Rustic Wooden Nutcracker Craft for Christmas

I am over the moon in love with this modern wooden nutcracker craft. This elegant design will never go out of style and it’s clear to see why – this Christmas DIY will fit in seamlessly with any decor, from farmhouse to modern.

The basic rule of thumb with my holiday decor is everything should be beautifully practical or simple. This nutcracker Christmas craft is gorgeous simplicity at its finest.

Close up of a white painted wooden nutcracker holding a faux green wreath with a small red and white bow with faux greenery in the background on a white surface.
This Wooden Nutcracker Christmas craft project is a great craft for the kids.

RELATED READING: Rustic Cinnamon Stick Santa Christmas Ornament Craft

Modern Painted Christmas Nutcracker

Here are Ruffles and Rain Boots we are slightly enamored with Farmhouse and rustic decor. This is especially true around the holidays. As a result, we’re always on the lookout for a cute, fun, and easy primitive craft project.

Folklore has it that a Nutcracker, which originated in Germany, was placed in a house to keep it safe and keep peace within it. Because he is so handsome, this guy would look perfect on a fireplace mantle.

If the kids are home on winter break and are making it known they are bored, a Christmas nutcracker craft for kids with mom is just what they need. So, kids from preschool and up can help with this project. Younger kids will need help with removing the drum and using the hot glue gun.

No time to Make This Now? Save or Share for Later.

White painted wooden nutcracker holding a faux green wreath with a small red and white bow with faux greenery in the background on a white surface.
A Wooden Nutcracker Soldier is said to bring good luck. Grab the kids to make this easy homemade craft.

As an Amazon Associate, I could earn from qualifying purchases. There may be affiliate links within this article.

Tips for Making a Rustic Christmas Nutcracker

  • Instead of making a wreath, you can leave the drums and drumsticks attached to the wood nutcracker. From there you can include them in your painting to give your Nutcracker a traditional look.
  • Change up this craft by using several different paints to create a uniform for the Nutcracker, giving it a more traditional look.
  • A whitewashed appearance like our Nutcracker craft is easy to achieve. Just add 2 teaspoons of water to 1 tablespoon of paint. Paint 1-2 coats to achieve this look.
Front right facing view of a white painted wooden nutcracker holding a faux green wreath with a small red and white bow with faux greenery in the background on a white surface.
Our Wooden Nutcracker project is a great craft for the kids to give to neighbors, friends, and family.

Supplies to Make a Nutcracker Soldier

If you’re not removing the drum and sticks, you won’t need some of these supplies. For a more rustic look, use a small chip brush and make sweeping motions when painting.

Unpainted wooden nutcracker next to a red hot glue gun, white paint, a foam brush, sandpaper, white and red ribbon, wood filler and faux greenery on a white surface.
  • Unfinished nutcracker (Amazon or Michaels; 12” size)
  • White paint
  • Foam brush
  • Ribbon
  • Wire pine stems
  • Red and white ribbon (5/8″)
  • Hot glue gun
  • Sandpaper (60 grit)
  • Wood Filler

Each step is detailed below to make this easy to follow. Keep this page open while you are creating your modern wooden nutcracker Christmas DIY. If you would prefer to work from a printable set of instructions, scroll down and select the print button.

Unpainted wooden nutcracker with it's drum and drumsticks removed next to a red hot glue gun, white paint, a foam brush, white and red ribbon, wood filler and faux greenery being sanded with sandpaper on a white surface.

Step 1: Remove any unwanted pieces, like the drum and drumsticks.

Unpainted wooden nutcracker with it's drum and drumsticks removed next to a piece of sandpaper, a red hot glue gun, white paint, a foam brush, white and red ribbon, wood filler and faux greenery being sanded with sandpaper on a white surface.

Step 2: Use the sandpaper and smooth away any dried glue.

Close up of an unpainted wooden nutcracker having holes being filled with wood filler, next to a spool of white and red ribbon, faux greenery, a red hot glue gun, a hot glue gun and wooden drumsticks.

Step 3: Apply wood filler to any open holes and gaps that held the drum and drumsticks.

A white wooden nutcracker being painted white with a foam brush next to a bottle of white paint on a white surface.

Step 4: Cover the wooden nutcracker with the white paint. We recommend 1-2 coats of paint or whitewash (watered down paint).

a mini green faux wreath next to a red hot glue gun, a spool of white and red ribbon and faux greenery on a white surface.

Step 5: Create a wreath approximately 2.5-3” wide. Roughly measure the width between your Nutcracker’s hands.

Close up of a small red and white bow next to a spool of white and red ribbon and a mini faux green wreath on a white surface.

Step 6: Tie a small bow with the ribbon.

A white painted wooden nutcracker holding a mini faux green wreath with a small red and white bow next to a red hot glue gun, a spool of white and red ribbon and faux greenery on a white surface.

Step 7: Carefully use the hot glue gun, and attach the wreath to the hands of the Nutcracker.

More Elegant Christmas Craft Ideas You May Like:

  • Easy DIY Christmas Eve Candle: Help Santa find his way to your home with this simple Christmas craft DIY. It is a fun craft idea to make for gifts too.
  • Dollar Tree Duster Wreath: This simple Farmhouse style Christmas craft project is as easy as it is inexpensive. Because it is so chic, you are going to want to make one for yourself and one…or two to give away.
  • Dollar Tree Farmhouse Bell Ornament: Our jingle bell holiday craft idea is fun, quick, and oh-so-adorable. As a result, your friends are going to want a few for themselves.
Yield: 1 nutcracker

Modern Wooden Nutcracker Craft

Front right facing view of a white painted wooden nutcracker holding a faux green wreath with a small red and white bow with faux greenery in the background on a white surface.

This modern painted wooden nutcracker is an easy inexpensive craft idea that is the perfect addition to your Christmas farmhouse table decor.

Active Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • Unfinished Wood Nutcracker (12” size)
  • White paint
  • Wire Pine Stems
  • Ribbon
  • Wood Filler

Tools

  • Foam Brush
  • Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
  • Sandpaper (60 grit)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Remove any unwanted pieces by simply rocking them back and forth to loosen them from the glue. I removed the drum and drumsticks on the one I used to give it a simpler look.
  2. Step 2: Using the sandpaper, smooth away any dried glue that remains from the removal from step 1 or wood splinters from the drilled areas.
  3. Step 3: According to the package directions, add wood filler
    to the open holes and gaps that held the pieces from step 1. Allow to dry completely and sand once again.
  4. Step 4: Dry brush or whitewash the unfinished nutcracker white with paint. If too much paint is applied, gently
    go over it with sandpaper to give it a more rustic and distressed look.
  5. Step 5: Create a wreath approximately 2.5-3” wide (depending on the distance between arms) with the wired pine steams. If needing to use 2, loop the 2nd stem in, out, and around to create a continuous piece. This will also make the wreath fuller.
  6. Step 6: Using your preferred bow method, make a small bow for the top of the wreath and attach it with hot glue.
  7. Step 7: Add hot glue to each hand of the Nutcracker. Place the wreath to the desired height and attach it to the nutcracker to look like he is holding it in his hands.

Notes

The wood filler and sandpaper won't be required if you are not removing the items held by the nutcracker.

For a more rustic look, use whitewash or a chip brush to apply undiluted paint.

Did you make this?

Please leave a comment or share a photo and tag me @rufflesandrain

Love This Easy DIY for Christmas? Save or Share It for Others

Your shares are how this site grows and I sincerely appreciate them and you. Please save this to your favorite Christmas or Farmhouse craft pin board or share it on Facebook to a crafty group or your timeline.

Vertical left facing view of a white painted wooden nutcracker holding a faux green wreath with a small red and white bow with faux greenery in the background on a white surface.
This modern painted wooden nutcracker is the perfect addition to your Christmas farmhouse table decor.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *