With the holiday season upon us, there’s no better way to spark some joy than by jazzing up your Santa hats for a decorating contest! Whether you’re looking to add some sparkle or a personal touch, here are 19 creative ideas to make your Santa hats the star of the show.
1. Glitter and Glam

For those who love to shine, adding glitter and sparkle is a must! I once sprinkled glitter on the hat’s trim, creating a dazzling effect that caught everyone’s attention. Just a hint: sprinkle over a sheet of paper to manage the mess!
Useful items to consider:
- Loose Glitter for Crafting: Add sparkle to your Santa hat with shimmering loose glitter for an eye-catching finish.
- Fabric Glitter Glue: Easily adhere glitter to fabric with no mess using specialized fabric glitter glue.
- Glitter Sequin Trim: Enhance your hat’s trim with dazzling glitter sequin trim for a glamorous touch.
2. Decorative Ornaments and Bows

Ornaments aren’t just for the tree—add them to your hat along with decorative bows. I tied tiny bows and attached mini ornaments for a festive and elegant touch. It’s a simple way to elevate your holiday headwear!
Might be a good match:
- Mini Christmas Ornaments Set: Add charm to your Santa hat with mini ornaments, perfect for a festive and elegant look.
- Assorted Decorative Bows: Elevate your holiday headwear by attaching colorful bows, creating a stylish and festive finish.
- Hot Glue Gun for Crafts: Secure your ornaments and bows on your hat effortlessly with a trusty hot glue gun.
3. Hand-Painted Designs

Unleash your inner artist by creating hand-painted designs on your hat. I’ve used fabric paint to craft intricate patterns, which always receive compliments. It’s a unique way to showcase personal creativity and flair!
Possibly handy products:
- Fabric Paint Set: Transform your Santa hat with vibrant colors. Explore your creativity with this easy-to-use paint set!
- Paintbrush Set: Craft intricate designs with precision. Enhance your painting skills using this versatile brush set!
- Painter’s Palette: Mix and match colors effortlessly. Make painting more organized with a handy artist’s palette!
4. Playful Pom-Poms

Pom-poms are a fun and easy way to add texture and color to your hat. I love clustering different sizes and colors to create a playful effect. It’s a simple addition that brings a smile to anyone’s face!
A few relevant products:
- Assorted Color Craft Pom-Poms: Jazz up your Santa hat with vibrant pom-poms, adding a touch of fun and color!
- Hot Glue Gun for Crafts: Securely attach pom-poms to your hat using this easy-to-use hot glue gun.
- Santa Hat Decorating Kit: Explore this kit with all you need to customize your creative Santa hat.
5. Personalized Names

Make your hat truly yours by personalizing it with names or festive messages. I’ve used fabric paint and glitter pens to add names, which also make great gifts. It’s a wonderful way to show thoughtfulness and creativity.
A few choices to try:
- Fabric Paint Set: Unleash your creativity and customize hats with ease using vibrant and durable fabric paint.
- Glitter Pens for Fabric: Add sparkle and flair to your Christmas hats with these versatile glitter pens.
- Personalized Iron-On Transfers: Effortlessly personalize your Santa hats with custom, easy-to-use iron-on transfers.
6. Sweet Candy Delights

Who doesn’t love sweet treats during the holidays? Decorate your hat with candy-themed embellishments like faux candy canes and lollipops. I adore how this idea adds a pop of color and playfulness to any gathering.
Some handy options:
- Faux Candy Cane Decorations: Add festive charm with faux candy canes. Perfect for a playful and colorful holiday hat design.
- Lollipop Ornaments for Crafts: Enhance creativity with lollipop ornaments, making your hat an eye-catching candy wonderland.
- Candy-Themed Stickers: Decorate easily with candy-themed stickers. Instantly transform any hat with vibrant sweetness.
7. Glowing LED Accents

Light up the night with tiny LED lights woven into your hat. I’ve found that battery-operated fairy lights work wonders, creating a magical glow that turns heads. Just make sure everything is securely attached to avoid tangles!
Products that could assist:
- Battery-Operated Fairy LED Lights: Enhance your Santa hat with these whimsical fairy lights for a charming festive glow.
- Adhesive Light Clips: Securely attach LED lights to your hat with these easy-to-use adhesive clips.
- Rechargeable Battery Pack: Keep your LED lights powered longer with a compact rechargeable battery pack.
8. Nature-Inspired Accents

Incorporate elements from nature like acorns and holly berries for a fresh and earthy look. I adore how these natural touches add an organic feel to the festive season. It’s perfect for those who love bringing the outdoors in!
Consider these options:
- Artificial Acorns and Pine Cone Set: Enhance your Santa hat with lifelike acorns and pine cones for a natural festive charm.
- Holly Berry and Leaf Garland: Add vibrant holly berries and leaves to capture the essence of seasonal cheer.
- LED String Lights for Decorations: Illuminate your hat with delicate LED lights for a magical, nature-inspired glow.
9. Plaid Patterns

Bring a classic feel with plaid fabric strips wrapped around your hat. Using plaid is a personal favorite of mine as it adds a cozy and traditional touch. It’s a timeless pattern that never goes out of style!
A few helpful options:
- Plaid Fabric Strips: Add a cozy touch to your hat with classic plaid fabric strips for a timeless look.
- Decorative Plaid Ribbons: Wrap your Santa hat with plaid ribbons to enhance its traditional, festive charm.
- Plaid Pattern Craft Paper: Create unique decorations for your hat using versatile plaid pattern craft paper.
10. Snowflakes and Stars

Transform your hat into a winter wonderland with sparkly snowflake and star accents. I once used sequins and felt cutouts to create a frosty cascade down the hat, which looked stunning under twinkling lights. Perfect for those who want to capture the essence of a snowy night!
Check these products out:
- Sparkly Snowflake Sequin Pack: Add frosty elegance with these sequins, perfect for a shimmering snowflake effect on your hat.
- Felt Star Cutout Set: Create a celestial look using these versatile star cutouts for a night-time sparkle.
- LED Twinkle Lights String: Illuminate your creation with warm, enchanting lights, enhancing the snowy night ambiance.
11. Festive Fabric Flowers

Add a floral touch with fabric flowers in holiday colors. I love how this adds softness and beauty, reminiscent of a winter garden. Choose reds, whites, and greens to keep it festive and fresh!
Items that may come in handy:
- Assorted Fabric Flower Decorations: Add charm to your Santa hat with these vibrant, festive fabric flowers. Perfect for holiday crafting!
- Red, White and Green Fabric Flowers: Spruce up your holiday hat with these beautiful red, white, and green fabric flowers.
- Christmas Floral Embellishments: Embrace the holiday spirit by decorating with these delightful Christmas floral embellishments.
12. Glamorous Gemstones

For those who love a bit of bling, gemstone embellishments are the way to go. I carefully glued faux gems in patterns to catch the light, adding a touch of luxury. It’s perfect for a glamorous holiday event!
Explore these options:
- Assorted Faux Gemstone Stickers: Elevate your design with sparkling stickers; effortlessly add glam with easy application.
- Hot Glue Gun with Glue Sticks: Securely attach gems with precision; make crafting easy and reliable with this hot glue kit.
- Decorative Rhinestone Trim: Enhance your hat with radiant rhinestone trim; perfect for adding a touch of luxury.
13. Rustic Country Charm

For a cozy, country Christmas theme, try adding burlap ribbons and pinecones to your Santa hat. I love using natural elements to bring a touch of the outdoors inside, making it feel warm and inviting. A few sprigs of evergreen can really enhance that rustic vibe!
You might give these a try:
- Burlap Ribbon: Enhance your Santa hat with rustic burlap ribbon for a charming, country-inspired look.
- Decorative Pinecones: Add a touch of nature to your holiday decor with realistic, decorative pinecones.
- Artificial Evergreen Sprigs: Bring the outdoors in with evergreen sprigs, perfect for a cozy, winter vibe.
14. Playful Polka Dots

Inject some fun with polka dot patterns using felt or fabric paint. This idea is close to my heart because it’s simple yet adds such a cheerful vibe. Choose festive colors like red, green, and white to keep it seasonal!
A few things you might like:
- Fabric Paint Set: Add vibrant polka dots effortlessly with this easy-to-use fabric paint set. Perfect for festive crafts!
- Felt Sheets in Holiday Colors: Craft cheerful polka dots using these felt sheets in festive colors. Easy to cut and glue!
- Craft Glue for Fabrics: Secure your decorations with this reliable craft glue. Perfect for attaching felt dots to hats!
15. Reindeer Antler Flair

Add a playful twist by attaching reindeer antlers to your Santa hat. Last year, I crafted antlers from felt and added a red pom-pom nose for a whimsical Rudolph effect. This idea never fails to bring smiles and laughter!
May just do the trick:
- Felt Fabric Sheets: Craft unique reindeer antlers using versatile felt sheets to add a handmade touch to your hat.
- Red Pom-Pom Pack: Enhance your hat with vibrant red pom-poms for a festive and whimsical Rudolph look.
- Hot Glue Gun Kit: Securely attach your antlers and pom-poms with a reliable hot glue gun for durable results.
16. Festive Feather Touch

For a touch of elegance, consider adding feathers in seasonal colors. I once used white and gold feathers, which added a sophisticated flair to my hat. It’s a great way to stand out at any holiday party!
Check if these fit your needs:
- White and Gold Decorative Feathers: Enhance your Santa hat with elegant white and gold feathers to make it truly unique.
- Hot Glue Gun for Crafting: Securely attach feathers to your Santa hat with a reliable hot glue gun for lasting flair.
- Glittering Santa Hat Base: Start with a glittering Santa hat base to make your feather decorations stand out beautifully.