Christmas Tree Craft: Plan Bell-Trimmed Christmas Ornaments

Fifty gold-color jingle bells with hanging loops are arranged in five rows of ten on a white background

Yes, these gold-colored iron bells can add a finishing detail to your christmas tree craft if your ornament has room for the bell and a suitable way to fasten it. Start with a paper outline of your design and mark where the accent could sit without hiding your handiwork.

Houseland offers a 0.24 in (6 mm) size in a 300-bell pack, giving you a specific dimension and quantity to plan around. Decide how many accents each ornament needs before choosing your pack, and finish a single ornament before preparing the rest.

What makes bells a good accent for a christmas tree craft?

A bell works best as an intentional accent when its placement follows the ornament’s shape and leaves the handmade details visible. On a star, try 1 bell beneath the lowest point rather than across the center; on a wreath, consider 2 bells near the bottom opening. These 2 arrangements are starting points, not fixed rules. Keep stitching, painted patterns, or folded edges exposed so the christmas decoration still looks like something you made, rather than a backing for metal trim. Picture it on the christmas tree, too: the bell should give the eye a small stopping place without disguising the outline.

Three gold-color jingle bells hang from an evergreen sprig suspended by red ribbon above a craft table against a blurred

These gold-colored iron bells offer a metallic accent for a handmade holiday ornament when their finish suits your planned design. Houseland’s jingle bells come in size options spanning approximately 0.24 in (6 mm) to 0.55 in (14 mm), with pack quantities ranging from 50 to 300 pieces. That gives you 2 planning variables, size and quantity, to consider while planning your christmas decor. For a paper, fabric, or wood ornament, decide whether a gold-colored detail belongs beside the colors and textures you have chosen. The metallic finish can be part of the design without becoming its main feature; the handmade base can remain the focus.

What does the ornament base need before you add bells?

Check the base’s stiffness, thickness, attachment space, and balance before deciding how much bell trim it can support.

  • Hold it upright by its hanging loop: does the base stay flat, or does its lower edge fold?
  • Inspect the thickness where trim will attach; a thin edge may need a reinforced patch rather than another hole.
  • Mark 2 possible attachment spots, leaving room around seams, cutouts, and fragile corners.
  • Start with 1 bell temporarily tied in place and check whether the base tilts.

For handmade christmas tree ornaments, reduce the trim if your christmas decoration bends or hangs unevenly.

Felt, fabric, crochet, paper, wood, and salt dough need different attachment plans because stitches, holes, and adhesive affect each base differently.

Base Attachment plan
Felt or fabric Stitch through a reinforced area or seam, not just 1 loose surface layer.
Crochet Anchor thread around 2 neighboring stitches rather than pulling on 1 open loop.
Paper Reinforce the attachment area on 2 sides before piercing; wet adhesive can cause buckling.
Wood Use a smooth, predrilled hole clear of thin edges.
Salt dough Plan attachment holes before drying salt dough ornaments; forcing holes into hardened christmas ornaments can cause cracking.

A gold-color jingle bell has red ribbon threaded through its hanging loop beside a cream felt star on pale wood

How should you choose a bell size for the ornament?

Choose a bell size by comparing its outline with the ornament’s main shape, available trim area, and intended viewing distance.

  1. Trace your ornament at full size, then draw 2 different bell outlines beside it. Compare how much of the silhouette each would occupy.
  2. Position 1 outline within the planned trim area, keeping the central motif readable. Repeat with the second outline to compare proportions.
  3. View the sketch from 3 ft (91 cm), then 6 ft (1.8 m), to judge your christmas tree ornaments among other christmas tree decorations. Use Christmas Craft Ideas: What Size Bells for Christmas Ornamen to continue planning.

The 0.24 in (6 mm / 0.6 cm) option gives you a concrete starting size to draw against your ornament sketch before selecting a pack. For your christmas tree ornament craft, compare that outline with the larger options rather than choosing by pack count alone. Houseland offers 0.24 in (6 mm) bells in 300 Count for $29.99; 0.31 in (8 mm) in 200 Count for $29.99; 0.39 in (10 mm) in 100 Count for $34.99; 0.47 in (12 mm) in 70 Count for $29.99; and 0.55 in (14 mm) in 50 Count for $29.99. Match the outline to your christmas ornaments before deciding how many you need.

Gold-color jingle bells hang from green cords on an evergreen garland with pinecones across a white wooden mantel beside

How do you attach bells without overwhelming the base?

Inspect the bell’s opening and the base’s attachment spot, then choose thread, cord, or a connector that passes through both without forcing either.

  1. Check 1 bell for edges that could catch or abrade the chosen tie. Thread it by hand rather than pushing a thick cord through a narrow opening.
  2. For your christmas tree ornament craft, position the fastening behind the trim so loose ends do not cross the front.
  3. Secure 1 bell first, then tuck away the ends. If adding 2 jingle bells, attach them separately so their positions do not depend on a single sliding loop.

Use a planned attachment point on rigid or delicate bases where practical, and follow the adhesive’s material, curing, and load instructions rather than relying on glue alone.

  • For salt dough ornaments, plan 1 attachment hole before drying; avoid forcing a new opening through a brittle finished piece.
  • For layered christmas ornaments, keep the fastening clear of thin edges and decorative surfaces. Consider 2 attachment points for a trim that might twist.
  • Check adhesive compatibility with both surfaces, and leave the joint undisturbed for its stated full cure.
  • Use DIY Christmas Crafts: Add Bells to Christmas Tree Decoration to plan the fastening sequence.

Quick summary

  • For christmas tree ornaments, assess the base’s stiffness, thickness, fastening space, and balance before choosing how much bell trim to add.
  • Sketch the 0.24 in (6 mm) bell against your ornament’s outline to judge its scale before selecting a pack.
  • Choose one bell for a simple accent, a cluster for concentrated detail, or an edged trim only where the base has room for movement.
  • Compare your ornament count and bells per ornament with the 300-piece, 0.24 in (6 mm) pack priced at $29.99.
  • Hang 1 completed ornament in its intended orientation and correct sagging, loose connections, or crowded trim before repeating the design.

Quick answers

Will a bell hide the handmade details?

A bell’s placement should follow the ornament’s shape and leave handmade details visible. Fuller trim needs enough space to move without covering decoration or distorting the base.

What should I check before choosing thread or cord?

Inspect the bell opening and the base’s attachment spot. Choose thread, cord, or a connector that passes through both without forcing either.

How do I choose between one bell and a cluster?

Use one bell for a simple accent or a small cluster for concentrated detail. An edged trim requires more attachment work and room around the ornament.

What should I record before making more ornaments?

Record the materials required for 1 finished ornament after checking its hanging balance, connections, and trim clearance, and correcting any sagging or loose attachments.

Gold-color jingle bells lie beside two cream felt stars on pale wood, with one bell attached to a red ribbon bow.

From the shop

Christmas Jingle Bells, Gold-Color Iron Bells for Crafts, 6–14 mm Size Options with 50–300 Pieces per Pack

These gold-colored iron jingle bells come in 5 nominal sizes from 0.24 in (6 mm) to 0.55 in (14 mm), with size-dependent packs of 50–300 bells for craft planning.

View the gold jingle bells for crafts — 5 sizes & current price

What tradeoffs come with one bell versus a fuller trim?

One bell keeps the accent simple, a small cluster adds concentrated detail, and a trimmed edge requires more attachment work while distributing added load around the perimeter. Compare these layouts for jingle bells before committing to matching christmas tree decorations.

Layout Visual tradeoff Work and load
1 bell A single focal detail with more open space. Fewer fastenings and less added weight than several identical bells.
3 bells clustered A denser accent in one area. More fastenings, with weight concentrated locally.
6 bells along an edge A repeated border rather than one focal accent. More placement decisions and greater total weight.

A fuller trim needs room to move without covering decorative details, snagging neighboring ornaments, or distorting the base. Hang 1 finished sample on your christmas tree before repeating the design. Leave its neighboring branches decorated so you can judge the actual gaps between christmas ornaments. View the sample from 2 directions, then gently turn it to see whether the outer bells catch adjacent ribbons or hooks. Look for puckered fabric, a bowed edge, or a downward tilt. If the border crowds a stitched motif or painted feature, remove bells from that area rather than squeezing the spacing tighter elsewhere.

Would these gold-colored iron bells fit your ornament plan?

These gold-colored iron jingle bells are a candidate for your ornament plan if you want that material and finish, provided the chosen size and attachment opening suit your design. For Houseland’s range, options include 0.31 in (8 mm) and 0.55 in (14 mm), giving you different scales to consider. Choose the metallic finish because it belongs in your planned christmas decor, not because every handmade ornament needs sparkle. Gold-colored describes the appearance, not gold content. Before ordering, confirm that the selected option works with your intended fastening; dimensions alone do not establish whether your thread or connector will pass through.

The 0.24 in (6 mm) option contains 300 bells at $29.99, so compare that quantity with your planned ornament count and bells per ornament before ordering. For 40 christmas ornaments using 3 bells each, you would allocate 120 bells, leaving 180 for replacements or another project. That makes the pack more than this batch requires; it does not mean you should add extra trim to use it up. For a broader project tally, use Christmas Crafts for Adults: Plan Jingle Bells Packs by Proj to extend your christmas tree ornament craft plan across other makes before choosing a pack.

Product details for this use case: HOUSELAND Gold Jingle Bells for Crafts

  • Best for: DIY crafts and Christmas decorations
  • Material: Iron with a gold-colored finish
  • Size: 5 nominal sizes: 0.24 in (6 mm), 0.31 in (8 mm), 0.39 in (10 mm), 0.47 in (12 mm), 0.55 in (14 mm)
  • Important features: Loose decorative jingle bells with sound; 50–300 pieces per pack
  • Trade-off: Pack quantity depends on bell size, so size and piece count cannot be selected independently.
  • Price by option:
    • 0.24 in (6 mm / 0.6 cm), 300 Count: $29.99 $38.49 (22% off), in stock
    • 0.31 in (8 mm / 0.8 cm), 200 Count: $29.99 $38.49 (22% off), in stock
    • 0.39 in (10 mm / 1 cm), 100 Count: $34.99 $44.91 (22% off), in stock
    • 0.47 in (12 mm / 1.2 cm), 70 Count: $29.99 $38.49 (22% off), in stock
    • 0.55 in (14 mm / 1.4 cm), 50 Count: $29.99 $38.49 (22% off), in stock
  • Shipping: orders are processed within 1 to 3 business days; Express Shipping to the United States arrives within 5 to 8 business days, and tracking is emailed when the order ships. Shipping policy
  • Returns: accepted within 30 days of delivery. Return policy
  • Product page: Christmas Jingle Bells, Gold-Color Iron Bells for Crafts, 6–14 mm Size Options with 50–300 Pieces per Pack

How do you check the finished ornament before making more?

Complete 1 ornament and hang it in its intended orientation to check balance, secure connections, and clearance around the bell trim.

  1. Use the planned hanging loop on a representative christmas tree branch, then step back 3 ft (0.9 m) to judge whether the ornament hangs as intended.
  2. Support the ornament while gently checking each connection for slipping, opening, or pulling at the base. Watch whether the trim shifts when you release your support.
  3. Place 2 neighboring christmas tree decorations nearby. Check that the bells hang freely rather than catching on branches or touching adjacent pieces, then inspect the back for hidden interference.

A gold-color jingle bell rests on pale wood, showing its hanging loop and curved slit against blurred matching bells

Repeat the design only after correcting sagging, loose connections, or crowded trim and recording the materials required for 1 finished ornament.

  • If the base sags, remove some trim or revise its placement, then hang the adjusted sample again before preparing more bases.
  • Rework loose connections and separate crowded jingle bells so the finished arrangement stays where you intended.
  • Record the base quantity, bell count, connector count, and actual thread or cord length used, including fastening allowances.
  • Multiply that record by your batch size: 12 christmas ornaments with 2 bells each require 24 bells. Keep the corrected sample beside your work as a reference.

Questions people ask about this

Should I attach the bells before or after decorating the ornament base?

Plan the attachment before decorating, but add the bells after any decoration that would block access or need drying. Leave the fastening area accessible, and let paint or adhesive cure according to its instructions before handling.

Can I make the bell trim removable for storage?

You can plan removable trim if the base and bell opening accommodate a connector you can securely close and reopen. Check the connection on a finished ornament, and store detached bells separately from the ornament and hanger.

How can I keep metal connectors from showing on the front?

Position the connection behind the base or beneath an existing decorative layer where the design allows. Check both sides before closing it, and avoid pulling the connector so tightly that it dents, tears, or puckers the ornament.

Should a bell hang inside or outside a crochet ornament?

Choose the position that leaves the crochet shape intact and gives the bell enough clearance. An inside placement needs space around the bell; an outside placement needs a secure attachment that does not stretch the stitches.

How do I package a bell-trimmed ornament as a Christmas gift?

Use a box with enough room to cushion the ornament without pressing the bell into its base. Separate the hanger from moving trim with tissue, and include a note identifying any removable pieces so the recipient can unpack them carefully.

Where should I display ornaments with small detachable bells if children or pets visit?

Display them where children and pets cannot reach them, preferably in a closed display rather than on an accessible branch. If you cannot reliably prevent access, leave ornaments with small detachable bells off the display.

How can I store bell-trimmed ornaments without tangling the hangers?

Store each ornament in a separate compartment with its hanger loosely wrapped and kept apart from the bell trim. Avoid packing ornaments under pressure, and remove detachable trim only if you designed the connection to reopen.