Whether you’ve been enjoying your Christmas tree and holiday decor since November 1st or you’re getting it all out this weekend, odds are, you can squeeze some more decor in somewhere. We can’t think of anything cozier than settling in for a night of cocoa, holiday movies, and crafting. Let’s look at just the first of some of our favorite projects we’ve got on tap for this holiday season! And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a master crafter for these DIYs.
Gingerbread House Doormat
We are seasonal doormat obsessed and what could be better than making your own? If you’re on the hunt for a template, we love this one from HGTV. If you’re feeling extra artsy, you can add more details to your gingerbread house and you can use any paint color (or colors) you want.
Materials needed:
- coir doormat
- printed templates
- freezer paper
- iron
- cutting mat
- craft knife
- marker
- outdoor craft paint
- hardy paintbrush
- paper towel roll
- scissors
- pencil
- painter’s tape
Instructions:
- Print and cut templates. If you’re using them, that is. Once printed, transfer the templates to freezer paper by laying the paper over the template with the shiny side down and tracing with a marker. Once transferred, cut out the templates with a craft knife on a cutting mat, until only the spots you wish to paint around remain.
- Paint around templates. To fix the templates to the doormat, arrange them to your liking and iron over them on medium heat. This will soften the wax and hold the templates in place. Once attached, use a hardy paintbrush and outdoor craft paint to fill in around the templates. Once complete, gently peel off the freezer paper.
- Paint the remaining details. Freehand around the templates to add any missing details. To add the gingerbread roof lines, use a ruler and work around the existing lines provided by the template. Leave space near the top to add chimneys above the peak of the roof. To do this, simply paint on two solid rectangles on each side above the roof. Add scalloped roof shingles by cutting a paper towel roll in half to create a “U” shape, dipping in paint, and stamping along the roof lines. To maintain a consistent look, use painter’s tape as a spacer between the shingle rows.
- Add some holiday cheer. Embellish the doormat by adding small details with a pencil eraser dipped in paint. Stamp Christmas light dots beneath the roofline and below the windows and wherever else you please. Lastly, use scissors to cut out the excess roof next to the chimneys. Once the mat is cut and dry, place it beneath your door.