Transform Dollar Tree plastic pots into festive DIY holiday bells with this easy step-by-step Christmas craft tutorial.
How to make Plastic Flower Pot Holiday Bells
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I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite holiday crafts—DIY Christmas bells! These festive decorations are made from… wait for it… plastic pots from Dollar Tree. Yep, the kind meant for gardening!
With just a few crafty twists (and a little Rub ‘n Buff magic), these humble pots turn into beautiful rustic bells you’ll want to hang everywhere. Let’s get making!
Video Tutorial: Plastic Pot Holiday Bells
Watch this quick video to see how this craft came together:
DIY Plastic Pot Holiday Bells
2. Learn how to make beautiful Christmas bells using plastic flower pots, faux greenery, and twine—perfect for rustic holiday decor.
Materials
- 3 plastic pots (from Dollar Tree)
- 3 wooden beads or balls (about ½")
- Twine with metallic thread (I used one from Michaels)
- Jar lids (3 identical)
- Faux greenery sprigs (Dollar Tree)
- Ribbon (red and black buffalo check)
- Rub ‘n Buff in Antique Gold
- Spray paint (metallic hammered finish – I used dark bronze)
- E6000 glue
- Hot glue sticks
Tools
- Hot glue gun
- Wooden skewer
- Painter’s tape
- Drill with small and large bits
- Scissors
- Makeup brush or pouncer brush
- Marker or Sharpie
- Miter shears (for cutting the wood ring)
- Parchment paper (optional for spray painting)
Instructions
- Watch video. Follow the tutorial for a step by step walkthrough for making your own DIY holiday bells.
- Paint the Beads: Dab a tiny amount of hot glue on each wooden bead and stick them onto a wooden skewer. Use a makeup brush to apply Antique Gold Rub ‘n Buff in a circular motion. Set aside to dry.
- Paint the Pots: Apply Rub ‘n Buff inside each plastic pot. It doesn’t need to be perfect—just enough to hide the original terracotta color.
- Drill Holes: Drill a hole into the center of each pot bottom (this will be the top of your bell). Start small and work your way up in drill bit size.
- Assemble the Bell Clapper: Cut a piece of twine and wrap one end with painter’s tape, cutting it at an angle to make threading easier. Slide on a painted bead and tie a double knot to secure it in place.
- Thread the Bell: Thread the other end of the twine through the drilled hole in the pot. Adjust the bead’s position, mark the twine with a Sharpie, and tie another knot at the desired height. Add a dab of hot glue to hold the knot flush inside the bell.
- Cover the Bottom: Use E6000 and hot glue together to attach a jar lid over the “bottom” of each pot (now the top of your bell). E6000 gives it staying power, while hot glue holds it instantly.
- Add the Hanger: Cut a wood ring in half using miter shears and glue it to the top of each bell with E6000.
- Spray Paint the Bells: Take the bells outside and give them a coat of hammered metallic spray paint. Let them dry completely.
- Distress with Rub ‘n Buff: Add some Antique Gold Rub ‘n Buff around the edges and on the hanger for a weathered effect.
- Add Greenery and Bows: Hot glue a tiny piece of faux greenery to the top of each bell. Then tie a buffalo check bow (using the “bunny ears” method) and glue it over the greenery.
- Attach Hanging Loop: Thread more twine through the wood ring at the top and tie a knot so you can hang your bells.
Notes
I prefer to display bells in groups of three, but feel free to make as many bells as you like!
The Finished Craft:
And there you have it—three charming, rustic Christmas bells made from plastic pots! I’m totally in love with how these turned out. Whether you hang them on a wall, over a mantel, or grouped on your front door, they’ll add instant holiday cheer. Remember, bells are always better in threes
Don’t forget to PIN this craft for later:
More DIY Holiday Bell Craft Tutorials:
This craft was featured in this YouTube video along with these DIY Peat Pot Holiday Bells and DIY Christmas Bells Using Dollar Tree Plastic Flower Pots.