A personalized Christmas keepsake made with your favorite memories!
This adorable DIY mini Polaroid picture ornament is the perfect way to capture special moments from the year and display them on your Christmas tree. Whether you fill it with family photos, pet snapshots, or fun memories with friends, it’s an easy craft project that adds a personal touch to your holiday decor.
Best of all, this tutorial includes a customizable Canva template to make designing your mini Polaroid photos quick and simple! Link Below.
What You’ll Need
- Mini Polaroid photo template (link to Canva document below)
- Fillable Clear Ornaments
- Printable vinyl sheets
- White craft foam sheets
- Scissors or craft knife
- Ribbon
- Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) for the year (optional)
- Hot glue gun or craft glue
- Iron or heat press (for applying HTV)
I used 3 inch fillable ornaments and filled them with 15 mini polaroid photos. If you wanted to include more, you could use a bigger ornament.
Step 1: Personalize Your Polaroids in Canva
- Open the Canva Polaroid template provided in this tutorial.
- Upload your favorite photos right into the placeholders.
- Print two copies of each photo. Your mini polaroids will be double sided so you can see your photos in the ornament.
- Once you’re happy with your mini Polaroid designs, download the file as a PDF(for print).
Step 2: Print on Vinyl
- Load your printable vinyl into your printer according to the package directions.
- Print your sheet of customized mini Polaroids. Make sure to print as photo or choose best quality in pritner settings.
- Allow the ink to dry fully (usually 10–15 minutes).
Step 3: Cut and stick on Foam
- Carefully cut out each mini Polaroid along the outer edges.
- Trace each cutout onto your white foam sheet and cut to match.
- Peel and stick the vinyl Polaroid to both sides of the foam — this makes the photos sturdy and visible from both sides.
You can use double-sided tape or a dab of glue for extra hold if needed.
Step 4: Add the Bow and Year
- Cut a small piece of heat transfer vinyl (HTV) in your chosen color (gold, red, or metallic silver looks great!).
- Use your cutting machine (like a Cricut or Silhouette) to cut out the year.
- Press the vinyl year onto your ribbon or bow using an iron or heat press, following your HTV’s instructions.
- Once cooled, attach the finished bow to the top of your ornament with a dot of hot glue.
NOTE: IF you don’t have a Cricut machine, you can write the year on your ribbon with a paint pen or fabric pen!
Step 5: Assemble and Hang
- Open up your clear ornament.
- Fill with your mini polaroids.
- Add your bow with the year on top for the perfect finishing touch!
And that’s it — your mini Polaroid picture ornament is ready to hang!
Display or Gift It
These make beautiful keepsakes for your own tree or thoughtful handmade gifts for family and friends. You could even create one every year to build a memory-filled collection! You could also create one for a family vacation or one of memories of each child.
Free Canva Template
Click here to open the Mini Polaroid Ornament Canva Template
(Customize it with your photos before printing!)
Crafting tip: Try making a few different styles — vintage black-and-white photos, pastel tones, or red-and-green holiday filters for a cohesive tree look.
FAQ
Do I have to use vinyl for the mini polaroids, or can I print on regular paper?
You can print on regular cardstock, but the ornament won’t look as polished or last as long. Printable vinyl creates a smooth, photo-like finish and adheres beautifully to foam, which makes the final ornament sturdier and more professional.
Can I use a different material instead of foam to make the mini polaroids?
Yes! Foam works great because it’s lightweight and adds dimension, but you can also use white posterboard or thin chipboard. Just make sure the backing is white so it maintains the classic Polaroid look.
Does the ink smudge on printable vinyl?
Normally, no. Printable vinyl is designed to hold ink well. Follow the printing instructions on the Printable Vinyl package for best results.
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