Paint a gingerbread boy for the Christmas tree

Left, the simple wood cut of a gingerbread boy.
Right, a drawing of how he might look.

       Every child's Christmas tree should have a gingerbread man or woman. Hopefully, some of these will be edible! This version has a giant bow and swirly icing trim on his sleeves. He's a bit silly but what can you expect of cookie people?

• Color the sweet little gingerbread girl and boy...
• Color my Gingerbread Angel "Peace Among Men"
• Learn how to craft a gingerbread castle for your American Girl dolls
• Watch a video about the Gingerbread crafts from Northern Croatia

If you can't think of how to trim
a gingerbread boy, copy our 
version here and add a 
few of your favorite
candies.

How to paint a laser cut dragonfly...

Left, the unpainted dragon fly. Right, I've added a bit of green and white paint.

       Sometimes laser cuts have very little surface to paint but every little bit helps to create an entire collection of ornaments, even with very simple additions like these. Hang this dragon fly above a frog or lizard on the tree to create a humorous scene. Laser cuts allow for lighting on the tree to shine through their lacy cut openings, thereby, creating texture and interest of a different kind in your display.

• "Bless The Lord" dragonfly coloring page
• Read about 10 must have insect books for the classroom

Paint a rocking horse for the Christmas tree

Left, the blank wood cut of a rocking horse. Right, a drawn interpretation.

       I think rocking horses are by far some of the most common wood cuts I've seen. Certainly there are dozens of ways to paint them and here is just one more way... I used reds, greens, yellow and black for the children's version of this old-fashioned toy.

• DIY a Christmas Candy Cane Wreath + Rocking Horse for a dollhouse
• Read a short story about "The Wooden Horse"
• Color-by-number: a Rocking Horse
• "R" is for rocking" alphabet coloring page

Young children may wish to include a few spots
on a rocking horse just like this one.

How to paint a laser cut wooden feather...

Left, first layer. Center, second layer. Right, third layer of paint.

       Three steps to paint a laser cut feather for our children's tree. Start with a base coat of one dark color. For the next layer choose a related color that is lighter in shade and paint long, thin strokes with a fine tipped paint brush. The lines will be darker in some places and lighter in others. Next use a bright white to highlight with thin strokes in select parts of the feather. Brush the wooden feather with Mod Podge to preserve the colors and hang the ornament from the Christmas branches.

1. Draw a penmanship feather fan...
2. Color the face of a clown with a feather in his cap
3. Older children or adults may enjoy coloring all of the intricate feathers in this bird designed coloring page!
4. Search the Bird Index at Thrifty Scissors for feathers

How to paint a laser cut wooden bike ornament

Left, unpainted laser cut bicycle ornament. Right, the finished painted version.

       You can paint a wooden flat of a bike using very fine paint brushes. The spokes of the wheels above where painted using several colors: yellow, grey, red, and silver. I chose red for the bike's overall body and painted an open weave basket attached at the front. Maybe I will glue on a few Christmas packages to the rack over the back wheel to emphasize that it is a Christmas ornament? If I do this, I'll post the further design alterations below.

• I absolutely love this quilled bicycle ornament! from SERRV International
• Embroidery of a vintage bicycle from Flamingo Toes

Paint a funny little lamb for the Christmas tree

Left, the purchased wooden flat lamb ornament. Right, a drawing for students to copy.

       This funny little retro lamb would look cute on any childhood tree. Especially if painted by that child on a cold wintry night while listening to Christmas stories and eating lots of cookies. When our kids were young this was one of their favorite activities and they each had a tree of their very own in their bedrooms to decorate however they pleased.

• Color Mary and her little lamb too... 
• Read how Jesus tenderly watches His flock
• "I know my sheep..." coloring page
• "The Little Lamb" tract (vintage) from The Religious Tract Society 1799

This is just one way you could paint your own little lamb.
Give her "suggested" curls with a pattern on top of a
pink or blue background color and don't forget to add a
ribbon or colorful sash to her neck!

Paint a retro airplane for the Christmas tree

Left, the purchased wooden flat of a vintage airplane. Right, my drawn design for you to copy.

       I purchased this wooden flat ornament in a local hobby shop. It is a funny little plane with attached wings, propeller, cockpit and horizontal tail pieces. I've drawn a pilot to steer the plane inside it's cockpit. You may draw a pilot just like mine if you'd like and paint his plane bright colors for your Christmas tree.

• Search The Transportation Coloring Page Index
• Learn how to craft a paper monoplane

 

This painted pilot has vintage suit and cap with goggles.