• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
House of Hawthornes
  • DIY
  • Gardening
  • Budget Decor
  • Thrifting
  • Seasonal
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY
  • Gardening
  • Decorating
  • Thrifting
  • Seasonal
  • 🛒 Our Amazon Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » DIY And Crafts

    Chenille Pipe Cleaner Christmas Craft

    Published by Pam Kessler | 430 words. · About 3 minutes to read this article. - 14 Comments

    This easy to make chenille pipe cleaner Christmas craft includes free vintage style printable faces. Use as Christmas tree ornaments or package ties.

    When I was a kid I always got excited to hang this ornament on our Christmas tree. It was my grandmother's I think.

    Vintage chenille Santa tree ornament

    OK, so it's a little worse for wear and Santa may be wielding a club in one of his hands.

    Things were rough at the North Pole back at the turn of the century.

    But flaws and all, he meant CHRISTMAS to me as a child.

    I got to thinking, everyone should have their own club wielding Santa for their tree!

    So this is my version of how to make a pipe cleaner Santa (and snowman and reindeer and dog and cat while we're at it). Oh, and thanks to my lawyer I left the club out of the tutorial. Something about liability.

    (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)

    Vintage inspired chenille pipe cleaner Christmas craft

    Chenille Pipe Cleaner Christmas Craft

    Supplies

    • Chenille pipe cleaners with bumps in them
    • Faces (I have you covered - there's a link down below where you can get the faces for FREE)
    • White school glue or craft adhesive
    • Scissors
    • Clothespins (optional)

    Supplies for pipe cleaner Christmas ornaments

    Instructions

    Step 1

    Print off your faces and cut them out (link is below).

    Vintage inspired heads for chenille ornaments

    Step 2

    Cut chenille pipe cleaners. One piece with 1 bump and one piece with 2 bumps.

    Bumpy chenille pipe cleaners

    Step 3

    Bend larger pipe cleaner in half and insert small pipe cleaner between the "legs".

    How to make pipe cleaner people

    Step 4

    Twist the neck and twist the waist area around the small pipe cleaner (the "arms" don't move, the "neck" and the "waist" are what gets twisted).

    DIY pipe cleaner Christmas ornaments

    Step 5

    Glue head on neck area.

    Gluing head to pipe cleaner ornament

    Yes, that's my FitBit. No, I use it mainly as a watch.

    You can use a clothespin to hold it while the glue sets up.

    Using clothespin to glue head to pipe cleaner Christmas ornament

    Step 6

    You can attach a hanger through the neck hole or use as package ties.

    Attach hanger to pipe cleaner ornament
    And you're done! Hang up your fantastically cute and ridiculously easy Christmas creations.

    How to make vintage inspired pipe cleaner ornaments

    And as promised, here are the free faces.

    Don't you wish we could all just print out a new face. Maybe Photoshop some wrinkles away while we're at it?

    Free Christmas Faces Printable

    Printable heads for chenille pipe cleaner Christmas craft

    Get the Chenille Pipe Cleaner Christmas Faces HERE (without "sample")

     


    This easy to make chenille pipe cleaner Christmas craft includes free vintage style printable faces. Use as Christmas tree ornaments or package ties. #christmascrafts #pipecleanercrafts #ChristmasDecor #ChristmasDecorations #holidaydecor #VintageChristmas

    Check out the web story version of this article HERE.

    Today I'm joining up with:

    The Creative Christmas Link Party is hosted by Janet of Shabbyfufu and the the bloggers of Blogging 50.
    Please visit all of the talented bloggers below!
    An InLinkz Link-up


    « Retro Handmade Christmas Diorama Ornaments
    How To Make Outdoor Christmas Planters »
    7.0K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

      November 20, 2017 at 3:12 pm

      I love these so much, Pam! I have some with pug faces! Pinning!
      Congrats on the porch pots post blow up!!
      Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
    2. Diana

      November 20, 2017 at 8:11 pm

      They are darling, Pam, and oozing with vintage-ness. Love them!

      Reply
    3. Florence @VintageSouthernPicks

      November 20, 2017 at 8:31 pm

      Indeed I do remember those! And got just as excited to have a cute Christmas ornament. What goes around, comes around, as the saying goes. They're very nostalgic.

      Reply
    4. [email protected]

      November 21, 2017 at 1:31 am

      how sweet are these. love them.

      Reply
    5. Meegan Fast

      November 21, 2017 at 8:26 am

      You have once again blown me away with your creativity. Definitely reminds me of my Grandma's Christmas ornaments.
      Thanks for so many great ideas.

      Reply
    6. Vickie Kern

      November 21, 2017 at 8:43 am

      These vintage inspired ornaments are so darn cute, Pam! They'd be cute on Christmas gifts as well. Love your vintage Neanderthal Santa. Thanks so much for sharing and have a Happy Turkey Day!

      Reply
    7. Sue Pagels

      November 22, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      I have made those for Halloween also, black cats and owls and witches! Very easy to do and very cute! I also made some Santas holding feather trees. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Never did get my damn turkeys out of storage 🙁

      Reply
    8. Kerryanne

      November 24, 2017 at 5:14 am

      Oh wow Pam, you've taken me back to my childhood. My mum had a box of these that we loved. Visiting from Blogging Fifty and pinning too!

      Reply
    9. Joanne E Boulter

      November 24, 2017 at 11:55 am

      Hi Pam, I just read your article in Vintage Holiday and thought now there is a kindred spirit! I have peeked through your awesome blog and will be coming back for more! Thank you for blogging and sharing you talents.
      Happy Holidays! Jo

      Reply
    10. RandiG at FrugElegance

      November 28, 2017 at 12:50 am

      Wow, these are AWESOME!! So creative & fun!
      visiting from blogging50 😉

      Reply
    11. Aura Main

      January 04, 2019 at 6:41 pm

      Hello, just writing to find out if it would be possible to print the faces to make ornaments to sell.

      Reply
      • Pam

        January 06, 2019 at 6:17 pm

        No, these are for personal use only.

        Reply
    12. Cee Wood

      September 29, 2020 at 1:59 am

      Hi! It's 2020 and these are still a Great and Original idea I am definitely trying this year and I can't stop laughing about the "club-wielding Santa"! He says Christmas is gonna be great or else! Thanks for this post!

      Reply
    13. Robin Downing

      July 21, 2022 at 10:57 pm

      Thank you. I am 68 and grew up with one of these on our tree every year, until it went missing. I never got to look at it close enough to figure out how it was made. Mother said she got the pattern from a magazine some time in the late 30’s or early 40’s.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Learn how to create a budget friendly home you'll love using repurposed thrift store finds, easy DIY & craft projects and seasonal gardening tips.

    Trending Content:

    • DIY Industrial Pipe Shelves
    • How To Grow Peonies - A Complete Guide
    • How To Paint A Front Door Without Removing It
    • Homemade Squirrel Repellent Recipe
    • DIY Earring Holder
    • How to Make A Penny Bowling Ball
    • Top 10 Thrift Store Shopping Tips
    • Blueberry Crostata Recipe
    • How To Make Winter Porch Pots
    • How To Grow Hydrangea In Pots

    About Me

    Pam Kessler | Author of House Of Hawthornes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Web Stories
    • Blog

    Let's Connect

    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook

    Shop

    • Amazon Favorites
    • Shop The Look

    Please use appropriate safety precautions when attempting projects. All projects are attempted at the reader's own risk.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 House Of Hawthornes, LLC

    🍪 We use cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    I Accept Read Privacy Notice
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non Necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.