Simple Ways to Decorate with Custom Ornaments

Every home decorates a little differently at Christmas, but the things that feel the most special are usually the ones that mean something. Custom ornaments have a way of doing that — they bring a name or a memory into your space. And they don’t have to stay on the tree.

Here are a few simple ways to decorate with custom ornaments that add meaning without adding clutter.  We got most of these ideas from our customers!  Share your ideas with us - we love to hear from you.

1. Use them as place cards

Instead of paper name tags, tie a personalized ornament to each napkin or rest it on the dinner plate. It makes your table setting feel personal and thoughtful — and your guests get to take it home as a keepsake they’ll actually keep.
If you host every year, bring the same ones back out each Christmas. They’ll age beautifully and turn into a small family tradition.

2. Label stockings with them

Use an ornament instead of a store-bought tag to mark each stocking. It looks clean and timeless, and you can keep them year after year. For kids, it’s something fun to grow up with — their name, the same spot by the fireplace, every December.  Here's something one of our customers shared with us!  Such a fun idea.

3. Mark milestones

Add a new ornament each year for something meaningful — a new home, a pet, a marriage, a graduation. You don’t have to overthink it. Just one small reminder from each year makes your tree a timeline of your family’s story, not just a collection of decorations.

4. Use them in garlands or wreaths

Hang a few ornaments along a pine garland, or tuck them into a wreath. Wooden or engraved ones look especially nice mixed with greenery, ribbon, and warm white lights. It’s an easy way to make something store-bought feel more handmade and personal.

5. Add them to gifts

Tie a small ornament onto the ribbon of a wrapped gift instead of a paper tag. It adds a warm, personal touch — and the ornament becomes part of the gift itself.

If you’d like more inspiration on how to make your Christmas decor feel more personal, the team at Decorator’s Warehouse wrote a great article full of thoughtful ideas.

From our family

We started making custom ornaments in our Alaska workshop a few years ago, and one thing we’ve learned is that people don’t just buy them for the look — they buy them for the meaning. Whether it’s a family name, a pet, or a memory, these little pieces carry stories that come out every December.

We love that, and we hope some of these ideas help you make your holiday decor feel a little more yours.