Christmas Eve plates are a wonderful tradition for leaving out treats for Santa and his reindeer. With a touch of creativity, you can create a beautiful, personalised plate that captures the festive spirit and becomes a cherished keepsake for years to come. Whether you’re painting with kids or trying your hand at a fun new hobby, this step-by-step guide will walk you through how to paint your own Christmas Eve plate using acrylic paints and water-based varnish.
What You’ll Need
Before we get started, gather the following materials:
A blank white ceramic bisque plate (unfired glaze-free plate).
Acrylic paints (red, green, gold, white, and black are festive staples, but feel free to get creative!).
A selection of paintbrushes: flat brush for base layers, round brush for details, and a fine detail brush for small touches.
Water-based varnish (for a protective finish).
Festive shaped stencils (great for adding detail without painting free hand).
A pencil and eraser.
A paint palette or tray (great for paint mixing).
A cup of water for rinsing brushes.
Paper towels or a rag for wiping brushes.
A plate stand or paper underneath to protect your work surface.
Step 1: Plan Your Design
Start by deciding what you’d like your Christmas Eve plate to look like. Here are a few simple and festive ideas:
A message like “Cookies for Santa” or “Santa & Rudolph’s Treats.”
Festive illustrations like holly, candy canes, or a Christmas tree.
Sections for different treats, such as “Carrots for Rudolph” or “Milk for Santa.”
Use a pencil to lightly sketch your design onto the plate. Don’t press too hard – you’ll paint over it later, but any dark lines may show through the dried paint.
Step 2: Paint the Background (Optional)
If you’d like a coloured background on your plate, use a flat brush to apply a thin, even coat of paint to the entire surface.
Tip: Light colours like white, pale blue, or gold work well for Christmas designs.
Let the background dry completely before moving to the next step (this usually takes about 15-20 minutes for acrylics). Or use a hairdryer to speed up the process.
If you prefer a white base (perfect for a classic look), skip this step.
Step 3: Add Your Main Design
Use a round brush or detail brush to carefully paint your main design, following your pencil sketch.
For text, use a fine detail brush (or paint pen) and take your time to keep your letters neat. Block letters and festive fonts work well – you can even trace letters printed from a computer if you’d like.
For festive decorations, such as holly leaves or stars, start with the largest shapes first and then add smaller details like berries or highlights later.
Tip: Thin your acrylic paint slightly with water for smooth, even lines. Don’t over-dilute, as this can affect the paint’s opacity.
Step 4: Add Festive Details
Now it’s time to make your plate truly magical!
Use metallic paints (like gold or silver) for accents – these add a festive sparkle.
Add highlights and shadows to your design by layering lighter and darker shades of your colours. For example, use a lighter green on the edges of holly leaves to make them pop.
If you’re painting snowflakes or stars, use a white paint pen or the tip of a small round brush for precision.
Stamp in detail. Festive shaped stamps are a great way to add detail without the need for free hand decoration. Lightly dip you stamp in the paint, or paint the stamp surface with a brush, then apply to your plate.
Tis the season to be glittery. Christmas is always a good reason to go big with glitter. Add loose glitter whilst your paint is still wet and shake off the excess or use glitter glue to add some sparkly details.
Step 5: Let It Dry
Allow your plate to dry completely. Acrylic paint dries quickly, but it’s best to wait at least 1-2 hours before moving to the next step to ensure there are no smudges. The good old hairdryer will help speed the process along, if you like to limit your waiting like me.
Step 6: Seal Your Design
Once your paint is completely dry, apply a layer of water-based varnish to protect your design and give it a glossy finish.
Use a soft, clean brush to apply the varnish in even strokes across the entire plate.
Apply several layers of varnish, as per manufacturers instructions, for ultimate protection.
Let the varnish dry for at least 24 hours before using the plate.
Important: Painted plates with acrylics are for decorative purposes only and should not be used for food directly. If you want to use the plate for snacks or treats, line it with baking parchment, or leave painted areas away from contact with food. Or use wrapped treats. Varnishing allows the surface to be gently wiped clean with a slightly damp cloth.
Step 7: Enjoy Your Plate!
Your Christmas Eve plate is ready to bring festive cheer to your home! Use it to leave out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, or display it as a decoration throughout the Christmas season.
Additional Tips for Beginners
Practice Makes Perfect: Test your design on a piece of paper before painting the plate.
Clean Brushes Regularly: Rinse your brushes thoroughly with water between colours to avoid mixing unwanted shades.
Embrace Imperfection: Hand-painted items are unique and charming, so don’t worry if it’s not perfect.
Create Your Own Festive Tradition (Now you know how to paint a Christmas Eve plate)
Painting a Christmas Eve plate is a fun, creative way to prepare for the holidays and make special memories with your family. Whether it’s a new family tradition or a thoughtful handmade gift, your plate will bring joy year after year.
Ready to get started? Check out my Paint Your Own Plate for all the materials you need to make your own festive creations. Don’t forget to share your painted plates with me on social media using the hashtag #ArtyPaxCreation!
Happy Painting and Merry Christmas! 🎄
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