Every home needs a touch of whimsy at Christmas, and these pallet gnome boards deliver exactly that.

Imagine two little gnomes standing guard outside your door, their red-and-white hats curling like candy canes, beards soft as snow, and boots peeking from beneath.

Painting them is almost as fun as displaying them, you can sip cocoa, put on carols, and lose yourself in brushstrokes.

When finished, they don’t just decorate; they tell a story, as if your porch has become the doorstep to a gnome’s winter cottage.

Materials Needed

• 2 pallet boards (each approx. 48” tall × 12” wide × 0.75” thick)
• 120- and 220-grit sandpaper
• White acrylic paint (base coat)
• Red, black, gray, and peach acrylic paints (for hat, boots, beard, nose)
• Detail paintbrush set (small round + flat brushes)
• Pencil for sketching outlines
• Clear outdoor sealant (matte or glossy finish)
• Optional: glitter paint, stencils

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Sand pallet boards until smooth to prepare for painting. Wipe away dust.

Step 2: Apply a white or dark stain base coat depending on your preferred background. Let dry completely.

Step 3: Sketch the gnome outline with a pencil, start with a tall hat, large round nose, and flowing beard.

Step 4: Paint the hat with red and white stripes, the beard with gray-and-white strokes, and the nose in peach tones. Fill in boots at the bottom.

Step 5: Add finishing touches such as stars, candy stripes, or glitter details to make them pop.

Step 6: Once dry, seal with clear outdoor varnish to protect against weather if displayed outside.

Notes:

You can adjust the size of the boards if you want shorter or taller gnomes.

For extra charm, try attaching faux fur instead of painting the beard, it adds texture and makes your gnome look even more magical.