Skip to Content

DIY Merry Christmas Decor for Your Mantel

Learn how to make this “Merry” Christmas decor using paper mache letters, a wood plaque, and other fun holiday supplies! Such a cute idea.

Skills Required: Beginner. You’re going to be painting, cutting paper, Mod Podging it to letters, and gluing. This is relatively easy if you work slowly and follow the steps.

DIY Merry Christmas decor

As we jingle all the way into the festive season, it’s time to add a dash of handmade charm to your Christmas decor.

If your mantel looks as though it’s longing for a touch of holiday cheer (and let’s be honest, who isn’t this time of year?), I’ve got just the crafty solution for you – DIY Merry Christmas decor that’s as fun to make as it is to display!

I promise this project is more “ho-ho-ho” than “no-no-no.” We’re going to take a plain wood plaque and transform it into a festive masterpiece with some paper mache letters.

First things first, let’s talk materials. We’ll start with a long, unfinished wood plaque – your canvas for the Christmas magic.

Merry Christmas sign with paper mache letters

Then we’ll add some paper mache letters spelling “MERRY. These letters are going to get a fabulous makeover with some Christmas scrapbook paper.

Next, we add color. A bit of paint to set the mood. Once our letters are all dressed up and our plaque is painted, we’re going to bring them together in a beautiful, crafty union.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more festive, we sprinkle on some faux snow. It’s like a White Christmas, but without the need to shovel your driveway.

The result? A ‘Merry’ sign that’s as joyful as a Christmas carol and as cozy as a cup of hot cocoa.

Now, I know you’re eager to start spreading that Christmas cheer, and I’m just as excited to show you how. Scroll down to find the full tutorial on how to make this DIY ‘Merry’ decor.

It’s the perfect project for a chilly afternoon, a cup of your favorite holiday drink in hand, and maybe a Christmas tune or two playing in the background.

DIY Merry Christmas mantel decor

Let’s make something that not only lights up your mantel but also brings a smile to everyone who sees it.

Because that’s what Christmas crafts are all about – spreading joy, one decoupaged letter at a time. So, grab your glue and let’s get crafting!

First, here’s what you’re going to need.

Gather These Supplies

  • Wood plaque – 23.2″ x 5.4″
  • Paper mache letters – 6″, spelling “MERRY”
  • Craft paint – colors to coordinate with your papers plus white
  • Scrapbook paper – five sheets
  • Faux snow – got mine from Dollar Tree
  • Mod Podge Satin
  • Bottlebrush trees and other Christmas embellishments (deer, snowmen, wreath, etc)
  • Paintbrushes
  • Pencil or pen
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks (or craft glue)
  • Craft knife and mat
  • Scissors
  • Sandpaper
  • Wax candle

Tips and Thoughts for This Project

You don’t have the distress the base of the plaque but I love the way it came out. The distressing of metallic paint with regular paint is hard to see in the photos but looks great in person!

If you use craft glue for this project instead of hot glue, glue any embellishments to the letters before gluing them to the plaque (so you can keep them flat while drying).

If you see any blank areas after applying the faux snow, you can go back and add some additional Mod Podge and more snow to fill in.

DIY Merry Christmas decor
Save Print
4.50 from 2 votes

DIY Merry Christmas Decor

Learn how to make this unique Merry sign with a wood plaque, paper mache letters, and other simple supplies. It's great for displaying on a holiday mantel!
Prep Time30 minutes
Active Time3 hours 30 minutes
Dry Time2 hours
Total Time6 hours
Yield: 1 sign
Cost: $23

Equipment

Materials

  • 1 Wood plaque 23.2″ x 5.4″ – mine's from JoAnns
  • Paper mache letters – 6″ spelling “MERRY”
  • Craft paint colors to coordinate with your papers plus white
  • 5 sheets Scrapbook paper
  • Faux snow
  • Mod Podge Satin
  • Bottlebrush trees and other Christmas embellishments deer, snowmen, wreath, etc

Instructions

  • Choose the papers to cover your letters. Lay out the papers and decide on your paint colors for each letter.
    Five sheets of Christmas scrapbook paper spread out on a counter
  • Trace the letters onto the back of the scrapbook paper using a pencil or pen.
    Tracing a paper mache letter M on the back of scrapbook paper
  • Cut out the letters using your scissors. For tricky areas like the insides of some of the letters, it's easier to use a craft knife.
    cutting out the letters using scissors and a craft knife
  • Paint the top of the wood plaque with white craft paint. Paint the edges of the plaque with another color (I used light green) and a smaller brush. Paint the sides and back of the letters with the colors of your choice at this time. Let dry.
    painting the plaque with white and green
  • Wax the edges of the plaque with a white candle. Just do it lightly all the way around the plaque.
    Rubbing the wax candle on the edge of the plaque
  • Paint around the edge of the plaque with green metallic paint, or your choice of color. Let dry.
    Painting metallic green over the top of the light green paint
  • Use the sandpaper to lightly remove some of the metallic paint. Wherever the wax is, you'll reveal paint below. Sand until the desired effect is reached.
    Sanding off the paint to distress the edge
  • Apply a medium coat of Mod Podge to the letters, one at a time.
    Applying Mod Podge to the top of a paper mache letter M
  • Smooth the paper down on top of the first letter, using a brayer or your hands. Wipe away any excess Mod Podge that comes out the edges. Let dry. Repeat with remaining letters.
    smoothing the paper down onto the layers with fingers and a brayer
  • Once all the letters have the paper on the fronts and are dry, coat them all with a layer of Mod Podge. Let dry.
    Adding Mod Podge to the paper on the top of a letter Y
  • Place the letters on the plaque in the desired format. Once you have the placement you like, tilt the letters back in place and add some hot glue to secure. Tilt the letters forward to adhere to the plaque.
    Letters glued to the plaque and drying on the counter
  • When the letters are secure, add a layer of Mod Podge to the top of the plaque. Sprinkle on the faux snow and tap off the excess.
    Sprinkling faux snow into wet Mod Podge
  • Decide where the embellishments are going. Hot glue them directly to the plaque and let set before displaying.
    Hot gluing a wreath to the front of a letter

If you enjoyed this DIY Merry Christmas decor, let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out the following projects:

4.50 from 2 votes
Project Rating




lxbfYeaa

Monday 11th of March 2024

1

WymSkPhN

Friday 8th of March 2024

1