Every year, we make Christmas decorations out of popsicle sticks, which is one of our family’s favorite traditions. Every year the grandparents receive the gift of a handmade ornament featuring our son to commemorate his rapid growth! This year we did popsicle stick shop decorations!
What I love about this store decorating idea is that the kids can choose a “store” that represents their favorites! Maybe they are a bookworm and want to open a bookstore, or an ice cream shop for those with sweet tooths, a toy store, or a sporting goods store. The options are endless!
Our son happens to like It was Christmas so he went to a classic Christmas shop. Dream store, if you ask me! Here’s how to make these sweet and easy decorations that require just popsicle sticks, paint, and a favorite picture to gift this year. Everyone who receives it will absolutely love it!
Required supplies
this is what you need to do each Decoration:
- 7 popsicle sticks per decoration
- 7 giant popsicle sticks per decoration
- 1 wooden bead per ornament (for door handles)
- Hot glue gun (adult use only!)
- Paint the desired color
- brush
- Marker or white brush (depending on the color you choose for your logo!)
- Photo (you can use wallet size or cut to 4×6 size, which is what I did. I recommend using a photo printed on photo paper or laminated so it lasts!)
- Felt (optional, to finish the back of the ornament)
- Twine or ribbon for hanging
- Decorations (if desired): Mini wreath, Santa hat, Christmas lights, mini candy canes
- Scissors
Popsicle Stick Decoration Shop Step-by-Step Tutorial
Follow these steps to make these sweet Christmas decorations with popsicle sticks:
- Use hot glue to attach six popsicle sticks to one large popsicle stick, five on one side and one on the other.
- glue Place a regular popsicle stick across the top of six popsicle sticks to secure.
- cut Make one giant popsicle stick the same length as the left opening (shown above) and glue it on top of the other giant popsicle stick.
- painting! This is where the kids get involved! Paint your storefront Color you want. The three popsicle sticks in the middle of the five sticks stuck together will act as the “doors,” so paint them a different color than the rest of the ornament. Extra smear with large popsicles Color of your choice. (This will become your store’s logo)
- In addition, you will Color giant popsicle sticks That will be the awning. Paint 2 large popsicle sticks one color and then 2 another contrasting color.
- Once dry, Cut each painted giant popsicle stick in half. Now you can adjust the size of each piece according to the size you want your awning to be. I made them about 2 inches long.
- Hot melt adhesive awning Pieces of popsicle sticks stuck to the top of the store.
- Write (Or have your kids write) the name of the store on the extra giant popsicle sticks you make. Trim off rounded edges. notes: If you use a white pen like we did, it will become clear, but once dry it will turn white!
- hot melt adhesive signs Over awning.
- Hot glue your photo Go to the back of the ornament in the opening you created.
- decorate! Add a bead to the doorknob, a garland to the door, Christmas lights to the sign, candy canes or Santa hats to the kids in the photo.
- Cut a 5-inch piece of twine or ribbon And tie a knot to make it a loop. Hot glue the knot to the back of the ornament for hanging.
- If necessary, Cut a rectangular piece of felt Cover the back of the ornament and finish it off. Attach it with hot glue.
How to give away popsicle stick decorations
Be sure to write your child’s year, age, and name on the back of the ornament so it’s easier to remember!
Choose an ornament for each family member you want to give as well. We love picking colors that we think everyone will love the most!
Wrap an ornament or place in a gift bag and write “From a Child” on the label! Kids will be so proud to give away these sweet popsicle stick decorations they made!
More Popsicle Stick Decoration Ideas to Try
This is our sixth year making popsicle stick decorations! Here are some other favorites worth trying. You can even have a popsicle stick decorating party and let each child choose their own style!
Have fun with this Christmas project with your family and hang it on your tree every year! These will quickly become your favorite decorations to pull out of the decorations box.
