From Map to Keepsake:Make Your Own NYC Subway Map Christmas Ornaments

What started as one of our most unexpected best-sellers has turned into a craft I still love sharing today: our DIY NYC Subway Map Ornaments. When we first created them, they flew off our craft tables—people couldn’t get enough of the bold colors, iconic imagery, and the fun nostalgia that only a NYC subway map brings. Now, I want to show you how to make your own version, whether as a meaningful gift or a standout piece for your own tree. And the best part? This technique works with any map or printed paper, so you can personalize your ornaments for any city, theme, or color palette.

How It All Started

My sister, Nicole, and I discovered the magic of subway maps long before these ornaments were born. Our first experiment was decoupaging NYC subway maps onto wooden stools. They turned into instant conversation starters, bright, graphic, and completely unique. We paired the maps with a bold red painted edge, and those stools sold out quickly. That success sparked an idea.

Turning Subway Maps into Ornaments

Riding the momentum, we grabbed a stack of unfinished wooden ornaments from Michaels and tried the same decoupage technique. The result? Pure craft gold. Our NYC Subway Map Ornaments were an immediate hit and became one of our all-time top sellers.

Using subway maps on easy DIY ornaments.

Now, I’m sharing the exact steps so you can recreate the magic at home and put your own spin on this standout DIY.

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DIY Christmas Ornaments Make the Best Personal Gifts

There’s something extra special about giving a gift you’ve made by hand, especially when it carries a story. These DIY NYC Subway Map Ornaments are wonderfully unique, and they make the perfect keepsake for a New Yorker, a frequent visitor, or anyone who has ever called the city home. And the beauty of this project is its flexibility: you’re not limited to subway maps. You can use a metro map from another city, a special invitation, or any meaningful printed paper. The possibilities truly are endless, and each ornament becomes its own little piece of personal history.

• wood ornaments or any object that you can cover
• Mod Podge– needed to adhere paper to the object
• foam brush– easy to brush on and then wash for the next project
• glitter– a little glitter goes a long way and makes anything festive!
• wired ribbon– helps to hold the shape, but also can use regular ribbon
• scissors– a must-have tool!

Steps to making easy DIY NYC subway map ornaments

1. Print out, or ask for a local subway map- you can really use any type of map for this project.
2. Buy wood ornaments in round, heart, or star.
3. Place the ornament on the desired area of the map and use a light pencil to trace the shape.
4. Do this for both sides; it can be fun to have two different areas of the map on either side.
5. Make sure to have a clean work surface. I usually use my granite counter, which is an easy surface to clean.
6. Use Mod Podge and coat the ornament with a foam brush, then lay a cut piece of paper map on the wet surface.
7. Coat on top of this with another layer of Mod Podge and let it dry.
8. Once this side is dry ( usually about half an hour), do steps 5&6 on the opposite side.
9. Use a wire hanger to hang the wet ornaments while the Mod Podge is drying.
10. If you are using a wood ornament, you will end up with an unfinished gap from the thickness of your ornament. Two options I have used in the past.
11. Either coat with Mod Podge, then coat with the desired color of 1. glitter, or 2. metallic paint color to finish this edge off. Either method completes the look; it just depends on what you like.
12. When the glitter is dry, I coat it with a layer of Mod Podge. Which seals in the glitter and ensures fewer glitter flakes off
13. Thread a wired ribbon through to create a loop. You can also use non-wire ribbon.
14. Tie in a bow at the top with the same wired ribbon to add an extra detail.

Free Holiday Gift Tracker: Stay Organized, Stress-Free, and On Budget This Season

The holidays can sneak up fast, and before you know it, you’re juggling gift lists, receipts, ideas, and a budget that seems to disappear overnight. That’s why I created this Free Holiday Christmas Gift Tracker, your simple, stylish way to stay completely organized this season.

Use it to keep track of everyone on your list, jot down gift ideas, mark what you’ve purchased, and stay on budget without the overwhelm. No more forgetting someone important, buying duplicates, or scrambling at the last minute. This tracker helps you map out your holiday giving with ease, so you can focus on what matters most: enjoying the season.

Download it, print it, and keep it close as you check off each name and gift with confidence!

Non DIY Christmas ornaments

Of course, not everyone has the time to sit down and make their own ornaments, and that’s totally okay. I always like to include non-DIY options for those moments when you still want something meaningful, but need it quickly and hassle-free.
If you love the look of NYC subway–themed ornaments but prefer to skip the crafting, there are plenty of beautiful ready-made versions available. From glass ornaments featuring iconic subway signage to printed wood designs that mimic the classic map, you can still bring that New York charm to your tree without picking up a paintbrush.
Check out my curated picks below for cool, unique, and city-inspired ornaments that make thoughtful gifts—or the perfect last-minute addition to your own holiday décor.

1. NYC Subway Map Ornament -Approximately 3″ diameter one-sided, semi-gloss aluminum. A ribbon is included. Translucent
2. NYC subway hand-painted ornaments– Let someone else do the painting! Pick any train line.
3. NYC Map Ornament: Cherry Wood Urban Keepsake Decor
4. MetroCard Ornament– Glass with glitter details
5. Subway Train Car Ornament, Hand Felted NYC Travel Ornament.
6. Custom NYC Subway Train Christmas Ornament – Personalized Ceramic Holiday Decor 

RELATED POSTS

Some additional Holiday posts that you may find interesting and useful.

• New Year’s Eve Free Printables!– never too early to prepare for this celebratory holiday!
• How To Make Honey Balls– One of my favorite recipes- make a batch and wrap as a gift
• 5 Fun Holiday Wine Tags -Free!– Need a quick gift? Use these labels to wrap up a bottle of wine

Share DIY Christmas ornaments!

I always love to see what others are creating! Please share with me your DIY Christmas ornaments in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by!

Susan

This post is all about NYC subway ornaments