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Stop worrying about finding creative ideas for your Elf on the Shelf every day. My DIY Santa Cam Ornament is the perfect solution… it’s easy for parents and fun for kids.
If you’re tired of trying to come up with new capers for your Elf on the Shelf to get into, I have a fun alternative you’ll love. It’s the Santa Cam Ornament.
While it’s not a real camera, you can hang this cute Christmas ornament on your tree and tell the kids that it sends live video to Santa’s workshop in the North Pole. Christmas Elves monitor the video so Santa can keep his naughty and nice list up to date all the time.
It’s a super affordable alternative to Elf on the Shelf too. I made this fun DIY Santa Cam with a simple clear ornament, a washer that I scavenged from around the house and some paint pens I already had.
If you think a Santa Camera looks like the perfect way to keep your kiddos on their best behavior this Christmas season, then be sure to keep scrolling to learn how to make a Santa Cam below!
- Step 1: Squeeze Black Paint into Ornament
- Step 2: Shake Paint and Dry
- Step 3: Make Camera Lens
- Step 4: Paint a Red Dot
- Step 5: Paint Santa’s Camera
- Step 6: Hang on Christmas Tree
- Use a Cricut machine
- Make a Grinch Cam
- Make a more realistic camera lens
- More DIY ornaments for your Christmas tree
- Buy instead of DIY
Supplies
- Clear disc ornaments
- ½” to 1” washers
- Ribbon or ornament hooks
Tools
- Red paint pen
- White paint pen
- Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
- Black craft paint
- Disposable cups
By the Numbers: How to Make Santa Camera Ornaments
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make your own Santa Cam Ornament so your kids will know Santa’s watching!
Step 1: Squeeze Black Paint into Ornament
The first step is to remove the hanger/cap portion of your ornament, set it aside and squeeze about 1 tablespoon of black paint inside of your ornament.
Step 2: Shake Paint and Dry
Cover the end of your clear ornaments with tape and then your finger. Shake vigorously and roll to coat the inside completely with paint. Add more paint if needed.
Once it’s evenly coated, push the ornament into a plastic cup with the opening side down and allow excess paint to drip out for several hours. Touch up any bare spots with black paint.
Step 3: Make Camera Lens
Next, you want to use your hot glue gun to attach the washer to the center of the front of the ornament so it looks like the Santa Cam lens.
Step 4: Paint a Red Dot
Add a red dot with a paint pen that will be the camera button, or you can also use a sticker or other item that resembles a button as well.
Step 5: Paint Santa’s Camera
Use a white paint pen to write “Santa’s Camera” in a pretty scrolly writing, then allow the ornament to dry completely.
Step 6: Hang on Christmas Tree
Replace the ornament cap on the top of the ornament and attach a ribbon, string or hook for hanging. This DIY Santa Cam Ornaments makes the perfect addition to your tree.
Tips for Making Your Santa Cam Ornament
Answers to all of your questions about making easy Santa Cam Ornaments, including tips and variations.
Use a Cricut machine
A lot of people are using Cricut cutting machines to make the words out of vinyl for this ornament rather than painting it on. If you don’t have good handwriting and you have a Cricut machine, there are tons of Santa Cam SVG files you can use.
Make a Grinch Cam
Another cute variation on this Christmas craft is to make a Grinch Cam. Instead of black paint, use sparkly green paint. And instead of the words “Santa’s Camera”, paint the words “Grinch Camera” onto your ornament.
Make a more realistic camera lens
If you want your camera to look more realistic, you can use a mini camera lens instead of a washer.
More DIY ornaments for your Christmas tree
If you enjoyed making these adorable Santa cam ornaments, here are some more homemade Christmas ornaments to make!
- DIY Galaxy Melted Crayon Ornaments
- DIY Map Ornaments
- DIY Wine Cork Snowflake Ornaments
- DIY Swirly Paint Globe Ornaments
Buy instead of DIY
If you’re more of the type to purchase your Christmas ornaments, you can also purchase a Santa Cam Ornament on Etsy or Amazon.
DIY Santa Cam Ornament
Supplies
- Clear disc ornaments
- ½” to 1” washers
- Ribbon or ornament hooks
Tools
- Red paint pen
- White paint pen
- Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
- Black craft paint
- Disposable cups
Instructions
- The first thing you want to do is remove the hanger/cap portion of your ornament, set it aside and squeeze about 1 tablespoon of black paint inside of the ornament.
- Cover the end with tape then your finger. Shake the ornament and roll it to coat the whole inside with paint. Add more paint if needed. Set the ornament in a plastic cup with the opening side down and allow excess paint to drip out for several hours. Touch up any bare spots when it dries.
- Hot glue the washer to the center of ornament (it should look like the camera lens).
- Add a red “button” with a paint pen, or you can also use a sticker or anything that looks like a button.
- Use a white paint pen to write “Santa’s Camera” in a pretty handwriting, then allow the ornament to dry completely.
- Replace your ornament cap and attach a ribbon, string or hook to hang on your tree.
