DIY Scrabble Tile Christmas Ornaments: Perfect for Gifting

If you love making sweet, heartfelt handmade gifts, scrabble tile ornaments are such a fun and personal project. They’re sentimental, customizable, and always a hit whether you’re decorating your own tree or stocking up for a holiday market. Beginner-friendly and budget-friendly, they look polished, photograph beautifully, and make the perfect little keepsake for shoppers, teachers, families, and friends.

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How Long the Ornaments Take to Make

One of the best things about scrabble tile ornaments is how quick they are.

• Most single ornaments take 5–10 minutes from start to finish, especially once your tiles and embellishments are sorted.
• If you’re batching for a holiday market, you can easily complete 10–15 ornaments in under an hour, and a full family set usually takes 15–20 minutes, depending on the name lengths and embellishment style.

It’s a fast, satisfying craft that gives you plenty of inventory without eating up your entire day.

Materials & Tools

Materials

• Scrabble-style tiles (wood or faux wood)
• Small craft sticks or wood rectangles (approx. 4″–6″, depending on name length)
• High-temp hot glue sticks
• Velvet ribbon (¼”–½” width works beautifully)
• Greenery sprigs (pine, cedar, faux), trimmed into mini pieces
• Mini bells or bow embellishments
• (Optional) Fine-tip paint pen for adding the year to the back

Tools

• High-temp hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Small wire cutters (for greenery)
• Ruler (optional for alignment)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Arrange Your Tiles

Lay out your tiles to spell the name or holiday word you want. Keep the spacing consistent and natural similar to how letters sit on a Scrabble rack.

• Technique note: For longer names, angle the tiles slightly or choose a longer wooden backing.
• Variation: Vertical “stocking style” ornaments look adorable and photograph beautifully.

Step 2: Prepare the Wood Backing

Place your arranged tiles onto the craft stick or wood rectangle (affiliate) to check the fit. Trim the wood edges if needed so everything looks neat and intentional.

• Tip: A light sanding along the edges makes bulk craft sticks look boutique-quality.

Step 3: Glue the Tiles in Place

Use high-temp hot glue to attach each tile. Press each one firmly for a couple of seconds.

• Technique note: Glue the center tile first, then work outward to keep everything lined up.
• Pro tip: Always use high-temp hot glue. Low-temp glue may pop off during storage or when exposed to temperature changes.
• Variation: Brush the edges of the wood backing with metallic gold or champagne paint for a subtle “holiday glam” finish.

Step 4: Add Greenery & Embellishments

Glue a mini greenery sprig to the top of your ornament, then layer on a mini bell, bow, or ribbon detail.

• Tip: Use wire cutters not scissors to trim greenery.
• Variation: Swap greenery for plaid ribbon, tiny snowflakes, twine bows, or sparkly berries.

Step 5: Attach the Velvet Ribbon Loop

Cut a piece of velvet ribbon (affiliate) about 6–7 inches long, form a loop, and glue or staple it to the back.

• Technique note: Glue a small piece of felt over the ribbon ends for a clean, professional finish that buyers notice.

Step 6: Optional (Add the Year)

Use a fine-tip paint pen to write the year or a short message on the back. Customers love this small detail it turns the ornament into a keepsake.

Why These Tiles Sell So Well

• Personalized gifts feel thoughtful and unique
• Easy to make family sets, teacher gifts, and coworker names
• Very low material cost = high profit margin
• Perfect impulse-buy item at holiday markets
• Sentimental, photogenic, and perfect for bundle deals
• Easy to package beautifully

Suggested Price Point

• Single ornament: $8–$12
• Personalized with name: $12–$15
• Family sets: $25–$35 (3–5 ornaments)

Batching Tip

Before you start crafting, pre-sort your Scrabble tiles into divided bins. It dramatically speeds up production especially for common letters like A, E, S, R, and T.

Packaging Idea

Mount each ornament onto a piece of kraft cardstock and add a simple printed label. Slide it into a clear cellophane sleeve for a boutique-style presentation customers love.

How to Display Them at Markets

Scrabble tile ornaments absolutely shine when you give them a cute, intentional display.

• Hang a selection on small tabletop Christmas trees so shoppers can instantly picture them on their own tree.
• Use wooden crates (affiliate), tiered trays, or little ladders to add height and create that cozy boutique feel buyers love.
• A simple sign that says “Personalize Here!” draws people in and encourages them to stop, chat, and choose names on the spot.
• Family bundles grouping sets together (like Mom, Dad, and kids’ names) makes it easy for shoppers to grab multiple ornaments at once. This setup not only boosts sales but makes your booth look full, festive, and irresistible.

Fun Scrabble Tile Christmas Ornaments Variations

• Buffalo-check or plaid ribbon instead of velvet
• Metallic edging (gold, rose gold, champagne)
• Vertical name ornaments
• Short holiday words like JOY, PEACE, MERRY, SNOW, LOVE
• Farmhouse rustic versions, glam versions, or minimal modern versions

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