Alphabet block ornaments are one of those crafts that feel both simple and special. They have a classic look that fits right in on a Christmas tree, and they take very little time to make. If you have a set of wooden alphabet blocks sitting around, this is a great way to put them to good use during the holiday season.
This craft is also part of our roundup of 14 Christmas ornament crafts for kids, which has plenty of other ideas if you want to keep the momentum going.
What you need to make alphabet block ornaments
The supply list for this project is short. You need wooden alphabet blocks, a pencil, and a drill or drill press. For hanging, you have two good options. The first is floral wire, which you thread directly through a hole drilled all the way through the block. The second is screw-eye hooks, which screw into a shallow hole and let you hang the ornament with ribbon or twine. Both work well. The screw-eye method gives you more flexibility if you want to use a decorative ribbon.
Gather everything before you start. It makes the process much smoother, especially if you are making a batch of these at once.
How to make alphabet block ornaments
Start by using your pencil to mark a small dot on each block where you want the hole to go. The top center of the block is usually the best spot. This keeps the ornament hanging straight on the tree.
Next, drill your hole. If you plan to use floral wire, drill all the way through the block. If you plan to use a screw-eye hook, drill just deep enough to fit the screw threads. You do not need to go all the way through for that method.
For the floral wire method, cut a short piece of wire and thread both ends through the hole from the top side of the block. Pull them through just enough to bend the ends flat against the opposite side of the block. This creates a small anchor that holds the wire in place. The loop that sticks up from the top is your hanger.
For the screw-eye method, twist the hook into the drilled hole until it sits snug. Then cut a piece of ribbon or twine, thread it through the eye of the hook, and tie a knot to form a loop. You can use thin velvet ribbon, baker’s twine, or whatever suits your tree.
Once your hangers are in place, the ornaments are ready to go on the tree.
Tips for getting the best results
A drill press gives you more control than a handheld drill, especially when working with small blocks. If you only have a handheld drill, go slowly and keep a firm grip on the block. It helps to clamp the block to a surface or hold it in a vise so it does not spin or slip.
Choose blocks that have letters or images on all six sides. Standard wooden alphabet blocks work perfectly. You can find them at toy stores, craft stores, or online. Unpainted natural wood blocks take on a warmer, more rustic look on the tree. Painted blocks with bright colors add a more playful feel.
If you want to spell out a name or a word on the tree, lay out your blocks ahead of time to plan the spacing. You can hang them in a row on the same branch or spread them across the tree as a subtle detail for guests to notice.
More ornament crafts to try
If you enjoyed making these, there are plenty of other handmade ornament ideas worth trying. Pom pom star ornaments are another easy project that works well for young kids. Children’s clay Christmas ornaments are a great option if you want something that can be personalized with handprints or names. Melted crayon ornaments produce a really striking result with very little effort. Piñata Christmas tree ornaments are colorful and fun to make as a group. And if you want something that younger children can help with, kids pom pom ornaments are hard to beat for ease and satisfying results.
Making ornaments by hand is one of those holiday habits that tends to stick around. The tree ends up telling a little story each year, and alphabet block ornaments are a lovely, low-effort piece of that story.
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