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A living room decorated for Christmas with a festively decorated tree, red poinsettias and an open fire.

Crafting Christmas decorations: Five creative mini poinsettia project ideas

With the festive season just around the corner, it's the perfect time to brighten up your home with creative, homemade Christmas decorations. In this article you'll find easy, family-friendly projects using mini poinsettias, including step-by-step instructions.

The days are getting shorter, the evenings cosier. Can you feel the anticipation of Christmas growing? Advent is the best time to transform your home into a warm, festive nest. But who has time? Between work, kids and everyday stress, you need quick and easy ideas for Christmas decorations.

The solution? Mini poinsettias! These little plants instantly create a warm atmosphere in your room. As natural accents for your Advent wreath, table or Christmas tree, they make every corner of your home special. They also add a lovely touch to a special gift or a small token to make someone happy.

In this article, you’ll find five easy projects with step-by-step instructions that are quick and easy to make. You’ll be spreading the festive magic around your home in no time. So grab your craft supplies and get started. Christmas is going to be great!

Craft idea 1: Red mini poinsettia Advent wreath

An Advent wreath is an essential part of Christmas decorations – and this year we’re making it ourselves and turning it into something really special! With bright red mini poinsettias and simple red candles, you can create a classic yet modern showpiece in no time. This combination of natural materials and festive accents brings a wonderful, warm atmosphere to your home.

A finished homemade red poinsettia Advent wreath with cones and four lit red candles.

What you need

– 6 red mini poinsettias
– Moss
– Parcel twine (coarse)
– Spruce cones
– 4 red pillar candles
– red wooden stars
– Two large and three small straw wreath frames of the same diameter
– Cardboard
– Waterproof plastic sheeting
– potting compost
– thick florist stub wires
– Candleholder (optional)
– Hot glue gun & glue sticks

Materials for a homemade poinsettia Advent wreath: mini poinsettias, red candles, moss, twine, straw wreath frame, decorative stars, cones.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Glue the two large wreath frames on top of one another with hot glue, then cover them with twine. Repeat these steps with the three smaller frames. This will make two taller frames of the same height.

2. Place the smaller frame in the middle of the larger one and cut a ring-shaped base out of cardboard. The outer diameter of the ring should be the same as that of the larger frame and the inner diameter should be the same as the smaller frame. Glue the cardboard ring to the base of the wrapped frames and leave to dry.

Straw wreath frames and twine for the base of an Advent wreath are placed on a wooden table.
Someone uses a hot glue gun to attach a cardboard ring to some wreath frames.

3. Turn the structure over and carefully line the space between the two frames with waterproof plastic sheeting. The planting ring is now complete.

4. Fill the base of the planting ring with a little compost, then carefully remove the mini poinsettias from their pots and place them in the planting ring at regular intervals. Fill the spaces in between with compost and cover with moss.

A pair of hands places plastic sheeting in a gap for a homemade Advent wreath.
A homemade Advent wreath has poinsettias arranged in it, after compost has been added to the gap in between the frames.

5. Wire the cones with the stub wires and decorate the wreath with them. Add the stars.

6. Wire the candles (or use candleholders) and place them in the inner wreath. Your homemade classic Advent wreath is complete!

Someone decorates a homemade red poinsettia Advent wreath with cones.

Tips and tricks

Mini poinsettias like bright, warm conditions. Make sure their roots aren’t standing in water – waterlogging will damage them! Equally harmful is if the compost dries out. Water carefully as soon as the compost starts to dry. This will keep your minis fresh for a long time and your Advent wreath looking its best until Christmas.

➡️ For tips on how to avoid standing water, how best to water and where to place your plants: Mini poinsettia care guide.

Craft idea 2: Fun reindeer gift trim idea

Looking for a creative but simple way to add fun to your gift wrapping in the midst of the Christmas rush? With wooden sticks, felt balls and wiggly eyes, you can make a fun reindeer face in no time to give your presents that special touch. A craft idea that works even at the last minute thanks to the mini poinsettia!

What you need

• Mini poinsettia plant
• A glass of hot water (about 60°C) and one of cold water
• Pine sprigs
• 3 lollipop sticks
• red felt ball
• self-adhesive googly eyes
• hot glue gun & glue sticks
• Floral tape or flower tubes
• decorative ribbon

Step-by-step instructions

1. Cut the stem with the red bract from the mini poinsettia. To extend its life, immediately dip the end of the stem into the glass of hot water (about 60°C) for a few seconds and then briefly into the one of cold water.

2. Wrap the end of the stem with floral tape or place it in a floral tube filled with water. This will keep the little poinsettia fresh and you can easily attach it to the gift.

3. Using the hot glue, stick two lollipop sticks together at one end so they form a sharp angle. This will form the reindeer’s antlers and nose.

Materials for making reindeer and poinsettia gift trimmings, including wooden sticks, hot glue gun and googly eyes.

4. Glue the third stick over the first two to form a triangle, making sure its ends stick out about 1-2cm. These will be the ears.

5. Glue the red felt ball to point of the triangle to make a nose.

6. Stick the googly eyes on top of the two crossed sticks to make the reindeer’s face.

7. Add the cut mini poinsettia and some pine sprigs to your gift. Finish off the gift with decorative ribbon.

Tips and tricks

The dipping method with hot and cold water helps stop the milky sap flowing from the cut stems. To keep cut poinsettias fresh for as long as possible, it’s important to wrap the ends of the stems well with floral tape or place them in floral tubes with water. Cut poinsettias are as versatile as roses or carnations and will last at least as long as these flowers. You can use them to make bouquets, arrangements, table centrepieces, Christmas tree decorations or Advent wreaths. The possibilities are endless! Use large poinsettias if you need more than one stem for your homemade Christmas decoration idea.

➡️ Bring festive magic into your home with craft projects and make your Christmas decorations a real highlight by using poinsettias as cut flowers. Make your décor dreams come true with projects from the creative experts at Stars for Europe!

Craft idea 3: Mini poinsettia muffin tin Advent decoration

Sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that bring the most joy – especially when you can make them with your children. This original Advent wreath in a muffin tin is a great way to get creative with your little ones. The mini poinsettias and candles make it a beautiful Christmas decoration that will add a festive touch to your home, or this Advent wreath also makes a lovely gift for people who love handmade things, such as your best friend, nice neighbours or a teacher.

A finished Advent arrangement in a muffin tin with red candles, poinsettias, moss, pine sprigs and decorative accents.

What you need

– 12-hole muffin tray
– 4 red mini poinsettias
– 4 red pillar candles of different heights
– pine branches
– moss
– cones
– Christmas decorations (e.g. small baubles, gold mini cones)
– clay
– Hot glue gun and glue sticks
– secateurs
– Optional: florist stub wire for attaching the decorations

Materials for a homemade Advent decoration in a muffin tin, including red candles, mini poinsettias, moss, twigs, clay and decorative accents.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Fill four of the 12 holes half full with clay and place the Advent candles in them, pressing down gently.

2. Carefully remove the mini poinsettias from their pots and plant them in four more holes.

A red Advent candle is pressed into a muffin tin with clay inside it.
A mini poinsettia is inserted into a muffin tin to make an Advent decoration.

3. Cover the exposed compost and clay with moss.

4. Fill the remaining four holes with moss and decorate the space between the candles and poinsettias with sprigs of the pine branch.

Moss is arranged around candles and poinsettias in a muffin tin.
Pine sprigs are arranged around candles and poinsettias in a muffin tin.

5. Decorate the arrangement with mini cones and baubles. Tip: If necessary, use hot glue or stub wire to hold the decorations in place.

Cones and red berries are added to a homemade Advent decoration in a muffin tin.

Tips and tricks

How about this? Each Sunday, light an extra Advent candle together and create a little ritual around it – maybe a story or a Christmas carol. If there are children around, make sure the candles are in a safe place.

Craft idea 4: Snowy Christmas gnome landscape

With this simple craft idea, you and your children can create a snowy landscape full of Christmas gnomes in your living room. The mini poinsettias add a festive splash of colour to the white ‘snowstorm’, and the little ones can lend a hand and reposition the figures as they see fit. This makes crafting not only a creative activity, but also a cosy family time surrounded by cute Christmas decorations.

A snowy winter landscape with red poinsettias and little gnome figures on fluffy drifts.

What you need

  • a large tray with a raised edge
  • cotton wool
  • 5-6 mini poinsettias
  • small Christmas figures (e.g. gnomes)
  • glass planters for the plants (alternatively freezer bags)

Step-by-step instructions

1. Place a thick layer of cotton wool over the base of the tray to create a soft snowy landscape. Let your children help you pull the wadding apart and lay the foundations for the winter wonderland.

2. Place the mini poinsettias in glass planters (or freezer bags) and spread them out evenly on the tray. Make sure the plants are stable so they don’t fall over.

3. Have your children carefully place the cotton wool around the poinsettias so the pots are completely covered. This will make it look as if the plants are standing in the snow.

4. Finally, let the Christmas figures find their place in the snowy landscape. Your children can place the little gnomes wherever they like – it’s fun and gives the scene a very personal touch.

Tips and tricks

Cotton wool from a pharmacy is the easiest way to create a snowy landscape. Make sure it doesn’t come into direct contact with the compost in the pots of the mini poinsettias. It will absorb moisture and quickly become unsightly when wet. A good alternative to a thick blanket of cotton wool is soft, fluffy polyester fibres (stuffing for teddy bears, soft toys, cushions, etc). These fibres are more durable than cotton wool and won’t go mouldy.

Craft idea 5: Poinsettia Christmas tree decoration

The Christmas tree is a symbol of Christmas Eve – and the highlight of the festive season for many families. Decorating it with homemade decorations adds a special charm. Instead of relying on traditional baubles, you can decorate your tree with cut poinsettias in glass ones and simple Christmas ornaments made from twigs. The combination of natural materials and bright flowers gives your tree a modern yet homely look.

A living room decorated for Christmas with a festively decorated tree, red poinsettias and an open fire.

What you need

  • cut mini poinsettias
  • Christmas baubles with caps removed
  • straight branches
  • decorative ribbon
  • twine or simple ribbon for hanging
  • secateurs

Step-by-step instructions

1. Cut the poinsettias and dip the cut ends briefly in hot water of about 60°C and then in cold water. This will keep the flowers fresh for longer.

2. Then place them in the water-filled baubles and hang them on the tree.

3. Use straight twigs for the other decorations. Tie coloured ribbon of graduated length around them in three or four places to imitate the shape of a Christmas tree. Attach twine to the top to hang it up and you have a unique ornament to add to your masterpiece.

Close-up of a Christmas tree hung with homemade decorations and red poinsettias.

Tips and tricks

When decorating your Christmas tree, always start with the lights before adding the rest of the decorations. This will prevent the lights getting caught in baubles and ornaments. Wrap the lights around the tree from the inside to the outside. This will make your tree shine from the inside out – and any decorations you put up afterwards, with or without poinsettias, will look extra nice. A good rule of thumb is to use 100 to 200 lights per metre of tree height.

Poinsettias: The origins, history and variety of the festive poinsettia

Poinsettias, also known as Christmas stars, originate from the tropical regions of Mexico. They grow wild there and can reach a height of up to 4m. The plant owes its name to the first US ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett, who brought it to the US in the 19th century.

What many people don’t know is that the striking ‘petals’ are actually coloured bracts that frame the inconspicuous yellowish flowers. Today, poinsettias come in countless varieties – from bright red, pink and creamy white (the classic colours) to speckled ones. This variety makes them one of the most popular flowering houseplants at Christmas, as they can adapt to any interior style and instantly create a festive atmosphere in the home.

➡️ The poinsettia is so versatile!

A man waters poinsettias with a golden watering can.

Share your homemade Christmas decorations on Instagram

We’d love to see your festively decorated trees, Advent wreaths and Christmas decorations! Share your homemade creations using poinsettias on Instagram and use the hashtag #ChristmasdecoDIY so we can admire your beautiful results.

Want to learn more about poinsettias and get some great decorating tips? Take a look at our decorating tips and follow us on FacebookInstagramPinterest or YouTube!