Make a set of Christmas ornaments that capture the movies, shows, rides, music and memes you loved most… pick any year or decade you want. In our video we painted a dozen from our own list for 2022… but this project works beautifully for any era you want to celebrate.
Watch the episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/bL9B3qju91A
What we’re making
Simple round ornaments turned into tiny pop-culture posters. We prime… trace… and paint clean icons so even non-artists can get crisp results. Hang them as a yearly “Wrapped” for your tree or gift them to friends who loved the same things.
Supplies
- Plain plastic ornaments… matte or glossy
- Primer spray suitable for plastic
- Acrylic craft paints
- Assorted brushes… plus a few dollar-store foam brushes
- Graphite or tracing paper… pencil… fine black paint pen or Sharpie
- Painter’s tape… paper towels… disposable palette or foil
- Optional sealer… clear acrylic spray or Mod Podge
- Drying stands… a cardboard box with skewers works great
Our ornament picks in the video
Use these as inspiration for your own list…
Stranger Things S4… Wordle… Avatar The Way of Water… Top Gun Maverick… Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind… Taylor Swift Midnights… Lightyear… House of the Dragon… Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure… Elvis… Black Panther Wakanda Forever… Purple M&M.
Step by step
- Prime
Light, even coats on each ornament. Let dry fully so paint grips nicely. - Choose your icons
Search simple logos or silhouettes… print them at ornament size. Mirror the image if you plan to transfer. - Transfer the outlines
Place graphite paper between printout and ornament… trace firmly so a clean guide appears. No graphite paper… rub pencil on the back of your printout, then trace. - Block in base colors
Paint large shapes first… two thin coats beat one thick coat. Rest the ornament in your drying stand between colors. - Add details and lines
Use a fine brush or paint pen for edges and lettering. Keep strokes short… rotate the ornament instead of twisting your wrist. - Clean ups
A damp cotton swab erases small slips while paint is fresh. Once dry, nudge edges sharper with the base color. - Seal
Optional… a clear coat protects against scuffs. Glossy reads like glass… matte feels artsy. Both look great under tree lights.
Tips for non-artists
- Start with geometric designs… grids, monograms, simple logos.
- Limit each ornament to 3 colors for a bold, readable look.
- Pre-paint a solid color ornament first… then add a single white icon for instant win.
- Make pairs… one side icon… the other side the year label.
Make it a tradition
Pick 8 to 12 faves every holiday season… film… TV… a new ride you loved… a concert… a meme that made you laugh. Store each set in a labeled shoe box so future you can time-travel as you decorate.
Our Replicate-Worthy verdict
Creativity… five stars
Replay value… five stars
Overall… Success
Low cost… high nostalgia… and a tree that tells your story.
If you paint a set, show us your lineup in the YouTube comments… we’d love to see what made your list. And if you enjoyed the episode, please like the video and subscribe to Replicate the Magic so you never miss the next build, bite, or bright idea.
