Crochet Christmas Decor for a Shelf, Mantel or Desk

Crochet Christmas decor is easiest to choose by the spot it will fill. A tiered tray, a bookshelf, a mantel and a desk each suit a different shape. The crochet pieces below are made to order in our Etsy shop. For a tree, a front door or a table centerpiece, see our guide to crochet decor for the tree, door or table.

At a glance

The spot	Piece	What you choose
A tiered tray or coffee table	Christmas gnomes	One of 6 characters, a set of 3 or all 6
A bookshelf or entryway	Crochet nutcracker	One design
A mantel or wall	Tree garland	One design, about 39 in long
A desk	Crochet plant pot	One of 8 designs
A mantel, shelf or holiday table	Santa and Mrs. Claus dolls	See listing
A mantel, shelf or prayer corner	Crochet nativity set	See listing
A desk or tiered tray	Four-design plant pot	One of 4 designs
A door or wall	Crochet Christmas wreath	See listing
A door, wall or window	Village door hanger	See listing
The tree or a garland	Spiral ornaments	One of 5 designs
The tree or a garland	Second spiral set	One of 6 designs
The tree or a garland	Gingerbread ornaments	Red buttons or a red bow tie
The tree, gift wrap or a door knob	Mini wreath ornament	Red or cream, or a set of 2, 4 or 6

A tiered tray or coffee table: gnomes

Catalog photo of six crochet Christmas gnomes in red, green, white and brown hats holding a gift, a wreath, a tree, a heart, a candy cane and a gingerbread man — Catalog photo: the six gnome characters.

The crochet Christmas gnomes come as six characters: a green hat with a gift box, a candy stripe hat with a wreath, reindeer antlers with a tree, a snowflake girl with a heart, a peppermint hat with a candy cane, and a gingerbread girl. The listing says each has a flat base so it sits upright, and lists tiered trays, mantels, coffee tables and bookshelves. You can order a set of 3 (naming the numbers you want) or all six, and add an optional wooden name tag of up to 12 characters, such as a family name or the year. On Etsy the characters are chosen by number, so match the number to the photos.

A bookshelf or entryway: the nutcracker

Catalog photo of a crochet nutcracker with a red jacket, black hat, green trousers and black boots, held in a hand — Catalog photo: crochet nutcracker.

The crochet nutcracker is a classic toy soldier in a red jacket, a black hat with a gold cross emblem, green trousers and tall black boots. The listing suggests a tiered tray, desk, mantel or bookshelf, and it suits someone who already collects nutcrackers but has none made of yarn. The listing says to spot clean it with a damp cloth and not to machine wash it.

A mantel: the tree garland

Catalog photo of a crochet garland of seven small green Christmas trees with red bows hanging along a white mantel — Catalog photo: Christmas tree garland on a mantel.

The Christmas tree garland strings seven 3D crochet trees in sage and forest green, each with red and white bobbles and a red bow, on a rustic twine cord. The listing gives a total length of about 100 cm (39.4 in) including the hanging loops, and says the trees slide along the cord so you can change the spacing. Measure the mantel or shelf first. The listing also says to keep it away from open flames, so hang it clear of a lit fireplace and candles.

A desk: the plant pot

Catalog photo of eight smiling crochet plant pots topped with a tree, gingerbread, candy canes, a snowman, a poinsettia, an orange slice, a gift and pinecones — Catalog photo: the eight plant pot designs.

The crochet Christmas plant pot is a small smiling pot about 8 × 15 cm (3.1 × 5.9 in), with eight designs: Christmas Tree, Gingerbread, Candy Cane, Snowman, Poinsettia, Orange & Cinnamon, Gift Box and Pinecone. It needs no watering, which suits a coworker or a desk at school. For a mug to go beside it, see Christmas crochet coasters and mug cozies.

New this season

These crochet pieces are newer than the four above. Each listing names the spots it suits, so start with where it will go.

A shelf or mantel: the Santa and Mrs. Claus dolls, a matching crochet couple the listing suggests for a mantel, a Christmas shelf or a holiday table; or the crochet nativity set, the Holy Family under a cream arch topped with a golden star, on one round base, for a mantel, shelf, side table or prayer corner.
A desk or tiered tray: a second crochet Christmas plant pot, freestanding, in four designs: Christmas Tree, Christmas Poinsettia, Christmas Candy Canes and Snowman Family. Its listing names tabletop displays, tiered trays, shelves and office desks.
A door or wall: the crochet Christmas wreath with Santa, a reindeer, a snowman, golden bells and a large red bow, for doors, walls and entryways; or the Christmas village door hanger, a green and white spiral with tiny cottages, mini pine trees and a red bow, which the listing also suggests for a wall, mantel, staircase or window.
A garland or the tree: spiral ornaments with Santa, Mrs. Claus, an elf, a Peppermint Girl and a snowman; a second spiral set of six designs that include Santa, a penguin, a Christmas tree and a fox; gingerbread ornaments with red buttons or a red bow tie; and a mini crochet wreath ornament in red or cream with a yarn bow, which the listing also suggests for gift wrap or a door knob.

Before you order

Each piece is crochet and made to order. The Personalize on Etsy button on each product page opens the same piece in our Etsy shop, where you choose the design and see the estimated delivery date for your address. For decorating early in December, check that date before you pay. Browse more crochet keepsakes or the Christmas collection.