The holiday season is all about spreading cheer, and what better way to do that than with some hands-on creativity? We’ve put together a list of fun and inspiring DIY projects that you can create using our high-quality paint. Whether you’re decking out your home with festive decorations or crafting handmade gifts, these projects are perfect for adding a personalized touch to your holidays. Plus, they’re simple enough to do with friends or family, making them an ideal way to spend time together this season!
Hand-Painted Gingerbread House Sign
Create your own customized gingerbread house decor or wall art with just a bit of paint and some creativity!
What You Need:
- A blank wooden sign or box
- Smoky Quartz furniture glaze
- Your choice of paint colors (think traditional reds and greens, or whites for a snowy look)
- Cornstarch
- Small paintbrushes
- Glitter (optional)
How-To:
- "Stain" the wood with Smoky Quartz furniture glaze to give it a gingerbread color.
- Sketch out the features of your gingerbread house with pencil.
- Paint in the features with festive colors like Crinoline (white), Paint the Town (red), Hollow Hill (dark green), Driftwood (brown), and Cobblestone (grey).
- Add realistic looking snowy effects by mixing cornstarch with Crinoline paint to make a thick paste. Pipe it onto the roof and window sills.
- Make the snow and candy glisten by adding some glitter over top.
Distressed or Painted Candlesticks
Transform your candlesticks into beautiful holiday accents with a bit of paint. Whether you love the vintage, distressed look, or prefer bold, vibrant colors, our paint is perfect for the job!
What You Need:
- Old candlesticks (wood, metal, or ceramic)
- Sandpaper (if you want to distress them)
- Your choice of paint colors (think traditional reds and greens, or whites for a snowy look)
- Paintbrushes and/or a Painting Sponge
How-To:
- Start by cleaning the candlesticks thoroughly.
- Sand them lightly if there's any unevenness or you need to rough up a smooth, porous surface.
- Apply a base coat of paint and let it dry.
- For a distressed finish, lightly sand the edges after the paint dries to reveal the underlying layer.
- Add a second layer in a contrasting color, or leave it simple for a more minimalist look.
- Finish with a protective sealant.
Christmas Tree Made of Broken Furniture or Spindles
This is a brilliant way to repurpose broken furniture or spindles you might have lying around. You can create a modern, rustic tree that’s perfect for any holiday setting!
What You Need:
- Old furniture parts or wooden spindles (either new or reclaimed)
- Saw (if needed to cut the spindles)
- Paint (green, red, white, or any festive color)
- Twine, ribbon, or string lights
- Small ornaments or decorations
How-To:
- Arrange your spindles in a triangle shape to form a tree. Secure them together using nails or screws.
- Paint each spindle in different shades to create a fun, colorful effect. You could even distress the edges for a rustic vibe.
- Decorate with small ornaments, twine, or string lights to give it a cozy, holiday feel.
- Display as a wall hanging, tabletop decoration, or on a shelf.
Decorated Empty Window Frame
Bring an antique or rustic feel to your home with a repurposed window frame! This simple project can be easily customized to match your holiday decor.
What You Need:
- An old window frame (check local thrift stores or garage sales)
- Paint (for both the frame and any decorations inside the frame)
- Stencils or holiday-themed cutouts (like snowflakes, pinecones, or reindeer)
- String lights (optional)
How-To:
- Clean and sand the window frame to prep it for painting.
- Paint the frame in your preferred color (chalk-style paint works wonderfully for a rustic feel).
- Inside each window pane, you can place decorative items like stenciled images or tiny holiday scenes.
- If you’d like, add a string of fairy lights inside the frame for some extra sparkle.
Small Wooden Village
Create a charming holiday village by painting small wooden blocks or cutouts into houses, trees, and other festive shapes. These tiny homes make the perfect table centerpiece or mantle decoration.
What You Need:
- Small wooden blocks or pre-cut shapes (houses, trees, etc.)
- Paint (variety of colors for each house and tree)
- Paintbrushes and sponges
- Glitter or snow effects (optional)
- Hot glue gun (for assembling houses or adding accessories)
How-To:
- Paint the wooden shapes to look like little homes or trees. Use different colors for each one to give them character.
- Add some details like windows, doors, and roofs using a fine paintbrush or markers.
- Optional: Use glitter or white paint to simulate snow or add a festive touch.
- Arrange the houses into a tiny village scene on your table or mantle.
Hand-Painted Holiday Signs
Hand-painted holiday signs add a personal touch to your home, and they also make fantastic gifts! You can write your favorite holiday quotes or sayings, like “Joy to the World” or “Merry & Bright”.
What You Need:
- Wooden boards or canvas
- Paint (for lettering and backgrounds)
- Stencils or freehand lettering
- Paintbrushes and masking tape (optional for clean lines)
How-To:
- Prepare your surface by sanding and painting it with a base color.
- Use stencils or freehand lettering to write a holiday message. Play around with different font styles and colors.
- Add some simple decorative elements like holly leaves, stars, or snowflakes.
- Let the paint dry completely, then hang it on your door, wall, or above your fireplace.
Cornstarch and Painted Ornaments
This is a unique and fun project that’s perfect for kids and adults alike. Using cornstarch, you can make your own ornaments, then paint and decorate them for the holidays!
What You Need:
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda
- Water
- Paint (to decorate your ornaments)
- Cookie cutters (for shaping)
- Ribbon or twine (for hanging)
How-To:
- Combine 1 cup of cornstarch with 2 cups of baking soda and 1 1/4 cups of water. Heat in a pot until it forms a dough-like consistency.
- Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to shape your ornaments.
- Let the ornaments dry completely before painting them in holiday colors.
- Add decorative details like glitter or patterns.
- Once dry, attach twine or ribbon to hang them on your tree or around the house.
Painted Kraft Paper for Wrapping Gifts
Instead of buying traditional wrapping paper, why not create your own? Kraft paper is perfect for painting and customizing to suit your style. You can make each gift extra special with unique, hand-painted designs.
What You Need:
- Kraft paper
- Paint in various colors
- Paintbrushes, sponges, or stamps
How-To:
- Roll out a length of kraft paper to wrap your gifts.
- Use a variety of paints to create fun holiday designs. Stamps can help with repetitive patterns, while freehand designs make it extra personal.
- Add some festive details like dots, stars, or holly leaves.
- Let the paint dry, then wrap your gifts and finish them off with twine or ribbons.
Decorate Picture Frames for Holiday Photos
Give your holiday photos a beautiful home with hand-painted picture frames. Customize them with holiday colors, patterns, and embellishments.
What You Need:
- Plain wooden frames
- Paint
- Glitter, ribbon, or small embellishments (optional)
- Paintbrushes
How-To:
- Start by painting your frames in a festive color—think red, green, or white.
- Add holiday designs like pine trees, snowflakes, or even a cute Santa face.
- If you want a more rustic look, distress the frame slightly by sanding the edges.
- Embellish with glitter, ribbon, or small pinecones for extra flair.
Get Creative this Holiday Season!
The holidays are a time for warmth, togetherness, and creativity. With a little bit of paint and imagination, you can turn everyday objects into something extraordinary. Whether you're creating personalized gifts, decking the halls, or simply adding a personal touch to your home, these projects are sure to make your season bright.
We can’t wait to see what you create—be sure to share your holiday DIY projects with us on social media or drop by our store for more inspiration!
Happy painting and happy holidays!
