Handmade Christmas Sign – Festive DIY Porch Decor 

Step 1: Ginger and Spice Silicone Mould

This was my first time using a mould. So, I’ll share the step-by-step guide on how to use the mould and work with the IOD clay. 

Step 2: Add Cornstarch to the Mould First

The first thing you need to do when you get the mould is to add cornflour (also called cornstarch). Cornflour is the UK name for cornstarch. To avoid using the wrong ingredient, make sure it looks like white powder. 

This barrier allows the mould to detach easily. I added the cornflour and used a dry paintbrush to spread it out into all the details evenly. You can remove excess cornflour simply by tapping the back of the mould upside down.

Step 3: Using Air Dry Clay in Moulds

​This air dry clay is really soft to use. Which makes it easy to mould into the shapes and gentle on your hands.

I applied the clay to the mould, filling it up and making sure it was even. If you don’t fill the mould so that it has a flat back, it will have less surface area to attach to the object you apply it to. 

I used a rolling pin to flatten out the back.

You don’t need to wait to remove the mould. You can take it out straight away and let it dry. 

To remove the mould, you want to let gravity do the job for you. Turn the mould over so that the mould gently falls out. You may need to peel the mould edges carefully but this should be fairly easy. Especially if you used cornflour first.

Step 4: Position the clay in the shape you want it to dry

As soon as the characters came out, I bent the legs and raised them up while they dried. I used a Lego block for this. This was so they would dry in the shape I needed to sit on the shelf on the wooden sign.

If you want to bend the moulds into any shape then you need to do it before it has dried.

Step 5: Paint the Clay Moulds

For the colour of the gingerbread people’s skin, I used a mixture of Mojave and Coffee Bean. Mojave is a mustardy, yellowy brown. Coffee Bean is a dark brown. 

There isn’t a standard way to paint gingerbread people’s features. You can use either black or white paint for the facial features. Choose what feels right for your sign look. 

I actually didn’t use black paint at all. I used the dark brown of Coffee Bean for the eyes as it was a little softer.

The great thing about using the clay for the gingerbread people is that it naturally left a textured look for the gingerbread.

It’s important not to use a thick layer of paint that takes away some of the detail of the mould. It’s best to do a couple of thin coats to keep the details.

Step 6: Paint the Gingerbread Characters

I chose to paint the characters before they were stuck to the wood slice. So that I could get a clean edge on the outside of the character without accidentally getting paint on the wood slice too, which would be hard to remove once the characters were stuck down.

I stuck to traditional Christmas colours for the clothes for the gingerbread people. I had a bit of paint in sample pots of Fusion Mineral Paint. A green and red paint that was perfect for a look for this time of year. 

You can also use chalk paint for painting moulds. You can choose whether you seal the paint depending on whether you think it might get damaged. I didn’t as my DIY wood signs tend to stay safely on the wall or door.

I needed a second coat of paint for full coverage once they were attached. So I didn’t paint all the way to the edges so there was no risk of getting paint on the wood. 

If you’re making Christmas gifts then you might want to stick to traditional colours of the Christmas season.

Or if you’re making a personal gift for someone? A perfect way to make it more special is to use their favourite colours of clothes they love. Making something that shows you’ve put thought into it is always a cute idea.

Step 7: Fill in the Cracks in the Clay

All clay naturally cracks. So on DIY projects, you’re likely to see some cracks once it has dried. This is because clay shrinks which is what creates the cracks. 

So it was no surprise that after 24 hours, some areas had cracked. It’s not a big problem. You can either touch them up with more clay or embrace the rustic look. 

I used a Cricut tool to push the clay into the largest gaps. Then smoothed it out with my finger. For the smaller cracks, I simply painted over them which disguised them nicely. 

The cracks may not have been very visible if I hadn’t already painted. It’s up to you whether you paint before or after the clay has dried as you may not need to do touchups if you wait for those cracks to appear first. 

Step 8: Secure the Sign With Brackets

When the clay was still pliable, I stuck the characters down to the wood slice. I did this before the clay was fully dry. So that there would be some wiggle room getting the characters to lay flat with their legs over the shelf, as though they are sitting on it 

You can use wood glue to attach the clay. I used a good amount and smoothed it out with a lolly stick. And avoided going too close to the edges so it wouldn’t spill out onto the wood.

I did two things to prepare the wood board for the characters to sit on the sign. 

Firstly, I attached two sawtooth hangers to the back. Then threaded the rope through it for this to hang on the wall. I did it first because I wanted to minimise touching it once the gingerbread people were attached. 

I did two hooks rather than one to give flexibility if one side of the wood ended up slightly heavier.

The next step was to make a small shelf for the gingerbread people to sit on. I measured the size of each of the characters. Then cut a piece of scrap wood to size to fit them all.

Finally, I painted it in the same word in the same red that I used for the outfits.

Step 9: Add Your Christmas Message

The final step was to add a message with faux Scrabble tiles. I chose the words ‘Welcome to our House’. I deliberately chose house rather than home, as of course gingerbread people are known for their houses.

The little tiles had sticky pads on the back so were easy to attach to the wood slice.

Alternatively, you could use a Cricut cutting machine to create your own message for holiday decor. Such as “Merry Christmas” or “You Bake My Day”. 

Display Your Adorable Handmade Christmas Sign

DIY wooden Christmas signs are the perfect addition to a front porch. An easy way to welcome people to your home. And so much fun to make!

Equally, they can sit on your fireplace mantel or take pride of place in your living room.

I hope this gave you some Christmas inspiration if you’re looking to make your own DIY Christmas signs.

They’re a great way to create special home decor for yourself and make wonderful gifts for Christmas Day.

These gingerbread moulds don’t have to just be for DIY Christmas decorations. They could equally be used to create DIY signs for baking fans all year round.