If you are looking for handmade Christmas ornaments for sale that feel personal and outdoorsy, and that actually make sense for people who love hiking, camping, and RV life, you can find many good options online, including small makers like handmade Christmas ornaments for sale that focus on simple, classic designs. You do not have to settle for generic big-box store decorations if you do not want to. There are plenty of ornaments that reflect trail life, mountain sunrises, campfires, maps, and all the small things that make you want to pack the RV again.
I will say this up front. If you like the outdoors, your tree probably should look like it. Or at least a little bit. It does not have to turn into a gear catalog, but it can hint at the trips you have taken and the ones you still want to take.
So let us walk through what to look for, how to choose pieces that hold up over time, and a few ideas that work well for people who spend more weekends in campgrounds than in shopping malls.
Why outdoor lovers care so much about small things like ornaments
If you spend most holidays in a campground or traveling in an RV, Christmas feels different. The tree might be smaller. The space is tighter. You probably keep only what matters.
That is exactly why ornaments start to feel more important, not less. Each one has to earn its place.
Maybe this sounds a bit serious for such a small topic, but if you have ever:
– Hung a tiny tent ornament on a 4-foot fake tree in an RV
– Tucked one special mountain ornament into a backpack before a long trip
– Or pulled out the same little campfire ornament every year and remembered where you bought it
then you know what I mean.
Handmade ornaments work best when they feel like a postcard from your own life, not just another decoration.
Outdoor people tend to like things that are:
– Simple
– Durable
– Easy to pack and store
– Connected to real places or real memories
So if you are going to buy handmade ornaments, it helps to look at them like you would look at gear. Not quite as intense, but close.
Types of handmade ornaments that fit an outdoor lifestyle
There are many materials and designs, but some just make more sense if you camp, hike, or travel a lot. Others look nice on social media but crack the first time they meet a storage bin in the RV.
Here are the most common types and how they work for outdoor lovers.
Wood ornaments
Wood ornaments are probably the easiest fit with an outdoor theme. They match cabins, tiny trailers, and regular living rooms.
You will see things like:
– Laser cut mountains or trees
– Round “wood slice” ornaments with burned designs
– Simple shapes like tents, RVs, boots, or state outlines
Wood feels warm and familiar. It also holds up well if you treat it reasonably.
Pros:
– Light and easy to hang
– Hard to break in storage
– Can be personalized with names, dates, or GPS coordinates
Cons:
– Can warp if it gets wet
– Some finishes scratch easily
– Cheap veneer versions feel flimsy
For people who love trails or maps, designs burned into wood circles or planks work very well. They can show the outline of a mountain range, a favorite national park, or even a simple compass.
Ceramic and clay ornaments
Ceramic sounds fragile, and it is, but there is some charm in that. Many handmade ceramic outdoor ornaments have painted scenes like:
– Tiny camp trailers
– Snowy cabins
– Little hiking boots
– Night sky with pine trees
They do break more easily, so if you live full-time in an RV, you may want to limit how many you keep or pack them very carefully.
Pros:
– Very detailed artwork
– Colors stand out on a tree
– Can fit a lot of personality in a small piece
Cons:
– Breakable if dropped on hard floors
– Need soft wrapping for storage
– Heavier, so they pull down weak branches
If you only travel part of the year, but spend Christmas at home, ceramic pieces can still fit your outdoor style nicely. They feel a bit more “special occasion” than wood.
Metal ornaments
Metal ornaments often look like cut steel or aluminum shapes:
– Simple silhouettes of trees, elk, bears, or campers
– Small plaques with stamped dates or names
– Compass or carabiner shapes
These can look very clean and almost “gear-like”, which some people like.
Pros:
– Nearly unbreakable
– Good in tight storage
– Nice for minimalist trees
Cons:
– Can look too sharp or cold if overdone
– May scratch delicate surfaces
– Sometimes heavy for small branches
The nice part is that many metal ornaments can hang inside an RV year-round as a small decoration, not just at Christmas.
Textile ornaments: felt, wool, and fabric
Soft ornaments make sense if you have kids, pets, or a tree that travels.
These might be:
– Felt tents
– Little stuffed RVs
– Wool acorns or pinecones
– Embroidered mountains
Pros:
– Very light and nearly unbreakable
– Quiet in storage boxes and RV cupboards
– Easy to pack into small spaces
Cons:
– Attract lint and pet hair
– Can fade if left in sun
– Sometimes look “crafty” if you prefer clean lines
You can also sew your own, which I will get to later. I have seen families make simple felt “forest” sets that go on both their home tree and the small RV tree, which feels like a nice link between both places.
Outdoor themes that work well as ornaments
If you like camping or hiking, you probably already have ideas. Trees, tents, mountains. But there are many small themes that people forget about.
Trail and map inspired designs
A few ideas that work:
– Map segments printed or burned into wood slices
– Topo line patterns
– Simple trail sign shapes with place names
– GPS coordinates of your favorite campsite
Ornaments that mark places, not just pictures, often become the ones you keep the longest.
An ornament that shows the GPS coordinates of the first place you camped in your RV feels much more personal than a random “Happy Holidays” ball.
National parks and public lands
Many small makers create ornaments with:
– Park outlines or skylines
– Famous rock formations or arches
– Simple animal silhouettes from that region
Some people choose one park ornament each year. Others only buy a new one when they visit a new park. That slow collection feels more satisfying than buying a full set in one day.
You could also choose a single park that means a lot to you and use different views of it on several ornaments.
Camp life details
Sometimes it is the tiny everyday things that feel most real:
– A small camp mug ornament
– Fire ring and marshmallow sticks
– Lanterns or headlamps
– Dutch oven or portable stove
If you have a favorite part of camp setup, you can probably find or request a version of it as an ornament. I once saw a hand painted ornament of a very old blue camp kettle. The owner said it looked exactly like one their grandparents used. That one item held more story than ten generic snowflakes.
RV and van life themes
If you travel by RV, you probably see yourself in certain shapes:
– Vintage travel trailers
– Class C outlines with tiny painted details
– Van silhouettes with rooftop boxes
– Cute little motorhomes with holiday lights
Some artists take custom orders for RV ornaments that match your own rig. Same color, similar stripes. It is not cheap, and the wait can be long, but people seem very happy when they receive them.
You do not need a perfect copy though. Even a simple camper outline can remind you of long drives, roadside stops, and cold mornings with warm coffee.
What to look for when buying handmade outdoor ornaments
Good handmade work does not have to be luxury. It just has to be made with care.
If you shop online, it helps to slow down and scan a few details.
Materials and finish
Ask yourself:
– Is this material likely to crack, chip, or warp?
– Does the finish look thick and glossy, or thin and streaky?
– Will this color scheme still feel good in five years, or does it feel like a trend?
For outdoor-themed pieces, natural or simple finishes usually age better. Bright neon mountain scenes can be fun, but they might feel old fast.
Weight and size
If you have a small tree or a travel tree, weight matters a lot. Heavy ornaments slide down branches or tilt them.
You might even set some basic rules for yourself:
– No ornament heavier than a small apple
– No ornament larger than your hand, unless it is a special showpiece
Travel trees and RV trees really cannot carry huge, heavy items.
Attachment points and hooks
This sounds boring, but it matters. Tiny ceramic loops are the easiest way to break an ornament. Thin wire loops can bend in storage.
Look for:
– Sturdy built-in holes or loops
– Strong ribbon or cord that you can remove later if needed
– Enough space to fit standard hooks
An ornament is only as practical as the way it hangs. Weak loops turn nice pieces into yearly repair projects.
Keeping a travel friendly ornament collection
Outdoor lovers often face one simple problem: space.
You may want many ornaments, but you simply cannot haul three large bins around in a small RV or van. Even at home, you might prefer a cleaner, simpler approach.
A few small habits can help.
Pick a yearly limit
This might sound strict, but a simple rule such as “one new ornament per trip” or “two per year” keeps your collection under control.
You then have to think before you buy:
– Does this really match my love for hiking or camping?
– Do I have something similar already?
– Will I still like this color or design years from now?
It can be hard to say no, but it makes the yes choices more meaningful.
Store ornaments like you store gear
If you already pack gear carefully, you can use the same ideas.
Here is a simple table that compares quick storage methods:
| Storage method | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small hard box with dividers | Ceramic and glass | Good for home storage, less ideal for tiny RVs |
| Soft pouches inside a plastic bin | Mixed collections, RV travel | Flexible and easy to tuck into cupboards |
| Fabric roll with pockets | Flat wood or metal ornaments | Rolls up like a tool wrap, good for small spaces |
| Single “year box” system | Very small trees | One compact box holds only the current year’s favorites |
If you move often, you might want to keep a “core set” of outdoor ornaments in one small box, and leave the rest in longer term storage.
Ideas for turning adventures into ornaments
You do not have to buy every ornament that marks a trip. You can also make or customize your own, even if you do not consider yourself very crafty.
Simple DIY wood slice ornaments
You can buy small pre-cut wood slices online or at craft stores. From there, you just need a pen or a wood burner.
Basic steps:
- Lightly sand any rough edges.
- Write the place name and year on one side, such as “Zion 2023”.
- Add a small drawing on the other side: a mountain, a tent, a tree.
- Drill a small hole if it does not have one and thread a ribbon through.
You do not have to make it perfect. In fact, rough handwriting often feels more personal. You will remember where you were when you wrote it, not how neat it looked.
Patch and tag ornaments
If you collect patches from parks or trails, you can turn extra ones into ornaments:
- Sew or glue a patch onto a small felt backing.
- Add a ribbon loop to hang it.
Or you can hole punch a sturdy gear tag from an old backpack or tent bag and write a short memory on it. That turns retired gear into small holiday pieces, which feels strangely satisfying.
Photo-based ornaments without feeling too “scrapbook” heavy
Many photo ornaments look too polished or generic, but there is a middle ground.
You can:
– Print small square photos of your favorite hikes
– Glue them onto thin wood or thick card
– Add a simple label and clear sealant
Try to pick photos that show you in context instead of perfect posed shots. Mud on boots, crowded picnic tables, kids half asleep in camp chairs. Those details feel truer than a posed smile at an overlook.
Buying handmade ornaments from small makers without getting overwhelmed
If you search for “handmade Christmas ornaments” online, you get flooded. It feels like staring at fifty forests at once. Everything blends together.
To keep it manageable, you can give yourself a loose plan.
Set a small theme for the year
For example:
– “This year I will only buy mountain or tree ornaments.”
– “This year I want one ornament that shows our RV.”
– “This year I will find an ornament that matches each family member’s favorite activity.”
Limiting yourself to a tiny theme reduces the scroll fatigue and helps you move on when something does not fit.
Look beyond perfect photos
Some of the best handmade pieces have slightly odd photos online. Maybe the lighting is off, or the background is cluttered. The maker might be good with clay but not with cameras.
You can often tell quality from:
– Close-up shots of edges and backs
– Clear descriptions of sizes and materials
– Mention of how long they have worked in that medium
If every product looks like a styled magazine shoot, it can still be a good shop, but do not ignore the quieter ones.
Consider custom work carefully
Custom outdoor ornaments can be very tempting. A hand painted version of your camper. A wood plaque with your favorite ridge line.
Before you order, ask yourself:
– Will I be patient while they make it?
– Do I have a clear idea of what I want?
– Would a simpler, non-custom version make me just as happy?
Custom work is best when you already have a strong mental picture. If you are unsure, it might be better to choose a ready-made piece that already looks right to you.
Making ornaments part of your holiday camping or RV traditions
Ornaments are not just for the tree in your living room. Many people who travel over the holidays create small traditions around them.
A small tree in the RV or camper
A tiny tree, even a very simple one, can change how a campsite feels in December.
Some practical thoughts:
– Use a narrow, light tree that you can store easily.
– Pick 10 to 15 small outdoor-themed ornaments for this tree only.
– Keep its ornaments in one dedicated box that travels with you.
You can reuse some of those ornaments at home, but giving the RV its own tiny “collection” makes trips feel more special.
Ornament rituals during trips
You might find this excessive, but small rhythms matter.
Ideas:
– Buy or make one ornament on the road each year.
– Hang it on a tree branch outside your campsite for a photo, then pack it away.
– Write a small note in a notebook about where you got it and any funny details from that day.
Over time, you end up with a simple mix of journal and decorations. On a cold winter night, reading those short notes feels almost as good as looking at the ornaments.
Kid and family involvement
If you travel with children, letting them pick or make one outdoor ornament each year gives them some ownership of the tradition.
You can set gentle rules:
– It has to connect to nature, camping, or a place we visited.
– It has to be small enough to fit in our storage box.
– It has to feel special to you, not just “cool” for ten minutes.
They will occasionally pick something loud or odd. That is fine. You can quietly rotate out old choices over time if storage becomes an issue.
Balancing handmade with store bought ornaments
Some people feel pressure to go “all handmade” once they start down this path. That is not always realistic, especially if you have been collecting ornaments for years.
You can think about it this way.
Use handmade as the story pieces
Let the handmade outdoor ornaments carry most of the meaning.
– They might mark places, trips, or important seasons.
– They reflect your hobbies and style.
– They give smaller makers some income.
Then let simple store bought pieces fill in the background. Plain glass balls in one or two colors work well for this. They support the story without competing visually.
If you love a cheap plastic camper ornament from a big brand, there is no law against using it. It can live next to a hand carved wooden tree and still look fine.
Questions and answers to finish things off
Question: I camp in warm places for the holidays and rarely see snow. Is it strange to use winter-themed outdoor ornaments?
Answer: Not really. Many people mix snow scenes with desert or coastal camping memories. If snow scenes feel fake for your life, lean toward trees, tents, stars, and campfires instead of snowmen. Your tree does not have to match a postcard winter. It just has to match your version of being outside.
Question: I live full-time in a van and have almost no storage. Is it worth keeping ornaments at all?
Answer: It depends on how much joy they bring compared to the space they take. A single small pouch with 5 or 6 very meaningful ornaments might be enough. You could hang them on a small branch, a string of lights, or even your cabinet knobs in December. If they feel like a burden, give yourself permission to skip them and use natural items like pine branches or found objects during trips.
Question: My existing ornaments are all traditional and not very “outdoorsy”. Do I need to start over?
Answer: No. You can slowly add outdoor-themed handmade pieces without tossing everything you own. Pick one new ornament each year that reflects your hiking, camping, or RV life. Over time, the balance will shift. Old family ornaments can sit next to new handmade mountain scenes. That mix often tells a better story than a perfectly matched set.
