These pallet slat holiday characters are a quick, customizable project that works for beginners and seasoned crafters alike.

Each slat is sanded and painted to feature a unique Christmas design including Santa with his beard, Frosty with a carrot nose, Rudolph with his shiny red nose, or even a board of painted Christmas lights.

You can make a set of five for a bold porch display or just one or two to tuck into small corners of your home décor.

Also, the beauty is in the freedom: choose your own colors, faces, or even personalize one with your family name for an extra special touch.

Materials Needed

• 5 pallet slats (each about 36” long, 4” wide)
• Acrylic paints (red, white, green, black, brown, orange, blue, etc.)
• Paintbrush set (fine tips for details, medium brushes for base coats)
• Sandpaper (120 grit)
• Clear sealant (matte or glossy)
• Optional: buttons, ribbon, or fabric scraps

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Cut or select five pallet slats of equal length and sand them until smooth.

Step 2: Choose a theme for each slat such as snowman, Santa, Christmas lights, reindeer, etc.

Step 3: Paint the base color first (white for snowman, red for Santa, brown for reindeer). Then allow to dry fully.

Step 4: Add character details like eyes, noses, buttons, antlers, or snowflakes using smaller brushes.

Step 5: Let your creativity flow by adding extras like a bow on the reindeer or real buttons on the snowman.

Step 6: Seal the boards with a clear protective coat if you plan to use them outdoors.

Notes:

This is a great craft for kids to help with since each slat can be personalized.

For a polished look, line the slats side by side and connect them on the back with two horizontal strips of wood.