How to Make Simple Wood Ornaments from Cedar Fence Pickets
- Lauren Twitchell
- Dec 1
- 5 min read
Cedar fence pickets might be one of the most underrated pieces of lumber you can buy. They’re inexpensive, lightweight, smell incredible, resist rot naturally, and are ridiculously easy to work with — even if you’re brand new to woodworking. That’s why they’re one of my go-to materials when I want to create something simple, beautiful, and giftable.
And this time of year, nothing feels more grounding than stepping into the workshop, turning on some soft music, and making a batch of wooden ornaments. They’re small, meaningful, and handmade — the kind of décor that feels warm and lived-in, not mass-produced.
Today, I’m going to show you how to turn a single cedar fence picket into a whole collection of rustic wood ornaments. They’re perfect for your tree, as gift tags, for teacher gifts, or as personalized keepsakes. And because cedar sands easily and cuts smoothly, this project is extremely beginner friendly.
By the time you’re done, you'll have ornaments that smell like a fresh cedar forest and look like something you’d find at a cozy holiday market.
So let’s begin.
Why Cedar Fence Pickets?
There are a lot of great woods for ornament-making, but cedar pickets have a few unique advantages:
🌲 They’re affordable.
Most fence pickets cost $2–$4 each. One board can easily make 20–40 ornaments depending on size.
🌲 They’re lightweight.
Cedar is naturally light, making it perfect for hanging ornaments that won’t drag branches down.
🌲 They smell amazing.
Cedar has that warm, earthy, aromatic scent you expect from high-end keepsakes.
🌲 They’re easy to cut.
Cedar is soft, so even a small jigsaw or bandsaw handles it beautifully.
🌲 They take finish well.
Whether you stain, paint, or leave them raw, cedar holds color beautifully.
This is the perfect project if you’re just getting started with woodworking or you just want to slow down and make something by hand.
Tools & Materials You’ll Need
You don’t need much to make simple ornaments. Here’s what I use:
Tools
Jigsaw or bandsaw (either works great)
Drill (for the hole for the ornament string)
⅛" drill bit
120 and 220 grit sandpaper (sanding block or orbital sander)
Pencil
Optional: Woodburning pen, Cricut vinyl, or small paintbrushes
Materials
1 cedar fence picket
Twine, ribbon, or jute for hanging
Clear matte spray (polycrylic, shellac, or lacquer — your choice)
Optional: Acrylic paint, stain, or gel stain
Step 1: Prepare Your Picket
Most cedar pickets are rough-cut, which means the surface feels… well… like a fence. But don’t worry — we can fix that quickly.
Cut off any cracked or extra rough ends.
Give the surface a quick sand with 120 grit until it feels smooth.
Follow with 220 grit for a softer, more polished feel.
You don’t need to make the board flawless. A little texture adds rustic charm.
Step 2: Choose Your Ornament Shapes
Here are the most popular beginner-friendly shapes:
⭐ Stars
Classic and recognizable. You can trace a cookie cutter or print a stencil.
🎄 Trees
Easy triangle shape with a few angled cuts.
❤️ Hearts
Beautiful for gifting or teacher ornaments.
🔔 Bells
Slightly more advanced, but fun to cut.
⬛ Simple Tags
Rectangles with a hole punched at the top — great for gift tags or personalization.
🐾 Bonus: Custom Silhouettes
Think chickens, dogs, houses, or little Florida shapes — anything representing home.
If you’re new to using a jigsaw, start with tag-style rectangles or simple tree shapes. They’re forgiving and quick to make.
Step 3: Trace Your Designs
Use a pencil to lightly outline your shapes on the cedar picket.
Pro tip:If you’re making several of the same design, create a cardboard or thin plywood template. It saves time and keeps all your ornaments consistent.
Step 4: Cut Out the Shapes
Using a jigsaw or bandsaw, carefully follow your traced outline.
If using a jigsaw:
Clamp the picket to your workbench.
Let the blade do the work — don’t force it.
Use a slow to medium speed for better control.
If using a bandsaw:
Move slowly and keep fingers clear.
Let the table support the wood as you guide the shape.
Cedar cuts beautifully, so don’t worry if you’re not perfect. Slight imperfections add character.
Step 5: Drill the Hanging Hole
Use a ⅛" drill bit to make a hole at the top of each ornament. This is where your string or ribbon will go.
Tip:
Drill before sanding the edges — that way you can smooth out any splinters afterward.
Step 6: Sand the Edges Smooth
This part transforms your ornament from “cut piece of wood” to “handcrafted décor.”
Start with 120 grit to remove roughness.
Finish with 220 grit for a soft, touchable feel.
Lightly round the sharp edges for a finished look.
If you’re making these as gifts, people will notice the smooth edges. It’s worth the extra minute.
Step 7: Add Decoration (Totally Optional)
This is where you can make each ornament match your style.
Option 1: Leave Them Natural
The cedar grain and color are beautiful on their own — minimalist and timeless.
Option 2: Stain or Paint
Try white paint for a farmhouse look, dark walnut stain for warmth, or color accents for fun.
Option 3: Woodburning
Personalize with:
initials
year (“2025”)
simple snowflakes
little hearts
Woodburning looks professional and lasts forever.
Option 4: Cricut Vinyl
Perfect if you want clean text:
family names
“Merry & Bright”
teacher names
quotes
Since cedar is lightweight and textured, permanent vinyl sticks nicely.
Step 8: Finish With a Clear Coat
Sealing helps preserve your ornaments and keeps dust or oils from darkening the cedar.
Use:
Matte polycrylic
Matte lacquer
Water-based clear coat (won’t yellow)
Avoid heavy gloss unless that’s your personal style.
Spray lightly and allow to dry for at least 30 minutes.
Step 9: Add Your Hanger
Cut 8–12 inches of twine, jute, yarn, or ribbon.
Feed it through the hole, tie a simple knot, and you’re done.
Step 10: Display or Gift Your Ornaments
Here are a few heartfelt ways to use them:
Tie them onto wrapped gifts
Use them as teacher presents
Create a full cedar ornament-themed tree
Give them as personalized keepsakes
Add them to a holiday charcuterie board as décor
Tuck them into stockings
These ornaments carry the quiet magic of handmade craftsmanship — the kind that comes from slowing down and putting something of yourself into what you create.
Tips for Making a Whole Batch
If you want to sell these or give them out widely:
Cut all your shapes first.
Sand them all together.
Paint or stain in batches.
Do a full board’s worth at a time.
One cedar picket can easily produce:
20–30 small ornaments
10–15 medium ornaments
6–10 larger ornaments
This makes them ideal for craft fairs, school fundraisers, or holiday-themed gift boxes.
There’s something grounding about taking a simple cedar picket — a board meant for fences — and turning it into something delicate, meaningful, and full of heart.
This project is beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and fits perfectly into an afternoon or slow weekend morning. It’s a chance to step out of the rush, breathe deeply, smell the cedar, and create something worth keeping.
If you make your own cedar ornaments, tag us online — I’d love to see what shapes and styles you create.
Crafted by hand. Rooted in home. Always.— Lauren, Third Shift Crafts
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