Easy DIY Rustic Wood Signs For The Holidays

Looking for a cute Christmas sign to add to your holiday décor? If you love DIY farmhouse Christmas decorations, this Joy to the World rustic wood sign is the perfect project to make this season. It’s an easy and affordable way to add a cozy, festive touch to your home, and it looks beautiful displayed on a mantel, shelf, or entryway. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you step by step through how to make a rustic Christmas wood sign that’s perfect for farmhouse-style holiday decorating.

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How To Make DIY Rustic Wood Signs

I love holiday crafting because there's a seemingly endless supply of inspiration! With that in mind, I am in full Christmas crafting mode right now, and I just made a sign that I can't wait to share with you.

As I was recently switching my decorations from fall and Thanksgiving to Christmas, I put away my reversible holiday sign from the front porch and realized I didn't have a Christmas replacement!

After some brainstorming, I came up with a beautifully rustic wooden Joy To The World sign design.

This may be one of my favorite projects that I have created using Krylon. It looks absolutely amazing in person, and believe it or not, it's super easy to make. Ready to get crafting?

Supplies Needed To Make DIY Rustic Wood Signs

• Wood board
• Minwax Wood Finishing Cloths in Dark Mahogany
• Cricut
• Vinyl
• Vinyl transfer paper
• Krylon Spray Paint in White
• Krylon Spray Sealer

Step 1: Stain Your Wood Board       

Start with a board….any board. This one was leftover from another project, and I decided it was the perfect size for my sign.

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Since I wanted a deep, dark stain on my board, I used Minwax Wood Finishing Cloths in Dark Mahogany to achieve a rich, dark background.

They're super easy to use. Just rub the cloth onto the wood and remove any excess. Allow the stain to dry completely before continuing.

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Step 2: Cut Out Vinyl Lettering

While I was waiting for the stain to dry, I worked on preparing my vinyl lettering with my Cricut.

You can use any saying and font you choose (I created a simple design using “Joy to the World”). After cutting, remove any excess vinyl, including from the centers of letters.

NOTE: You can use a cutting machine (such as a Cricut) or, alternatively, a craft knife and vinyl or contact paper to make your lettering. Need help deciding which Cricut machine you need? This guide to Cricut machines should help make your choice easy!

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Step 3: Apply Vinyl Lettering To Your Board

I then used vinyl transfer paper to transfer the vinyl to the wood. The transfer paper is not required, but it will make it easier to keep everything lined up.

Press the vinyl firmly to the board, using your finger to ensure it adheres to the rustic wood sign.

TIP: Take the time to go around the edges of each letter – trust me on this one!

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Step 4: Spray Paint The Board

Next, use Krylon Spray Paint in White to paint the entire board.

I recommend using a light coat of spray paint, then applying additional light coats if needed.

PRO TIP: Spray your sign outdoors, and hold the can above the sign for best coverage.

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I went really light with my coats, so you can actually see the wood grain through the white layer. I love love love this look!

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Step 5: Remove The Vinyl Lettering

Allow the paint to dry before removing your vinyl lettering and see how your wooden sign turned out.

Step 6: Seal And Protect Your Rustic Wood Sign

You can use Krylon Spray Sealer over your project to protect it for many years. Be sure to let the sealant dry completely before adding your sign to your Christmas decorations.

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FAQs About DIY Rustic Wood Signs

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions I receive about making DIY rustic wood signs. If your question isn’t listed, feel free to drop it in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help!

Can I Use A Traditional Stain On My Sign?

Yes, of course! I used the stain wipes because I had them on hand, and they make projects like this one so fast and easy. If you only have a regular stain, simply use a rag to spread it over the wood. Then wipe off the excess and let it dry before moving on to the next step in making your rustic wood sign.

What Are The Different Ways To Personalize This Rustic Wood Sign Project?

There are so many ways you can make this sign uniquely yours! Here are a few ideas to spur your own creativity:

• Change the shape or size of the wooden board
• Use a different phrase or even just a single word
• Change the colors
• Paint the wood instead of staining it
• Add a holiday stencil image

What Cricut Machine Can I Use For This Project?

All of them! The Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore series, Cricut Joy, Cricut Joy Xtra, and Cricut Venture can all cut vinyl!

The only thing to keep in mind is that each Cricut machine has different project-size capabilities. So, depending on the size of your wood board, you might need to resize your text.

How Would You Add A Hanger To This Rustic Sign?

If you want to add a hanger, you can simply hot glue a saw tooth hook to the back of your wood board.

5 More Holiday Sign Crafts

If you loved learning how to make DIY rustic wood signs and want even more holiday sign crafts, check out the links for more ideas below!

• Cricut Signs with Layered Vinyl for the Holidays
• Christmas Round Sign SVG
• Metallic Let It Snow Sign
• Christmas Porch Sign SVG
• Christmas Tree Outdoor Pallet Sign

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