining table setting with holiday decor.
Text logo reads: "MY 100 YEAR OLD HOME | A HANDMADE CHRISTMAS" in capitalized, gray letters on a white background.

Pressed Floral Glass Ornaments

Two clear glass ornaments with dried flowers inside hang by pale pink ribbons from a white mantel, with greenery and string lights above.

These Christmas ornaments were inspired by a version I saw on Anthropologie and Terrain, and I knew immediately I wanted to try making my own. There’s something so special about combining natural beauty with the shimmer of holiday lights. The moment the twinkle lights hit these ornaments, the translucent glass glows, and the pressed flowers come to life.

Each one is like a tiny garden, frozen in time and suspended on your tree.

Why I Love This Project

Clear glass ornament with dried flowers inside, hanging by a sheer pink ribbon against a white background with a green fern above.

Every year, I try to add a new handmade ornament to our tree, something that tells a story, that feels personal, and that could be recreated by anyone with just a few simple materials.

This craft fits that perfectly. It’s incredibly easy, but the results look so elegant and artisan-made, you’d never guess it took only minutes to create. The pressed flowers are preserved in a soft, matte finish that looks vintage and timeless, and each globe is unique.

The best part? The glass catches the light in such a magical way. When you hang them near fairy lights or candlelight, the soft petals and stems seem to glow from within. They don’t just decorate your tree … they illuminate it.

A white fireplace with a faux fire, decorated with green garland, glass ornaments, and three brass candlesticks holding white candles on the mantel.
9FT Christmas Norfolk Pine Garland Real Touch
A bundle of lit white mini Christmas string lights with green wiring, arranged in a fan shape against a white background—perfect for accenting glass ornaments on your holiday display.
Battery Operated Christmas String Lights, 8ft 20 LED Mini Lights
Five rolls of sheer organza ribbon in various neutral and pastel colors, unspooled and laid out in a row—perfect for wrapping gifts or accenting glass ornaments with a delicate, airy touch.
Sheer Ribbon Organza 1 Inch x 150Yd 6 Rolls 

Materials You’ll Need

Clear plastic ornaments, Mod Podge, paint brushes, dried flowers, and botanical stickers arranged on a white surface for a craft project.

Here’s what you’ll need to create your own Pressed Floral Glass Ornaments:

  • Clear glass ornaments (3″–4″ in diameter) – You can find these at most craft stores or online. I love the round globes, but teardrop shapes would be beautiful too.
  • Pressed flowers – You can use pre-pressed and dried flowers or make your own. Look for small, flat blooms like pansies, daisies, hydrangea petals, or ferns.
  • Matte Mod Podge – The matte finish gives the ornaments a soft, frosted look and prevents glare under the lights.
  • A small paintbrush – For applying and smoothing the Mod Podge.
  • Tweezers (optional) – Helpful for placing delicate petals. Most pressed flowers come with tweezers in the package.


On this blog, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

Four square sections display pressed flowers sorted by color—red, yellow, purple, and pink—resembling delicate glass ornaments, with similar blooms arranged vertically along the sides on a white background.
80 Pcs Dried Flowers
Four panels display assorted pressed flowers and leaves in various colors and arrangements, primarily featuring white, yellow, and pink blossoms on a white background, resembling delicate glass ornaments.
LUXEEASE 80 Pcs Dried Flowers for Crafts
A grid of six squares, each filled with pressed flowers arranged by color—red, purple, pink, yellow, white, and blue—resembles delicate glass ornaments on display.
221PCS Real Nature Dried Pressed Flowers
Ten clear Christmas tree ornaments, including two with miniature green trees and small decorations inside, while the remaining eight are empty and undecorated—perfect for creating your own painted flower ornaments.

Clear Glass Ornaments

Six flat paintbrushes with brown wooden handles and orange synthetic bristles, arranged in a fan shape against a white background—perfect for painting details on glass ornaments or other creative crafts.

Transon Flat Paint Brush Set

Mod Podge

26 Pcs Blue White Colors Dried Pressed Flowers

Assorted pressed flowers and green leaves arranged by color, surrounded by colorful butterfly illustrations on a white background.

318 PCS Pressed Flowers

Eight glass ornaments with silver caps are arranged in two neat rows on a plain white background.

4E’s Novelty 12-Pack 3.15 Inch Clear Glass Christmas Ornament Balls

That’s it! You probably already have most of these supplies on hand if you’ve done any crafting before.

How to Press Your Own Flowers

A marble surface with an arrangement of pink and white hydrangea flowers scattered.

If you’d like to use flowers from your garden or from a bouquet, you can press them yourself. This is an excellent way to personalize your ornaments. Imagine using petals from your wedding flowers, your favorite garden blooms, or even fall leaves collected from a family walk.

A marble surface with an arrangement of pink and white hydrangea flowers scattered.
A beige silicone trivet with circular cutouts and yellow corners is placed on a white marble surface. Pink and white flower petals are scattered nearby.
A collection of pressed pink and white flowers arranged on a white fabric inside an open cylindrical case with a brown hexagonal-patterned lid.
A round, open case with a flat surface displaying various small, pressed purple and white flowers arranged neatly on a white background. The case interior is beige in color.

If you’re short on time, you can also use a microwave flower press, which I have done. It dries flowers in minutes and works surprisingly well.

I use the Aboofx Microwave Flower Press. You can learn how to press them in my blog post, DIY Pressed Flowers. The Aboofx Microwave Flower Press is great for quickly pressing flowers.

To press flowers by hand:

  1. Choose flowers that are naturally flat or can easily be flattened, like hydrangeas, cosmos, pansies, or ferns.
  2. Place them between two sheets of parchment paper and tuck them inside a heavy book.
  3. Add additional books or weight on top and leave them for 1–2 weeks until they’re completely dry and paper-thin.

Aboofx 9″ x 9″ Large Microwave Flower Press Kit

Parchment Paper

Aboofx 4 Layers Microwave Flower Press Kit

Of course, the easiest option is to buy real pressed flowers in your preferred color palette on Amazon. That is what I did for this project. They are not expensive and so beautiful.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Pressed Floral Glass Ornaments

Three clear resin spheres containing dried flowers and leaves are displayed on a white surface with a blurred window and garden background.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Pressed and dried assorted wildflowers, including daisies, cosmos, and hydrangeas, arranged on a white background.

Lay out your materials on a clean surface. It helps to set your ornaments on a soft towel so they don’t roll around while you’re working. Have your pressed flowers ready and organized — larger blooms for focal points, smaller ones to fill in details. If you use flowers with long stems, you will likely have to cut the stems into pieces so they will lie flat on the ornament.

Step 2: Remove the Ornament Top

Pressed flowers arranged on several sheets of white paper with a clear glass bowl placed on top, displayed on a light surface.

Carefully remove the metal cap and hanger from the clear glass ornament. Set it aside. This makes it easier to hold the ornament without smudging the surface where you’ll apply your flowers.

Step 3: Apply a Thin Layer of Mod Podge

Using your paintbrush, apply a thin, even layer of matte Mod Podge to a small section of the glass. Don’t cover the entire surface at once — you’ll want to work in sections so the adhesive doesn’t dry before you can place your flowers.

Step 4: Position Your Pressed Flowers

A hand holds a clear ornament with a pressed pink flower inside, above a table with various pressed flowers and crafting tools.
A hand holds a transparent ornament containing pressed flowers above a surface with more various pressed flowers and greenery.
Clear sphere embedded with various dried flowers and petals, including pink and red blooms, resting on a transparent surface.

Using tweezers or your fingers, gently press your dried flowers onto the Mod Podge. Smooth them carefully with your brush or fingertips to eliminate air bubbles. You can overlap petals slightly or leave space between each one for a more airy design.

Let the flowers dry. As the glue hardens, use the tweezers to attach any flower parts that aren’t lying flat.

Two glass balls with flowers on them.

Tip: Press the flower so it curves naturally with the globe. If a petal sticks out, add a tiny dab of Mod Podge underneath to help it adhere.

Step 5: Seal with Another Coat

Three round objects with pink and purple floral designs are displayed on a marble surface, each resting on a clear square base.

Once you’ve added all your flowers, let the ornament sit for 10–15 minutes until the Mod Podge becomes tacky but not fully dry. Then brush a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of each flower to seal it.

Don’t worry if it looks a little cloudy at first. It will dry clear and leave a soft, matte finish that lets the glass shine through.

Step 6: Let It Dry Completely

Two clear ice spheres with pink flowers and greenery frozen inside, resting on a smooth white surface.

Place your ornament somewhere safe to dry for a few hours. Once it’s completely dry, you can reattach the metal top and add a ribbon, twine, or hook for hanging.

I repainted the tops as I thought gold looked better than silver. And then I added hangers using organza ribbon.

Six gold-painted bottle caps with wire stands—ideal for crafting glass ornaments—are drying on parchment paper next to a bottle of gold FolkArt multi-surface acrylic paint.
Two clear ornaments filled with pressed flowers rest on a light wood surface next to a spool of pink sheer ribbon and a matching loose ribbon.

Styling and Decorating Ideas

A clear ornament with pressed flowers and leaves inside, hanging by a ribbon in front of a blurred outdoor background.

When I first finished these ornaments, I hung one near a window to dry, and that’s when I noticed how stunning they look when light filters through them. The delicate petals glow softly, almost like stained glass. That’s what makes them so perfect for a Christmas tree.

Clear glass ornaments with dried flowers inside are arranged on a scalloped white dish, illuminated by soft natural light.

Here are a few ways you can style them:

  • On the tree: Hang them near warm white lights so the glow filters through the petals. The light brings out every detail of the flowers.
  • In a window: Hang them on ribbon in a sunny window — they’ll sparkle during the day and glow in the evening.
  • In a bowl: Display several in a glass bowl or cloche as part of your holiday centerpiece.
  • As gifts: Add one to a wrapped present for a handmade touch that doubles as a keepsake.

If you make a collection of them, vary your flower colors — pinks and whites for a romantic palette, or greens and neutrals for a natural woodland theme.

A tall, snow-dusted Christmas tree with sparse branches is decorated with white lights and placed in front of a white paneled wall. Several wrapped gifts are beneath the tree.

Balsam Hill 6.5ft Pre-Lit Frosted Alpine Balsam Fir Tree

Artificial Christmas tree with snow-frosted branches, pinecones, glass ornaments, and yellow lights, placed in a metal pot.
24 inch Mini Christmas Tree 
A slim, artificial, pre-lit Christmas tree stands in a bright room with white walls and a large window.

Best Choice Products Pre-Lit Sparse Christmas Tree

A beige ceramic plate featuring botanical illustrations of holly, mistletoe, and berries, reminiscent of classic holiday glass ornaments.
Creative Co-Op Debossed Stoneware Bowl
A round wooden bowl with four star-shaped cutouts evenly spaced along the sides, perfect for displaying glass ornaments or other decorative items.
Creative Co-Op 11-1/2″ Round x 2-3/4″H Mango Wood Bowl
Three rolls of patterned wrapping paper and one partially unrolled sheet with a wrapped gift placed on top, featuring floral designs in pink, white, and green tones—perfect for pairing with glass ornaments for a festive touch.
Creative Co-Op 3 Styles Wrapping Paper Sheets with Flora and Fauna Pattern

The Magic of Light

Two clear glass ornaments filled with dried flowers and hung by white ribbon are displayed against a white mantel.

One of the reasons I love these ornaments so much is how they interact with light. The glass is transparent enough to let the glow of the tree lights shine through, illuminating each pressed flower from behind.

The effect is gentle and ethereal — not glittery or flashy, but soft and warm. It reminds me of candlelight reflecting through frosted glass.

If your tree has LED or twinkle lights, hang a few ornaments near the bulbs so they catch the glow directly. You’ll notice how the color of each petal deepens and comes alive. Even a simple hydrangea petal looks extraordinary when backlit.

Tips for Success

Three clear glass ornaments filled with dried flowers rest on a white ceramic plate.
  • Use thin flowers. Thick petals or large blooms don’t adhere well to curved glass. Stick to delicate flowers and small leaves.
  • Work slowly. Mod Podge dries quickly, so apply it in small sections.
  • Don’t overcoat. Too much Mod Podge can make the glass look too cloudy. A light hand gives the best result.
  • Experiment with composition. You can cluster several flowers together for a bold design, or scatter tiny petals for a minimalist look.
  • Try color themes. Make a set in blush pinks and creams, another in sage greens, or one inspired by vintage botanicals.

Personal Touches

I think it is fun to add stories to each ornament. You could:

  • Use flowers from a wedding bouquet or anniversary arrangement.
  • Press petals from your garden or a favorite trail.
  • Add a tiny handwritten tag inside with the year or a meaningful quote.
A stack of white gift tags with gold text, some reading "MERRY," alongside cream ribbon ties—perfect for pairing with your favorite glass ornaments.
Christmas Gift Tags
A spool of red and white twisted baker's twine, neatly wound into a cylindrical shape, perfect for adding a festive touch when wrapping gifts or hanging glass ornaments.
Red and White Twine
Eight illustrated evergreen trees, each decorating a separate gift tag with a hole at the top—perfect for pairing with glass ornaments—arranged in two rows of four against a white background.
120Pcs Christmas Tree Gift Tags

This turns each ornament into a keepsake, not just décor. I made a few using tiny pieces of baby’s breath from a bouquet Dave gave me years ago, and every time the tree lights up, I smile, remembering that moment.

A Handmade Christmas Tradition

Two ornaments on a shelf.

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is setting aside time each week for a handmade project. It’s not just about decorating — it’s about slowing down, creating something meaningful, and finding joy in the process.

This Pressed Floral Glass Ornament feels like a quiet reflection of that idea. It’s delicate, simple, and peaceful to make. When you hang it on your tree, it tells a story of care and creativity which is a small, glowing reminder of what handmade really means.

If you’re following along with my A Handmade Christmas series, you already know each project celebrates that same spirit, something beautiful, personal, and crafted with love.

Sixteen Weeks of A Handmade Christmas

Here are the first seven weeks of A Homemade Christmas. Can you believe I have nine more still to share!

A clear round ornament filled with dried white and yellow flowers hangs from a white ribbon, with green pine needles above.
Week Seven
A plate of gingerbread cookies and ornaments.
Week Six
Two fabric Christmas trees with ruffled layers stand on a table, surrounded by greenery, with two decorative ornaments on a square plate in the foreground.
Week Five
Two red gift boxes with pink ribbons and floral gift tags are displayed on a light wood surface, alongside two round floral-wrapped candies.
Week Four
Three handmade napkin rings—one green with a floral pattern, one white with "LESLIE" embossed, and one pink with a dragonfly—rest on folded patterned napkins.
Week Three
Six colorful hand-painted glass ornaments in red, pink, yellow, and green shades arranged in a white decorative bowl on a rustic surface.
Week Two
Twelve hand-painted Christmas ornaments on oyster shells, each displaying a number and an illustration from "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Greenery decorates the surrounding area.
Week One

Final Thoughts

Crafting these ornaments reminded me how the simplest materials, glass, petals, and a little glue, can become something magical.

If you decide to make your own, gather a few friends or family members and turn it into a holiday craft night. Everyone can personalize their own ornament, and at the end, you’ll have a collection of tiny masterpieces to treasure year after year.

These ornaments also make wonderful gifts, especially tied to the top of a wrapped present or tucked into a small gift box lined with tissue. They’re thoughtful, sustainable, and absolutely stunning when the lights hit them just right.

So as you prepare your home for the holidays, remember this: the most beautiful decorations aren’t always bought, they’re made with your hands and your heart.

Stay tuned for next week’s A Handmade Christmas project, where I’ll share another creative holiday craft to make your season shine.

Glass ornaments shine with festive charm in this crescent moon Christmas ornament, featuring a glittery red Santa hat, silver accents, and a silver string for hanging.
Hand-Painted Mercury Glass Santa
A round, white glass ornament with faint brownish swirl and leaf patterns, suspended by a thin string attached to a black cap at the top.
Creative Co-Op 6″ Round Mercury Glass Ornament
A brown storage box with empty compartments sits next to nine festive glass ornaments in red and green on a light surface.
Creative Co-Op 2′ H Embossed Mercury Glass Ornaments
A wire star sculpture with multiple points sits atop a wooden log base, accompanied by delicate glass ornaments, displayed against a plain white background.
Creative Co-Op Multidimensional Metal Star
A decorative fabric cushion shaped like a Christmas tree, featuring a red and gold patterned design reminiscent of glass ornaments, placed against a light textured background.
Creative Co-Op, Red and Gold Cotton Velvet Printed Tree Shaped Pillow
A green ceramic butter dish with tree designs sits closed beside two upright books, a green container holding utensils, and a few delicate glass ornaments.
Creative Co-Op Tree Debossed Stoneware Butter Dish

Anthro Inspired Christmas Decor

Collage of holiday-themed home decor items including pillows, stockings, glass ornaments, tree figurines, garlands, candles, and napkins with a festive, Anthropologie-inspired style.
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