Christmas Foam Craft Ideas: Baubles, Centrepieces and More
Christmas crafts are one of the most enjoyable parts of the festive season. From salt dough decorations to yarn and fabric creations, the possibilities are endless. Most people first meet foam in craft activities through children's craft kits, but there are many types and grades of foam for building far more complex ornaments, tree decorations and table centrepieces.
Decorative baubles
Polyurethane foam works best as an underlying base for professional-looking decorations. Being malleable, embellishments such as sequins can be attached securely with tiny pins, making it excellent for complex baubles. The trend for rustic, homely decorations is on the rise, and many people wrap a spherical foam shape with coloured yarn – a tricky, intricate task made easier by holding the yarn rigid with small pins. For a step-by-step bauble project, see our guide to making Christmas foam baubles.
Christmas centrepieces
With many of us gathered around a dinner table at Christmas, a centrepiece is a versatile activity. For a winter, nature-inspired centrepiece, use polyurethane foam blocks of various sizes as a base, inserting leaves, flowers and dried berries with small pins, and twigs for depth and texture. Larger blocks (around 20cm) support more weight, making them ideal for denser decorations such as wood chunks and twigs.
Foam vs plastic decorations
Foam is an excellent substitute for solid decorations such as clay ornaments and hanging wooden ones. For families, safety matters, and many parents prefer to avoid hard, potentially sharp objects. A popular hanging decoration is an "Elf" door, easily made from small rectangular foam cut to size: durable polyurethane can be cut into and painted a shimmery gold, just as attractive without the risk. Unlike plastic, foam decorations are long-lasting and won't crack, springing back into shape thanks to their resilient properties, so they look brand new for years – great for children's keepsakes.
Elf on the Shelf accessories
Stuck for inspiration? Look at your existing decorations. Elf on the Shelf has been a worldwide phenomenon, so why not craft an accompanying feature to help tell your elf stories? Foam can be cut into all sorts of shapes to be painted and decorated into a miniature house, seat or accessory. Better still, unlike other plastic materials, the elf can be secured to the foam decoration with a small pin rather than glue, helping keep it in tip-top shape. For painting tips, see our guide to painting foam.
At eFoam, we cut all types of foam to shape and size, as well as precut foam sheets for personal craft use. To discuss your requirements, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions
How is foam used in Christmas decorations?
Polyurethane foam works as an underlying base for professional-looking decorations. Being malleable, embellishments like sequins, yarn, leaves, flowers, berries and twigs can be attached securely with tiny pins, making it ideal for complex baubles and centrepieces.
Why use foam instead of plastic for decorations?
Foam decorations are long-lasting and durable: unlike plastic they won't crack and will spring back into shape, so they look brand new for years. They're also safer for children than hard, potentially sharp clay or wooden ornaments.
What can you make with foam at Christmas?
Plenty – yarn-wrapped rustic baubles, nature-inspired table centrepieces with leaves and twigs pinned into foam blocks, safe Elf doors, and Elf on the Shelf accessories like a miniature house, seat or props.
