This is one of those projects that turned out 100 times better than I ever could have imagined!!! As you know, this is our first year in the house AND with Arlo so I’m trying to go all out on Christmas decor despite our place still being a total mess. And I just knew we needed a colorful Christmas village. Wanna hear the best part about this?? These were bird houses to start!! And each house cost under $15 to buy and under $20 to make, which if you’ve ever looked at the price of an actual Christmas village, that’s crazy!!!! Here’s how to make your own!
DIY Colorful Christmas Village
Total Time: 1+ Hours Per House (+ Dry Time)
Supplies
Wooden Bird Houses/Craft Houses, here's a few
-Asymmetrical House
-Wood cottage
-Tower Birdhouse
-Whimsical House
-House with Porch
-Log Cabin
-Farmhouse
-Castle
-Lighthouse
-House with Fence
-Two Story Cottage
Craft Paint in Various Colors
White Craft Paint
Paint Brush
Glue
Clear/Iridescent Chunky Glitter and/or White Glitter
Other Colorful Glitter (Optional, for trim!)
Fake Snow
Christmas Village Accessories (Small Wreaths, Trees, Etc.)
Thin Ribbon (Optional, we swapped out the red ribbons on the wreaths for pink!)
Hot Glue Gun
Directions
1. First step is to paint your bird houses whatever colors your heart so desires! We planned ours out so we had a variety of colors and so they all coordinated.
2. If you want to add any colored glitter to the trim of your house, now is the time to do that. Add a thin layer of glue over the painted trim and sprinkle coordinating glitter overtop.
3. Now, for the snow! Paint a thin strip of white paint along the edges of the roof of each house. This makes the snow really "pop" on the edges, where in real life it would pile up the most! Let dry.
4. Mix together your various glitters and fake snow in a bowl or other dish.
5. Add a thin layer of glue over the entire roof, and under/around any windows or doors where you want some snow to "fall" and use your fingers to sprinkle your glitter mixture over top of it. Let dry.
6. Final step is to add your accessories! You can also add some snow and glitter to these with a little bit of glue. Then hot glue them to the doors, windows or porch of the houses.
Photos by Jeff Mindell | Craft Production by Theresa Rountree
You could get the whole family in on the action or you could add a new one each year! You could even paint a mini version of your own house!
Here’s what I’ll end on about this DIY… Samantha is not a DIY-er and even she said “Wow, I think I might make this.” Haha!! Anyone can do it!!! And it’s so festive and perfect and wow, can you tell it’s one of my favorite projects of all time??
p.s. DIY Ornament Pillows!
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53 comments
RENEE JOHNSON November 29, 2017
This is SO cute!!
Michelle November 29, 2017
They look absolutely adorable!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Abby Hunter November 29, 2017
I’m in LOVE!! So good!
LirioNohemy November 29, 2017
OMG how adorable!!! These are so, so good! I’m now mentally rearranging my decor to see where I can fit in a few of these 🤔😂
Kristina B November 29, 2017
These are just the CUTEST!! I love how some of them have a mini wreath or a porch tree!
Also…Samantha doesn’t CRAFT!?!?!? How is that even possible?
Samantha November 29, 2017
Not even a little! Haha. I’m the left brain to Kelly’s right!
Kristina B November 30, 2017
HA!!
Perfect! I think I left my Left Brain somewhere. Maybe my husband has it.
Marike November 29, 2017
I love it!
Did you paint those trees yourself? How did you do it? 🙂
Amanda November 30, 2017
Where did you get all those larger colorful trees surrounding the village? Theyre so cute!! I love this so much and definitely want to try this out.
Sylvie December 4, 2017
This is the most beautiful thing ever!! It puts vague daydreams I’ve had for years and years (and years) into an amazing pink wonderland!! Feeling very excited about this
Ci-san December 5, 2017
It’s beautiful! I love the colors. <3
Marie December 9, 2017
These are so cute. Such a clever idea. Ithink I have some of those wooden birdhouses out in the garage. Merry Christmas and keep those great ideas coming!
Annie December 21, 2017
I have been intriqued by miniature houses ever since I was a little girl. These are so sweet and so affordable and so easy! Definitely see these in my future. Thanks for sharing such a fabulous idea!
Jac Hardy-Heeley February 1, 2018
This little Christmas village is my favourite DIY. I am hoping to make it for this year. Thank you for the wonderful idea🌲
Debra A Wise December 7, 2018
These are absolutely stunning. Love them!
Teresa November 8, 2019
I absolutely adore the colors and creativity! Bravo.