Make a wooden Father Christmas – plywood stencil

The biscuits smell lovely and the Advent wreath is up. Now all you need are your own designs for windows, doors and presents. This wooden Father Christmas stencil gives you an outline and a figure in one. You paint, spray or dab through the cut-out shape. On top of that, you get Father Christmas as a separate figure to decorate. Just right for your Advent craft afternoons.

What changes for you

• You get even, clean designs without drawing freehand. That's because the outline is precisely laser-cut.
• Your decorations fit exactly where you want them, from a small gift tag to a large window design. You can choose any height from 3 to 50 cm in 1 cm steps.
• You decorate it in your own style. The untreated wood takes paint, oil and glue directly. Paint it, stick things on it or leave it natural – it's up to you.
• It's pleasant to work with and there's no risk of splinters. The laser cut leaves the edges smooth.
• Planning craft sessions with children, clubs or customers is easy. Order singly or as a set of 10 or 25.

Why this Father Christmas stencil makes a difference day to day

A Father Christmas stencil removes the hurdle that puts many people off crafting: drawing the outline first. You place it down and start creating. Every design ends up with clear, clean outlines. That works on the window, on gift wrap or on the Advent calendar. So making a wooden Father Christmas becomes something where even children quickly have a result they're proud of.

Material & finish

The stencil is laser-cut from 3 mm plywood in our own production in Pößneck, Thuringia. The laser cut gives smooth edges and the typical slightly brown rim. This is a hallmark of the process. On many designs it even creates a warm-toned outline effect. The wood is untreated, not varnished or glazed. So it takes paint and glue reliably. As a natural material, it varies in shade. It shows fine grain patterns and sometimes small knots. This is not a flaw. It's what makes each piece one of a kind.

Dimensions & technical details

• Material: plywood, untreated
• Material thickness: 3 mm
• Shape: Father Christmas
• Height of the inner cutout: 3 to 50 cm, selectable in 1 cm steps
• Frame: at least 2.5 mm wide (at the narrowest point, wider elsewhere)
• Cut: laser cut, smooth edges
• Made in Thuringia, Germany

How to use the Father Christmas stencil

• On a craft afternoon: place the stencil on paper and colour it in with the children. Soon a whole parade of Father Christmases is on the fridge.
• On the window: work through the cut-out shape with a chalk pen or snow spray. You get clean outlines instead of wobbly lines.
• When wrapping presents: paint the cut-out Father Christmas and tie it to the parcel as a tag. A personal greeting that costs nothing but a few minutes.
• In a bakery, café or shop: with a set of 10 or 25, you decorate your counter and shop window in a uniform look. It's quick to set up and can be reused every year.
• For making a wooden Father Christmas with a school class or club: everyone gets the same basic shape, yet every figure turns out different. Ideal for group activities during Advent.

Good to know about Santa

Father Christmas goes back to Saint Nicholas, who was revered as a generous bringer of gifts. His modern image with a red coat and white beard only took shape in the 19th century. That's why the design suits more than Christmas Eve. It works from St Nicholas' Day onwards and accompanies your decorations through the whole of Advent.

Care & durability

There's not much to do. Store the stencil dry and flat, and it will keep its shape for many Christmases. As the wood is untreated, avoid constant moisture. If you use paint, simply let the stencil dry well afterwards.

Options & what's included

• Height of the inner cutout of your choice: 3 to 50 cm in 1 cm steps, plus frame
• Available singly or as a set of 10 or 25
• You receive the Father Christmas stencil in untreated plywood. Paints, pens and decorations shown in the product photos are not included

Frequently asked questions

What exactly will I receive? The stencil consists of the frame with the laser-cut Father Christmas inner cutout. You get both together, so you can use the stencil and the figure.

Is the wood treated? No, the plywood is untreated, neither varnished nor glazed. You can paint it, stick things on it, coat it or oil it – whatever your project needs.

Why does the stencil have a brown rim? The slightly brown rim comes from laser cutting and is typical of this process. The laser also gives smooth, clean edges.

Does every stencil look the same? The shape is always identical. The wood, as a natural material, is not. Shade, grain and small knots vary and make each piece one of a kind.

Which size should I choose? The stated height of 3 to 50 cm refers to the inner cutout. The surrounding frame is added to this. At its narrowest point it is at least 2.5 mm wide.

This wooden stencil is made for afternoons at the kitchen table. There's painting, gluing and laughing. By the evening, the first Father Christmas you've made yourself is hanging in the window. Just choose your size and get started.