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Learn how to make a homemade Mason Jar Ring Map Ornament as a gift for travel lovers. This unique Christmas ornament craft is even easy enough for kids to make!
Every year when I hang ornaments on our Christmas tree, I get to experience all the memories of where they came from. It’s one of my favorite things about Christmas time.
My entire family loves to travel all over the place. For the most part, we go on road trips rather than flying. We have come to love lots of different places and attractions, and I know we will continue to discover many more in the years to come.
I thought making some mason jar ring map ornaments would be the perfect way to highlight some of our favorite cities around the world. Besides the map, all you need are a few simple supplies like mason jar rings, twine and glue.
If you make a Mason Jar Ring Map Ornament commemorating your favorite place, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share it on social media and tag me… and be sure to leave a rating too!
Supplies and Tools
- Mason jar rings
- Maps of your choice
- Twine or ribbon
- Pink puffy paint
- Sharpie
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
By the Numbers: How to Make Map Ornaments
Follow these simple step by step instructions to learn how to make an easy DIY map ornament. It will be a great addition to your Christmas decorations.
Step 1: Trace Circle on Map
The first thing you want to do is to lay the mason jar ring on top of the map over the section you want to feature. Then trace the outside of your lid onto your map around that part of the map.
Step 2: Cut Out Circle
Take your scissors and carefully cut out the circle you traced.
Step 3: Make Ornament Hanger
Take a piece of ribbon or twine and loop it through the lid ring and tie the ends into a knot to create your ornament hanger.
Step 4: Glue Map Into Ring
Next, use a little bit of hot glue to secure the map circle into the back of your ring (you may need to trim a little extra off around the edge of the circle).
Step 5: Paint Small Heart on Map
Turn your round ornament over to the front and use your puffy paint to draw a small heart over the dot of your favorite city.
Step 5: Dry Than Hang on Tree
Allow your mason jar ring map ornament to dry overnight. Once it’s dry, you can hang it on your Christmas tree and reminisce about your favorite place in the world.
Tips for Making DIY Map Ornaments
Answers to all of your questions about making mason jar ring map ornaments, including tips and variation ideas.
Where to find maps to use
You can use old maps you find in storage, at a thrift store or at a garage or yard sale. You can often get city maps from visitors’ bureaus.
If you can’t find the perfect one for your map project, you can always search online for state or country maps to print out the one that will be perfect for your recipient. Or you can buy an Atlas and you’ll have lots of options for places around the world.
Who to make this ornament for
These Mason Jar Ring Map ornaments would make a great gift for lots of different people:
- Friends or family who love to travel
- Friends or family who have moved from another city, state or country
- Friends or family who dream of visiting a particular city, state or country
- Anyone with a rich cultural heritage they haven’t been able to explore in person
- To bundle with a trip you’re gifting to a loved one
- And, of course, you make a great gift recipient too
Buy instead of DIY
If you don’t want to make this DIY Christmas ornament, you can buy similar ones on Etsy featuring major cities like San Francisco and New York. Some sellers even offer a custom USA map Christmas ornament.
More Homemade Christmas Ornaments
If you want to add more DIY ornaments to your tree, here are some other popular tutorials you may like:
- Santa Cam Ornament
- Galaxy Melted Crayon Ornament
- Snowflake Wine Cork Ornament
- Swirled Paint Globe Ornament
DIY Map Ornament
Supplies
- Mason jar rings - wide mouth for large ornaments and small mouth for small ornaments
- Map of your choice - vintage or new
- Twine or ribbon
- Pink puffy paint
- Sharpie
Tools
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
Instructions
- Trace the outside of your lid onto your map around your city of choice.
- Cut the circle out carefully with scissors.
- Loop a piece of ribbon or twine through the lid ring and tie the ends into a knot.
- Glue the map piece carefully into the back of your lid ring (trim any extra paper from around the edge of the circle, if necessary).
- Flip your ornament over and use the puffy paint to create a small heart over the dot of the city names you love.
- Allow your homemade ornament to dry overnight. Hang your completed ornament on your Christmas tree.
