Looking for an easy way to create a stunning Christmas door hanger without spending hours painting? Let me show you how to use scrapbook paper and a Christmas hand lettering template to make a gorgeous “‘Tis the Season to Be Jolly” sign in under an hour! This beginner-friendly method combines the beautiful patterns of holiday scrapbook paper with your own hand lettering to create something truly special for your porch this season.

Whether you’re new to sign making or you’ve been lettering for years, this technique is going to change the game for how you approach Christmas crafts. No more staring at a blank wood surface, wondering how to fill all that space – we’re letting the pretty paper do half the work for us!

Why Scrapbook Paper is Perfect for Christmas Door Hangers

Scrapbook paper gives you a professional-looking base design instantly. No painting required! Plus, many scrapbook paper collections include designs specifically created with a blank space in the middle – almost like they were made for hand lettering!

You could also use this same method with wrapping paper for larger signs! Just make sure you use good quality wrapping paper – I learned the hard way that dollar store wrapping paper can fade in the sun. Trust me on that one!

Supplies You’ll Need

Here’s everything I used to create this “‘Tis the Season to Be Jolly” Christmas door hanger.

Materials:

• Wood door hanger blank (12 inches for scrapbook paper, or larger if using wrapping paper)
• Christmas scrapbook paper (12×12 sheet with a nice design)
• Mod Podge (matte finish works great)
• Foam roller brush (makes application SO much faster for larger surfaces)
• Regular paintbrush (for the top coat)
• Sandpaper or sanding block
• Exacto knife or scissors
• Tracing paper or vellum
• Graphite transfer paper
• Watercolor pencil (gray works well for planning)
• Acrylic paint pens in your chosen colors (I used green, pink, and red)
• White paint pen (for accent details)
• Clips or tape (to hold your template in place)
• Hair dryer (optional, for speeding up drying time)

Optional Extras:

• Ribbon for hanging
• Additional paint pens for embellishments

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Creating Your Christmas Door Hanger

Step #1: Preparing Your Scrapbook Paper

First, choose your scrapbook paper design. Look for patterns that have a nice open space in the middle where you can add your holiday lettering template. 

Designs with all-over patterns (like the string lights I used) work beautifully because it doesn’t matter if some elements get cut off at the edges.

Place your wood door hanger on top of the scrapbook paper and pay attention to where the hanging holes are – you want to make sure the design isn’t upside down! Use an exacto knife to carefully cut around the door hanger shape. You can also trace it with a pencil and use scissors if that’s more comfortable for you.

The exacto knife method is just a bit faster, which is why I prefer it, but both work equally well.

Step #2: Applying Mod Podge (The Key to Success!)

Here’s where timing matters, friend. Mod Podge dries quickly, especially on larger surfaces, so we need to work efficiently.

For the base coat:

1. Pour some Mod Podge onto a plate (makes it easier to reload your brush)
2. Use your foam roller brush to apply an even coat to the entire front of your wood blank
3. Work quickly but thoroughly – the roller helps you cover the surface fast
4. Immediately place your cut scrapbook paper on top, lining it up with your hanging holes
5. Use a Mod Podge smoother tool (or a squeegee) to press out any bubbles and ensure good contact
6. Let it dry for a few minutes – resist the urge to apply the top coat too soon or the paper might bubble!

PRO TIP: The first time you use a new foam roller, it will absorb more Mod Podge, so you might need to apply a bit extra. After that, it works like a dream!

Step #3: Sanding the Edges

Once your base layer is dry, grab your sandpaper and sand all around the edges to remove any paper overhang. This gives you those clean, professional-looking edges. I usually use an orbital sander for this, but hand sanding works perfectly fine too.

After sanding, use your finger or a pencil to poke through where your hanging holes are so you can see them clearly. This is important for the next step!

Step #4: Adding the Hand Lettering

Start in the middle! This is crucial. If you start with “‘Tis” at the top and work your way down, you might run out of room at the bottom. Instead:

1. Lay tracing paper over your door hanger
2. Start by lettering “SEASON” in the middle in your chosen style
3. Add “JOLLY” below it
4. Then add “‘TIS THE TO BE” in the remaining spaces
5. Adjust spacing and sizing as needed – this is the beauty of tracing paper!

You can erase and redraw on tracing paper without ruining your sign. Take your time getting the composition just right. Move words up or down to create the best balance.

Step #5: Add Color and Details

Here’s where your sign comes to life! I chose green, pink, and red to coordinate with the colorful lights on my scrapbook paper, but you can use any colors you want!

Painting your letters:

1. Use acrylic paint pens (they work better on Mod Podge than regular markers)
2. Trace over your transferred lines carefully
3. The surface will be slightly slick from the Mod Podge, so work slowly
4. Thicken your downstrokes to give your lettering that hand-lettered look
5. Turn your sign at different angles to get the best control for curves

Adding dimension:

Once your main lettering is dry, add white accent lines down the middle of your letters using a fine-tip white paint pen. This softens the look and adds a beautiful hand-painted quality.

Tying in the colors of your scrapbook paper:

To make your lettering colors coordinate better with your scrapbook paper pattern, add small accents throughout the design:

• Add little dashes of color to the background elements
• Paint small polka dots in strategic places
• Touch up any light bulbs or design elements with your paint pen colors

These little touches make it look like you planned everything perfectly!

Pro Tips for Using Your Christmas Hand Lettering Templates

Q: Can I use regular markers instead of paint pens on Mod Podge?

A: While regular markers can work, I recommend acrylic paint pens for the best results on Mod Podged surfaces. The Mod Podge creates a slightly slick finish, and paint pens have better coverage and won’t skip or streak as much. 

If you do use regular brush pens, make sure the Mod Podge is completely dry first and test on a small area.

Q: How do I prevent scrapbook paper from bubbling when I apply Mod Podge?

A: The key is using quality, thick scrapbook paper (which naturally resists bubbling) and not applying your top coat too soon. Let the base layer with the paper dry for several minutes before adding the sealing coat on top. 

Also, use a smoother tool or squeegee to press out any air bubbles immediately after placing your paper. If you do get bubbles, gently lift that section and reapply while it’s still wet.

Q: What’s the best way to seal a Christmas door hanger made with scrapbook paper?

A: The top coat of Mod Podge actually seals your sign! However, if your door hanger will be exposed to outdoor elements, I recommend adding 2-3 additional coats of Mod Podge, letting each coat dry completely between applications. 

You can also use an outdoor sealer spray for extra protection, especially if the sign will be in direct sun or rain. Just make sure your paint is completely dry before sealing.

Ready to Take Your Sign Lettering to the Next Level?

If you’ve made it this far, I have a feeling you’re hooked on the joy of creating beautiful signs! But what if you could master sign lettering once and for all? That’s exactly what the Lettering for Signmakers class will help you with!

This Course Is For You If:

• You want to make signs for your own home and feel confident in your lettering
• You’re tired of searching for the “perfect” template and want to create your own designs
• You’ve been lettering for a while, but want to learn the RIGHT way to do it
• You’re frustrated by wasting time and money on supplies that don’t work
• You want someone to just SHOW you how to do it instead of piecing it together from random YouTube videos

The Lettering for Signmakers course gives you everything you need to go from “I wish I could do that” to “I can’t believe I made this!” You’ll learn all the professional tips and techniques to do it. And I’ll be there to walk you through every step of the process!

Learn more about Lettering for Signmakers →