Nutcracker Christmas Decor: 14 Thrifty DIY Ideas That Look Like a Fancy Department Store Window
Nutcracker Christmas decor is everywhere this year, and you do not need to shop a fancy store to get the look. Crafty homeowners are turning flower pots, tin cans and thrift store finds into proud little soldiers, and the results are stunning. One DIYer’s life size porch nutcrackers earned more than 151,000 likes and over 1,400 comments on Instagram. Why do we love them so much? They feel vintage, cheerful and a little bit magical, like a holiday ballet. Below are 14 thrifty ideas that make your home look like a department store window, from the porch to the dinner table..
Life Size Nutcracker Christmas Decor for the Porch
Life size nutcrackers are the showstopper of nutcracker Christmas decor, and the viral version starts with a stack of plain flower pots. Stack pots of different sizes upside down and right side up on a wood dowel or PVC pipe to make the legs, body and head. Paint them glossy red, white, navy and gold, then add a tall black hat from a smaller pot or a painted bucket. A friendly painted face with rosy cheeks and a white yarn beard finishes him. Make two so they stand on both sides of the door like guards at a palace. Store bought giant nutcrackers can cost hundreds of dollars. Yours will cost a fraction of that and get a lot more compliments..
You will need: 8 to 10 terracotta or plastic pots in several sizes, a wood dowel or PVC pipe, a heavy base pot, outdoor acrylic paint, clear outdoor sealer, white yarn.
How to make it: 1. Fill the base pot with sand and set the dowel in the center. 2. Stack pots on the dowel for legs, body and head, gluing each one. 3. Paint the uniform and face, add a hat and beard, then seal.
Gold Painted Nutcracker Christmas Decor
Here is the fastest designer trick on the list. Gather a mix of cheap nutcrackers from the thrift store or dollar store, even ones with chipped paint or odd colors, and paint them all one rich shade. Metallic gold is the favorite because it looks like an expensive boutique display, but champagne, silver or matte black look amazing too. A coat of primer helps the paint stick to glossy plastic or painted wood. Once they all match, mismatched sizes suddenly look like a curated collection. One home decor creator showed this flip and got thousands of comments from people asking where she bought them. Would you ever guess they came from a bargain bin?
You will need: thrift or dollar store nutcrackers, spray primer, metallic gold spray paint, a drop cloth.
How to make it: 1. Wipe each nutcracker clean and spray primer outdoors. 2. Spray two light coats of gold, letting each dry. 3. Group them by height on a shelf or mantel.
Tin Can Nutcracker Soldiers
This one went viral for a good reason. Clean food cans stacked and glued together make a surprisingly sturdy nutcracker body, and they cost nothing at all. Use one tall can for the legs and body, a smaller can for the head, and a little can or cardboard tube for the hat. Paint the uniform with stripes and buttons, then glue on a wooden bead nose and a felt or yarn beard. Felt strips make neat belts and shoulder trim. Make a whole regiment in different colors and line them along the kitchen counter, a window sill or the front steps. Who knew the recycling bin held such great nutcracker Christmas decor?
You will need: clean food cans in two or three sizes, acrylic paint, felt, wooden beads, white yarn, strong craft glue.
How to make it: 1. Remove labels, sand sharp edges and glue the cans into a stack. 2. Paint the uniform, face and hat and let dry. 3. Glue on felt trim, a bead nose and a yarn beard.
A Nutcracker Christmas Decor Mantel Lineup
A mantel lined with nutcrackers is pure department store window magic. The secret is rhythm. Pick a color story, such as red and gold, and place your tallest soldiers at the ends with smaller ones stepping down toward the center, or the other way around. Use a stack of books or small wooden risers hidden under the garland to vary the heights. A thick faux evergreen garland ties them together, and a few gold balls tucked in the greens add sparkle. Odd numbers, like five or seven nutcrackers, look better than an even number. Do your nutcrackers not match? Paint them all the same color first and the lineup will look planned, not random.
You will need: 5 to 9 nutcrackers, a faux evergreen garland, small risers or books, gold ornaments, command hooks.
How to make it: 1. Hang the garland on hooks across the mantel. 2. Set risers under the greens where you want height. 3. Place nutcrackers by size and tuck gold balls around them.
A Nutcracker Themed Christmas Tree
Why not give the whole tree a theme? Mini nutcracker ornaments are sold in bulk packs at craft stores, and a few dozen spread evenly across the branches make a bold statement. Add red and gold ribbon spiraling from top to bottom, and fill the gaps with plain gold and red balls so the soldiers stand out. A large nutcracker can even stand in for a tree topper if you set him on a sturdy top branch. Under the tree, line up a few bigger nutcrackers as if they are guarding the gifts. This look is especially fun in a kids’ room or a family room, but it feels grown up and polished when you stick to two colors.
You will need: 24 to 36 mini nutcracker ornaments, red and gold wired ribbon, red and gold ball ornaments, ornament hooks.
How to make it: 1. Wrap the ribbon in a loose spiral from top to bottom. 2. Hang ball ornaments first to fill the tree. 3. Add the mini nutcrackers evenly and set larger ones underneath.
The Nutcracker Teddy Bear
This sweet idea took off on Instagram, and it is easy to see why. Take a soft teddy bear from the thrift store, wash it, and dress it as a nutcracker soldier. A little red felt jacket with gold trim, a white belt and a tall black hat made from rolled cardstock turn any bear into a holiday guard. You can glue the pieces on or sew them loosely so the bear can be undressed later. Set him in a vintage chair, on a stair landing or in a basket by the tree. Make two or three in different sizes for a cute family. Does someone in your house collect bears? This is a lovely way to bring them into the holidays.
You will need: a thrifted teddy bear, red felt, gold trim or braid, white ribbon, black cardstock, fabric glue.
How to make it: 1. Cut a simple jacket shape from felt and glue or stitch it on. 2. Add a white ribbon belt and gold trim on the shoulders. 3. Roll black cardstock into a tall hat and glue gold trim around it.
Farmhouse Wood Spindle Nutcrackers
If you have old stair spindles, table legs or wood dowels in the garage, you have the start of a farmhouse nutcracker. Spindles already have that turned, carved shape, so all you need is a wooden ball or knob for the head and a small block or round for the hat. Glue the parts together and paint in soft farmhouse colors like sage, cream, barn red and black. Sand the edges lightly for a worn, vintage feel. A bit of jute twine or wool roving makes a cute beard. These look wonderful on an entry table, porch steps or a kitchen open shelf. How many spindles are sitting in your garage right now?
You will need: wood spindles or dowels, wooden balls, small wood rounds, wood glue, chalk paint, a sanding sponge, wool roving.
How to make it: 1. Glue a wooden ball on top of each spindle and a round on top for the hat. 2. Paint in soft colors and sand the edges. 3. Paint a simple face and glue on a wool beard.
Cardboard Tube Nutcracker Garland
Paper towel and wrapping paper tubes make perfect little soldier bodies, and they are light enough to hang. Cut tubes into short lengths, paint each one as a nutcracker with a hat, face and uniform, then punch two small holes near the top and thread them onto twine. Hang the garland across a window, a bookcase or a fireplace screen. It is a grown up craft night project that costs almost nothing, and it pairs beautifully with real greenery. Alternate red, green and blue uniforms for a playful look or keep them all white and gold for something calm. Could your book club or craft group make one together over cocoa?
You will need: cardboard tubes, acrylic paint, small brushes, a hole punch, jute twine, craft glue, white felt.
How to make it: 1. Cut tubes into 4 inch pieces and paint each as a soldier. 2. Glue on a felt beard and punch two holes near the top. 3. Thread onto twine and hang with small hooks.
Nutcracker Christmas Decor Wreath
A wreath dotted with little nutcrackers is a fun twist on a classic, and it gives your front door that toy shop window feel. Start with a grapevine or faux evergreen wreath, then wire on five to seven mini nutcrackers around the bottom half, standing upright as if they are marching. Add red berries and pinecones between them, and finish with a big plaid bow at the top. Hot glue works on grapevine, but wire is better on evergreen so you can reuse the soldiers next year. This nutcracker Christmas decor works on a door, a mirror or above a bed. Does your front door need a little more personality this year?
You will need: a 20 inch evergreen or grapevine wreath, 5 to 7 mini nutcrackers, floral wire, red berries, pinecones, plaid wired ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Wire the mini nutcrackers upright around the lower half. 2. Tuck berries and pinecones between them. 3. Tie a large plaid bow and wire it to the top.
White Nutcracker Christmas Decor
Love neutral decor? Nutcracker Christmas decor does not have to be red. Painting nutcrackers in white, cream and soft gray gives them a Scandinavian look that fits a calm, modern home. Chalk paint covers glossy finishes easily, and a light sanding on the edges gives a gentle, aged feel. Add tiny touches of gold or natural wood on the hats or buttons if you want a little detail. Group them on a console table with white pottery, eucalyptus and a pale wood bowl. The effect is quiet and elegant, like a high end home store display. Which room in your house would suit soft white soldiers best? A bedroom dresser or a bathroom shelf can be a sweet surprise.
You will need: nutcrackers in any color, white and cream chalk paint, a sanding sponge, a gold paint pen, clear wax.
How to make it: 1. Brush two coats of chalk paint and let dry. 2. Sand edges lightly for a soft worn look. 3. Add small gold details and seal with clear wax.
Nutcracker Christmas Decor Centerpiece
Bring your soldiers to the dinner table. A long wooden tray or dough bowl filled with fresh evergreen clippings makes a natural base, and a few small nutcrackers standing in the greens look like they are marching through a winter forest. Shiny red apples or pomegranates add color and a fresh, farm stand feel. Keep the arrangement low so guests can talk across the table. It works for Christmas dinner, a holiday brunch or a cookie swap. When the party is over, the whole tray moves easily to a sideboard. Is there anything more charming than nutcracker Christmas decor that makes a family meal feel special? Add a sprig of rosemary at each plate to carry the theme.
You will need: a long wooden tray or dough bowl, fresh or faux evergreen clippings, 3 to 5 small nutcrackers, red apples or pomegranates.
How to make it: 1. Fill the tray with evergreen clippings. 2. Stand nutcrackers in the greens at different spots. 3. Tuck apples in small groups along the tray.
Vintage Nutcracker Restyle
Many of us have a box of grandma’s old nutcrackers with faded paint and missing details. Do not throw them away. A careful restyle brings them back to life and keeps the memories. Clean them gently, glue any loose pieces, and repaint only the worn areas with fine brushes so the original character stays. Bright red cheeks, crisp white teeth and fresh gold buttons make a huge difference. A coat of gloss varnish makes them shine like new. Display them together on a shelf or give one to each grandchild as a keepsake. Tuck a little note inside each base with the year and who it belonged to. Which family nutcracker would you restore first?
You will need: old nutcrackers, mild soap, wood glue, acrylic paints, fine detail brushes, gloss varnish.
How to make it: 1. Clean gently and glue any loose parts. 2. Touch up worn spots and details with fine brushes. 3. Seal with gloss varnish once dry.
Wooden Nutcracker Door Hanger
A flat wooden nutcracker is a great project if you want the look without the bulk. Many craft and dollar stores sell wood cutout shapes, or you can trace a simple soldier outline on thin plywood and cut it out. Paint the uniform, face and hat, then add a bit of real greenery and a ribbon to hang it. It fits a narrow door, a storm door, or a gate where a wreath would be too thick. You can even paint your family name on the base for a personal touch. It also makes a lovely handmade gift for a neighbor. Make several at once and you have handmade gifts ready for the whole block. Who on your street would love one?
You will need: a wood nutcracker cutout or thin plywood, acrylic paints, outdoor sealer, wired ribbon, a small greenery pick.
How to make it: 1. Cut or buy the wooden soldier shape and sand the edges. 2. Paint the details and seal for outdoor use. 3. Add a greenery pick and ribbon hanger.
Nutcracker Gift Wrap and Tags
Finish the theme under the tree with nutcracker gift wrap. Plain kraft paper is cheap and looks classic, and red velvet or striped ribbon makes it festive, which keeps your nutcracker Christmas decor going right down to the presents. Instead of a bow, tie a mini nutcracker ornament onto each gift. It doubles as a little present the recipient can hang on their own tree. Hand painted tags with a simple soldier hat or a red stripe complete the look. Stack the gifts by size near your mantel lineup or porch soldiers so the whole house tells one story. Your guests will notice the little details right away. Do you think anyone will want to open them, or will they keep them wrapped just to look at?
You will need: kraft paper, red velvet or striped ribbon, mini nutcracker ornaments, blank tags, a red paint pen.
How to make it: 1. Wrap each gift neatly in kraft paper. 2. Tie with ribbon and knot a mini nutcracker on top. 3. Draw a little soldier hat on each tag and attach it.
