Snow-Free and Festive

Who says you need snow for it to feel like the holidays? Create your own merry and bright by filling your front yard with holiday cheer. No, not string lights, although great, but we’ve got a different idea. Show the world your festive spirit with DIY wooden holiday lawn ornaments! Queen of PAWNS is here to tell you how. 

From playful to devotional, lawn ornaments can vary in size, but often are at least 3 feet tall. If you are a condo dweller, you can do smaller figures for your porch or balcony. There is also the option of creating wooden cut-out wreaths or other hanging decorations of all sorts for your front door. You don’t need years of experience as a wood worker to make these decorations from paint and plywood. What you do need however is, the inspiration to take on a festive project and the tools to make it happen. 

If you like to draw and have a basic engineering mind, you might want to tackle the design part of this process all by yourself. If you need patterns that have already been drawn out, accompanied by instructions for construction, they can be purchased in any woodworking specialty store on online. There are also several free options online for instructions and/or patterns. Here’s some ideas to get your creative juices flowing...

For projects that instruct without providing downloadable patterns, check out HGTV’s links for Lawn Reindeer and Rustic Nail-Head Christmas Trees.

If you are not comfortable drawing outlines for shapes yourself, find a picture of an image that you like, such as a Santa, angel, tree...anything, make an enlarged copy of it to any size you want your final piece to stand. Then, cut out the shapes and lay them on top of your plywood. Trace around the shapes with a pencil. Here is a link to a free pattern, complete with instructions of another reindeer - free reindeer pattern.

However you approach the pattern part of your lawn ornament project, once the design is drawn, you will need to cut the wood. Mostly what we have suggested so far would require 3/4” plywood. You can use whatever wood suits the size of your final figure best.  For delicate and smaller designs, 1/4” wood is more appropriate. To cut your wood, of course, will require a saw. For curves and smooth turns, you need to use a band saw, jig saw or scroll saw. Below is a brief description for each of those.

Bandsaws are good for smaller sizes of wood, so they wouldn’t work well on uncut plywood or kitchen counters. They cut smooth and quick with interchangeable blades that allow for different curvature. Wider blades are better for straight cuts. 

With jigsaws, you bring the tool to the work. They can be used to make straight or curved cuts. If making straight cuts, you may want to use a metal straight-edge or guide. 

Scroll saws are kind of like a very light duty bandsaw-jigsaw hybrid used to make intricate cuts. Its use is limited to thinner materials. Blades can be changed on scroll saws to work on metal, wood or plastic. 

Of course, all of these saws as well as other tools such as sanders and drills can be found at Queen of PAWNS*.

Finally, to show off your lawn figures at night - highlight them with outdoor grade spot lights or string lights.

Enjoy the creative process and let your merry shine bright!

*When looking for something specific, call the Queen of PAWNS nearest you to check inventory.


Queen of Pawns - South Florida
3380 south military trail
Lake Worth, Florida 33463
561-434-4858

1180 South Military Trail
West Palm Beach, Florida 33415
561-343-4149

6080 Okeechobee Blvd.
West Palm Beach, Florida 33417
561-656-4149

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5831 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, Fl 32839
407-722-8811

1700 West Vine Street
Kissimmee, FL 34741
407-201-3930

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