Spice Up Jingle Bells with Cinnamon and Mod Podge

Hi friends! Are you a fan of the vintage look of rusty-looking jingle bells, or do you prefer the sparkle of shiny new ones? In today’s blog post, I’m sharing a great way to spice up jingle bells with cinnamon and Mod Podge. The best part about making these rusty bells with regular Mod Podge is how quick and easy they are. Just minutes from start to finish! And the good news? You only need a few craft supplies to create a vintage-looking accent that’s perfect for your Christmas tree, wreaths, stockings, or garlands. So, let’s make a little magic for the Christmas season with this fast-rusting solution and spice up jingle bells with cinnamon and Mod Podge together!

Jump to Printable DIY Card

This is an easy way to add a vintage look to large bells or metal objects. This is a great way to make DIY ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree or use in your decor for the holiday season.

And here’s more good news, this craft only takes a little bit of time, making it perfect for the busy holidays!

As an Amazon Associate and through other affiliate links, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links. The price is the same whether you use the affiliate links or the website. All opinions are my own. (Check our full disclosure and privacy policy.)

Spice Up Jingle Bells with Cinnamon and Mod Podge: Amazing Creators Blog Hop

Today, I’m joining blogging friends for a Christmas Blog Hop. I’ll be sharing links at the bottom of the page of my blog post. These ladies are talented and will be sharing inspiration to add to your home for Christmas! Take the time to click each link below to visit and get different ideas to add to your home for the season!

Craft Supplies:

• Small paint brush
• Zinc acrylic paint or black spray paint
• Foam Brush or paint brush
• Metal bells — different sizes
• Craft paper or newspaper
• Paper plate, paper bowl, or plastic container

Step 1: Enhance the Bells with a Quick Zinc Paint Trick

The first thing I did was apply a little bit of zinc craft paint to the metal bells. This step is optional, but I highly recommend taking the time to add the paint. It’s a good idea because it adds more depth and dimension. Giving the bells a truly vintage look. I placed the bells in an empty egg carton to dry, which takes about five minutes.

Cindy’s Helpful Tips: You can get this same look using a plastic bell from Dollar Tree or any craft store. For a plastic bell, paint it first with acrylic paint or spray paint, then apply a thin coat of Mod Podge before adding cinnamon. I always recommend taking the time to use acrylic paint; it’s a good idea to layer colors and textures. This adds a more authentic aged finish. This simple step makes a big difference when aging anything from bells to signs or even furniture pieces.

Step 2: Quick Sanding for a Vintage Appearance

The next step is to use a light-grit sanding sponge. Gently sand the metal bells. This only takes a few minutes and really enhances the vintage appearance of your rusty bells.

Step 3: Easy Mod Podge and Cinnamon Rusting Technique

Add cinnamon to a plastic container or paper bowl. Using a foam brush or paint brush, apply a thin coat of matte Mod Podge to each bell. Dip the metal bells, one section at a time, into the bowl of cinnamon. Shake off the excess cinnamon and set it aside to dry. Repeat this process for all your bells. I like to work in sections because real rust develops unevenly, giving that perfect aged finish.

If you want your rusty bells to have a deeper, fully rusted look, dip half the bell into the bowl of cinnamon or sprinkle it over the Mod Podge. Just remember to shake off any excess cinnamon for the best result.

Cindy’s Helpful Tip: After creating a rusty appearance on your bells, I love adding a bit of paint and light sanding. Layering adds depth and gives these rusty bells a more realistic vintage look, just like something you’d find at a thrift store or garage sale.

Step 4: Mod Podge Magic – Create Vintage-Looking Jingle Bells

Once the cinnamon is dry, brush on another thin coat of matte Mod Podge and let the magic of your rusty jingle bells
appear. This is such an easy way to get that vintage look without any additional cost. It’s quick, fun, and adds the perfect touch of rusty bells to your Christmas decor.

The next time I made this project, I tried smaller rusty jingle bells using just one coat of matte Mod Podge and cinnamon. I made sure to shake off any excess cinnamon for a lighter, more natural finish.

Cindy’s Helpful Tip: For a few of my rusty jingle bells, I sprinkled on a bit of cinnamon and then added a thin coat of Mod Podge to certain spots. This gave the metal bells a thicker, more textured rusty appearance that looks wonderfully aged and authentic.

Where To Find Bells for Jingle Bells

Looking to add a little jingle to your holiday decoration? These make such a unique decoration for Christmas! You can find bells at any craft store:

• Hobby Lobby
• Michaels
• Dollar Tree
• The Dollar Store
• Thrift store
• Garage sale

So, the next time you’re out shopping, look for bells in different sizes to give your holiday decor that special feeling.

Bell Options:

• Plastic bell – (Have a Beautiful Texture)
• Red jingle bells – (Really Cute)
• Gold jingle bells
• A big bell

Other Paint Options:

• Fusion mineral paint
• zinc paint – (HERE)
• black spray paint – (HERE)
• black acrylic paint

Can I add matte Mod Podge and cinnamon to other metal objects?

Absolutely! The next time you visit a thrift store, look for other metal objects to create a unique decoration. The good news? This is an easy way to add a rusty appearance to pieces you find while thrifting, or even metal objects already in your home.

With just a few craft supplies, you can transform everyday finds into something special. Family and friends will love how these pieces warm up your living room and home!

• Safety pins – Large ones for a laundry room (Amazon)
• Metal birdcages, new or from the thrift store (These are pretty!)
• Bezel frames
• Signs: This is perfect
• Big bell (This cow Bell would like an antique with this technique)
• Plastic bell 
• Star-shaped cutouts
• Metal Cloche (This is so pretty – I bought one for myself!
• Corbels
• Add Bells to Halloween Costumes

How cute would these be on a court jester hat, collar, and wand, or even a velvet elf hat? The little elf ears on that hat made me smile!

The best part? This technique works beautifully on a variety of metal objects, making any holiday decoration extra special. I added this to a previous project. I made this wooden Christmas sign a few years ago and decided to give it new life by adding aged charm, rustic appeal, and a time worn style to complement our holiday decor.

Handmade Christmas Ornaments: Add Rustic Flair with Mod Podge and Cinnamon

Perfect for the Christmas season, you can create handmade Christmas ornaments for your tree or rustic rusty scrabble pieces for a unique decoration.

• First thing, apply a thin coat of Mod Podge and sprinkle on a bit of cinnamon to create the rusting solution. Shake off the excess cinnamon.
• For the next step, use a hot glue gun to attach your ornaments to festive ribbon, an easy and charming holiday decoration. You can find beautiful ribbon HERE and HERE.

Transform Christmas Decor: Rust Metal Items With Mod Podge for a Charming Look

Imagine all the ways you can use these bells in your Christmas decor or for other special occasions. Here are a few ideas:

• Holiday Decoration: Here’s a good idea: grab your hot glue gun, add a dab of glue, and attach faux greenery. For the next step, use a small amount of hot glue or craft glue to add a small pine cone and a piece of twine. You’ve got handmade Christmas ornaments ready to hang!
• Pine cones: Fill a crate, dough bowl, or decorative bowl with bells, pine cones, cinnamon sticks, greenery, and ornaments to add a festive touch. For more ideas, visit my blog post on front porch Christmas decor, how we say Merry Christmas, and natural greens and cozy touches.
• Wreaths: At Dollar Store or Hobby Lobby, grab large bells, twine, pipe cleaners, or zip ties. Thread a piece of twine through the bells, secure it, and tie it to your wreath frame. Add plaid ribbon for holiday decor.
• Jingle Bell Garland: Make a garland to pair with faux greens on your mantel. Try red jingle bells for a pop of color! It’s a stunning accent for your living room during the holiday season, without additional cost.
• Gift Toppers: Use a small amount of hot glue to attach bells to a cluster of pine cones. It’s an easy way to make your gifts stand out and say Merry Christmas. Add a piece of twine so loved ones can hang them on their Christmas tree next year.

With these ideas, your holiday decor will shine without additional cost!

Rustic Charm for Holidays with DIY Jingle Bells

• Jingle Bell Garland: Make a jingle bell garland to complement faux greens on your mantle. For this project, think about using red jingle bells. The rusted red and greens will pop on your living room mantle or front door.  Add the garland with small cup hooks. Cup hooks won’t add too much additional cost and leave small holes. After the holidays, the holes won’t be visible.
• Gift Toppers: Here’s another good idea, add bells as gift toppers. Use a hot glue gun and attach a bell in the center of three pine cones. Hold to set and thread or hot glue a bell in the center. Use these as place settings. This is an easy way to make your family members or friends feel special. It says Merry Christmas! Add an extra piece of twine inside so they can hang the bells next time on their Christmas tree and remind them of the prior Christmas season.
• Stockings: Add small gold jingle bells with this simple rusting solution to Christmas stockings to hang on the living room mantle. This is an easy way to get an instant rustic look.

With these ideas, you can create festive decor without any additional cost!

A Vintage Appearance: Rusting Metal Items with Mod Podge

You don’t have to limit this simple rusty appearance to bells; there are so many creative ways to add a warm, handmade touch to your decor and special projects.

• Rusty Stars: This simple rusting solution isn’t just for bells! Pick up star-shaped cutouts in different sizes. Use a small amount of hot glue gun or Aleene’s craft glue to attach them to twine or ribbon. These rusty stars are perfect for cool special events, like Memorial Day or July 4th.
• Big Pieces: First thing, apply a thin coat of matte Mod Podge and cinnamon to big pieces. Such as bezel frames or a metal cloche, you can find at a craft store or thrift store. Have a shiny metal sign from Dollar Tree? This rusting solution, with regular Mod Podge and a bowl of cinnamon, gives it a perfect aged patina.
• Place Cards: Picture your holiday table with gold jingle bells or rustic rusty Scrabble pieces as name holders. Purchase these HERE. Print names on cardstock, cut them with decorative scissors, and attach with a hot glue gun. It’s an elegant touch for special occasions.

 With these ideas, any special occasion will have a charming and rustic touch.

Add Charm to Your Holiday Decor Without Extra Cost

And that’s it, your rusty jingle bells are ready to bring a cozy vintage look to your Christmas decor! I love how something so simple can add charm to the holiday season.

Creating rusty jingle bells with regular Mod Podge and cinnamon is a great way to give any project a rusty appearance for special occasions. Whether you hang them on your Christmas tree, tie them to wreaths, garlands, or stockings, these bells add instant charm to your holiday projects. They come together quickly without any additional cost.

With just a little bit of time, you can transform star-shaped cutouts, bells, or thrifted treasures into festive pieces that feel collected and loved. I hope this post inspires you to spice up jingle bells with cinnamon and Mod Podge and create something beautiful for your home this season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Shop Some of My Favorites! Click to Shop in One Place!

WE HAVE TWO OF THESE TREES AND WE LOVE THEM!

THESE TAPER CANDLES ARE A MUST IN OUR HOME – HAVE A TIMER

I USE THESE PILLAR CANDLES ALL SEASON – HAVE A TIMER

ON MY TABLE EVERY CHRISTMAS – LOVE THEM