Ho Ho Ho – Mod Podge Christmas Decor DIY

Ho, Ho, Ho! Out of all the Christmas sayings I can think of, this is by far my favorite with Feliz Navidad a close 2nd. That is one Christmas song that could not possibly be more fun to sing even if you (like me) have a total ineptitude for Spanish enunciation!

DIY “Ho Ho Ho” Christmas Decor

As far as holiday sayings go, you’ve got your traditional Noel,  Deck the Halls, Joy to the World which are all sentimental and beautiful sayings. But I am not one for a beautiful and sentimental Christmas so much as a garnish, Frosty the Snowman special watchin’, glitter, tinsel, and loud, non-traditional music kind of a Christmas. But that’s just me…

This year I decided to memorialize my favorite saying with paper mache and Mod Podge. I must say, I’m extremely happy with the results!

Want to knock out your own favorite saying in time to accompany the holiday decor explosion occurring in your home?

Supplies Needed for “Ho Ho Ho” Christmas Decor DIY

• Mod Podge
• Acrylic craft paint in red, green, and white & paintbrush
• Scrapbooking paper (one 12×12 piece will work for 2 of most 8 inch letters)
• Paper mache letters (available in craft stores)
• Craft or utility knife
• Hot glue

How to Make “Ho Ho Ho” Christmas Decor

First paint around the edges and the backside of your mache letters. Plan out your design before you begin painting. I used red accents on the side with mostly green paper on the front and vice versa. Decide how you’re going to work it before you begin so that you won’t have to repaint your letters mid-way through the project. Allow to fully dry.

Next, slather a thin but generous amount of Mod Podge onto the front of your letters. Work quickly so that it doesn’t dry on you.

Place your scrapbook paper on top of the wet Mod Podge. Use your fingers to smooth the paper out and rub away any wrinkles or bubbles. Again, work quickly so that it doesn’t set unattractively on you. Trim the paper so that you have just a bit around each letter. Reserve or use the cuttings. Set to the side and continue with your other letters.

When you’ve done all of your letters, go around the edges and ensure that your paper is effectively attached to each letter. Use Mod Podge to help track down any wayward edges. Allow drying fully, ideally overnight.

Use your knife to trace around the mache letters and cleanly remove the excess scrap paper.

Now we’re going to make the letters look snowy and awesome. This of course is totally optional. Take your white craft paint and run a line around the sides and front of the edges. Don’t worry about it being perfect, in fact, it looks better if it is a little haphazard.

Next, think about how falling snow would appear in your letters… The top would be completely covered and it would spill over the edge a bit. The bottoms would have a pile as if the snow was accumulating at the base. Be sure to also cover the inside bottom of the “O” at the top of the connecting bar on the “H”. Again, paint is kind of haphazard, and most of all, don’t try to make each letter match exactly. Allow drying.

Next, we’re going to connect the letters to one another. First set your letters out on the ground in front of you and play with their placement. If you are using several words, and need them to be separated, keep that in mind. For instance, hohoho run together doesn’t look right and it doesn’t get the message across. However, if you push the middle “ho” up to about halfway up the first and last “hos” there is a distinct difference and each ho is easily distinguishable and the phrase readily recognized. Use a measuring stick if necessary to make your letters even so that they will stand properly on their own.

First place the letters together and eyeball where they touch. Use a decent amount of hot glue in that area and stick together. Quickly put the letters flush with your level work surface to even out. Finish tacking together as needed.

Ho, ho, ho! See you next week with some quick and easy last-minute gift DIYs!

Allison

A crafter since her earliest years, Allison spends a little time every day making something. She crafts, sews, paints, glues things onto other things, and is a firm believer that a life spent creating is a life worth living. Visit Allison’s blog, Dream {a Little} BIGGER.