Easy Frosty Upcycled Ceramic Thrift Store Santas
Thrift stores can be such a great way to decorate for the holidays inexpensively while getting a little crafty. So many items have great bones, and just need some simple and fun updating. One way to create a new decor item from something at the thrift store is by painting it. These easy frosty upcycled ceramic thrift store Santas are a great example of making new Christmas decor out of something old with paint and glitter!
This post contains affiliate links. See our sponsor and affiliate disclosure here.
It’s amazing what you can do with some white spray paint, craft glue and white glitter. This was a project I made for my Christmas craft book Creatively Christmas. I found these various ceramic Santas and I knew they needed a makeover. You can watch a video of the process or continue to the step-by step tutorial below. Find the supplies to make this project here.
While on their own they were fine, they just didn’t go together as a group. Though some of their faces are a little scary. The ceramic Santa on the far left looked really worried, and the one on the far right had a rabid-looking reindeer.
See, totally not kidding. The two in the middle just seemed to be happy to be rescued from the cold wire shelves next to a bunch of wooden nutcrackers with missing arms.
I first gave them all a few coats of white spray paint. The video shows using craft paint. Either will work, the spray paint version needs an extra step as detailed below. The ceramic Santas already look better with a coat of white paint. They are so much more cohesive now that they are all one paint color. Upcycling thrift store decor can be so satisfying.
Upcycle it: Paint Upcycled Rainbow Thrift Store Ceramic Cottages
Since the spray paint dried fast I coated each one with white craft glue and immediately sprinkled on super fine, white glitter. Martha Stewart has one called Carrera Marble that I like a lot. If you use white craft paint, you can sprinkle the glitter on while it’s still wet, the paint will act as an adhesive.
I let them dry. I love the effect, they look like they are made of sugar! The easy frosty upcycled ceramic thrift store Santas now look pretty and brand new and are neutral enough to go with almost any Christmas decor. This treatment can be done to almost any ceramic figurine including reindeer, snowmen or Christmas cottages. I’ve also used baking soda paint. You can find that link after this image.
The reindeer is not as scary either, and I don’t see Santa’s crazy eyes anymore.
Paint: Baking Soda Painted Christmas Trees
It’s such a transformation. I love how the details remain and Santa looks frosty and glittery.
I paired one with some fun white bottle brush trees and brass reindeer.
You an visit the other bloggers projects at:
You can find my book on Amazon!
What a cool idea. I absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Julie
This is such a great idea! I love that you brought tired decorations back to life and into style. These look so cute.
All the best,
The Other Marian
Love your Sugar Santa idea! Their features came alive in white. Before the colors were distracting. Thanks for sharing and can’t wait for the tour to begin.
Omgosh they look wonderful! So pretty and a huge improvement. Nobody likes a scary Santa!
What an AWESOME way to unify a collection! *pin
Looks good enough to eat! Thanks for being part of this fun series and sharing your creative ideas!
love this idea! they look great together too. tfs. MJ
What a wonderful make over! They all looked tired before, and now they are beautiful! What a great idea! I am glad the reindeer won’t be biting anyone!
A few days ago I purchased some small angels from the Dollar Tree and your idea has helped me to decide what to
do with them. Thanks !
So cute! You’re right, that reindeer did look rabid before you gave it a makeover! Much better now… thanks for the great idea!
I loooooove this idea so much!! I have so many santas that belonged to my mother that I have in storage because they just don’t work in my home. I am usually good at repurposing things but I never would have thought of this! Thank you!
What type of spray paint did you use? I love this idea! Looks great!
Just rustoleum bright white. It’s a nice color.