Fence Picket Christmas Crafts: 12 Cheap Wood Builds That Look Store Bought

Fence picket Christmas crafts are taking over maker channels this month, and it is easy to see why. A single wooden fence picket costs just a few dollars at the lumber yard, yet with a little paint and some simple cuts it can become a porch tree, a snowman or a set of reindeer that looks like it came from a fancy shop. One video about turning a fence picket into Christmas decor passed 1.2 million views in just eight days, and new picket builds are going up every few days as the holidays get closer. These projects are perfect for families to make together, with an adult handling the cutting. Grab a few pickets and pick your favorites from these 12 ideas..

Fence Picket Christmas Crafts for a Full Porch

Imagine your front porch filled with handmade decor: a stacked tree, a snowman with a real scarf, a rustic reindeer, a pair of candy canes and a whitewashed sign with a fresh wreath. Every piece in this scene starts with plain wooden fence pickets, paint and a few screws. You can make one piece a weekend and build up your display as December gets closer. Pickets are light, cheap and easy to paint, so they are great for beginners. Ready to plan your porch..

You will need: Wooden fence pickets, outdoor paint in white, green, red and black, sandpaper, wood glue, screws, a drill and saw (adult help), brushes.

How to make it: 1. Sketch your porch and decide which pieces you want. 2. Buy a few extra pickets, they are cheap and handy for mistakes. 3. Sand each picket lightly before painting so the paint goes on smooth.

A Stacked Picket Christmas Tree

This is the build from the viral video. Cut pickets into pieces that get shorter as they go up, then screw them across a center post to make a tree shape. Paint it soft green with white brushed edges for a snowy look, and top it with a wooden star painted gold. The video by this woodworking maker passed 1.2 million views in about a week. Stand it by the front door with a few wrapped gifts. How tall would yours be?

You will need: Four or five fence pickets, a 2 by 2 post for the center, a small wood star, green, white and gold paint, screws, a saw and drill (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Cut picket pieces in lengths from about 30 inches down to 6 inches, with adult help. 2. Screw them across the center post, longest at the bottom. 3. Paint, dry brush white on the edges and add the star at the top.

Fence Picket Christmas Crafts Kids Love: The Snowman

One picket with a pointed top makes the cutest snowman. Paint it white, then paint a black top hat at the top, a carrot nose, two dot eyes and three buttons. Tie a real fabric scarf around the neck, and he comes to life. Kids love helping with the face. Make a whole snowman family in different heights for the porch steps. It is one of the easiest fence picket Christmas crafts on this list. What would you name him?

You will need: One dog ear fence picket, white, black and orange paint, a strip of plaid fabric for the scarf, a small brush.

How to make it: 1. Paint the whole picket white and let it dry. 2. Paint a black hat at the top, then add the face and buttons. 3. Tie the fabric strip around the neck as a scarf.

Rustic Picket Reindeer

A pair of reindeer made from weathered pickets looks wonderful in a snowy yard. Use picket pieces for the body, slim strips for the legs and a small block for the head, then add real twigs as antlers and a red ribbon bow. Leave the wood natural for a rustic look. Fence picket Christmas crafts like these look like they came from a farm store but cost very little. Set them by the walkway to greet guests. Would you make a mom, dad and baby?

You will need: Two or three weathered fence pickets, small twigs for antlers, red ribbon, wood glue, screws, a saw and drill (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Cut a body piece, a head block, a neck piece and four legs, with adult help. 2. Screw and glue the pieces together. 3. Drill two small holes in the head for twig antlers and tie on a ribbon.

A Whitewashed Picket Welcome Sign With a Wreath

Three pickets joined side by side make a tall, charming porch sign. Whitewash them, then hang a fresh boxwood or pine wreath in the middle with a big plaid bow. You can leave it plain, or add your family name in your own hand lettering. Lean it next to the front door with a pot of evergreen branches. It looks lovely through New Year and beyond. Where would you lean yours?

You will need: Three fence pickets, two flat strips of wood for the back, white paint thinned with water, a wreath, a ribbon, screws.

How to make it: 1. Lay three pickets side by side and screw two strips across the back to join them. 2. Brush on watered down white paint and wipe it back for a whitewashed look. 3. Hang the wreath from a screw near the top with a ribbon.

Fence Picket Christmas Crafts for the Mantel: Mini Trees

Small triangle trees cut from picket scraps look beautiful lined up on a mantel or a shelf. Make them in different heights and paint them white, sage, dark green and natural wood. Glue each one to a little block base, and add a tiny gold star on top. This is a great way to use every last bit of your pickets. Fence picket Christmas crafts do not have to be big to make a big impact. How many would you make?

You will need: Fence picket scraps, small wood blocks for bases, paint, tiny wood stars, wood glue, a saw (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Cut triangles from picket scraps in different heights, with adult help. 2. Glue each triangle to a small block. 3. Paint them in your favorite colors and glue a star on top.

A Picket Advent Countdown Board

A countdown board makes the days until Christmas extra fun. Join four pickets, stain them warm brown and screw in 24 small brass hooks in rows. Hang a tiny envelope or cloth bag from each hook with a treat, a note or a small activity inside. Hang it in the entryway so the kids can open one every morning. Of all the fence picket Christmas crafts here, this one becomes a family tradition you can use year after year. What would go in the first bag?

You will need: Four fence pickets, two strips for the back, wood stain, 24 small brass hooks, small envelopes or cloth bags, twine.

How to make it: 1. Join the pickets with strips screwed across the back. 2. Stain and let dry, then screw in hooks in four rows of six. 3. Fill the bags and hang one from each hook.

A Rustic Picket Star Wall Hanging

Five picket slats joined at the tips make a big rustic star for the wall. Whitewash it, then wrap it with a strand of tiny battery LED fairy lights for a soft glow. It looks stunning on a dark wall above a console table or a bench. Since it uses battery lights, there is no cord to hide. Fence picket Christmas crafts like this can stay up all winter. Which wall would you hang it on?

You will need: Five thin picket slats of the same length, wood glue, small screws or brad nails, white paint, battery LED fairy lights, a picture hanger.

How to make it: 1. Lay the slats in a star shape with the ends overlapping. 2. Glue and screw the joins, then whitewash the star. 3. Wrap the fairy lights around the star and tuck the battery pack behind.

Christmas Gnomes With Fabric Hats

Gnomes are everywhere this year, and picket gnomes are easy to make. Cut short pieces of picket, then add a tall cone hat sewn or glued from buffalo check fabric, a fluffy faux fur beard and a wooden bead nose. That is it, no face needed. Make three in red, green and cream checks and line them up on a porch step. For more front door ideas, see our Christmas entryway decor. Which color gnome is your favorite?

You will need: Short fence picket pieces, buffalo check fabric, faux fur, wooden beads, hot glue (adult help), scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut picket pieces about 10 to 14 inches tall. 2. Glue a strip of faux fur near the top for the beard and a bead for the nose. 3. Roll a fabric cone for the hat and glue it over the top.

Fence Picket Christmas Crafts: Candy Canes for the Walkway

A pair of giant candy canes makes the walkway feel like a holiday card. Cut a curved hook shape from wide pickets joined together, or attach a curved piece to the top of a straight picket. Paint bold red and white stripes with painter’s tape. Add a simple stand or a stake at the bottom so they stand in the yard. Kids will love walking between them. How far apart would you place them?

You will need: Fence pickets, a jigsaw (adult help), white and red outdoor paint, painter’s tape, wood stakes or a small stand.

How to make it: 1. Draw a candy cane shape and cut it out with adult help. 2. Paint it white, then tape diagonal stripes and paint them red. 3. Screw a stake or stand to the back and place them by the walkway.

A Picket Lantern Box With LED Fairy Lights

A slatted lantern box glows beautifully on a porch at dusk. Build a simple square box from picket boards with gaps between the slats, stain it dark, then fill it with pinecones and a strand of battery LED fairy lights. The light peeks through the slats like a cozy campfire glow, but it is completely safe. It is one of the coziest fence picket Christmas crafts for the evening. Use a timer battery pack so it turns on by itself every evening. Where would you put your lantern?

You will need: Fence pickets, small screws, wood stain, pinecones, a battery LED fairy light strand with a timer, a saw and drill (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Cut slats for four sides and a solid base, with adult help. 2. Screw the slats to corner strips, leaving small gaps. 3. Stain the box, then fill it with pinecones and fairy lights.

A Picket Gift Box Stack for the Porch

To end our list, a stack of wooden gift boxes makes a cheerful porch display that never gets wet or soggy like real wrapping. Build three simple boxes from picket boards in different sizes, paint them red, white and green, and tie each with a big ribbon bow. Stack them by the door, largest at the bottom. Fence picket Christmas crafts like this can come out every year. Which ribbon would you choose?

You will need: Fence pickets, small screws, outdoor paint in red, white and green, wide ribbon, a saw and drill (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Build three open boxes in large, medium and small sizes. 2. Paint each box a different color. 3. Wrap ribbon around each one, tie a big bow and stack them.