Christmas Skeleton Decor: 15 Funny Ways to Turn Your Halloween Skeleton Into a Holiday Star
Christmas skeleton decor is the funniest way to get one more season out of the giant yard skeleton you bought for Halloween. Instead of wrestling it back into a box the minute the candy is gone, you can give it a red suit, a felt hat or a cozy scarf and let it greet the neighbors all the way to New Year. Most of these ideas use fleece, felt, quilt batting and thrift store finds you may already have in the craft closet. They take an afternoon, cost a few dollars and make everyone who walks or drives by break into a smile. Kids love it, grown ups love it even more, and your bony friend finally gets a cheerful new job. Pick your favorite below and start sewing..
Christmas Skeleton Decor Starter: The Giant Skeleton Santa
Christmas skeleton decor starts with the classic: a giant skeleton in a Santa suit. One creator’s video of a 10 foot skeleton getting a homemade Santa costume passed 24 million views, and it is easy to see why. The suit does not need to be perfect. Wide red fleece panels, a fluffy white trim and a big black belt read as Santa from across the street. Tuck a wrapped box into one bony hand and he looks ready to deliver. Who on your street will spot him first..
You will need: 2 to 3 yards of red fleece, white faux fur trim or quilt batting strips, a wide black belt or black duct tape, a large Santa hat, an empty box and wrapping paper, safety pins or zip ties.
How to make it: 1. Measure the chest, arms and legs, then cut simple tube shapes from fleece (fleece does not fray, so no hemming). 2. Pin or zip tie the tubes around the frame and add the white trim at the cuffs and front. 3. Add the belt, pop on the hat and zip tie a wrapped empty box into one hand.
Skeleton Elf With Felt Hat and Striped Socks
Every Santa needs a helper, and a smaller skeleton makes a perfect elf. Green felt is cheap and forgiving, so even a beginner can shape a pointed hat and a tunic with zigzag edges in under an hour. The striped socks are the secret: they make the skinny legs look silly in the best way. Stand your elf next to a pile of wrapped boxes and the scene tells its own story. Would yours be the gift wrapper or the toy tester?
You will need: Green felt sheets or 1 yard of green felt, red and white striped knee socks, a small jingle bell, fabric glue, pinking shears, empty boxes and gift wrap.
How to make it: 1. Roll a felt cone for the hat, glue the seam and add the bell to the tip. 2. Cut a tunic with a zigzag hem and a hole for the head, then slide it over the frame. 3. Pull the socks up over the leg bones and set wrapped boxes by the feet.
Skeleton Reindeer With Stick Antlers and a Pom Pom Nose
Fallen branches from the yard become the best antlers you could ever buy. Pick two with lots of small forks, trim them to match, and zip tie them to the sides of the skull. A big red pom pom nose turns the whole look from spooky to sweet in one second. Add a chunky brown scarf so the frame looks warm and fuzzy. Next to a small decorated tree, your reindeer looks like he is guarding the presents. Which neighbor will ask where you bought him?
You will need: Two forked branches, zip ties, a 3 inch red pom pom or a red foam ball, hot glue (adult help), a brown knit scarf, garden stakes for windy days.
How to make it: 1. Trim the branches to the same size and zip tie them firmly to each side of the skull. 2. Hot glue the red pom pom over the nose opening (adult help). 3. Wrap the scarf around the neck and stake the feet into the ground.
Christmas Skeleton Decor Snowman Made With Quilt Batting
This is the Christmas skeleton decor idea that fools people from far away. Wrap the frame in white quilt batting and it puffs up into a round, soft snowman shape. A black hat, a plaid scarf and three felt buttons finish the look. The best part is that real snow is not needed, so it works in warm states too. Up close, the grin peeking out of the batting is what makes folks laugh. Will yours get a carrot nose as well?
You will need: 1 roll of white polyester quilt batting, safety pins or loose stitches, a black top hat, a plaid knit scarf, black felt for buttons, an orange felt cone for a nose (optional).
How to make it: 1. Wrap batting around the ribs and hips in thick layers, pinning as you go. 2. Fluff and shape a rounder middle, then wrap the arms lightly. 3. Add the hat, scarf, felt buttons and the optional orange nose.
Skeleton Sled Ride Piled With Wrapped Boxes
Put your skeleton in a wooden sled and suddenly it has somewhere to be. Pile the sled with empty boxes wrapped in red and green paper, tie on big ribbon bows and add a red knit hat. Thrift stores and yard sales often have old wooden sleds for a few dollars in the fall. The scene looks great on a front lawn, beside the steps or tucked under a porch window. Could you fill the sled with a few real gifts for the mail carrier?
You will need: A wooden sled or a wagon, empty boxes, wrapping paper, wired ribbon, a red knit hat, a plaid throw, zip ties, outdoor clear tape.
How to make it: 1. Wrap the boxes and cover the seams with clear outdoor tape so rain will not peel them. 2. Seat the skeleton in the sled and zip tie it to the slats. 3. Stack the gifts around it, add bows and drape the throw over the knees.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Skeleton on the Porch Bench
The simplest makeover of all: a thrift store ugly Christmas sweater. Big knit sweaters slip right over a skeleton frame, and the louder the pattern, the funnier it looks. Sit your skeleton on a porch bench with a plaid blanket and it looks like a neighbor waiting for carolers. This idea costs about five dollars and takes five minutes. Swap the sweater each week if you have a few, and ask family to vote on the winner. Which sweater in your closet deserves this honor?
You will need: An oversized ugly Christmas sweater, a plaid blanket, a porch bench or chair, zip ties, a small wreath or garland for the wall behind.
How to make it: 1. Slide the sweater over the frame and roll up the sleeves so the bony hands show. 2. Seat the skeleton on the bench and zip tie it to the slats. 3. Tuck the blanket over the legs and hang a wreath behind it.
Christmas Skeleton Decor Caroler Trio
Three skeletons in a row turn into a holiday choir that makes people stop their cars. This Christmas skeleton decor idea uses the cheaper 5 foot skeletons that go on sale after Halloween. Dress each one in a scarf and earmuffs, then glue a plain red folder into their hands as a song book. Stagger the heights a little so they look like a real group. The open mouths do all the singing for you. Which carol do you think they would sing first?
You will need: Three 5 foot skeletons, knit scarves, earmuffs, three red file folders or cardboard covered in red paper, hot glue (adult help), zip ties, garden stakes.
How to make it: 1. Fold the red folders open and hot glue a few plain paper pages inside (adult help). 2. Zip tie a song book into each pair of hands. 3. Add scarves and earmuffs, then stake the three skeletons in a slight curve.
Skeleton Mrs Claus With an Apron and Cookie Tray
Santa needs a partner, and Mrs Claus might be the cutest version of all. A red dress from the thrift store, a white ruffled apron and a curly white wig make the look come together in no time. Glue a few craft foam cookies onto an old baking tray so nothing gets soggy outside. She fits on a porch, but she is even funnier in a kitchen during a holiday party. Will she be the star of your cookie swap this year?
You will need: A red dress or red fleece cape, a white apron, a curly white wig, round costume glasses with no lenses, an old baking sheet, craft foam in tan, white and red, craft glue.
How to make it: 1. Cut cookie shapes from tan foam and glue on white and red foam icing. 2. Glue the cookies to the baking tray and let them dry. 3. Dress the skeleton, add the wig and glasses, and zip tie the tray into both hands.
Christmas Skeleton Decor for the Porch: The Garland Helper
Pose your skeleton as if it is helping you decorate. This Christmas skeleton decor trick works on any porch rail and looks like the skeleton got caught mid job. Drape a long pine garland through its hands, add red velvet bows and wrap battery string lights along the rail. It is a fun way to hide the garland ends too. Keep everything at porch level, no ladders needed. For more ideas, see our Christmas front porch ideas. What will your helper hang next?
You will need: A 9 foot pine garland, red velvet bows, battery powered string lights with a timer, zip ties, floral wire, a Santa hat.
How to make it: 1. Stand the skeleton at the end of the rail and zip tie its feet to a post. 2. Wire the garland into both hands and drape it along the rail. 3. Wrap the battery lights through the garland and add the bows and hat.
Lawn Chair Skeleton Sipping Cocoa in the Snow
After all that decorating, your skeleton deserves a break. Set it in a red folding lawn chair on the front lawn with a Santa hat, a plaid blanket and a mug of fake cocoa. It is a lazy, funny scene that makes people smile because it feels so real. Fake cocoa is easy: brown craft foam in a mug with a few foam marshmallows on top. Is your skeleton ready for a long winter of relaxing?
You will need: A folding lawn chair, a plaid blanket, a Santa hat, a plastic mug, brown and white craft foam, craft glue, zip ties and tent stakes.
How to make it: 1. Cut a brown foam circle to fit the mug, glue it inside and add small white foam squares as marshmallows. 2. Seat the skeleton and zip tie it to the chair frame. 3. Stake the chair legs down, add the blanket and set the mug in its hand.
Skeleton Dog in a Plaid Holiday Bandana
Do not forget the family pet. A skeleton dog in a plaid bandana and a tiny Santa hat looks adorable next to the front door. Make the bandana from a scrap of flannel cut into a triangle, and use a doll size Santa hat or sew one from red felt. Add a small wrapped gift at its paws and it looks like it is waiting for treats. Does your real dog have a matching bandana yet?
You will need: A skeleton dog decoration, a flannel scrap, a small red felt Santa hat, fabric glue or pins, a small wrapped box.
How to make it: 1. Cut a flannel triangle about 18 inches wide and tie it around the neck. 2. Glue or stitch a tiny hat and attach it between the ears with a hair elastic. 3. Set the dog on the doorstep with a small gift by its paws.
Christmas Skeleton Decor for the Tree: Gold Mini Skeleton Ornaments
Small dollar store skeletons from Halloween make surprisingly pretty Christmas skeleton decor for the tree. Paint them metallic gold and they turn elegant and funny at the same time. Hang them with red baubles and white lights so they shine between the branches. Guests do a double take when they spot them, which makes them a great conversation starter. They also make a fun gift for the friend who loves Halloween most. How many will you hide in your tree?
You will need: Small plastic skeletons, metallic gold spray paint or acrylic paint, gold ribbon or ornament hooks, a cardboard box for spraying outdoors.
How to make it: 1. Spray or brush the skeletons gold outdoors on cardboard and let them dry fully (adult help with spray paint). 2. Add a second coat for a smooth shine. 3. Tie a ribbon loop at each neck and hang them on the tree.
Skeleton Hand Candy Cane Holders
Plastic skeleton hands from Halloween become clever candy cane holders on a mantel or buffet. Stand them upright in a block of wood or foam hidden under greenery, and let each hand hold a candy cane. Guests can grab one on their way out, and the mantel instantly looks funny and festive. This is a great way to use the spare hands that come in Halloween bags. Will you fill them with candy canes or tiny gift tags?
You will need: Plastic skeleton hands, a wood block or floral foam, a drill (adult help) or hot glue, fresh or faux greenery, candy canes, small wrapped boxes.
How to make it: 1. Drill holes in the block or press the hands into floral foam so they stand upright (adult help). 2. Hide the base under greenery on the mantel. 3. Curl the fingers around candy canes and add small gifts around them.
Skull Planter Turned Mini Christmas Tree Pot
That ceramic skull planter from Halloween does not need to go back to the shelf. Plant a tiny live tree or a rosemary bush in it and decorate it with mini red and gold baubles. On a sunny windowsill it looks quirky and sweet, especially with snow outside. Live mini trees can be planted outside in spring, so this is a gift that lasts. Could this be your new desk decoration at work?
You will need: A skull shaped planter, a small live pine or rosemary plant, potting soil, mini baubles, a tiny star or bow for the top.
How to make it: 1. Fill the planter with soil and set the little tree in the center. 2. Water it lightly and let it drain. 3. Hang mini baubles on the branches and add a tiny bow on top.
Storing Your Christmas Skeleton Decor Until Next Year
When the season ends, smart storage keeps your Christmas skeleton decor ready for both holidays next year. Wrap the skeleton in a clear plastic cover or an old sheet so dust and bugs stay out. Hang it on sturdy garage hooks instead of folding it, since joints can crack in the cold. Store each costume in its own bin with the hat on top so it is easy to grab. Label the bins in your own writing. Which costume will it wear next year?
You will need: A clear plastic cover or old fitted sheet, sturdy wall hooks rated for the weight, plastic storage bins, zip bags for small parts, a marker.
How to make it: 1. Remove costumes, wash the fleece and pack each outfit in its own bin. 2. Slip the skeleton into a cover and tie the bottom closed. 3. Hang it on wall hooks at a safe height and keep small parts in labeled zip bags.
