Reindeer Terra Cotta Pot Christmas Ornament Craft

Now, I have shared a bunch of DIY Christmas ornaments on this blog (and have more we’ve done still to write) but this Reindeer Terra Cotta Post Christmas Ornament Craft is just breathtakingly cute <3

At the same time, it’s also quite simple and doesn’t require a lot of different materials. The materials it does require are all easy to get – you may even have most of them on hand.

Only one step takes a little time to complete, so make sure to do it with plenty of time before you need the ornament.

Materials for each Reindeer Terra Cotta Pot Christmas Ornament:

• 2-3 inch tall terra cotta pot (the ones pictured are 2 3/8 inches tall; but there are tons of options)
• Paintbrush.
• Brown acrylic paint (glossy or matte; we used glossy).
• Piece of ribbon about two to three times as long as your terra cotta pot is tall.
• A small bell with a hoop.
• 2 googly eyes.
• A button for the nose (preferably red – because, well, you know why 😉 )
• Brown and/or tan pipecleaners.
• Tacky or clear glue.
• Scissors.
• Toothpick or skewer.
• Tweezers (optional but may make a step or two a little easier).

First, you want to paint the terra cotta pot brown at least on the outside but I recommend also painting the inside if possible. Allow to dry completely and apply a second coat if needed. Allow the second coat to dry as well.

Make sure the hole in the bottom of the terra cotta pot is clear. You’ll want to pull the ribbon through it in one of the next steps. If needed, use a toothpick or skewer to remove anything blocking the hole.

Next, take your ribbon and cut a piece approximately two to three times as long as your terra cotta pot is long. Thread the hoop on the bell on the end of the ribbon and pull the ribbon until the bell sits in the middle of the ribbon. 

Knot the ribbon twice, once just above the bell and again about one inch higher.

Pull the end of the ribbon through the hole in the bottom of the terra cotta pot, using tweezers if needed. (Depending on the size of your pot, the hole can be quite small.)

The second knot on the ribbon will prevent pulling the ribbon all the way through the hole.

Add a third know at the top end of the ribbon to allow the ornament to be hung on the Christmas tree.

If needed, cut off any unraveling ribbon ends.

Use the glue to attach the googly eyes and button nose. Depending on the exact placement of these three items, the reindeer’s expression can be quite different.

Finally, make the antlers. You can shape the pipecleaners however you want. Here, we folded them in half, then crimped them into approximate thirds to give them a nice shape. Repeat with the second pipecleaner.

Stick the bottom ends of the antlers through the same hole the ribbon goes through and bend them inside the pot to secure them. If the fit between the ribbon and the pipecleaners is tight enough, you don’t need any extra glue. If not (or if in doubt), help the antlers stay in place with a little glue on the inside of the pot.

And that’s all there is to it! Try out the bell and hang the Reindeer Terra Cotta Christmas Ornament on your Christmas tree or place it on a table or sideboard as a cute decoration and a functional bell.

Want more reindeer activities? Check out these!

How about more Christmas ornaments? I’ve got you covered!