Learn how to make pretty Christmas tree mantel decor using wood surfaces, Mod Podge, and napkins! Add faux snow for a festive touch.
Skills Required: Intermediate. To make this homemade decor, it helps to have experience with paint and Mod Podge. You’ll be applying both, ironing the napkin down, then using faux snow.
I’m a big fan of wood decor at Christmas. I don’t know what it is, but whether it’s unfinished or painted, I just like what wood brings to the table, so to speak.
I find a lot of inspiration in the German Christmas markets, where they have a lot of wood Christmas ornaments and other wood trinkets to decorate with.
AND I collect holiday napkins and tissue paper, so I have a lot in my stash to decoupage to the wood as well.
So what I’m saying is that when it comes to doing a wood holiday project – I’m ready to go at all times.
After I ordered the wood trees that I used in my chalkboard trees project, I was so happy with how they turned out, that I ordered two more sets of trees to decorate.
I knew immediately that I was going to decoupage some napkins on top of the wood, and I had some specific ones in mind (those you see above).
They were perfect for turning the wood into Christmas tree mantel decor, which is exactly what I did. I added a little snow paint, and a little sparkle, and I’m really happy with how they turned out.
If you’d like to make them, I’m going to show you how it’s done!
Here’s what you’re going to need to decorate these trees:
- Unfinished wood trees – 14.5″ x 9.5″
- White craft paint
- Mod Podge Satin
- Mod Podge Sparkle
- Holiday themed napkins
- Faux snow paint
- Emery board
- Paintbrushes
- Small spatula
- Small iron
- Parchment paper
- Clear acrylic spray sealer (optional)
Tips and Thoughts for This Project
I used a small paintbrush to get inside the smaller areas between the wood slats on the trees. You can probably use a q-tip, too.
I didn’t seal the top of the napkins with Mod Podge – it tends to make them wrinkle. If you do seal with Mod Podge and the napkins wrinkle, you can place parchment down and iron over the top again.
It’s easier to use a knife-type object like a spatula to apply the faux snow – it doesn’t stick to a brush because it is somewhat dry and chunky. The spatula helps me push it around until I’m satisfied with the placement (snow paint is forgiving).
Don’t forget to take a gander at the awesome *sparkle* on top of the snow. Here’s a close up:
Get the printable how to card for this project below:
Christmas Tree Mantel Decor
Equipment
- Emery board or sandpaper
- Small spatula
- Iron
Materials
- 2 Unfinished wood trees 14.5″ x 9.5″
- Craft paint white
- Mod Podge Satin
- Mod Podge Sparkle
- Holiday or winter napkin(s)
- Faux snow paint
- Parchment paper
Instructions
- Paint both unfinished wood trees with white craft paint. Use smaller brushes to get in between the slats. Don't forget the base. Give several coats and let dry.
- Paint Mod Podge on the top of each slat. You don't need to get in between or on the edges. Let dry and paint a second coat. Let dry again.
- Separate the layers from the napkin. You only want the top, printed layer. It helps to use double stick tape.
- Place the napkin down onto the tree. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the napkin, and run the craft iron across the top several times. While you are doing this, the Mod Podge is melting below the napkin, and the napkin is adhering. Keep going until the napkin is fully adhered.
- Lift up and check under the parchment paper to see if you missed anywhere, especially around the edges. If you did, repeat the process from step 4.
- Let the tree cool after ironing. Use an emery board to gently sand away the excess napkin. Sanding at an angle works very well. Continue until all the extra napkin is removed.
- Use a spray sealer to seal the napkin on top of the tree, if desired.
- Apply the faux snow paint around the wood base. It helps to use a small spatula and pile it on. Keep going until you like the look, then let dry.
- [mv_schema_meta name=""]Place the tree on its back. Use a brush to apply some of the faux snow paint where you would imagine branches to be. Get some of the edges and the top. Let dry.
- Use a paintbrush to apply Sparkle Mod Podge to the top of the dried faux snow. Let dry and display.
If you enjoyed this project, please let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other ideas: