The 12 Days of Christmas: A Cozy Needle Felting Tradition for the Holidays

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… another needle felting kit. Sounds like the perfect gift if you ask me.

The days between Christmas and Epiphany have always felt like a quiet pause — a slower stretch of winter made for reflection, creativity, and meaningful traditions. For me, that often looks like a cozy chair, a warm drink, and a needle felting project (or twelve).

The Meaning Behind the 12 Days of Christmas

Traditionally, the 12 Days of Christmas run from December 25 through January 5, with Epiphany (January 6) marking the arrival of the Magi. In Christian tradition, this season represents anticipation, faith, and celebration — a time that honors spiritual gifts alongside nature, animals, and handcrafted treasures.

The Magi arrived bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. That connection to meaningful gifts is one reason the 12 Days of Christmas have long been associated with animals, symbolism, and handmade art. While most of us aren’t working with gold, we do have wool, felting needles, and imagination — which might be just as special.

A Needle Felting Project for Each Day of Christmas

One of the things I love most about needle felting is its flexibility. With a little yarn and a sewing needle, nearly every Bear Creek Felting kit can be turned into a Christmas ornament. Add a loop, hang it on the tree, or tie it onto a gift and let your handmade work become part of your holiday traditions.

Below are twelve Christmas needle felting ideas — one for each day — to inspire your holiday crafting.

Day 1 – Christmas Day

No snow to build a Frosty outside? Needle felt a cheerful snowman ornament from the warmth of your couch.

Day 2

Add to your Nativity scene with a needle felted black sheep. This is a beginner-friendly Christmas felting project that works beautifully as an ornament or tabletop figure.

Day 3

“Three French hens.” Needle felt a trio of chickens inspired by the classic Christmas song. Add yarn loops and gift them as handmade Christmas ornaments.

Day 4

Bring a little folklore into your holiday decor with whimsical needle felted gnomes. Gnomes make charming Christmas tree ornaments and festive gifts.

Day 5

Not all Christmas needle felting projects have to be animals. Try felting seasonal botanicals like cranberries, evergreens, winter berries, or pinecones.

Day 6

Add another cold-weather favorite to your collection with a needle felted penguin. Penguins make adorable winter and Christmas ornaments.

Day 7 – New Year’s Eve

Celebrate the New Year with felted white ornaments, golden stars, or even a bunch of grapes — traditional symbols of prosperity and fresh beginnings.
A simple cookie cutter and some wool are all you need to create a beautiful needle felted star.

Day 8 – New Year’s Day

Start the year by needle felting animals associated with good luck and abundance, such as bears, horses, pigs, rabbits, or elephants.

Day 9

By now you’ve done a lot of felting. This is a great day to refine your needle felting skills by shaping more confidently, adding detail, or experimenting with simple accessories like scarves or hats.

Day 10

Create a trio of handmade Christmas ornaments with a gnome ornament kit. Using wool and yarn, you can needle felt three coordinating gnomes perfect for trees, garlands, or gift toppers.

Day 11

As the Magi draw near, needle felt a radiant star ornament to represent the guiding light they followed.

Day 12 – Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day)

With all the skills you’ve built over the past twelve days, you may feel ready to take on a bigger Christmas needle felting project. Many people choose to begin or expand an entire needle felted Nativity scene.
Inside the Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy, you can learn how to needle felt animals like the donkey, camel, and cow and add to your collection year after year.

Make Space for Creativity This Winter

The days after Christmas don’t need to rush by. They are a wonderful time to slow down, work with your hands, and enjoy the calming, mindful process of needle felting. Handmade Christmas ornaments and felted animals become keepsakes — pieces that carry memories from one season to the next.

I’ll be spending these winter days needle felting right alongside you and invite you to join me — whether through the Bear Creek Needle Felting Academy, one of my in-person classes, or a future needle felting retreat. New classes and retreats for 2026 and beyond will be announced on the Bear Creek Felting website as details are confirmed.

Happy holidays, warm wishes for the New Year, and happy felting.