The tree is decorated and the lights are up, but your home still needs a little extra holiday sparkle. This shabby chic sign is the perfect finishing touch.
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With just a few basic materials and a few dollar-store finds, you can make a sign that brings holiday charm to any room. My total cost was about $2 because I used many supplies I already had at home.
This project began on a dollar-store stroll. A glittering deer ornament caught my eye and inspired the whole sign—simple, sparkly, and perfect for a shabby chic look.
🧰 Materials
- Spare pieces of wood
- Paint
- Glitter deer
- Eye hooks
- Picture-hanging wire
- Glue
- Screws
- White pencil
- Spray lacquer (optional)
- Pine cones
🪛 Assembly
I searched the basement for scrap wood and found two boards—one about 24″ x 34″ and another 18″ x 4″. The larger board had a mostly smooth surface with a few knots, which added character. I cut the boards to size and joined them together to form the sign base.
You can use as many boards as you like, but choose pieces that fit tightly and have straight edges—rounded edges make lettering and painting harder. Lay the pieces face-down on a table so the edges line up before securing them.
Attach shorter support pieces across the back with screws to hold everything together. Using shorter braces keeps the eye hooks and hanging wire hidden behind the top edge of the sign.
Insert eye hooks into the top brace pieces and string picture-hanging wire between them for an easy, sturdy hanging solution.
🖌️ Painting
Now for the creative part. I used leftover paint from the basement and painted the front of the sign the color I wanted. I chose a warm burgundy to keep a festive tone. After it dried, I dry-brushed a little black paint to create an aged, shabby chic effect.
To dry-brush: barely dip the brush tip in paint, wipe most of it on a paper towel, then lightly sweep the brush over the surface. Less is more—subtle streaks and soft distressing give the best look.
🔤 Lettering
Decide on your message—Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or anything you like. If you’re confident freehanding letters, go for it. If not, use a template or projection to transfer the text.
I printed my lettering across multiple sheets and taped them together, then positioned the paper on the sign and pinned tiny holes along each letter, like a perforation. Removing the paper left a dotted outline I traced with a white pencil, which made painting the letters easy and precise.
I used an off-white paint for the lettering and carefully painted within the pencil guides. Two thin coats may be needed, depending on the paint. Once dry, you can optionally spray a clear lacquer to seal and protect the finish.
✨ Final touches
Attach your glitter deer and other decorations with craft glue or a hot glue gun. I added glittery pine cones I found at the dollar store; you can make your own by spray-painting pine cones and dusting them with glitter.
Choose a prominent spot to hang your sign and enjoy the compliments. When someone asks where you bought it, you can proudly say, “I made it myself!”
Merry Christmas!
🎄 Christmas fun facts
- Christmas wreaths have a long and varied history.
- Christmas trees were once unpopular in some American communities.
- The tradition of Christmas stockings has charming origins.
- Thomas Edison contributed to the development of electric Christmas lights.
- Gingerbread houses recall classic fairy-tale imagery.
- Nutcrackers became popular decorative figures with historical ties to earlier eras.
Love Christmas? Explore more projects and recipes on our site.
Recipes
- Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
- 5 Tasty Christmas Party Appetizers (plus 4 desserts!)
- Brussels Sprouts Cooked in Bacon Fat with Walnuts and Pomegranate
- Baked Cranberry Brie Bites with Sage
- Beer Soft Pretzels Stuffed with Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Mom’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Irish Coffee Chocolate Mousse
Crafts
- Crochet Santa Hat
- Festive Glitter Candle
- DIY Gift Box You’ll Want to Keep for Yourself
- Luxury Body Scrub
Did you make this Shabby Chic Holiday Sign? Let us know in the comments below!