How to Make Christmas Bell Decorations

Looking for a simple and fun DIY Christmas decoration that’s sure to add some festive flair to your home this holiday season?

Then Look no further than these DIY Christmas bell decorations!

Made from recycled materials, chalk paint and Rub n’ Buff, these DIY bells are easy to make and are perfect to hang on the fireplace mantel with your garland, railings, wreaths, and more.

Lately I’ve not been sleeping very well and I woke up in the wee hours of the morning with this idea to use toilet paper rolls and an Easter egg to make vintage inspired cowbells.

I wasn’t sure if this crazy idea would work, but I’ll tell you I couldn’t be more pleased!

In fact, once I made my first three and hung them on my mantle, I couldn’t wait to make more and add them throughout my home.

So let’s get started on your DIY Christmas bell decorations today!

In this post . . .

Reduce Christmas Stress

Do you always feel that you’re running around with your head cut off during the holiday season?

There’s always so much to do!

Not only are there gifts to buy, parties to plan, and Christmas baking on your to do list, but you also want to enjoy the season.

After all it is the most wonderful time of the year.

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Just click on the button below to download your planner today!

Cover image for Christmas planner, two decorated Christmas trees with traditional red and white colors.

FREE Christmas Planner

Gather Your Materials for DIY Christmas Bells

Toilet paper roll and light blue plastic Easter egg held in woman's hand.

To make DIY Christmas bell decorations you’ll need:

You may find that you have most of these supplies already on hand.

In fact, the only item I needed to purchase was rope.

You’ve gotta love a project like that!

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Assemble DIY Christmas Bell

Woman's hand holding scissors cutting off a piece of the toilet paper roll.

First you’ll need to trim down your toilet paper roll.

Cut a piece that is 1 3/4″ long and one 1/4″ strip from the toilet paper roll.

Then cut the 1/4″ strip in half.

This will form the loop at the top of the bell.

You should be able to make 2 Christmas bells from one toilet paper roll.

Trimmed toilet paper roll adhered to the bottom section of a plastic Easter egg.

Next place a little hot glue on the inside rim of the toilet paper roll and insert the lower portion of the plastic Easter egg.

Woman holding bell applying hot glue to the lower edge.

Then run a bead of hot glue around the seam and along the lower edge of your DIY Christmas bell.

This will add a little dimension to your Christmas bell and make it feel like an old cowbell.

Paint Christmas Bell

Woman's hand holding a paint brush, paints black chalk paint onto the toilet paper roll.

Before you begin to paint your Christmas bell, you’ll want to scuff up the plastic Easter egg with some sandpaper.

I felt like the slick egg needed something to grip to.

Now apply the black chalk paint with an old paint brush in a pouncing motion.

You’ll want to add a bit of texture to the plastic egg as well as the cardboard roll.

Black painted toilet paper roll, egg and slim craft stick.

Also paint the 1/4″ strip and the slim craft stick black.

Apply Rub ‘n Buff

If you’ve been following us for any length of time you know that we love to use Rub ‘n Buff.

We used it on our fall pumpkins, picture frames in the laundry room and even Steph’s hardware on her kitchen island makeover.

However, this is the first time I’ve used it on a toilet paper roll.

Rub ‘n Buff is a versatile and easy-to-use metallic finish wax that can be used on a variety of surfaces to give them a beautiful shine.

It can make almost any surface have a realistic metallic finish.

The beauty of Rub ‘n Buff is that it’s quick and easy to apply and it doesn’t require any special skills to use.

You simply rub it on and then buff to get that amazing shine.

When I’m doing a project like this I keep the hair dryer close by so I can dry the paint a little quicker.

Woman's hand holding a paint brush applying antique gold Rub n' Buff to the black painted bell.

Once the paint is dry, apply the Rub ‘n Buff with an old paint brush in a circular motion.

This will bring out the texture that was created with the stippling of the paint.

Woman holding a paint brush applies antique Rub n' Buff to a black painted strip of cardboard.

Apply the Rub ‘n Buff to both sides of the 1/4″ strip as well.

Then buff the surface with a soft cloth or napkin.

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Attach the Christmas Bell Clapper

Woman holds black painted slim stick with glue dot on end to place inside the DIY Christmas bell for the clapper.

To make this Christmas bell as realistic as possible, it needs a clapper.

Place the slim craft stick inside the bell and mark the length to cut it to.

I cut mine to be about 1/4″ longer than the bell.

These slim craft sticks are easy to cut with scissors.

Then adhere the slim craft stick to the inside of the Christmas bell.

I tried 2 methods and both worked well for me.

You can place 2-3 thick glue dots on the end of the slim stick and then press it into the bell.

Or, you can squeeze a puddle of hot glue into the top of the bell.

Let it cool slightly, then insert the craft stick.

I found on a few I needed to add a little extra hot glue around the stick.

We also had one of our readers make these Christmas bells and suggested this method for attaching the clapper.

First attached a small pom pom to the end of the clapper.

Then add more hot glue to the pom pom and insert into the bell.

By using this method you don’t need to hold the clapper to allow the glue to cool.

I think this is a brilliant idea!

Woman's hand holding the antique gold bell.

Finally take the 1/4″ piece and form a loop.

Secure with hot glue and then attach to the top of the Christmas bell.

Woman hold finished antique gold DIY Christmas bell.

And finally to finish off your Christmas bell, add rope or twine through your loop.

Woman holding a cluster of DIY Christmas bell decoration.

My first cluster of Christmas bells I hung on my mantle.

A cluster of DIY Christmas Bells is hung with a greenery garland from the fireplace mantle.

And I loved them so much I decided to make more.

DIY Christmas bells hung on a black framed floor mirror with a flocked garland. In the reflection of the mirror your can see a lit Christmas tree and black armoire.

I placed them on my large mirror in my bedroom.

Finished DIY Christmas bell hanging across a vintage mirror with flocked garland.

And then I strung 5 Christmas bells across the mirror in the bathroom.

I love how realistic they look.

The stippling gave them that hammered metal look and the black paint added depth and dimension to them.

And finally I hung a cluster from the entryway mirror.

For more DIY Christmas decor ideas take a look at these ideas.

If you’re look for more festive ideas, then take a look at the best outdoor Christmas decorating ideas made easy.

Shop This Project

Whether you’re looking for a simple and affordable DIY Christmas craft or a unique way to infuse some holiday cheer into your home decor, DIY Christmas bell decorations are the perfect solution.

With just a few easy steps, you can easily transform toilet paper rolls and plastic Easter eggs into beautiful DIY Christmas bells.

They are sure to look stunning on your fireplace mantel, railing or mirrors too.

So what are you waiting for?

Get started on your DIY Christmas bell decorations today!

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Wishing you and your family a cheery Christmas Season!

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Pinterest image DIY Christmas bells strung along mirror with flocked garland.

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This Post Has 8 Comments

Shirley July 25, 2024 Reply

The bells are beautiful! I will have to give them a try. I’m thinking this could also be done with tomato paste cans. I will check to see if the eggs will fit. I think I’d like cans so that I can use another metal strip to make them sort of ding/chime. My grandchildren would really like the noise they make…lol.
The TP rolls are a fantastic idea for letting the little ones craft right along with me. I’ve always loved these bells but they are a bit pricy for the larger ones. I keep all forms of cardboard rolls that I get and could probably use the bigger eggs with them to make larger ones. Thank you so very much for showing this as it really set my wheels in motion! Have a great day and Happy Crafting!
1. Michelle Dickson July 25, 2024 Reply
  
  Thank for your comment Shirley. The tomato paste can is a great idea! Please let us know how it turned out and send us a picture. We’d love to see it.
Renae July 26, 2023 Reply

These are awesome. The bells are beautiful.
1. Michelle Dickson July 26, 2023 Reply
  
  Thank you Renae. You are always so sweet! Have a wonderful day.
Barbara Henning July 8, 2023 Reply

Love these and mine came out perfect! Instead of trying to get a big glob of glue onto the end of the stick or inside the bell, I first glue them to a small pom-pom and then added more glue to the pom-pom and held it in place inside the bell, worked like a charm!
1. Michelle Dickson July 10, 2023 Reply
  
  That’s wonderful Barbara! I love your idea for attaching the stick to the bell. If you don’t mind, I’ll share your idea and update the post.
Renae December 14, 2022 Reply

These look amazing! I can’t believe that you made them with a toilet paper
Roll and an Easter egg. You are brilliant! Merry Christmas!
1. Michelle Dickson December 14, 2022 Reply
  
  Thank you Renae, you are always to kind. You know when you get a crazy idea in your head that you can’t shake, you just need to go with it. I’m so pleased with the way they turned out. Merry Christmas!