Last December, I found myself staring at a pile of cardboard boxes leftover from online holiday shopping.
My house was already brimming with decorations, but I wanted something unique to add a personal touch.
That’s when I thought of crafting a Santa sleigh from scratch. It sounded ambitious at first, but I couldn’t resist the challenge.
Materials Needed
You need to prepare:
- Cardboard sheets: two large pieces (24 inches x 16 inches), one long piece (18 inches x 8 inches), four small strips (6 inches x 2 inches), four runner pieces (18 inches x 3 inches)
- Craft knife and scissors
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Masking tape
- Ruler and pencil
- Paint: acrylic in red, gold, and white
- Glitter: gold and silver
- Ribbon and faux fur
- Mini bells
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Santa Sleigh
Step 1: Drawing and Cutting the Sleigh Design
To ensure accuracy, you first sketch the sleigh’s components on the cardboard. Here’s the breakdown:
- Side panels: I drew two identical sleigh profiles, each measuring 24 inches in length and 16 inches tall at the back curl. The curved design was the trickiest part, but I used a bowl to trace smooth arcs for the scrolls.
- Runners: Each runner was 18 inches long and 3 inches wide. The front ends curled upward for that classic sleigh look.
- Base and connectors: The base was a simple rectangle, 18 inches long and 8 inches wide. The connector strips were small rectangles, 6 inches by 2 inches.
After sketching, carefully cut each piece using a craft knife.
Step 2: Assembling the Sleigh Frame
First, I glued two runner pieces together for extra durability, then set them aside to dry. The 18×8-inch base was glued securely between the runners, creating a stable foundation.
Next, I glued the two large side panels to the edges of the base, ensuring they were perfectly aligned. Masking tape along the inner seams prevented any wobbling.
Finally, the 6×2-inch strips were glued vertically between the runners and the sleigh’s side panels, acting as braces for extra support.
Step 3: Decorating the Sleigh
I coated the entire body in bright red acrylic paint. The runners and edges were painted gold for a festive contrast. I also used white paint to highlight the scrolls and add a frosty effect.
Next, I sprinkled gold glitter over the freshly painted runners and used silver glitter to accentuate the frosty white edges of the sleigh. This gave the sleigh a shimmering, magical look that sparkled under the lights.
I then filled the sleigh with mini gift boxes wrapped in festive paper, a burlap sack to mimic Santa’s gift bag, and faux pine branches for a wintery touch.
