Got a few pieces of scrap wood lying around? Let’s turn them into easy Christmas wood crafts you can decorate, give as homemade gifts, or sell at a holiday market. For this project, I used leftover cedar fence pickets, paint, and Christmas transfers to create rustic wooden wall art. It’s a simple way to put those scraps to good use—and give my hubby one more reason to stop questioning my woodpile. 🙂
Updated October 2026: I’m revisiting this scrap wood Christmas project with extra tips to help you make your own for decorating, gifting, or selling.
Thanks to Dixie Belle Paint Co. for sponsoring this post. While I was compensated to write this post, all opinions are my own.
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Easy Christmas Wall Art From Scrap Wood
Have you started the countdown to Christmas yet?
I sure have, and I couldn’t wait to dig through my scrap wood pile for this quick-and-easy wall art idea. I love decorating on a budget, and I’m all about saving money.
I’d been searching for ideas to decorate the bare wall under my stairway, but I didn’t want to overdo it since my Christmas tree was there too. And for the record, I no longer hang ornaments on my trees. We have four-legged kiddos.
I made Christmas ornaments that can’t be broken. Yes, Virginia, there is (a Santa) such a thing. See where I went there? 😄
Supplies for Christmas Wood Crafts
- scrap or wood pallets (lightweight cedar lumber)
- miter saw
- electric sander with sandpaper (my FAVE!)
- pencil
- synthetic chip brush
- Tobacco Road VooDoo Gel Stain
- Butter Cream Chalk Mineral Paint
- Holiday Hologram- Water Slide Transfer
- sawtooth picture hangers
- hammer
- tiny command strips
Step 1: Measure and Cut the Scrap Wood
For this project, I used lightweight cedar fence pickets measuring 5¼ inches wide. To make my five-piece Christmas wall art set, I cut:
- Two boards at 11 inches long
- Three boards at 8 inches long
You can adjust the sizes to fit your scrap wood and the Christmas designs you’ll be adding.
Step 2: Sand the Wood Smooth
Sand the front, sides, and cut edges of each board to remove rough spots and splinters. Keep some of that rustic wood character, but make the front smooth enough for your Christmas transfers to adhere neatly. Wipe away the sanding dust before moving on to staining and painting.
Step 3: Stain and Paint
I stained my boards with VooDoo Gel Stain in Tobacco Road to give the wood a darker base. Later, when I distressed the paint, that darker color showed through for a rustic farmhouse finish.
Staining is optional. If you prefer lighter wood showing through the distressed areas—or don’t plan to distress your pieces—you can skip it. Let the stain dry according to the product directions before painting.
Once the stain is dry, paint the front and sides of each board. I used two coats of Butter Cream Chalk Mineral Paint, allowing each coat to dry before adding the next.
The soft cream color gives these pieces a farmhouse look and helps the Christmas transfers stand out. You can choose another color to match your decor—just consider how clearly your transfer designs will show against it.
If you’re making several pieces for gifts or to sell, paint them in batches: apply the first coat to all your boards, then repeat with the second coat after they’ve dried.
Step 4: Lightly Sand and Distress the Paint
Once the paint is thoroughly dry, lightly sand the front with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough spots before applying your Christmas transfers.
For a rustic finish, gently sand along the edges to reveal some of the darker stained wood underneath. You can skip distressing if you prefer a freshly painted look.
Wipe away all sanding dust with a soft cloth before adding the designs.
Step 5: Apply the Christmas Transfers
For my designs, I used the Holiday Hologram Water Slide Transfer, which includes Christmas ornaments and pine cones. I chose a different design for each board to create a coordinating set.
Before applying the transfers, make sure your painted boards are dry, smooth, and free of sanding dust. Arrange the designs first so you can check how they fit. Follow the instructions supplied with your transfer—the steps below show how I applied the one used for this project.
Cut out the Christmas design you want to use and check its placement on your painted board. The image on the paper backing helps you position it.
Remove the clear protective film, then place the transfer design face down against the wood.
With the design face down on the wood, gently press a damp cloth over the paper backing. Moisten the paper evenly without soaking it, keeping the transfer in place as you work.
Carefully peel back the paper backing to reveal your Christmas design, lifting slowly so you can check that the transfer has adhered to the painted wood. Allow the design to dry before handling or adding hanging hardware.
Step 6: Add a Picture Hanger
Once the design is dry, attach a small sawtooth picture hanger to the back of each board, centered near the top. Choose nails short enough that they won’t poke through the front.
My hubby taught me a handy trick: use needle-nose pliers to hold those tiny nails while you get them started. It saves a lot of fumbling—and keeps my fingers out of the way!
For a different look, drill two holes near the top and thread ribbon, jute, or twine through them to make a hanging loop.
Tips For Selling Your Wood Crafts
If you’re making these Christmas wood crafts to sell, work in batches: cut and sand your boards together, then stain, paint, and decorate them in stages. You can offer individual pieces or a coordinating set.
Before setting your price, add up your supplies, packaging, selling fees, and the time spent making each piece. Scrap wood helps keep material costs down, but your time counts too!
Local holiday markets, craft fairs, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace are places to consider. Start with a small batch to see which designs people like before making more.
If you use purchased transfers, check the maker’s terms to confirm they allow you to sell finished crafts featuring their designs.
Displaying Your Finished Christmas Wood Crafts
I displayed my finished pieces together as a Christmas gallery wall, using a different ornament design on each board. The cream paint and distressed edges tie the set together, while the green designs add a little holiday color.
Before hanging yours, arrange the boards on a table or the floor to find a layout you like. You could also lean a few on a shelf or mantel, or give a coordinating pair as a handmade Christmas gift.
I love how these wooden Christmas wall ornaments accent this wall.
Bonus! They are safe from my four-legged friends, who might otherwise bat them around the room. 🙂 But then again, I have Grands that might try the same thing.
I can also see them displayed or hanging from a fireplace mantel. Oh, the ideas in my head.
Questions About These Christmas Wood Crafts
Do I need to stain the wood before painting?
No. I used stain so darker wood would show through when I distressed the paint. You can skip it if you prefer a lighter distressed finish or don’t plan to distress your boards.
Can I make these without cutting wood?
Yes! Start with precut wood craft blanks sized to fit your transfer designs. You can then follow the painting and decorating steps.
Can I use a different Christmas design?
Who knew a few fence-picket scraps could clean up this nicely? These Christmas wood crafts are a fun way to decorate on a budget or make a gift with a little personality.
Would you hang yours as a gallery wall, style them on a mantel, or give them away? Tell me in the comments—I always love hearing your ideas.
Save this project to your Christmas DIY board on Pinterest so you can find the tutorial when you’re ready to tackle that scrap wood pile.
Until the next project… xo, Do
More DIY Christmas Wood Projects
Still have a few scraps left in your wood pile? Here are more DIY Christmas wood projects to put them to work. Each tutorial walks you through making something special for your holiday home or a handmade gift.
I really love these!!! I’m going to have to do this project!!!
Thank you, Janie. Have fun creating and thanks for reading. 🙂
I haven’t tried the waterslide transfers yet, but they look awesome! I love this gallery wall idea and bet these cuties would sell out fast at any craft show or online shop. Thanks for sharing and have a super duper weekend my friend! XOXO
Thank you, my friend! I love the simplicity of the design. I plan on making more with the acorns for a Winter display. Have a good week. 🙂
Hi Do Dodson!! I love these! I don’t have scrap wood pile but I believe they sell these at dollar store. I love these ornaments! Thank you for sharing.
I never thought of that. Maybe a craft store sells these wood blanks. That’s a fantastic idea. I’ll look the next time I go. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Oh! And thank your sweet man gor the tip with the needle nose pliers. I definitely needed that.
Hey Cheryl,
He’s pretty darn handy when it comes to figuring out these things. I struggle sometimes. 🙂
Love these, Do! They look great on the wood pieces and hanging. Very nice.
Aren’t they? I love how they turned out. Have a great week, my friend. 🙂
They are charming indeed (and simple to make). Just wondering if you had to have fixings on your wall to hang them? Also is it necessary to stain the wood before painting?
Hi Audrey! No, it isn’t necessary to stain before painting unless you want a dark distressing. To hang them without damaging the wall, I used command strips. It’s my secret weapon. Have a wonderful week and thanks for reading. 🙂
I love the transfer, just finished staining. I used an old wooden pallet got many pieces for this project. Money us tight this year so sharing these with family as Christmas gifts.
Hi Nina! It is a good way to give gifts on a budget. But even if you’re not on a budget it a fun way to give a unique gift from the heart. Have fun creating. xo 😘
Could you share where you get your decals from ? I love this idea
Hi Jackie, I get most of them from Dixie Belle Paint Company. Here is my affiliate link if you want to check them out. https://dixiebellepaint.com/?rfsn=9223321.a04534