How to Make Christmas Foam Baubles and Decorations

As we enter the festive part of the year, spending time with family matters, and arts and crafts are a perfect way to spend quality time together.

Foam baubles

One increasingly popular activity is making hollow foam baubles. These aren't vastly different from a typical Christmas bauble – round, square or any shape you like – and a squishy square bauble is a fun, easier alternative to fragile plastic ones, especially for a first attempt. We recommend a standard cube of about 10cm x 10cm, or 12cm x 12cm for more room. Using our cut to size tool, order as many high or very-high density foam cubes as you like, so each bauble holds its shape even with a small gift inside.

1. Measure the centre point and cut directly down the middle to split the cube in two.
2. Trace a shape in the middle, leaving about 1cm from the edge, and cut along the lines with a craft knife to hollow it out.
3. Secure eight small Velcro circles to the inner sides with strong glue so it fixes together when closed.
4. Loop thin ribbon or thick embroidery thread through the top with an embroidery needle, tie the ends, and test it on your tree.
5. Decorate with paint, glue, glitter and whatever materials you like.

For advice on painting foam, read our simple guide.

Foam stack snowman

Another excellent activity is creating Christmas-themed foam stack models, made to any size with as many parts as you like. Several foam sheets can be stacked and glued into a fun 3D model – a craft that's proven popular with children. Here's a basic snowman:

1. Order three small foam sheets about 20cm x 20cm and 2cm thick using the cut-to-size calculator.
2. From the first sheet, cut two circles 5cm in diameter and two 7cm in diameter; from the second and third sheets, cut two circles 9cm in diameter.
3. Using clear, strong glue, stack in order: a 5cm circle on the base, a 7cm, two 9cm circles together, then a 7cm and a 5cm on top.
4. Apply glue to the curved edge of a 5cm cylinder and fix it to the top.
5. Decorate with excess foam – add a nose and arms, or draw on features to bring your snowman to life.

There are endless possibilities for Christmas decorations – see our Christmas foam craft ideas for more inspiration. To discuss your foam requirements, do contact our friendly team.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a foam Christmas bauble?

Cut a high-density foam cube in half, hollow out a shape leaving about 1cm from the edge, add eight small Velcro circles inside so it closes, loop ribbon through the top, then decorate. It can open to hold a small gift or trinket.

What foam is best for Christmas crafts?

For baubles and models that must hold their shape, we recommend a high or very-high density foam, especially if the decoration will hold a small gift or trinket inside.

Are foam decorations better than plastic ones?

Foam decorations are durable and long-lasting: they won't crack and spring back into shape, so they look brand new for years – ideal for special crafts made by children that you'd like to treasure.