With the end of the fall semester, winter break quickly arrives. After the hustle and bustle that comes with wrapping up the term, the time off is well earned. IMO, these few weeks are the perfect opportunity for me to get back into all of the hobbies and crafts I haven’t had time for in the past few months. Not only do I finally have room in my schedule, but also, it’s trendy! Over the last couple of months, grandma hobbies have been infiltrating my TikTok For You page, and thanks to that, I have been meticulously saving dozens of crafts to try.
Crafting is such a versatile activity because you can really craft anything — art, decor, clothing, or just something to keep you busy for a few hours. Not to mention, crafting can be done with as little or as many people as you’d like. Winter is also the perfect season to stay inside, cozy up on the couch, and channel your inner grandma. Plus, with the holidays coming, it’s the best time to make something festive for yourself or somebody else. So, put on some comfy clothes, grab a hot drink, and spend your afternoon working on one of these 12 holiday crafts, all inspired by TikTok and apt for this joyful season.
Felt ornaments
I wholeheartedly believe that this is the cutest craft trend to come out of TikTok this year. If you have always wanted to learn how to sew or embroider, this is the perfect craft to try. There are endless tutorials online to follow.
Gingerbread houses
I love to decorate gingerbread houses, but hate that they don’t last very long — until now! TBH, I’ve never thought to take wooden houses and paint them to resemble a gingerbread house. My favorite thing about this craft is that, if taken care of, these houses can last for multiple years.
Winter coloring pages
Sometimes the best way to craft is to just color. I love coming home from a long day and taking the time to destress with some pages in my coloring books; I find it therapeutic. There’s a nearly endless amount of free coloring pages you can download online and print out, with different themes and styles — including holiday pages!
Paper chains
We’re going old-school with this one. As a kid, I always made paper chains, and I’m questioning what’s taken me so long to start making them again. Paper chains are such a simple and whimsical craft to do. As a bonus, I used to make paper chains to count down to special events, and would write notes or affirmations to read every day.
Painted candles
The way I see it, this is the best craft to do with friends. Paint nights in general are always such fun, so you can’t go wrong with painting candles. Not to mention, I find that I use candles the most during the holidays, so it’s perfect!
Scarves
Warning: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will a scarf be. However, if you have the patience — and talent — to create a scarf, then now is a great time to do so. The weather is getting colder, and before you know it, you’ll wish you had started it sooner.
Anthropologie-inspired holiday cups
As soon as I saw this DIY, I couldn’t help but think, “I need this.” I always find cute glass cups like these in stores and love how they look. Who knew how easy it was to make your own?
Pop-up cards
Regardless of the reason, many people enjoy receiving a card at this time of year. It’s nice to know someone is thinking of you, and nothing screams “thoughtful” more than a homemade card.
DIY envelopes
What goes with a homemade card better than a homemade envelope? Almost nothing! The best thing about this craft is that you can make it whenever you have time, and can save the envelopes to use throughout the year.
Party hats
Holidays are the greatest time to attend or to throw a party, which means this is also the best time for party hats. All that’s required for this craft are hats and decorating supplies. Feel free to go wild with them! Think pom poms, pipe cleaners, glitter, feathers, tinsel — the opportunities are endless. You can make hats for an event, or have the hat-making be an activity at the event.
Winter journal prompts
Not everyone enjoys a hands-on craft, or has the time to start one. For when you want to be creative but not super crafty, consider journal prompts. You can journal in a book or on a computer, and with prompts, you don’t need to come up with topics — just write about ones you can find online.
2026 calendar
If you’ve been looking for a practical craft to do, then look no further. With 2026 right around the corner, now is the best time of the year to make a calendar. You can decorate and format it any way you’d like. The best part? All that’s needed for this craft is paper, writing tools, and a way to connect the pages together.