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
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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RENEE JOHNSON says
This is SO cute!!
Michelle says
They look absolutely adorable!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Abby Hunter says
I’m in LOVE!! So good!
LirioNohemy says
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 š¤š
Kristina B says
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 says
Not even a little! Haha. I’m the left brain to Kelly’s right!
Kristina B says
HA!!
Perfect! I think I left my Left Brain somewhere. Maybe my husband has it.
Marike says
I love it!
Did you paint those trees yourself? How did you do it? š
Amanda says
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 says
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 says
It’s beautiful! I love the colors. <3
Marie says
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 says
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 says
This little Christmas village is my favourite DIY. I am hoping to make it for this year. Thank you for the wonderful ideaš²
Debra A Wise says
These are absolutely stunning. Love them!
Teresa says
I absolutely adore the colors and creativity! Bravo.
Deepweb says
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Rose Martine says
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Peyton says
I am obsessed with this village!! I am having trouble with the colors though. My local craft storeās paint selection is slim so I am going to try to purchase online, but itās hard to tell what the color will actually look like. Do you happen to know the brand and color names of some of the paints you used???
Jen says
This is adorable! Can you share the colors you used?
Liz says
I’d love to make these, it looks like a lot of the links to the houses are out of stock though. Ive had a hard time finding any others. Do you have any other suggestions?
Morgan says
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Ash says
Hi,
I LOVE the idea of birdhousesā£ Paper wouldn’t last for years & years, and the $$$$ for ceramic.
I have a question, though…. how do you cover up the hole (bird’s entrance?)
Camden M. says
Hey Kelly! This is adorable!! I am wondering if you reused these the next year. Did the chunky glitter stay intact or was there some fallout?