Update Old Christmas Ornaments With This Incredibly Easy Hack

Don’t replace those tired string ornaments. A little paint, a few minutes and an ombre swipe will make them look brand new..

We all have them: a box of old Christmas ornaments that are perfectly fine, serviceable, just quietly begging to be updated.

But is that what we dream of for our holidays — fine and serviceable? Definitely not my dream. And since you’re here with me, I’m guessing it’s not yours either.

So if you’re with me on that, are you also with me on not spending a load of money when it’s not necessary?

Great minds think alike.

Enter chalk paint, a paintbrush, and about ten minutes of dragging color down a ball ornament. That’s genuinely the whole trick.

Cue the harps and angels singing — game on, this is going to be fun.

I know you’ve seen these ornaments over and over — at thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, maybe even in your lovely mother-in-law’s closet (thank you, Mago).

They’re fine. Very yawn-worthy, very uninspiring, but in great shape.

So let’s do a little altering to their super-fancy, but dated, prom-dress attire.

They deserve to party this season looking trendy and pulled together.

HINT: I have a collection of vintage glass ornaments I’d never alter. These aren’t those. These were mass-produced, everywhere — the kind you can paint with zero guilt.

But first, you might be thinking:

What Can I Do With Vintage Christmas Ornaments?

There are so many fun options. Use them as you would modern ornaments, of course picking the option based on whether they are breakable or not:

• to embellish a table scape centerpiece
• to deck out a wreath
• massed in glass apothecary jars
• in a bowl with some greenery on the coffee table
• scattered along greenery on a mantel
• at each placesetting for a festive holiday meal
• tucked into a hutch or built-ins
• tied onto canisters on kitchen counter
• replacing candles on top of candlesticks
• hang from lengths of ribbons in a window or from a chandelier

Can You Paint Over Ornaments?

Oh, you bet you can! But just like all painting, you need to be careful that the paint you use works with the surface you’re painting.

Outdated Christmas ornaments can often be saved just by changing their color. And the spray paints available will cover almost any surface. And oh the colors and textures available now are amazing!

Alcohol ink does not work well on old ornaments that already have color on the outside of the glass, like most do. If that’s more your speed, I’ve got a full alcohol ink Christmas ornament tutorial — stunning results, but they need different treatment than what we’re doing here.

Update Update Old String Christmas Ornaments With Chalk Paint

Yield: 1 +

Active Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Difficulty: Total Novice Crafter

Estimated Cost: $2 - $5

Give those dated old string ornaments the easiest paint update -- without even getting your fingers messy!

Print

Materials

• Old string-style Christmas ornaments
• Chalk paint (any color)

Tools

• Flat craft paintbrush
• Protective surface cover
• Dowel or rod or small cups for drying
• Small mixing container

Instructions

1. Paint it — pick your ombre style (top-down, bottom-up, or middle band) and drag the color on with one-way brush strokes
2. Let it dry — hang on a dowel or rod
3. Enjoy — hang, style, or gift

Notes

Keep scrolling for all the details and tips!

If You Prefer Video Tutorial, This is For You!

CLICK Anywhere on the picture to start the video — less than 3 minutes!

Let’s Get Started On Our Old Christmas Ornament Makeover

Step 1) Paint the Ornaments-

It feels silly calling this “Step 1” when it’s honestly the only real step.

I used Chalk Paint because:

• it’s insanely easy to work with
• bonds beautifully with just about any surface
• of it’s modern matte finish to contrast with the super metallic shine
• I had some on hand

Actually, the can I had on hand was pure white, so I toned it down with a small squirt of basic taupe craft paint.

PRO TIP: Yes, you can alter (not completely change) the color of chalk paint with basic craft paints. Skip the specialty paints — glossy, iridescent, or glitter types don’t mix well with chalk paint.

Think about mixing complementary colors across a set, or different shades of the same color to really play up the ombre effect.

Option 1: Top-Down Ombre–

Start at the top with a light touch, swiping your brush downward and lifting off the ball where you want the blend to end. Always use one-way strokes — down and off, down and off, never back and forth. That’s what gives you the soft blending.

You may need a second pass at the top for full coverage. Chalk paint soaks in and dries fast, so if a spot needs more color, just go back over it right away — no need to wait.

HINT: Don’t overthink this. The goal is an ombre effect where matte paint and glittery string mesh together organically — it almost looks like icicles forming down the ball.

Option 2: Bottom-Up Ombre–

Same technique, opposite direction. I like the visual variety this adds when you’re doing a whole set.

Option 3: Middle Ombre (Belly Band)–

Paint a short horizontal line with a fully loaded brush, then — without reloading — wipe from the line downward, and separately from the line upward. Two distinct strokes, never up-and-down in one motion.

This is the one I fell hardest for.

Step 2) Let Them Dry-

Hang them on a dowel suspended across a box opening or bucket rim while they set.

Step 3) Enjoy-

I didn’t lie in the title — this really is an incredibly easy hack.

If you’re on the fence about painting anything, this is the low-stakes project to build your confidence on.

The Final Results

What a difference, right? I just love the matte with the glittery.

Notice the ornament on the left has more variation in the blend, the middle one has a cleaner line, and the one on the right has just a thin belly band — next time I’d go even thinner. There’s no right or wrong here. It’s whatever pleases your eye.

The Final Results!

What a difference, right?

I just love the matte with the metallic.

Notice how the ornament on the left in both “After” pics has more variation in the blending, vs. the one in the middle has a more solid line. The one on the right in both pictures has just a belly band of white, but it’s kind of hard to tell. Next time, I’m going with a bit thinner band.

There are no right or wrong here. It’s whatever is pleasing to your eye.

I so very much appreciate you being here and sticking through to the very end!

I hope this inspires you. Keep an eye out for these old string wrapped ornaments!