Want beautiful Christmas bells without spending much on decorations?
Turn ordinary cardboard egg cartons into charming handmade ornaments with these 10 rustic egg carton Christmas bell ideas.
From antique gold finishes to farmhouse whites and woodland greens, these easy Christmas crafts bring texture, warmth, and personality to your holiday decor.
Discover simple steps, creative finishing touches, and clever ways to decorate your tree, mantel, and gifts.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather a few basic supplies:
- Clean cardboard egg cartons
- Scissors and craft glue
- Acrylic paints and a small paintbrush
- Jute twine, ribbon, and string
- Small wooden beads or lightweight decorative clappers
- Glitter, faux greenery, and miniature bows
- Sandpaper and a little brown paint for distressed details
Preparation tip: Cut out the raised egg cups carefully, trim the edges into bell shapes, and remove loose cardboard. Paint only when the pieces are clean and dry. Add a protective clear craft sealer once the decorations are finished.
1. Antique Gold Egg Carton Christmas Bells
Give simple cardboard bells a vintage Christmas makeover with antique gold paint, aged details, and natural twine.
Their warm metallic finish looks lovely against evergreen branches and traditional Christmas decorations.
Simple steps:
- Cut and shape individual egg carton cups into bell forms.
- Apply antique gold acrylic paint and let it dry.
- Lightly brush brown paint around the edges for an aged finish.
- Attach a jute hanger and a tiny bead clapper inside.
One tip: Use a dry brush to add darker gold around the edges instead of covering the entire bell. It creates a more convincing vintage finish.
2. Whitewashed Farmhouse Egg Carton Bells
Creamy white paint, distressed edges, and soft linen ribbon make these farmhouse
Christmas ornaments feel understated and elegant. They are especially pretty with wooden beads and neutral holiday accents.
Simple steps:
- Shape the carton cups into small bells.
- Paint them warm ivory or creamy white.
- Gently sand a few edges to reveal the cardboard underneath.
- Add natural jute loops and linen ribbon bows.
One tip: Combine several white bells with wooden ornaments for a coordinated neutral Christmas tree.
3. Vintage Silver Egg Carton Bell Ornaments
Create a softly weathered look with silver paint and subtle dark accents.
These handmade Christmas ornaments bring a little vintage sparkle without looking overly shiny.
Simple steps:
- Cut and trim the egg carton cups.
- Paint each bell with metallic silver acrylic paint.
- Dab a little charcoal or dark grey paint into the creases.
- Finish with a velvet ribbon hanger and a small clapper.
One tip: Choose muted silver rather than mirror-bright paint for a softer vintage Christmas decoration.
4. Rustic Red and Plaid Christmas Bells
Classic Christmas red meets cozy plaid in this cheerful rustic Christmas craft.
These bells look beautiful on a tree, wreath, or festive doorway display.
Simple steps:
- Paint the shaped cardboard bells muted brick red.
- Let them dry completely.
- Tie miniature plaid bows around the top.
- Add jute hangers and small wooden bead clappers.
One tip: Use deep cranberry or muted red instead of bright primary red to create a more rustic, coordinated finish.
5. Woodland Green Egg Carton Christmas Bells
Bring the feeling of a woodland Christmas indoors with forest-green bells, natural string, and tiny evergreen accents.
This design pairs beautifully with pinecones, wooden decorations, and fresh-looking greenery.
Simple steps:
- Shape the egg carton cups into bells.
- Paint them deep forest green.
- Add a small faux pine sprig near the top.
- Attach natural string and a lightweight wooden bead.
One tip: Keep the greenery small so it highlights the bell instead of hiding its shape.
6. Burlap and Jute Farmhouse Christmas Bells
Natural textures make these handmade bells feel warm, simple, and beautifully rustic.
Burlap details and jute twine work especially well with wooden beads and neutral farmhouse Christmas decorations.
Simple steps:
- Cut and shape the egg carton cups.
- Paint them beige or warm brown, or leave some cardboard exposed.
- Wrap a narrow burlap strip around the upper edge and secure it with craft glue.
- Add a jute hanger and a small bow.
One tip: Use thin burlap ribbon or small fabric pieces so the decoration stays lightweight and does not overwhelm the bell.
7. Champagne Gold Glitter Egg Carton Bells
For a more elegant holiday look, combine warm champagne paint with a delicate dusting of glitter.
These ornaments add sparkle while keeping the rustic cardboard texture visible.
Simple steps:
- Shape and paint the bells champagne gold.
- Apply a thin layer of craft glue to selected areas.
- Sprinkle fine champagne glitter over the glued sections.
- Finish with a satin ribbon hanger.
One tip: Concentrate glitter near the lower edges rather than covering the whole bell for a more refined finish.
8. Mini Egg Carton Bell Cluster Ornaments
One bell is charming, but a little cluster creates a fuller statement ornament.
Grouping different finishes also makes this an easy way to use leftover materials from other Christmas crafts.
Simple steps:
- Prepare three or four small cardboard bells.
- Paint them in complementary shades, such as ivory, gold, and muted green.
- Attach individual twine loops.
- Gather the loops together and finish with a decorative bow.
One tip: Vary the hanging lengths slightly so each bell remains visible in the cluster.
9. Rustic Egg Carton Christmas Bell Garland
Turn several handmade bells into a decorative garland for a mantel, window, or shelf.
This project creates a coordinated display and makes simple cardboard crafts look surprisingly special.
Simple steps:
- Make several bells in matching or complementary colors.
- Cut a long piece of sturdy twine.
- Tie each bell onto the twine, leaving even spaces between them.
- Add small ribbon bows and lightweight faux evergreen sprigs.
One tip: Measure the decorating area before assembling the garland so you have the right length and number of bells.
10. Handmade Egg Carton Bell Gift Toppers
Make Christmas presents extra thoughtful by turning miniature egg carton bells into handmade gift toppers.
They look lovely with kraft paper, natural twine, and simple ribbon.
Simple steps:
- Cut out and decorate small egg carton bells.
- Add a jute loop or short ribbon hanger.
- Tie the bell onto a kraft-paper gift with twine.
- Finish with a small greenery sprig or handwritten gift tag.
One tip: Keep the topper lightweight and attach it securely so it stays in place during wrapping, storage, and gifting.
Extra Ways to Make Your Rustic Christmas Bells Look Beautiful
- Create a matching palette: Choose two or three finishes, such as antique gold, ivory, and forest green, rather than using every color.
- Mix natural textures: Pair cardboard bells with jute, linen, burlap, wood, and faux greenery.
- Vary the sizes: Combine larger ornaments with miniature bells for a more interesting Christmas display.
- Protect your decorations: Apply a suitable clear craft sealer after the paint and glue have dried.
- Decorate with care: Use lightweight embellishments, supervise children during cutting, and keep small beads away from young children.
Final Thoughts
These rustic egg carton Christmas bells show how simple recycled materials can become charming holiday decorations.
Whether you prefer vintage gold ornaments, neutral farmhouse accents, woodland greenery, or handmade gift toppers, there is a design for every cozy Christmas style.
Start with one or two ideas, then repeat your favorite colors and textures throughout your home.
The result is a coordinated, personal Christmas display that feels warm, creative, and budget-friendly.
Save your favorite designs and explore more DIY rustic Christmas ornaments, handmade garlands, and farmhouse holiday crafts to complete the look.
